cottages4you blog: inspiration for your cottage or villa holiday in UK, Ireland and Europe

Holidays in Cornwall might make you think of summer breaks spent on the beach, but the region has a lot to offer all year round, one travel writer has claimed.

In an article for the Guardian, Abigail Flanagan said the county can be fun whatever the weather.

She suggested families go cycling along the 18-mile Camel Trail, which runs from Padstow to Wenfordbridge and makes for a "glorious afternoon".

Holidaymakers might also enjoy a trip to Adrenalin Quarry, over which stretches the UK's longest and fastest zip wire.

Ms Flanagan said riders can reach up to 40 mph on the 50-metre wire, which could make it the ideal activity for young thrill seekers.

And those of you keen to brave the beach could enjoy the Beach Hut restaurant at Watergate Bay, where she recommended the light crab salad and berries with crushed meringue.

There will also be the opportunity to taste local seafood at the Falmouth Oyster Festival for people visiting Cornwall between October 14th and 17th.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you
 

Holidaymakers staying in cottages in Cornwall may wish to sample the delights of the local art and cuisine on offer at the Boscastle Food, Art and Crafts Festival this October.

While holidays in Cornwall already offer a whole host of fun activities for all the family, the event – which takes place on October 2nd and 3rd – will see people visiting the area be given the opportunity to taste local produce and view creative designs by regional artists.

The Cornwall Tourist Board states: "Pictures, paintings, photographs and furniture – you'll find it all, together with chance to buy and try some very tasty hand-crafted and speciality foods, wines, beer, cider and soft drinks."

Additionally, those looking for somewhere special to dine out while visiting the beautiful county could be spoilt for choice after seeing some of Cornwall's finest chefs in action at the festival.

The Boscastle Food, Art and Crafts Festival was established in 2004 and initially born out of a sense of community regeneration following the disastrous floods which hit the area during that year.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you
 

Those of you looking forward to staying in a cottage in Cornwall this autumn might like to try some local delicacies while you're away.

At the Falmouth Oyster Festival, you can taste Cornish seafood from one of the last remaining oyster fisheries.

From October 14th to 17th, holidaymakers can take part in oyster tasting and cookery demonstrations, as well as peruse a crafts and produce market with a range of local food and drink on offer.

Celebrity chef Valentine Warner, a food writer and star of BBC Two's What to Eat Now series, will open the event with a masterclass using wild Cornish ingredients.

Visitors can also enjoy live music from Cornish folk bands, jazz groups and singers, while there are activities available for children, such as shell painting.

And people heading to Cornwall this month will be just in time to catch the St Ives September Festival, which runs until September 25th and involves live music, dance, art, poetry and comedy performances.

Posted by Matt Smith, cottages4you
 

Holidays in Cornwall could soon see a boost in popularity after a local restaurant made The Good Food Guide’s top ten.

The Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in Rock, Cornwall, was named the fifth best eatery in the country by the publication.

And although Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay nabbed the top two spots, Elizabeth Carter, consultant editor of The Good Food Guide, noted important changes have taken place in the market over the last year.

“A crop of talent has sprung up all over the country, pushing London restaurants out of the top spots with their culinary delights,” she said.

Therefore, foodies may wish to look outside the capital for top-class restaurants and Cornwall could be the perfect spot.

According to the chef’s website, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw is a small, intimate setting with a menu focused on locally-caught seafood and produce.

It is set within the St Enodoc Hotel alongside the Nathan Outlaw Seafood and Grill, which aims to create a more casual dining atmosphere for families.
 

Here at cottages4you we always knew Cornwall was a special place and our thoughts have been confirmed by a recent royal holiday there.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall recently completed a two-day tour of the region, with Marazion one of the stops along the way.

The pair managed to squeeze in museums and local shops during their holiday in Cornwall, but one of the more memorable moments could have been having casts of their shoes made in St Michael’s Mount, just as Queen Victoria previously did.

And now the footprints will be cast in brass and placed into the harbour wall for visitors to see.

Highlighting how much a holiday in Cornwall has to offer, Prince Charles also visited the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose near Heston, while the Duchess took in Truro Cathedral.

