Lost Gardens of Heligan

The gardens, created mainly in the 19th century, of were one of the finest gardens in England of their period, with 57 acres of planted gardens, around 100 acres of ornamental woodlands. Scattered throughout were follies and temples.

The lost gardens of Heligan is a beautiful place to visit. There is a lot of walking involved and probably takes a whole day to look around.

Henry Hawkins Tremayne, John Tremayne and John Claude Tremayne in turn created and planted the gardens and ornamental woodlands with walks and rides. They were noted botanists and horticulturists and by the 1900 had a amassed a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs from all over the globe, many of which can be seen today. It was the centre of the community with 20 house staff and up to 22 garden staff.
At the end of the war only around 6 of the 22 garden staff survived to return to Heligan. The house was returned to the family in 1919. In the changed post war world the Tremaynes were not able to keep such a large staff, and decided in 1920 to rent the house out. The new tenants were unable to maintain the gardens, which went on a gradual decline. They remained a time capsule, as they were not altered by any modernisation. That was until 10 years ago when the work started to return them to their former glory.

Mevagissey

Mevagissey is very much a traditional Cornish fishing village, the largest in St. Austell Bay. The name originates in the old Cornish dialect for "Meva-ag-issey", which means "the towns of Meva and Issey". Meva and Issey were two 6th century Irish missionaries who came to convert the area to Christianity.

The streets of this unspoilt town are a delightful twisting hodgepodge of whitewashed buildings lining narrow passageways. Mevagissey is situated on the southern Riviera coast making it an ideal place to visit whilst in Cornwall. It is a small, unspoilt fishing village with a colourful history of boat building and smuggling. which still retains its traditional character and nowadays has a selection of top quality pubs, restaurants and shops.

Mevagissey is a working fishing port, though visitors can hire boats for trips around the bay. For a bit more active adventure, book a shark fishing outing or deep sea fishing trip at the pier. If you prefer to stay on dry land there is excellent walking on the cliff tops above the town (and the views of town and sea are superb!).

The Eden Project

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Charlestown

Charlestown is a coastal town situated in the north-west corner of St Austell Bay on the south coast of Cornwall, about two miles from St Austell town centre. Charlestown was the idea and creation of Charles Rashleigh, a member of the renowned local family and the founder of the local china clay industry, for whom it was named. The local pub, 'The Rashleigh Arms' is also named after him.

Eventually Charlestown became a model Georgian "new town" that handled much of the ore and clay being sent world-wide, and the parish was created in 1847 from part of St. Austell parish. Charlestown is still in use today - a working port with an active fishery - while also being a tourist site and the location for several movies. The Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Museum helps explain the history of the area.

Fowey

The medieval and Tudor cottages, narrow steep winding streets with glimpses of the shimmering river below, busy with yachts and boats; cobbled walkways perfumed with flowers from hanging baskets and window boxes and the quays bustling with life, all help to encant the holiday maker, many of whom choose to visit us year after year.Privately owned 'Place', a 15th century fortified manor house, dominates the town. Still owned by the original family who had it built, its fortifications and high boundary wall give the town a feudal atmosphere. The town has strong connections with the world famous author, Dame Daphne Du Maurier, who spent most of her life in the area.

A Daphne Du Maurier festival is held each May, which is a celebration of her life and work. Fowey Regatta week, in August, is a hugely popular event, with competitive sailing events, street carnival, the Red Arrows display team and much more.