Picturesque and rugged Cornwall - the south coast
Cornwall is a truly special place. It's got everything you could possibly want, from dazzling cliffs and endless beaches to turquoise-blue waters and quaint thatched-roof cottages. There are also some fascinating abandoned mines and historic fishing towns. We'll be exploring some of its hidden gems as we head along the southern coastline from the estuary of the River Fal to the Lizard Peninsula.
The Fall River estuary
The Fal River estuary is located on the south coast of Cornwall and is one of the deepest natural trench estuaries in the world. At its centre, the river channel plunges down as a sheer cliff more than 30 metres deep. The area is known as an Area of Exceptional Natural Beauty with Falmouth as its major port. We explore the Roseland Peninsula, which lies on the other side of the estuary.
St. Mawes
The lovely fishing village of St Mawes is very much at one with the sea and all the activities that happen on or around the Fal River. The forts at Pendennis and St Mawes have been guarding the estuary since Henry VIII was king. The entrance to the estuary is so wide that the guns on one side couldn't defend the whole entrance from raids. So, Henry VIII had a fort built on either side of the river.
There's a lovely, cosy atmosphere in St Mawes, with colorful cottages, quaint shops and narrow streets lined with cobblestones. It's also got plenty of restaurants, which are always busy.
Veryan
The tiny village of Veryan is tucked away in the rolling hills of Roseland. It's one of those lovely Cornish villages you'd expect to find on any postcard, but what really makes it stand out is its unusual round cottages.
Veryan is home to five round cottages. Each features a thatched roof with a cross on top. They were built about two centuries ago by the vicar of that time for each of his daughters. Two houses are located on each access road leading into the village, and the fifth one can be found near the school. The vicar made the cottages round so that the devil couldn't find corners to hide in them!
St. Just in Roseland
The lovely village of St Just in Roseland is well-known for its beautiful 13th-century church, which sits on the banks of a small creek.
The church is surrounded by a subtropical garden with plants rare to England, weathered ancient graves, and a churchyard that is widely considered to be Cornwall's finest. The first house of worship was built here by St Anthony, according to the history. It's also where Joseph of Arimathea is thought to have landed on his way to Glastonbury.
A trip aboard a traditional fishing boat
St Mawes is the place to be for all things water-related, so we decided to book a mackerel fishing trip with the Madeline Rose and skipper James Brown.
We had a lovely cruise along the coast, passing St Anthony Lighthouse and St Mawes Castle, and exploring some peaceful creeks lined with beautiful homes. We also had the chance to see the historic King Harry chain ferry in action. Skipper James knows the ins and outs of the estuary. He told us facts and stories about the river and those who live on it. We got the best view possible of the impressive Trelissick House with its extensive gardens and tried our hand at maquerel fishing on the choppy water. We returned to port without anything caught, but we had a great time!
King Harry Ferry
We're ready to explore the Cornish coast a little further, and the quickest way to cross the wide estuary is by the historic King Harry Ferry. The crossing has been in use here for centuries and is known as one of the most scenic and shortest ferry rides in the world.
The ferry takes vehicles and passengers from one side of the Fal River Estuary to the other in just 10 minutes. You'd be surprised how many cars can fit on the small ferry that's pulled back and forth by a chain system. The King Harry Ferry is very popular because it cuts 27 miles of road going around the estuary via the town of Truro.
Lizard Peninsula
If you're a Poldark superfan like me, I'm sure you're curious about where some of the show's most breathtaking scenes along the Cornish coast were filmed. Well, imagine my delight when I discovered that some of Nampara's glory was captured right here in Kynance Cove, Lizard Peninsula.
We opted for a 7-kilometre circular walk from Lizard village to Kynance Cove and back. We set off from Lizard, following a paved path to Lizard Lighthouse, which is the most southerly point in Britain. Then we followed a natural path that led us further along the Cornish cliffs to Kynance Cove, with stunning views all the way. Kynance Cove is truly breathtaking, and it was worth every step. On our way back, we passed through moorland covered with heather.
After the long hike, we were in the mood for a drink and headed to the local pub, The Top House Inn.
