Visit Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens just outside Penzance. It promises to be a memorable experience!

Posted by & filed under Gardens, On every visitors 'to do' list in West Cornwall, Out and About in West Cornwall.

There are so many exciting and interesting places to visit nearby when you stay at Boscrowan and Tremenheere Sculpture gardens, gallery and kitchen cafe are no exception. It’s just outside Penzance and only a 10 minute drive from here.

The South facing land was acquired in 1997 by Neil Armstrong and now covers 22 acres. The guiding principle has been to evolve a naturalistic Arcadian space which blends elements of the landscape, planting and art to create a place for contemplation and wonder. To be honest – you really have to visit it to understand the above sentence or even better join a guided tour as I did last week! Currently there are 46 artworks at various locations throughout the grounds – thought provokers! Some are enormous! Here are just a few….and a taste of the sub tropical planting…

The gallery pictured above is both a beautiful building outside and in but also showcases changing local art exhibitions.

The James Turrell skyspace is the most amazing structure towards the top of the gardens – a space to view the sky which has been used as a wedding venue too – such is its size. Sorry no photo – I forgot – so awed by it on my recent visit. However I am returning this week for a rare evening opening to view the sky and changes of light at dusk. Do check out the website for details of the event.

The Kitchen cafe is always busy and much loved by locals – that says it all!

Do go and visit – you won’t be disappointed.

A visit to Falmouth

Posted by & filed under Cornish towns, Out and About in West Cornwall.

A visit to Falmouth for a day out from Boscrowan. The lure was the Annual Spring Flower Show in the Princess Pavilion Falmouth

Daffodils, camellias, rhododendrons, cacti and succulents – you name it – it was there and it’s still only March.

The exterior of the Princess Pavilion is also very beautiful, with pretty sub tropical Gyllingdune gardens to walk through if you approach from the beach road. The temperate climate of Falmouth is very obvious with many interesting plants in flower. A pair of shell seats where one can view from above, protected from the wind and rain.

Then a meander along the coast road overlooking the beaches below . There were agaves in full bloom reaching up to the sky.

And other plants that you just wouldn’t see in other parts of the country outdoors in flower in March and swathes of daffodils to remind us it is Springtime.

Plenty more to see too. Pendennis Castle, the docks, interesting shops crammed into quaint little streets steeped in history of smuggling and contraband and plenty of great eateries too. A great day out!

Moorland and ancient stones of West Penwith

Posted by & filed under Out and About in West Cornwall.

When we think of Cornwall it’s the sea and beaches that probably first spring to mind, yet here in this area in the Far West we have some beautiful moorland and in some higher places you can view both the North and the South coast from the same spot! It’s magical! An interesting mining landscape too.

Greenburow Mine - A West Penwith landmark
The moors of West Penwith with Greenburrow Mine on the horizon
Greenburrow Mine
Greenburrow Mine

Walk along the cinder track admiring the views of St Michaels Mount in the distance to the right and the sea at Morvah and towards Zennor on the left. Turning left onto the moors a bit further on and we come across Nine Maidens – an ancient stone circle dating back to the 17th century.

Further on is Four Parishes stone where as the name suggests the four local parishes meet. A little beyond is Men Scryfa – a standing stone in the middle of a field dating back to medieval times.

Men Scryfa
The ancient Men Scryfa stone

Definitely worth the stop, then back onto the track abut half a mile further on is Men an Tol a Bronze Age holed stone with two uprights – iconic stones featuring on many a postcard in the past.

Men an Tol
Men an Tol – an iconic Cornish landmark dating back to the Bronze Age
Deserted farm and buildings ancient granite walls
Deserted West Penwith farm above Morvah

Opposite the stile to Men an Tol is a wonderful derelict farmstead – agriculture of the past and a family and an existence we never knew. Then back to Four Parishes Stone and up over Can Galver to gaze down onto Rosemergy Mine and Bosigran Cliff and the vast Atlantic Ocean below. A perfect spot to pull the thermos out of the rucksack and savour that view. It’s one of my absolute favourites!

The path winds its way down to the road where you can pick up the odd passing bus – well maybe but a better chance in the Summer or more dependable would be prior organisation of a car parked by the mine buildings below. We took that option and then carried on the coast road to Geevor Mine and rewarded ourselves with an all day cooked breakfast!

Enjoying the All Day Breakfast at Geevor cafe
Enjoying the all day breakfast at Geevor Mine Cafe

Cornwall has so much more to offer than at first glance!