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Smugglers Haunt
With ancient tales of Cornish smugglers these medieval fishing villages, atmospheric moors, breathtaking coastal walks and secret sandy coves offer a special and legendary place to be.
St Mawes, a charming waterside village is a sheltered popular sailing centre on the Roseland. With its Tudor castle and holy well, it’s steeped in history.
Famed for its colourful history of boatbuilding, fishing and smuggling, the appeal of Mevagissey is apparent. Cob cottages spill down the steep valley to the harbour walls where fishermen repair their nets on the quayside using ancient skills.
Since the middle ages, smuggling, pilchard fishing, piracy and shipwrecks all form an important part of the rich heritage of the picturesque town of Fowey.
Associated with Daphne Du Maurier, Fowey hosts an annual festival celebrating her literary work.
St. Austell is a bustling market town, surrounded by dramatic ‘Cornish Alps’ is situated at the centre of the Cornish china-clay industry. The great sweep of St Austell bay offers outstanding cliff and coastal walks with superb beaches, or explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Nestling in the river valley, Lostwithiel is Cornwall’s hidden treasure. Overlooked by 12th Century Restormel Castle it has become the antiques centre of the county. Many antique shops, fairs, markets and auctions draw people from far and wide.
Situated at the head of the Looe Valley, Liskeard remains a picturesque and lively mediaeval market town. It is an ideal base from which to explore the ancient stone circles and the surrounding hills, abound with burial mounds and Bronze Age settlements.
The coastal resort and picturesque fishing village of Looe, with its sandy beaches and rock pools is great for families. Stroll along the pier or browse around the many shops and restaurants. Visit Looe Island, a natural sanctuary for sea and woodland birds and one time haunt to smugglers.
Famed for being the prettiest village in Cornwall, Polperro still retains its old-world charm with narrow twisting streets and snug cottages crammed around the harbour.
Including:
St Mawes, Mevagissey, St Austell, Liskeard, Looe, Fowey, Millbrook, Callington, St Neot
Towns of South Cornwall
Mevagissey
With its twin harbours Mevagissey has an unbroken tradition of boat building since 1745. Fishermen still repair nets on the quayside, using ancient skills and modern materials. In the narrow streets leading off the harbour – craft shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and pubs which were once the haunts of Cornish smugglers!
St Austell
St Austell itself is a meeting of old and new Cornwall, of ancient narrow streets to now smart pedestrian precincts and fine shops, including a lot of high street brands. The parish church is still the glory of St Austell, with its beautifully carved tower of Pentewan stone. Close by Charlestown has a Georgian harbour that maybe recognised from several film and television programmes. A fleet of tall ships currently reside in the harbour.
Looe
Situated around a small harbour and along a steep-sided valley Looe is in fact two towns, East Looe and West Looe. Connected by a bridge across the tidal River Looe, the quiet rocky foreshores of West Looe differ from the busy waterfront, Banjo Pier and the sandy beach of East Looe. Pilchard copper and smuggling have all played a part in Looe’s prosperity in the past and now Looe is Cornwall’s second largest fishing port, with a sizeable fleet and busy fish market.
Fowey
Since the middle ages, smuggling, pilchard fishing, piracy and shipwrecks all form an important part of the rich heritage of the picturesque town of Fowey. Designated as an area of outstanding beauty, Fowey has much to offer every one. The captivating mix of old and new sees the meeting of fishing boats with stylish yachts and traditional pubs with trendy restaurants.
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