cornwall tourism guide

Cornwall Tourism Guide

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EDITOR Warren Mills [email protected] DESIGN Warren Mills [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Mercury PR Cornwall Newquay Airport Exeter Airport Belfast Airport Leeds & Bradford Airport Driftwood Spas Cat Bates Special thanks to Kevin Pickup Cornwall Tourism Heathermoor Count House Lane St Ives Cornwall, TR26 2PT Tel: +44 (0)1736 794712 www.cornwalltourism.eu Cornwall Tourism & Cornwall Tourism Guide are privately run enterprises and have no affiliation to any government operated or supported body.

Inside Front Cover Cornwall Tourist Pass Page 1 – 3 2 minute guide to a weekend in Cornwall Cornish Horizons Page 4 Carbis Bay Hotel & Apartments Page5 Glendorgal Hotel & Self Catering, Air

Southwest Page 6 Aspects Holiday, Tower Park Caravans &

Camping Page 7 Miss Peapod’s Page 8 – 10 Leeds Bradford International Airport,

Stratton Gardens, Mevagissey Ferries Page 11 – 12 Smuggling in Cornwall, The Arthurian

Centre, Cornish Deli, Fabulous Kids Page 13 Fishing in Cornwall Page 14 Marine Discovery, Cornish Traditional

Cottages Page 15 – 19 Isles of Scilly, Isles of Scilly Flowers,

Lavender Fields Touring Park, The ATV Centre

Page 20 The China Clay County Park, St Ives Bay

Holiday Park Page 21 – 23 Belfast International Airport, The Old Inn Page 24 First Great Western Page 25 The Driftwood Spars Page 26 Jubilee Wharf Page 27 Exeter International Airport Inside Back Cover The Cliff Head Hotel, The Restormel

Lodge Hotel



2 minute guide to a weekend in Cornwall Shortly after touching down at Newquay Cornwall Airport, you will realise you have landed in a very special place. With its rolling moorland, dramatic coastland, vibrant towns and villages, unique history and World Heritage Site mining landscape, Cornwall is a destination that never fails to excite, impress and delight. Step off the plane, gather your bags, undo that top shirt button and take a deep breath. Welcome to a land like no other. From Newquay Airport you can simply and quickly pick-up a rental car of your choice from either Hertz or Europcar. Alternatively there is regular public transport or you can experience carbon neutral travel with the airport’s transfer company, the biodiesel taxi specialists BioTravel.

Of course, Cornwall is probably most famous for its beaches and there are plenty within a short drive from the airport. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to avoid them! The coastline that surrounds Newquay ranges from the surfing mecca of Fistral and the picturesque harbour side sands of Great Western and Tolcarne to the vast expanse of Watergate Bay. Synonymous with surfing, Newquay is a playground for the young and the young at heart and there can be no better place in the UK to try your hand at wave-skiing, coasteering, paddle-boarding, fishing, sailing, canoeing and kitesurfing.

Leaving Newquay, the possibilities are endless. North Cornwall, with the rugged hills of Bodmin Moor and historical fishing ports such as Boscastle and Port Isaac, is easily accessible on the Atlantic Highway. Just 40 minutes from the airport, the villages of Padstow and Rock lie at the mouth of the Camel Estuary – a seafood-lovers paradise which is also popular with cyclists, fishing enthusiasts, boat-owners, and canoeists. They’re also a great favourite with global film crews - many international movies and TV series have been filmed around those parts including Doc Martin and various Rosamund Pilcher series which are particularly popular in Germany.

To the west of Newquay, coastal walks through the historic St Agnes mining landscape will give you a taste of a bygone age. With the evocative ruins of engine houses punctuating the skyline, the St Agnes area is one of ten sites across the county that were designated for World Heritage status in 2006. These also including the Caradon Mining Landscape in south-east Cornwall and the St Just district in the far west near Lands End. To find out more see www.cornishmining.org.uk.

Further west lays the idyllic town of St Ives, famed for an arts legacy that conjures up names such as Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson among others. While St Ives offers a wealth of traditional museums and galleries, a quick drive from the North Coast to the South will take you to the modern day fishing hub of Newlyn where the

world famous Newlyn Art Gallery and its expansive sister gallery, The Exchange in Penzance, (www.newlynartgallery.co.uk) exhibit challenging work from



renowned international artists alongside the most cutting edge contemporary talents in the region.

