Six weeks until our trip - Edinburgh and Cornwall!
Apr 4th, 2016, 05:23 AM
#21
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Funny. I posted the same Cornwall guide on another thread newdriver, but my post seems to have been deleted by moderators. Not sure why.
It was all over my Facebook a week or two ago.
Careful looking at it though bbgt - Port Isaac (#12) looks incredible!
It was all over my Facebook a week or two ago.
Careful looking at it though bbgt - Port Isaac (#12) looks incredible!
Apr 4th, 2016, 07:27 AM
#24
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Re: your last post, Jamie - that gave me a few giggles. 
For some reason that link isn't working for me right now, but I actually think I saw it on the other post a week or so ago. I'll have a look again later.
Port Isaac does look stunning, and Tintagel would be wonderful, but I'm concerned for my mother's sake about all of the steep stairs involved to actually see the castle. Would it still be worth visiting if we need to avoid the stairs?
NewDriver - thank you for the Edinburgh tips. I thought Gladstone's Land in particular might interest us, as well as walking through Prince's Street gardens, but we'll see how we feel on the day. What do you think about the National Museum of Scotland?
For some reason that link isn't working for me right now, but I actually think I saw it on the other post a week or so ago. I'll have a look again later.
Port Isaac does look stunning, and Tintagel would be wonderful, but I'm concerned for my mother's sake about all of the steep stairs involved to actually see the castle. Would it still be worth visiting if we need to avoid the stairs?
NewDriver - thank you for the Edinburgh tips. I thought Gladstone's Land in particular might interest us, as well as walking through Prince's Street gardens, but we'll see how we feel on the day. What do you think about the National Museum of Scotland?
Apr 4th, 2016, 07:42 AM
#25
Port Isaac does look stunning, and Tintagel would be wonderful, but I'm concerned for my mother's sake about all of the steep stairs involved to actually see the castle. Would it still be worth visiting if we need to avoid the stairs?>>
personally I would give Tintagel a miss unless you really really like looking at ruins especially if your mum has mobility problems, especially as you already have a pretty full itinerary.
personally I would give Tintagel a miss unless you really really like looking at ruins especially if your mum has mobility problems, especially as you already have a pretty full itinerary.
Apr 4th, 2016, 11:00 AM
#28
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Yes, the others are right. Definitely skip Tintagel if steps are a concern. Everywhere in Cornwall is spectacular
Looks like there's an errant bracket on newdriver's web link. It should be:
http://www.campsites.co.uk/guides/ul...-visitor-guide
Glad I made you giggle!
Looks like there's an errant bracket on newdriver's web link. It should be:
http://www.campsites.co.uk/guides/ul...-visitor-guide
Glad I made you giggle!
Apr 4th, 2016, 12:47 PM
#29
Yes, that's my gut feeling as well. I think Lanhydrock would suit us much better, although I'm sure Tintagel is spectacular.>>
it's quite a long walk down from the car park to the house and garden at Lanhydrock but it's pretty level as are the grounds themselves, apart from some gentle changes in levels.
Thinking about access [and of course I don't know who limited your mum is] the main street in Port Isaac is quite steep but not excessively, so long as you take it slowly, ditto St Ives. St Michael's Mount is also steep in places but not for very long; the main problem may be getting there/back when the tide is in - you have to get in and out of a boat when the causeway is inaccessible. The Minack is ok so long as you don't decide you want to go right down to the stage - it's quite a haul to get back up again. The upper level where the lovely gardens and cafe are is fine - and don't miss the little exhibition showing how Rowena Cade constructed the theatre using mostly her own bare hands and a wheelbarrow - it's fascinating:
https://www.minack.com
otherwise most places are reasonably level.
it's quite a long walk down from the car park to the house and garden at Lanhydrock but it's pretty level as are the grounds themselves, apart from some gentle changes in levels.
Thinking about access [and of course I don't know who limited your mum is] the main street in Port Isaac is quite steep but not excessively, so long as you take it slowly, ditto St Ives. St Michael's Mount is also steep in places but not for very long; the main problem may be getting there/back when the tide is in - you have to get in and out of a boat when the causeway is inaccessible. The Minack is ok so long as you don't decide you want to go right down to the stage - it's quite a haul to get back up again. The upper level where the lovely gardens and cafe are is fine - and don't miss the little exhibition showing how Rowena Cade constructed the theatre using mostly her own bare hands and a wheelbarrow - it's fascinating:
https://www.minack.com
otherwise most places are reasonably level.
