These tours have been suggested by Alison Stevens who is based in Falmouth in Cornwall. Alison's details may be found in the South West England section of the list of members. For further information about these tours and other services, you may contact her by e-mail or visit her web site.
Beyond Falmouth
Crossing the River Fal by ferry at King Harry Passage, this tour takes in the Roseland Peninsula where we will find St Just in Roseland Church, set in subtropical gardens beside the water, the round houses at Veryan, built so that the devil cannot hide in the corners, and St Mawes Castle the "twin" of Pendennis Castle in Falmouth.
We will then return via the main road to the outskirts of Falmouth and then head on via scenic country lanes, the Helford river area, setting for Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier, and small fishing villages to the Lizard Peninsula, the most southerly point in Britain. We return to Truro via Helston, the home of the famous Flora Dance, and one of Cornwall's oldest towns, which celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of a borough charter in 2001.
Duration: Full day
Notes:
Little walking is necessary if you prefer not to walk. However, to appreciate St Just in Roseland Church it will be necessary to walk down a sloping path to the church (and back up again)
City & Coast
Starting with a guided walk around the Cathedral city of Truro this tour takes us out to the north coast village of St Agnes with an optional visit to the Blue Hills Tin Streaming Works, to see how tin was won in early times, prior to the development of underground mining. The tour continues down the coast past Portreath where we pick up a pasty to eat for lunch overlooking Godrevy Lighthouse (inspiration for Virginia Woolf's "To the Lighthouse"). Across on Cornwall's gentler south coast we visit Flushing and have a look at Falmouth in detail.
Duration: Three quarter day
Notes:
There is no strenuous walking involved, but please wear shoes suitable for exploring Truro and also visiting the tin streaming works where it is a little rough underfoot in places in that area.
Clay Country & Eden
China Clay, or kaolin, is still extracted in Cornwall and Cornwall's major extractive industry and the tour takes us around the "Cornish Alps" (particularly spectacular in May/early June while the rhododendron ponticum is in bloom) with a visit to the award winning Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum followed in the afternoon by a visit to the Eden Project, located in a worked out clay pit.
Duration: Full day
Notes:
Both the Eden Project and Wheal Martyn Museum require that you are on your feet for quite some time so please dress accordingly, paying particular attention to your choice of footwear. There is a Land Train at Eden which will take you to the biomes, and you can either explore the biomes on foot or borrow a wheelchair (free of charge) if necessary. For Eden it is recommended that you wear layers due to the differences in temperature between outside and inside (the Humid Tropics Biome is, as its name suggests, humid and temperatures at the top can reach around 30 centigrade).
Discovering Art in Penwith
The light in West Cornwall has for many years attracted artists to settle there and work. This tour will take us to St Ives, to visit the Tate there, together with many smaller galleries in the town. Moving on to St Just in Penwith, we shall visit the church, which contains a "surprise" and also visit some of the galleries located in the town. Finally, we shall visit the Penlee Gallery in Penzance, home of the "Newlyn School" paintings.
Duration: Full day
Notes:
Part of the Beauty of St Ives is its narrow sloping streets. Ladies - I recommend you leave your high heels at home!!
Discovering Prehistory in Penwith
The highlight of this tour is the coastal road from St Ives to Morvah. West Penwith also has one of the highest concentrations of Bronze Age remains in Cornwall. A visit to Chysauster village, together with Lanyon Quoit and the holed stone of Men an Tol will be made, with a visit to St Michael's Mount if time (in any event a photo stop will of course be made for St Michael's Mount).
Duration: Full day
Notes:
Walking boots or strong shoes with a good, grippy sole are essential for this tour as we will be walking on moorland paths for some of it. As the weather is often prone to change, I also recommend that you bring waterproof clothing.
East Cornwall Explorer
We go first to Minions, home of the Hurlers, three stone circles. An optional walk to the remarkable granite outcrop of the Cheesewring (1 hours) can be taken in preference to a drink in Cornwall's highest pub! The picturesque fishing village of Polperro and the Norman priory church of St Germans will also be visited on this full day tour.