Moving along the south coast, past the iconic St Michael’s Mount and up into the agricultural land between Helston and Camborne, the Trevarno Estate and Gardens (www.trevarno.co.uk) is a must-see for visitors to Cornwall. With a vast number of plant and tree species on display throughout the year, in addition to the only reindeer herd in South West England, Trevarno is steeped in Victorian history and full of surprises around every bend in the path. Highlights include the Victorian Fair during mid-summer and the Christmas Craft Fair in December.

Sometimes overlooked is Cornwall’s southeast region but don’t let that fool you – the area offers a myriad different attractions and sights. Opening each year in March, the Port Eliot Estate near St Germans (www.porteliot.co.uk) is full of intrigue and home to the magical and bohemian Port Eliot Festival (www.porteliotfestival.com). Set to take place

over the last weekend in July, this year’s festival will feature a wide range of authors, comedians, and musicians, including Sarah Waters, Alain de Botton, Heavenly Recordings, Kate Summerscale, Arthur Smith and Edwyn Collins.

Another performance set to take centre stage in southeast Cornwall 2009 is Gonamena – a recently-written historical tale of a family struggle during the region’s copper-mining boom and bust in the late 1800s. Taking place at Sterts open-air theatre from late June until mid-July and starring local actors, Gonamena is eagerly-anticipated – book early at www.sterts.co.uk

That then is Cornwall. A region unique in both landscape and culture. So unique in fact that work is currently underway to get Cornwall recognised as the first ever European Region of Culture (www.cornwallculture.co.uk). Easily accessible by air link to Newquay Cornwall Airport, the question isn’t what will you do when you get here; it’s why aren’t you here already?



Where to stay:

Located on the magnificent Pentire Peninsula and overlooking South Fistral, Newquay’s The Esplanade and The Bay hotels (www.newquay-hotels.co.uk) cater for families, groups and singles respectively, with ex-British and European champions on-hand at the adjacent Quiksilver/Roxy Surf School to offer advice and tips to novice surfers and seasoned pros alike.

The Bay is also home to Fistral Spa – the perfect spot for a luxurious massage if the Atlantic chill proves too much.

Just outside of Rock and a stone’s throw from Polzeath, the St Moritz Hotel, with its Cowshed Spa, Miami-infused décor and ocean-infused styling, has been lauded by national and international critics as the leading luxury hotel in the South West (www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk).



Leeds Bradford International Airport; Yorkshire’s Gateway to Cornwall… Leeds Bradford International Airport is the perfect starting point for Yorkshire holidaymakers visiting Cornwall and its surrounding areas, with over 45 low cost flights every week to the South West region – including Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and Newquay.

Regular services from Leeds Bradford Airport puts the South West of England within easy reach for Yorkshire travellers and opens up opportunities, not only for more productive business trips to the important cities of Bristol and Exeter, but making it so much more convenient and quicker to visit the UK’s most popular holiday region.

The frequent Air Southwest and Flybe air-links from Leeds Bradford save you hours over travelling by road and rail, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your leisure time on one of Cornwall’s numerous golden beaches, sampling a gastronomic delight in one of the world famous restaurants, or just watching the world go by whilst you take a break from your hectic lifestyle.

Travellers can relax and start their holiday as soon as they reach the airport by taking advantage of the enhanced

facilities and extended range of services available, and there are even more planned for the future.

Bridgepoint Capital, who purchased Leeds Bradford Airport in May 2007, have announced their commitment to a multi million pound investment programme to deliver ‘best in class’ facilities at Yorkshire’s main international and domestic gateway.

Terminal development proposals reveal a two storey extension to the landside face of the existing terminal, together with important internal modifications to the current building.

This will include:

An expanded passenger security screening zone New departure lounge with a central seating area Improvements to the domestic baggage reclaim hall A remodelling of the airside immigration facilities The first phase of this development has recently been completed and has delivered:

Improved access to a redesigned bus terminus A new drop off and pick up zone for car passengers Real-time information screens Improved pedestrian walkways The second phase has also commenced on extending the pickup drop off zone plus new entrance and exit locations for the short stay car park which will allow even smoother access to the passenger terminal.



Right now everyone is looking to save money and a holiday in the South West region offers excellent value. Why not make your next trip to Cornwall even kinder on your wallet and take advantage of the excellent offers available at Leeds Bradford Airport.

The on-site car park options offer great choice and fantastic value and you can save up to 30% by pre-booking in advance online at leedsbradfordairport.co.uk

Pick up a great bargain when you stock up on those last minute travel essentials. The health and beauty favourite, Superdrug offers everything from sun care to make up, travel toiletries to jewellery and sunglasses to medication all at exceptional prices with.

