When you think of Cornwall, what comes to mind? Surfing and sailing schools, gorgeous gardens, cliff top walks, boat trips, and iconic attractions, not to mention turquoise seas and white sand beaches. These are just some of the benefits Visit Cornwall highlights but there’s many more.
For most people, a trip to Cornwall is usually focused on the seaside - walking or lazing on the beach, swimming or surfing in the cool Atlantic breakers. But there’s so much more to see and do in Cornwall, all year round.
St Michael’s Mount is a special attraction. An island mount connected to the mainland by a causeway that you can walk over at low tide, but definitely not when the water’s high. The Mount is steeped in history since 495 AD, with tales of seafarers lured by mermaids on to its rocks or guided to safety by St Michael, the patron of fisherman.
Legend has it that several miracles took place there in the 13th century and the Mount has welcomed religious and spiritual pilgrimages throughout its life, with some believing old ley-lines give the place a special energy, drawing travellers from afar. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, monks built the first church and priory which formed the basis of the Mount’s castle that still stands today.
With its history in mind, a walk across the causeway and around the castle, might transport you back to a time of angels and visions. If not, then just being on the Mount surrounded by white-crested waves with the boats bobbing in the harbour is a perfect place to take in the refreshing sea breeze.
If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the mainland, then a trip to the Lost Gardens of Heligan is a magical place to visit. The Gardens also have their own mysterious history, having been overgrown since the outbreak of World War 1 but lovingly restored in the 1990s.
A paradise for the explorer, wildlife, plant lover and garden romantic, The Lost Gardens of Heligan were billed as the biggest restoration in Europe at the time. With over 200 acres to explore, the Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Grounds are the jewels in the crown, while The Jungle offers a more exotic sub-tropical journey for green-fingered adventurers.
The highlights of St Michael’s Mount and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are just two of Cornwall’s magical attractions that can be explored using a Cornwall coastal cottage as a base. We offer a range of coastal cottages with hot tubs, swimming pools and games rooms just some of the special facilities available. Discover your perfect Cornwall Coastal cottage with our search.