Apr 4th, 2016, 01:33 PM
#30
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JamieSS - I looked at that website. WOW!! Gorgeous - I can't wait!
Annhig - That is terrific information. Thank you. You helped me out quite a bit on a post awhile back regarding accessibility, but this level of specificity really helps this close to our trip. Mom will do just fine with short, steep walks if we take it slowly. As far as St. Michael's Mount, I checked the tide table for the day we plan to visit and it looks like a nice long window right in the middle of the day for crossing by causeway, so I think we'll be fine. We'll definitely stop for the café and exhibit at the Minack!
Annhig - That is terrific information. Thank you. You helped me out quite a bit on a post awhile back regarding accessibility, but this level of specificity really helps this close to our trip. Mom will do just fine with short, steep walks if we take it slowly. As far as St. Michael's Mount, I checked the tide table for the day we plan to visit and it looks like a nice long window right in the middle of the day for crossing by causeway, so I think we'll be fine. We'll definitely stop for the café and exhibit at the Minack!
Apr 5th, 2016, 04:50 AM
#31
Glad to be of help, BBgt. I had my mum staying over weekend and though she's a pretty sprightly 84 year old, I am having to become more aware of accessibility issues.
Re St Michael's Mount, do be very careful about allowing yourselves enough time to get back over the causeway - it's no fun having to try to outrun the tide which comes in very fast.
OTOH, Marazion itself is ideal for you i think - flat with lots of good eating choices. Penzance, which also has some excellent restaurants is more hilly, but if you park in the car park at the back of the Penlee Art Gallery, you can get to most of it very easily. While I'm talking about PZ, I must put in plug for the Art Gallery - they have some interesting exhibitions but their real treasure is the permanent collection of the "Newlyn School" of artists whose works are almost universally lovely. They also have an excellent cafe, a good book shop, and the location is great - in the middle of a beautiful garden.
http://www.penleehouse.org.uk
There is also another good garden nearby - the Morrab Gardens - which are also nice for a stroll.
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environm...orrab-gardens/
Finally, in PZ don't miss Chapel Street and in particular the Egyptian house at the top of the street:
http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/sear...-house-1-6747/
It's normally let out through the Landmark Trust but I was able to have a look round on an open day and the interiors were all furnished in period art deco style - very Poirot. but the outside alone is well worth seeing!
[looking at the website now they seem to have refurbished - it looks a bit swisher but perhaps not as quirky!]
Re St Michael's Mount, do be very careful about allowing yourselves enough time to get back over the causeway - it's no fun having to try to outrun the tide which comes in very fast.
OTOH, Marazion itself is ideal for you i think - flat with lots of good eating choices. Penzance, which also has some excellent restaurants is more hilly, but if you park in the car park at the back of the Penlee Art Gallery, you can get to most of it very easily. While I'm talking about PZ, I must put in plug for the Art Gallery - they have some interesting exhibitions but their real treasure is the permanent collection of the "Newlyn School" of artists whose works are almost universally lovely. They also have an excellent cafe, a good book shop, and the location is great - in the middle of a beautiful garden.
http://www.penleehouse.org.uk
There is also another good garden nearby - the Morrab Gardens - which are also nice for a stroll.
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environm...orrab-gardens/
Finally, in PZ don't miss Chapel Street and in particular the Egyptian house at the top of the street:
http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/sear...-house-1-6747/
It's normally let out through the Landmark Trust but I was able to have a look round on an open day and the interiors were all furnished in period art deco style - very Poirot. but the outside alone is well worth seeing!
[looking at the website now they seem to have refurbished - it looks a bit swisher but perhaps not as quirky!]
Apr 5th, 2016, 05:36 AM
#32
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Not sure if you are interested in trains, but York has a fabulous train museum that is definitely worth visiting. And it is free!
http://www.nrm.org.uk/planavisit/visityork
It is right by the train station. I enjoyed it even though I am not a huge train fan (we took my dad who is a huge train fan)!
http://www.nrm.org.uk/planavisit/visityork
It is right by the train station. I enjoyed it even though I am not a huge train fan (we took my dad who is a huge train fan)!