Give yourself a special treat or buy that exclusive gift in the Alpha Shopping store or World of Duty Free outlet at tax free prices. Although you can’t buy duty free goods, if you are travelling within the UK you can take advantage of tax free prices on a whole host of products.

Choose from a premium selection from cosmetics to confectionery, fragrances to fashion accessories and skincare to sunglasses.

Relax and have a tasty treat in one of the catering outlets at the airport. There are great meal deals and menu options on offer, and the choice is wide including cappuccinos and lattes, breakfasts and burgers, panini’s and pastries and salads and soft drinks. With so much choice, there’s something to satisfy every appetite.

Got a business meeting to get to in Bristol or Exeter? Leeds Bradford Airport has everything you need to make your journey stress-free.

Fast Track tickets can be purchased on advance online at www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk, allowing swift access to the passenger security area. Take advantage of the Executive Lounge. A peaceful area for the business traveller, the Executive Lounge boasts a modern, climate controlled and relaxed atmosphere, offering complimentary newspapers, unlimited freshly brewed tea and coffee, and to ensure you can always keep in touch; there are telephones; fax machine and power points for your laptop, along with Internet docking, work stations and WiFi.

Entry to the lounge is available to members of some airline frequent flyer programmes (check with the relevant airline for conditions), to members of the Yorkshire Executive Club or can be prebooked online at executivelounges.com, by calling 0870 787 6877 or by paying on entry.

Frequent travellers can benefit from joining the Yorkshire Executive Club and enjoying an exclusive, executive class service from the ground up.

As a member of the Yorkshire Executive Club, you will enjoy the convenience of easy parking, Fast Track and Executive Lounge access, all for one annual membership fee.

With a world of choice and so much commitment to upgrading passenger facilities, Leeds Bradford International Airport really is the best place to start your journey whether it’s for business or pleasure.

For up to date details information on Leeds Bradford International Airport visit leedsbradfordairport.co.uk



Smuggling in Cornwall Rocky coves, sheltered bays, tumultuous waves and wild, untenanted landscapes; if anywhere in this country was destined to become the haven of smugglers, it was Cornwall. The very landscape has played conspirator to contraband; the erratic creeks and juts of the coastline have long provided shelter and seclusion for the bearers of stolen and prohibited goods.

The world of the smuggler is evocative by nature, brimming with the romance that accompanies rebellion, risk, danger and the chance of illegal reward. No surprise then, that these nefarious nocturnal activities have inspired some great literature. Daphne du Maurier’s famous novel Jamaica Inn portrays this hidden world as a place of tense excitement and claustrophobia, of real peril and thrill. After turning the final page, I wanted nothing more than to stride over that ancient, haunted moor land towards a rumbling ocean and a moonlit cove.

Du Maurier does not ignore the less romantic side of this adventurous trade and the novel depicts the violence that results from greed and lack of regulation. Men who undertake risky commissions are shown to be ruthless and cruel and are generally outcast from local society. Were real Cornish smugglers’ lives like this and can we find a trace of them in today’s Cornwall?

Smuggling has certainly left its mark upon the character of the county; the practice has been irrevocably linked with public houses, many of which continue to serve locals and visitors. The eponymous Jamaica Inn was built in 1750 and still stands today on Bodmin moor, ready to provide accommodation and respite for the curious traveller. It houses a museum dedicated to the trade and there have been reports of paranormal resonances of dark deeds done in the dead of night.

‘Brandy for the Parson, ‘Baccy for the clerk, Laces for a lady, letters for a spy’. Smuggled goods were supplied to different sections of local society and not just shady frequenters dark taverns. Items were intended for pleasure

over purpose; one can easily imagine the frisson of delight felt by the recipient of an illegal treat.

Import taxes on England’s coast were substantially higher than those on the continent, rendering luxury items unaffordable for ordinary folk. While the French waged open revolution against the pampered classes, the English quietly rebelled against privilege by depriving the wealthy of their goods and taxes. A large proportion of Cornwall’s coast played host to these items that were borne from the ocean into the bosom of the local fishing settlement and beyond. From Penzance to Porthleven to Polperro, it appears that the majority of the coast was involved. Polperro’s small heritage museum commemorates the smugglers’ activities and the effects on the local community, conveyed in the authentic voice of witnesses to this subversive trade.