Duration: Little more than a full day (about nine hours)
Notes:
If you want to walk to the Cheesewring, please bring Walking Boots or strong shoes with a grippy sole (and ideally with ankle support). A Wind and Waterproof Jacket is a must.
Eden Project Direct
We take the direct route to and from the Eden Project, and spend 4½ hours exploring the Eden Project itself.
Duration: Three quarter day
Notes:
You will be on your feet for a long time at the Eden Project although there is a Land Train at Eden which will take you to the biomes, and you can either explore the biomes on foot or borrow a wheelchair (free of charge) if necessary. It is recommended that you wear layers due to the differences in temperature between outside and inside (the Humid Tropics Biome is, as its name suggests, humid and temperatures at the top can reach around 30 centigrade).
Eden Project Scenic
We take the direct route to the Eden Project, and spend 4½ hours exploring the Eden Project itself then take a leisurely scenic drive back over the Roseland Peninsula.
Duration: Full day
Notes:
You will be on your feet for a long time at the Eden Project although there is a Land Train at Eden which will take you to the biomes, and you can either explore the biomes on foot or borrow a wheelchair (free of charge) if necessary. It is recommended that you wear layers due to the differences in temperature between outside and inside (the Humid Tropics Biome is, as its name suggests, humid and temperatures at the top can reach around 30 centigrade).
Falmouth Maritime
Starting the day with visit to Falmouth Maritime Museum, you will then enjoy a guided walk of Falmouth before boarding the "Enterprise" to take you on a river cruise (duration one hour) to the Cathedral city of Truro where I will guide you around the narrow streets and "opes" (passageways) to the Cathedral. Return to Falmouth by car.
Duration: Full day (dependent on tides and timetables)
Notes:
The River Trip is generally sheltered, so it is unlikely you will need to take any medication before your "voyage" but I do recommend a windproof jacket (there is covered seating inside but the best views are to be had from the deck). Depending on the tides it may be necessary to take the shuttle bus from the landing stage at Malpas for the 15 minute ride to Truro.
This tour can be done in reverse
Heligan Direct
We take the direct route to and from the Lost Gardens of Heligan and spend 4½ hours exploring the gardens themselves.
Duration: Three quarter day
Notes:
Parts of the Gardens are not suitable for people with walking difficulties or for wheelchairs.
Heligan Scenic
We take the direct route to and from the Lost Gardens of Heligan and spend 4½ hours exploring the gardens themselves before enjoying a leisurely scenic drive back over the Roseland Peninsula.
Duration: Full day
Notes:
Parts of the Gardens are not suitable for people with walking difficulties or for wheelchairs.
North Cornwall & Bodmin Moor
We travel directly to Tintagel, via Newquay and the Atlantic coastline of North Cornwall. A stop for photographs/coffee may be made on the cliffs at Bedruthan Steps. An optional stop may be made at Delabole to view the second largest hole in the ground in Britain - a 600 year old slate quarry. At Tintagel, a visit to the castle, reputed to be the home of King Arthur, is an option.
From Tintagel we will drive to Jamaica Inn, on Bodmin Moor, the setting for Daphne du Maurier's famous novel. There is also a museum of smuggling here. Return to Truro via Dozmary Pool, rumoured to be the last resting place of Excalibur.
Duration: Around nine hours
Notes:
Tintagel Castle is accessed by many steep steps and is not suitable for everyone, particularly with those with walking difficulties or breathing problems.
Roseland Peninsula
We will cross the River Fal by ferry at King Harry Passage, and explore the narrow lanes of the Roseland Peninsula where we will find St Just in Roseland Church, set in subtropical gardens beside the water, the round houses at Veryan, built so that the devil cannot hide in the corners, and St Mawes Castle the "twin" of Pendennis Castle in Falmouth. We will call in at a couple of picturesque fishing villages and have a Cornish Cream Tea at the Smugglers Cottage (subject to opening times) alongside the river before returning to Falmouth.
Duration: Three quarter day
Notes:
Little walking is necessary if you prefer not to walk. However, to appreciate St Just in Roseland Church it will be necessary to walk down a sloping path to the church (and back up again)
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