A Tourist Guide to Cornwall with nice pictures by Kernow Passports

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Welcome to Cornwall, a peninsula on the far South Western tip of Great Britain. With the English Channel on one side, the Atlantic Ocean on the other, separated from England by the River Tamar. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rich in history and culture. A stunning Coastline with some the the best beaches in Europe . A popular tourist destination.

First settled in prehistoric times, the County is dotted with Neolithic remains- clifftop castles, Ancient villages, the Celtic ruins of Tintagel and the Legends of King Arthur to name but four. Then came the Normans, visit Launceston Castle for superb views. There are many Great Houses to see, Cotehele in the East dates from the Middle Ages, the Gatehouse of Landhydrock dates from the 16th Century. Some have lovely gardens, particularly nice when the Camellias are out.

For centuries the Area was reliant on the sea and fishing. Largely unspoilt villages such as Boscastle, Polperro, Mevagisey and St Ives with narrow twisting streets, often impassable by car, lead down to lovely harbours. Even Newquay the premier resort, and surfing capital of Britain, was once dependant on the pilchard. A hundred years ago Cornwall enjoyed a short lived prosperity in the Copper and Tin Mining Boom. Ruined Engine Houses, and heather covered spoil heaps a reminder of the hard toil of times past. The workings of some stretched far out under the Sea.

The geographical isolation of Cornwall was ended in 1859 with the opening of the I K Brunel's Saltash Railway Bridge across the Tamar Estuary. A century later, in 1962, the Tamar Suspension Bridge replaced the car ferry. For hundreds of years the only road access into the County was by means of Medieval Arch Bridges, the nearest of which was Gunnislake some 12 miles upstream. Many of these beautiful bridges are still in use today. Horsebridge and Greystones dating from 1437 to name but two.

Cornwall is home to many centuries old Customs . Both the Padstow Obby Oss and the Helston Furry Dance, (actually a dignified procession) celebrate the passing of Winter and the coming of Spring. Both have their origins in pagan times. For the Mid Day dance the ladies dress in their best Summer finery, the gentlemen in top hat and tails. On Midsummer's Night Eve a chain of bonfires is lit across the County. Part of the Ceremony is spoken in Cornish.

Inland is the starkly beautiful Bodmin Moor, granite tors, gorse covered moorland, surrounded by lush countryside, wooded river valleys. Nice for walking. Source of the Camel and Fowey, two of the best Salmon Rivers. Isolated hamlets each with their own church.

From Blue Flag Beaches great for the whole family, to beaches only reachable after a drive down a narrow lane and a long hike down a cliffpath. You may even be lucky enough to find one all to yourselves at the peak of the Holiday Season. Have a lovely holiday and remember Cornwall is beautiful at any time of year.

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