While smuggling became accepted by many and a became a way of life for some, it remained illegal and punishable by various degrees. Whilst there are reports of the bribery of pub landlords and officials and in-trading protected by a collective silence in insular fishing communities, archives show that men unlucky enough to be caught could expect a custodial sentence in London’s ghastly Newgate prison. If the offence was serious enough, it could be death by hanging.

To take such risks suggests that the activity was pursued by the desperate, the greedy and the fearless. The Carter brothers are some of Cornwall’s most famous smugglers, and the caves and coves which concealed them remain relatively unspoiled. Prussia Cove, named for John Carter’s grandiose childhood nickname ‘King of Prussia’, is inhabited only by a few small holiday cottages and the natural features that have entangled it forever with the history of smuggling have been preserved for the visitor‘s enjoyment. Here you can see the physical scars left upon the landscape by smuggling; heavy carts laden with prohibited booze and ‘baccy were hauled over the rocks of this cove and their tracks remain hewn into the surface as a testament to the prolific nature of the trade. Sights such as these send the imagination racing back to those dangerous times.



Whether you believe they were brave, foolish, evil or simply opportunists taking advantage of fortuitous geography, Cornwall’s smugglers in their underground world and the communities in which they thrived remain fascinating. Their activity in a land as wild as they were sets Cornwall apart from other coastal counties. When the moon is high, the waves restless and the night cavernous, it is still easy to imagine the boat landing on the shingle, the grinding wheels of the cart, the horses’ hooves on cobbles and a knock at the Inn door.



Fishing in Cornwall

The Cornish pilchard is an unassuming creature, lacking any of the discerning characteristics belonging to its cousins that share the same stretch of sea off the Cornish coast. It has none of the monkfish’s menace, or the handsome proportions of the haddock. Its humble appearance belies its significance in the history of the Cornish fishing industry.

On the 23rd December, visitors to Mousehole, a small fishing community on the far south-west coast of the county can observe the modest pilchard held aloft in a sea of pastry in the traditional dish known as Stargazy pie. This famous Cornish recipe is not only impressive in appearance; its origins lie in a traditional folk tale that captures the essence of Cornwall’s close and contradictory relationship with the sea.

The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber retells this maritime legend of the small community that depended upon the regular return of fishing vessels from the forbidding waves. The story of the old settlement and the sea is David against Goliath; the cosy mouse-like houses lit by the warmth of close and ancient community ties huddled against the might of the ocean, against the indifferent and wrathful pursuit of the storm cat. Just as the Cornish village nestles on the brink of the land with a fixed gaze upon the sea, the fisherman’s existence was often balanced precariously between life and death. A fishing community could never wholly avert its eyes from the danger that accompanied its means of survival, and this made return of the precious cargo a cause for celebration. December’s celebration in Mousehole recognises one sailor’s determination to face a stormy sea to save a starving community. As lamps are lit along the harbour for the legendary Old Tom, the village gives thanks to every individual who braves the ocean and gratitude for the bounty that they bring back.

Mousehole has retained the charm borne of its inextricable ties with the sea and is a popular holiday destination for people enchanted by narrow streets trodden by generations of fishermen and the brightly painted cottages that splash cheer and character over the vast canvas beyond. The harbour walls that embrace the town show fortitude and are symbolic of the tentative relationship between man and the ocean.

The Cornish coast is defined by these little hubs of ancient industry; other notable destinations include Port Isaac, St Ives and Perranporth and Newquay where a great variety of fish are still caught today on a smaller scale. Until the early 20th Century, the pilchard was of supreme importance to these villages. If it was not used for culinary purposes or exported to the Mediterranean as part of a vital trading link, it could be pressed in barrels that held 3000 fish in one load and extracted as oil which was used for lighting. These fish played an integral part in an old and resourceful way of life which dwindled for a long time and has now disappeared. The museum at St Ives features the original equipment used for processing the pilchard and for other aspects of the industry; it is well worth a look.

The Cornish pilchard is still caught off shore today in many working fishing villages, albeit in smaller numbers. On Newlyn harbour, visitors can purchase plaice, mackerel, sole and skate amongst many other varieties at this, England’s largest fishing port. The industry may have diminished, but there are plenty of Cornish who heed the ancestral call of the tides and make the same journey as their forefathers from the enclosed harbour to the open sea. As the county has turned to tourism as its main source of income, visitors to Cornwall can partake of this traditional activity and board a boat from Newlyn, St Ives and Penzance harbours. Many other coastal destinations offer rock fishing as an option for those anglers who feel safer with their feet upon the ground.