Before her holiday in Cornwall she had attended the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show where she was presented with a bouquet.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Cornwall has been named Britain’s most scenic country in a new poll of holidaymakers.

The research, conducted by a satellite television channel, revealed the county’s scenic landscape and range of tourist attractions ranked highly among visitors, the BBC reports.

And many of those who took part in the survey look set to book Cornwall holiday cottages in the near future, with 75 per cent saying they are considering paying the county a visit in the coming 12 months.

The area, which was said to contain the nicest towns and villages in the British Isles, saw off competition from a host of other top destinations.

Cornwall is home to beautiful beaches and great scenery, but offers much more to those of you who want to do more than relax against an idyllic backdrop.

Its range of high street and boutique stores make it ideal for shopaholics, while it is also home to Tate St Ives, one of only four Tate galleries in England.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Cornwall holidays makers may have heard of the interestingly named village of Mousehole.

This quaint destination is always worth a visit if you’re staying in a Cornwall holiday cottage nearby.

And those heading to the region on July 9th-11th will find plenty to do, as the port hosts its Sea Salts and Sail 2010 festival.

You’ll be able to see traditional fishing vessels and get a real insight into the area’s history and ancient trade.

It’s no secret that the cottages4you team love to eat, so we’d suggest heading straight for the cookery demonstrations to sample the delicious local cuisine.

When you’re full from all the fodder, sit back and relax as traditional music is played, accompanied by dancing.

And the crafty holidaymakers among you will love trying out regional skills like crab pot making and net mending.

If you’re planning a trip for later in the year, you should time it to coincide with the village’s Christmas lights switch-on, which is famous around Cornwall.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Booking a holiday to Cornwall this summer might be a good move, as there is plenty to do and the weather should stay fine.

This is according to Teresa Timms from VisitCornwall, who says: "All the evidence is that it’s going to be a good summer for 2010."

Those of you who want an active trip will find a number of events to take your fancy in this exciting part of the UK.

Newquay’s Relentless Boardmasters at Fistral Beach is perfect for surfers to wow at the work of the professionals and should prove popular, Ms Timms notes.

And music lovers will be entertained, as the likes of Newton Faulkner and Seasick Steve are set to take to the stage.

Ms Timms states 2.6 million visitors headed to Cornwall in 2008, so you might like to get on board and see what all the fuss is about.

She adds enquiry numbers for this year have already been high and it may be a good idea to get planning your Cornish getaway now.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Here at cottages4you we’ve noticed holidays in Britain seem to be an increasingly popular option.

Imagine spending time in places like Cornwall and Dorset when the weather is great and it’s easy to see why many of us choose not to go abroad.

But even when the UK outlook isn’t so bright, there’s still plenty to do on holiday here, VisitEngland confirms.

Chief executive officer of the body James Berresford says: "One of the great things about England is that it is an all-weather destination with world-class attractions which can be enjoyed whatever the weather."

And when the sun does get its hat on, seaside resorts across the country ensure you make the most of it.

A report from Sheffield Hallam University recently found the coastal tourist industry in England and Wales employs as many people as the whole of the telecommunications sector.

So there are plenty of people to make sure you have a great time when you head to Blighty’s best beaches.

Just to be on the safe side, why not make a list of all the fantastic museums and indoor adventure parks around the area you’re visiting and be prepared for any weather?

Posted by Matt Smith, cottages4you

Cornwall holidaymakers wanting to get a real taste of the region might like to head to the Cornish Guild of Smallholders ‘ annual show in August.

Previously due to be held in Penncarrow, the event has now been moved to the Royal Cornwall Showground so it can be a bigger and better day out for all the family.

Elaine Barr from the body told the Smallholder: "Our show is based upon a traditional country fair with an abundance of traditional entertainment with a sprinkling of contemporary activities."

Foodies will be pleased to hear artisan producers will be bringing local food to the event, held on August 21st.

Farmers’ markets, traditional fair games and Punch and Judy shows are all lined up to make this a real day out with a difference.

If your Cornwall holiday doesn’t coincide with the show, you could head to the guild’s Local Produce and Environment Centre in Liskeard, which is open to the public most of the week.

Posted by David Sollberger