Cornwall (Cornish: Kernow or Cernow) is a county in the extreme south-west of the UK,and associated with the Isles of Scilly. Lying westwards beyond the River Tamar border with its nearest county neighbour Devon, Cornwall is one of the more isolated parts of the United Kingdom - if also one of the most popular with travellers and holiday-makers. Its relatively warm climate, long coastline, amazing scenery, and diverse Celtic heritage (combined with tales of smuggling and pirates!) go only part of the way to explaining its appeal. Cornwall is increasingly becoming a popular destination for those interested in cultural tourism due to its long association with visual and written arts.
Cities
Truro — Cornwall's county town and its only city.
Main Population Centers
Bodmin
Falmouth
Lostwithiel
Newquay
Penzance
St Austell
Harbor and Fishing Settlements
Boscastle
Bude
Fowey
Looe
Mevagissey
Mousehole
Padstow
Pendeen
Polperro
Polruan
St Ives — an interesting harbour village, home to a branch of the Tate Gallery
Tintagel
Other Destinations
Land's End
Lizard
The Eden Project
The Tate Gallery St Ives
National Maritime Museum Falmouth
Penlee House
Understand
The modern English name is derived from the tribal name Cornovii and the Anglo-Saxon word wealas (meaning "foreigners"). Cornovii may mean "horn [peninsula] people". Wealas is also the origin of the name Wales.
Get in
By Train
Regular trains run on the main line from London, Bristol, Birmingham etc. to Plymouth, Truro and Penzance. There are also a few branch lines, the most useful linking St Ives to the main line at St Erth and from Newquay to Par.
By Car
Cornwall is best accessed by road via the A38, crossing the Tamar River at Plymouth via the Tamar Bridge, and the A30, which crosses the Cornish-Devon border south of Launceston.
By Air
Cornwall has regular services from both London Gatwick and London Stansted aiports. Newquay airport is also developing services to other UK and European regional airports, with flights to Edinburgh starting in May 2006.
By Coach
Cornwall is served well by National Express coach services from London and other parts of the UK.
Get around
Several bus companies operate in Cornwall including Western Greyhoundand First Bus.
There are also regular train services operated by Wessex Trains between the main centres of population and outlying towns via branch lines.
Talk
The inhabitants of Cornwall speak English as their main language - usually with a strong Cornish accent. That said, Cornwall is home to one of the bastions of Celtic language in the British Isles - the Cornish language is closely related to Welsh and Breton, less so to Irish and Scots Gaelic. It survived as a living tongue until 1777 and the death of Dolly Pentreath, the last person thought to have spoken only Cornish (although this is disputed). The publication of Henry Jenner's "Handbook of the Cornish Language" in 1904 caused a resurgence of interest in the Cornish language, and efforts are being made to revive it. There are currently estimated to be some 3,500 Cornish speakers, 300-350 of whom are fluent. It has recently been officially recognised by the UK government as a minority language. Some areas of Cornwall have bi-lingual road signs in both English and Cornish.
See
St. Michael's Mount lies offshore close to Penzance.Although only a small county, Cornwall boasts a large number of attractions for the traveller, many lying outside of cities and towns amidst the Cornish landscape:
Bodmin Moor
The Eden Project - giant plastic bubbles dedicated to conservation
Land's End - where England meets the Atlantic head-on
The Lost Gardens of Heligan - 80 acres of stunning landscaped scenery with a huge complex of walled flower and vegetable gardens
St Michael's Mount
Tintagel Castle- Birth place of the famous King Arthur
Minack Theater - a outdoor theatre built, by hand, into the side of cliff over looking the ocean. Located in the town of Porthcurno, the theater includes a museum and offers tours when there are no performances
The Tate St Ives One of the four Tate Gallerys in the UK - Modern Art
The National Maritime Museum Falmouth Home of the National Maritime Museum's small boat collection and other exhibits.
Penlee House Home of the famous Nelwyn School of Art.
Do
The South West Coast Path runs along the coastline of Britain’s south-west peninsula. The Cornwall section is supposed to be the most scenic, particularly around Penwith and the Lizard. The trail takes walkers to busy towns, remote cliffs, beaches, heaths, farms and fishing villages. Walking along it is a great way to experience the region in all its variety.
The path originated as a route for the coast guard to walk from light house to light house patrolling for smugglers. As a result, the path closely hugs the coast providing excellent views but rarely the most direct path between two points. Britain has unique right-of-way laws that keep historic foot paths open to the public even when they pass through private property. The South West Coast Path is no longer used by the coast guard but it has been transformed from a practical defense system into a resource for recreation walkers. It is maintained by the National Trust, a private organization. The Southwest Coast Path Association provides maps and a series of extremely useful guide books for visitors to the path.
Any town along the coast can be the starting point for a day trip along the path.
Eat
Cornwall has a number of regional specialities:
Cornish Pasties, of course, semi-circular pockets of soft pastry filled with meat and other fillings.
Cornish Ice Cream - distinctly yellowish in colour, and rich in flavour, on account of high buttermilk content.
Cream Tea - not just tea with cream, but scones, clotted cream and jam as well.
Saffron Cake - Fruit loaf flavoured with saffron.
Heavy or Hevva Cake - Lardy cake made with fruit.
Sea Food - Cornwall has a long tradition of sea food - specialities include 'Star Gazey' pie. A mixed fish, potato and egg dish with fish heads 'escaping' from the pastry.
Vegetarian food is easy to find in Cornwall. Even in tiny towns with just one pub there is frequently a meatless option.
[edit]Drink
Cornwall has a wide variety of regional beers produced by an increasing number of regional and micro-breweries most of these beers are widely availble in local pubs. Cornwall is also well known for its production of mead wine (Honey Wine). Because of it climate Cornwall also has a number of Vineyards.
Stay safe
Visitors to Cornwall should at all times be aware of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of some of the tides and currents around the Cornish coast and seek advice from local lifeguards etc before swimming or surfing. |
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