A VISIT TO THE ISLES OF SCILLY IS AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE Lying 30 miles off the tip of the Cornish Coast, the Isles of Scilly are an island paradise providing stunning white sand beaches, azure waters and a wonderful climate where sub-tropical plants thrive in a truly unique environment.

Whether you choose to travel by plane, helicopter or take the passenger ferry, just getting to the Isles of Scilly is an experience with unique views of the western tip of the British Isles.

Once you arrive, there are five inhabited Islands (St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martins, St Agnes and Bryher) and

hundreds of uninhabited islands waiting to be discovered

and a range of holiday accommodation from luxury hotels to self-catering cottages and campsites to suit all tastes and budgets. For those who visit, the Isles of Scilly seems to have a magnetic pull which brings them back time and time again.

One of the best things you can do on the Isles of Scilly is discover your own favourite bay or stretch of sand, sit back, relax and enjoy the slower pace of life, unique landscape and the warm gulf-stream climate.

And given that the Islands (apart from the capital St Mary’s) are virtually traffic free, apart from the odd tractor, the Isles of Scilly make not only make a fantastic getaway for people with children looking for life’s simple pleasures, but the peace and tranquillity also makes the islands a perfect destination for a romantic break for couples or those simply wanting to escape the rat race.

More recently, the Islands have become a destination for celebrities such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Jude Law – so celeb spotting is also an option.



What to Do?

Activities on the Isles of Scilly tend to revolve around the great outdoors. One of the best experiences is to simply explore the Islands on foot – whether that’s the main Island St Mary’s or by taking a short boat trip to one of the other inhabited Islands or one of the many uninhabited islands.

With its shops, restaurants and pubs, there is plenty to see and do on St Mary’s. Give your feet a rest on a sight-seeing bus trip or take a leisurely stroll around the Garrison Walls.

Nature plays a major role in life on Scilly - during the big spring tides of the Equinox, the sea retreats from the channel between Tresco and Bryher enabling you to take a unique journey on foot from one island to the other.

One of the Islands jewels is the internationally renowned Tresco Abbey Garden, a botanical paradise created around the ruins of a Benedictine Priory in 1834. The garden contains exotic plants that’s cannot survive outdoors in any other part of the UK, with 300 of the 20,000 subtropical species collected by Scillonian sea captains on their travels in New Zealand, South Africa, the Canary Islands Australia and South America.

Dubbed Kew with the roof off, corridors of palms, topiary and a general blaze of colour reach up towards the sky. Whilst at the Abbey Gardens, head for the Valhalla museum to see the display of amazing figureheads, which formerly graced some of the ocean-going vessels that foundered upon Scilly’s unforgiving rocks.

One of the best ways to explore the Islands is by using the 60+ miles of coastal footpaths, providing some of the most fantastic views anywhere in the UK. Whether you want to explore on your own or have one of the Islands guides point out the features, history and places of interest, walking on Scilly is a wonderful experience.

For a spot of sightseeing on the water, try one of the regular trips head to the uninhabited Islands of Tean, St Helens and the Eastern Isles and Annet, where you can train your binoculars on the likes of puffins, guillemots and storm petrels.

There is also a lot to see under the surface of Scilly, on glass-bottomed boats where you can peer at seals, star fish and sea sponges. Or for the more adventurous you can swim with the fish on a guided snorkelling tour, giving you the opportunity to see fantastic sea life up close including two spot and sand gobies, pipe fish, prawns, shore crabs, wrasse, and the occasional jellyfish! And if you are really lucky baby plaice – thanks to the wonderful clarity of the water.

The snorkelling trips are a partnership between the IOS Wildlife Trust and St. Martin’s Diving School. Contact IOS Wildlife Trust 422153 http://www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk/ or Anna Cawthray at St. Martin’s Dive School http://www.scillydiving.com/

To delve into the history of the Islands, head to the museum in Hugh Town (St Mary’s), where captivating displays include relics salvaged from sunken ships, the Iron Age Bryher Sword and an illustrated account of the islands’ role in the English Civil War can be seen. The Islands are also home to some of the best-preserved Bronze Age tombs and archaeological sites, such as the remains of an ancient village on Halangy Down and a chamber tomb at Bant’s Carn.

For a chance to find your own bit of history, simply roll up your trouser legs and hunt for beads at Beady Pool on St. Agnes – where tiny terracotta and glass beads from a 17th century shipwreck that foundered on the Islands whilst en-route from Amsterdam to Lisbon can still be found. While



doing so the shrimps are attracted to the heat radiated from your feet and dance on your toes.