Apr 5th, 2016, 06:51 AM
#33
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We will definitely keep an eye on the tide times. The website says the causeway will be open between 10:05 and 14:35 on the day we plan to visit, so we should be able to time it right. I agree that Marazion sounds perfect for us. Our cottage is on Leys Lane with a little path to the beach, so I really can't imagine a better location for our holiday.
We're getting our car in Penzance on Monday morning and don't plan to go far afield that day, so a few hours in Penzance and a stop at Trengwainton Garden in the afternoon sounds like a great plan for that day. I'm making note of that parking tip, Ann!
Jamikins - I would love to visit the National Railway Museum, but am not sure time will allow. I've heard others say they enjoyed it even though they weren't train fans, so I'm sure we would as well! I would love to have two or more nights in York, but we only managed to squeeze in the one night between cottage rentals. Perhaps another time...
We're getting our car in Penzance on Monday morning and don't plan to go far afield that day, so a few hours in Penzance and a stop at Trengwainton Garden in the afternoon sounds like a great plan for that day. I'm making note of that parking tip, Ann!
Jamikins - I would love to visit the National Railway Museum, but am not sure time will allow. I've heard others say they enjoyed it even though they weren't train fans, so I'm sure we would as well! I would love to have two or more nights in York, but we only managed to squeeze in the one night between cottage rentals. Perhaps another time...
Apr 5th, 2016, 08:35 AM
#34
From memory, to get to that car park, you follow the signs to the museum/gallery - the entrance is on the way out of Penzance, just past the First and Last pub on Alverton Road. [my car could find this car park by itself as it's just opposite the now closed County Court where I used to go on average once a fortnight, so I'm a bit hazy on the signs to look out for]. if you are collecting your car from the railway station, drive into town up Market Jew Street, past the very posh Lloyds Bank with the cupola on the right, then keep going, and the First and Last will be on your left, just after the town hall on your right. [the Lloyds building was once Bolitho's Bank, the Bolitho family being the big land and mine owners in the district, so obviously they wanted everyone to know who the bosses were. They also owned Trengwainton and now rent it back from the National Trust]
When you get to the car park there is a long entrance with parking on the right, then it opens out into a bigger parking area with the entrance to the park with the museum beyond that. The only ticket machine is by the entrance. If you want to walk into town, you can exit the park by turning left out of the museum, then walk out onto Morrab road, walk east almost straight ahead along past a row of very sweet little houses, and that will bring you to the top of Chapel Street. [if you look at a map, this will hopefully make sense!]
When you've finished exploring PZ, turn right out of the car park, then at the little island immediately left, left again at the top of that road [it takes you past the police station and the hospital] then follow the signs to Trengwainton, where there is a very nice cafe.
Your cottage sounds perfect - we must just pray for good weather!
When you get to the car park there is a long entrance with parking on the right, then it opens out into a bigger parking area with the entrance to the park with the museum beyond that. The only ticket machine is by the entrance. If you want to walk into town, you can exit the park by turning left out of the museum, then walk out onto Morrab road, walk east almost straight ahead along past a row of very sweet little houses, and that will bring you to the top of Chapel Street. [if you look at a map, this will hopefully make sense!]
When you've finished exploring PZ, turn right out of the car park, then at the little island immediately left, left again at the top of that road [it takes you past the police station and the hospital] then follow the signs to Trengwainton, where there is a very nice cafe.
Your cottage sounds perfect - we must just pray for good weather!
Apr 5th, 2016, 09:19 AM
#35
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Yes - pray hard!! Once again, Ann, this is an incredibly helpful reply. I can picture everything you're saying, and will cement it in my brain with a look at Google Maps and street view. You've now walked me through several days' worth of our itinerary - next best thing to a tour guide! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Beth
Beth
Apr 5th, 2016, 09:46 AM
#37
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How could we not, with such gorgeous scenery and kind people? (Because of course we will meet other kind people such as those on this forum - I'm sure of that!)
Mom and I have enjoyed two other trips to Britain, but this one will be especially meaningful. I truly appreciate the enthusiasm and helpful advice I've found on this forum.
Mom and I have enjoyed two other trips to Britain, but this one will be especially meaningful. I truly appreciate the enthusiasm and helpful advice I've found on this forum.
