Springtime in Cornwall

We depart Sussex and make our way westward and having made a suitable comfort stop we arrive in the historic town Dorchester where we break for lunch. We then continue our journey and make a further stop before we arrive at our hotel late afternoon.

After a leisurely start this morning, we drive to the picturesque Fishing Village of Padstow famous for its seafood and still bustling harbour. We spend some time here for you to explore the narrow streets and the many quirky independent retailers and cafes.  Our second visit today is to Pencarrow House and Gardens, which has been the friendly family home of the Molesworth-St Aubyns for almost 500 years. Tucked away on the edge of Bodmin Moor, this is a true Cornish Georgian gem. a Grade 11 listed garden, Iron Age fort café and gift shop. You will have the opportunity to tour the Mansion . The interior has many fine features including ornate wood panelling, a rococo ceiling, a cantilever stone staircase, handsome stained glass.  The eighth baronet, Sir William Molesworth, expensively redecorated it prior to his 1844 wedding to Andalusia, a singer and London society hostess who had expensive tastes. There are many great collections to see ranging from china, paintings, furniture to toys.  The gardens are also worthy of note. Pencarrow is surrounded by 50 acres of parkland, woods, and formal gardens, allowing enjoyable walks on a network of footpaths. A notable point of interest along the woodland paths is the Celtic Cross, moss-covered and suitably mysterious. Further along is the lake, a lovely pool amid the woodland greenery, and beyond that, the American Garden, featuring trees brought back from North America.

Today sees us heading to St. Ives a delightful small town of picture book beauty, a busy fishing port since the Middle Ages. Once there, you'll have time to explore the cobbled streets, admire the pretty cottages and peak into the interesting shops and art galleries, as well as enjoy two great museums.  Barbara Hepworth, a renowned artist, lived and worked in St. Ives from 1949 until 1975. Her small house and working studios are set in a lush and secluded garden, now open to the public as a museum devoted to her life. And, close by, is The Tate St. Ives, recently re-opened after an extensive renovation. The galleries display works by an impressive collection of painters and sculptors associated with St. Ives, and the museum boasts some of the best water views in town. Between gallery visits and exploring the streets you'll have time for some shopping, exploration and lunch at one of the many cafes and pubs. Later in the afternoon we return to our hotel.

This morning we make our way to Bodmin Jail for a visit!! The Jail is steeped in both social and architectural history, offers guests an amazing insight into Cornish penal life over the centuries. Discover life behind bars as an 18th century prisoner in the heart of Cornwall. Explore the many cells and features.  The ‘Dark Walk’, the first of its kind in Cornwall, uses theatrical effects and the latest technology to transport visitors back to Cornwall’s murky past, enabling a first-hand experience of the penal life of a working 18th and 19th-century prison on the fringes of the windswept Bodmin Moor.  Retold for 21st-century audiences, the haunting cinematic visual experience will tell stories of smuggling, mining and the everyday hardships facing Cornwall’s poorest, including tales from infamous prisoners.  Bodmin Jail was originally built for King George III in 1779; the Jail you see today was built with the help of the prisoners who brought 20,000 tons of granite from Bodmin’s Cuckoo Quarry.  In complete contrast our next stop is The National Trust's Lanhydrock House & Gardens NT, a magnificent late Victorian country house and beautiful spring garden. The fabulous formal parterre brings a real touch of grandeur and the blooming borders are filled with flowers and fragrant plants. A gorgeous magnolia arch by the thatched cottage, offers a beautiful gateway to exploring the higher levels of the garden. The magnificent 17th century house has many interesting rooms including a magnificent Great Hall and historic kitchens. For anyone interested in historic houses this is a must see property and offers a fascinating insight into Upstairs, Downstairs life in Victorian England.

This morning we make the short drive to an intimate Elizabethan manor and a Cornish gem, Trerice NT remains little changed by the advances in building fashions over the centuries thanks to long periods under absentee owners. The house is open and you will be able  to learn about its history and collections, with daily talks providing further detail.  The house at Trerice is surrounded by a small but varied garden, where you can sit in the Elizabethan knot garden surrounded by apple trees, enjoy a game of kayling on the lawn and admire the surrounding views from the parade ground.  Today the renowned stillness and tranquillity of Trerice is much prized by visitors. Café on site.  Early afternoon we head back to Newquay where you will have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or spend time in the town.

After breakfast we commence our homeward journey, having made a suitable comfort stop we break our journey for a lunchtime break in the lovely town of Wimborne Minster. We expect to arrive back in the Maresfield area by approximately 19.00.