Shrimping season begins at the start of July and finishes at the end of September. The best time to go shrimping is on a low tide.

Aside from an abundance of natural and historical treasures, the Islands are also a hive of artistic activity, from paintings and pottery to stained glass and abstract art, bold seascapes and hand made silver jewellery – all produced and sold on the Islands.

In early May the Islands biggest annual event takes place – the World Gig Championships, where teams from across the Islands, Cornwall, Devon and from around the world take place to race against each other across the inter-island waters – a truly wonderful spectacle.

Where to Eat

Fresh air, clean seas and long sunny days are the secret ingredient in making island produce so delicious and giving the chefs so many fantastic raw materials to work with.

There are a wealth of places to enjoy food and drink across the Islands, that will suit all tastes and budgets, from fish and chip takeaways to fine dining.

Mouth-watering local lobsters and crabs abound, together with fresh fish, local lamb, beef and vegetables, eggs, bread and butter, beer and wine, ice cream, jam and fudge, all make for perfect picnics and brilliant barbecues.

To find out the wide array of café’s, restaurants, pubs and takeaway’s it’s best to visit www.simplycilly.co.uk/site/taste-scilly

Where to Stay?

Whether you are looking for a camp site nestled beside a wonderful beach, self catering fisherman’s cottage, cosy B&B or luxury island hotel, the Isles of Scilly can deliver on every level.

Whatever sort of accommodation you are looking for, Scilly has something suitable, whether it be two weeks with the family, a spring or autumn romantic break, old friends catching up or group accommodation. There really is something for everyone!

The website of the Isles of Scilly – www.simplyscilly.co.uk/site/accommodation - has a wide range of accommodation listings from camp sites to castles across the Islands for you to see.

For accommodation on Tresco, visit www.Tresco.co.uk for more information.

There are also special offers listed at: www.simplyscilly.co.uk/site/accommodation/special-offers

Why Visit Now?

Spring arrives very early on the Isles of Scilly – bringing plants and flowers to life much earlier than on the mainland which is worth the visit alone.

The last week in March sees the Islands Annual Walking Festival – Walk Scilly (www.walkscilly.co.uk) – take place, whilst April sees the Tresco Marathon – the World’s smallest marathon - take place and the start of the weekly inter Island gig racing which goes on until September.



May 2nd-4th sees the World Pilot Gig Championships taking place on the Isles of Scilly, a sport derived from 19th Century oarsmen who rowed their boats out to oncoming ships, competing for the job of piloting them into the harbour – the first one there getting the job.

How to Get there

Getting to the Isles of Scilly is simpler than many people think, with direct daily flights (Except Sundays) to the Islands by fixed wing plane (Isles of Scilly Skybus – 0845 710 5555) from Southampton, Bristol, Exeter, Newquay and Lands End, and by Helicopter (British International Helicopters – 01736 363 781) from Penzance and passenger ferry on the Scillonian (Isles of Scilly Steamship Company – 0845 710 5555).

To find out more visit www.simplyscilly.co.uk or call 01720 422536.



Belfast International Airport The principal gateway to the northern half of the island of Ireland with over five million passengers passing through its doors every year. Local travellers not only jet off to the likes of London, Paris, Rome and New York but can also avail of flights to Great Britain. Tourists from all over the world also flock to Northern Ireland to experience the breathtaking scenery and infamous ‘craic’.

In 2009 savvy travellers from all over Ireland are choosing to fly out of Belfast International Airport as the strength of the euro and reductions in the rate of UK VAT make the cost of their holiday cheaper. Many people are deciding to holiday in the UK – where their money goes further and can truly experience the beauty of the British Isles.

And for the first time passengers from all over Ireland can now explore beautiful Cornwall direct from Belfast International Airport. Jet2.com will introduce the first flights to Newquay, gateway to Cornwall, direct from Belfast International Airport from May 2009.

Newquay is an excellent destination for a short sightseeing break and all just a quick hop away from Belfast International Airport. Newquay has plenty to offer tourists, including:

The Eden Project is world famous and a must see attraction when visiting Newquay. Located in a giant fifty metre deep crater, the distinctive golf ball shaped green houses cover an area the size of thirty football pitches. Housing plants from three of the world's climate zones

including some rare and exotic species, the project demonstrates man's dependence on plants and their conservation efforts.

The picturesque Newquay Harbour is worth visiting to watch the fisherman sail in with their catches or out to sea and is also a great place for views across the coast. The harbour is where you will also find regular visiting seals who follow the fishing boats in hope of a treat, the National Seal Sanctuary is also nearby.

If you feel like heading further a field, then catch one of the many day trips by plane, ferry or helicopter out to the Scilly Islands where you can spend many hours exploring.

Newquay is a fantastic destination for a family holiday as there is so much on offer that you are spoilt for choice with activities.

World famous Newquay Zoo is set in exotic lakeside gardens and is home to hundreds of different species from monkeys and lions to meerkats and penguins. Throughout the day there are regular feeding displays and talks and there is also a tropical house and mini beast room, as well as a tarzan trail, play area, dragon maze and village farm. In fact there is so much to do that it won't just be the kids that need a lie down at the end of the day!

The Blue Reef Aquarium is found right next to the beach and takes you on an undersea tour from the British coastline to tropical reefs. With over 30 displays and an undersea tunnel, you can watch feeding displays and get



up close and personal with stingrays, crabs and sea cucumbers in the touch pool. Don't forget to look out for the giant Octopus!

The picturesque seaside town of Newquay is a great destination for a romantic break with beaches galore, fantastic restaurants and many activities to fill your day.

If you and your partner feel like some true pampering, Fistral Spa is one of the most advanced spas in the south west of England for the perfect integration of body and mind. Lay back and relax in one of the nine treatment rooms, the vitality pool, steam room or sauna, or work up a sweat in the state of the art fitness suite. Indulge yourselves with a huge choice of body treatments including wraps, facials and some treatment designed especially for men.

If you prefer to be a bit more active then why not hit the beach and try your hands at surfing, or one of the many water sports available.

In the afternoon head to a seafront café for a cup of tea with a clotted cream scone followed by a romantic stroll through the harbour or along the beach watching the rolling Atlantic waves hit the shore.

The best way to finish the evening is with a romantic meal in a sea view restaurant where you can sample some of the best local cuisine and freshly caught seafood. Jamie Oliver also has a restaurant here, Fifteen Cornwall, overlooking the sea and serving some exquisite dishes. Or why not travel to Padstow and experience Rick Stein’s world famous restaurant.

Whatever you are looking for in a holiday or short break, why not check out Newquay. For information on flights to Newquay from Belfast International Airport, log on to www.jet2.com. For more information on visiting Belfast logon to www.belfastairport.com or www.gotobelfast.com



Your 4 Star Holiday Stay & Brewery All in One Driftwood Brewery celebrated its first anniversary with award winning brewer Pete Martin at the helm. Last year the first brew was documented as a tale of disasters to get to grips with the new equipment and produce the first ale. What a difference a year makes. The Driftwood brewery now boasts a range of seven ales. Each beer is named after a local landmark or legend. Bluehills the session beer at 4%, is named after the hills behind the Driftwood where every Easter the motor trials races take place. Badlands, a strong brown beer at 4.8% is named after the nickname given to the local surfbreaks. Bawden Rocks is named after the rocks beyond Trevaunance Cove. Bolster’s blood is a porter named after the tyrannical giant that once ruled over St Agnes. Blackheads mild derives its name from the motor cycle group who meet at the Driftwood Spars. Finally, Lou’s brew was a challenge to Pete the brewer to make a beer for the Landlady who loves Skinners Green Hop and Hopback brewery’s Summer lightning and has proved very popular with regulars and visitors.

The Driftwood teamed up with local artist Caroline Pedler to design the beer pump clips. Caroline works as an illustrator and has come up with some fantastic designs that compliment the quality of the beer. Caroline & the Landlady, Louise, have known each other since they went to ballet classes in Truro 32 years ago and now find that they work next door to each other! So Caroline was the obvious choice to work with.

Peter and Louise are now keen to expand the brewery operation. ‘During 2008 we always had at least one of our beers on the bar alongside other famous names like Skinners, St. Austell and Sharps as well as various guests, with its increased popularity though, we will have two through next year’ said Louise. Peter added ‘Having developed the range we are also keen to find other local pubs who would like to stock it as well as bottling it for visitors to the Driftwood to take home’.

The Driftwood Spars is located in Trevaunance Cove in the vibrant & beautiful village of St Agnes on the North Cornish Coast of Cornwall. It offers 3 public bars all serving bar food, a restaurant with seaviews, AA 4 star guest accommodation, a live music venue and the microbrewery.

The Driftwoods Spars microbrewery now produces 7 of it’s own ales and won Taste of the West Silver award for pub dining in November 2008. & offers up to 8 hand pulled real ales, 50 whiskeys and a good selection of rums.

Trevaunance Cove, St.Agnes, TR5 0RT Telephone : +44 (0)1872 552428 www.driftwoodspars.com



Exeter Airport

Exeter is the gateway airport for the south west with flights from Scotland, bringing thousands of passengers into the region from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Flybe, the airline based at Exeter, is the airport’s main scheduled service operator and their other domestic routes include Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and Norwich.

Inbound tourism passengers from across the water also fly into Exeter from Belfast, the Channel Islands and France, but the greatest distance covered is on the route from Toronto. These weekly summer flights, with Canadian Affair on Air Transat’s wide bodied A310 aircraft, are in

their twenty-first year and they play their part in keeping families from both sides of the Atlantic in touch.

Passenger facilities at the airport have again been enhanced for 2009. Following the development of the first floor bar and new air-side gourmet coffee shop last year, WH Smith have opened a new store in the Departure Lounge offering air-side customers a range of books, newspapers, magazines, confectionery products and travel accessories. Their other new idea for this season is to offer inbound passengers a range of items from the shop in the Arrivals area.

With improved facilities and the excellent choice of routes, travellers are increasingly seeing Exeter as their airport of choice in the south west.



Mining in Cornwall The Cornish pasty has been firmly embraced as fast food for the nation and can be found in most train stations and town centres up and down the country. It is an unlikely legacy of Cornwall’s ancient mining industry as its shape lent itself perfectly to a miner’s dirt-covered hand. It has been baked for centuries, even receiving a mention in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

The sleeping ghosts of old tin mines can been spotted upon coastal and country walks in many areas of Cornwall. Cliff top tin mines, including those found at Trewavas and Wheal Prosper, in the Tregonning mining district of the south, and Wheal Coates, St Agnes in the northwest, appear to have become embedded in their natural surroundings, acting as an extension of the rugged beauty that characterises the Cornish coast. They rest upon the incline of the cliff face, jutting heavenwards like a natural phenomenon, passing slowly from the hands of man back to nature.

Visitors to Gwennap Pit in the Gwennap mining district near the town of Redruth can see a grassy concave structure, an apparently natural amphitheatre which is the result of copper mining activity in the 19th century. It provided the Methodist preacher, John Wesley with a place to minister to miners and their families. Methodism was embraced by industrial Cornwall and it is the denomination for which over 80% of Cornwall’s churches were designed.

In the nearby Kennall valley, visitors can see an impressive memorial to a bygone industrial age at the Perran Foundry, where instruments for mining and the transportation of minerals were made from 1791. The overgrown granite structures of the once-lively gunpowder works slumber still in the Kennall Vale. It is easy to imagine the assault that industrialised mining would have made upon the senses.

It is difficult to conjure up the miner’s lifestyle in today’s culture of employment legislation and health and safety assessments. Mining was not just a job; it formed the structure of entire communities and determined the fate of

individuals therein. It was an occupation that came with risks; Cornish graveyards tell of accidents, respiratory disease and premature deaths, but it was a way of life lived under the land since prehistoric times, and it is inextricably linked with the county’s identity.

With this level of mortality amongst working men, communities needed to be strongly bound together and the legacy of these bonds is with us today. The Methodist religion strengthened those whose existence was tied to the mines, and musical activities such as brass bands and choirs added to the sense of a shared mining heritage and identity.

Many towns are characterised by mining; the market town of Redruth saw its population almost triple in the 60 years after 1801 due to its close proximity to copper mines. Just as copper was converted to brass for exportation and use in other areas of industry, small towns were forced to alter their character with the assimilation of these poor workers, for the sake of capital gain and progress. The small, terraced miners cottages are still inhabited and many have been modernised to provide accommodation for tourists.

Mining in Cornwall went into to decline in the early 1800’s and from this century to the next, the county lost a large proportion of her population as miners were forced to seek employment abroad. The Cornish migrants took their culture, pasty included, along with their tools across wide oceans to the vast continents of the Americas and Australia.

Popular as the pasty has become, it is best experienced in authentic surroundings. It is hard to beat a hand-made, fresh pasty eaten where the land resonates with a history of a people who toiled for centuries within their native landscape. Although the mines are now silent monuments to a rich industrial past, the people of Cornwall still take pride in their ancient heritage, and naturally, in the world famous Cornish pasty.

cornwall tourism guide

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