(Image Source: Flickr)
If you really want to see the colours of autumn in one of the most beautiful settings, then a drive through Cornwall is a must. In the countryside, there are some beautiful historic relics, and if you drive by the sea, you can enjoy the sight of beautiful bays and whitewashed homes. If you like history and historic buildings set in areas of natural beauty, then take a trip through Cornwall this autumn.
Getting There
While Cornwall has its share of both A roads and B roads, there are also a lot of very narrow roads where you may have to make way for another vehicle to pass. Driving on narrow country roads can be tiring, but it is easy to park your car up near one of the tiny hamlets and get out and explore. One of the longest walks in the country is the South West coastal path, and it’s great for exploring more of what the area has to offer.
Celtic History
Cornwall is famous for its Celtic relics, and if you visit Penzance then you should take advantage of seeing the ninth century Celtic cross that is there; it’s known as the Penzance Cross. The cross is just outside the museum in Penlee House art gallery, so be prepared to spend some time soaking in the atmosphere there.
When you leave the area, drive on a couple of miles and visit St Michael’s Mount. St Michael’s Mount was a place of historical pilgrimage where the pilgrims gathered and it was also a trading post for tin. If you climb to the top of the mount, you will find the remains of the castle, from where the British spotted the Spanish Armada in the sixteenth century.
Helston
Helston is an historic market town. about six or so miles further on along the A394. You’ll find the Blue Anchor Inn, which once served as a resting house for monks in the fifteenth century. The inn serves an ancient brew drunk by the locals and known as Spingo. While you are in the area, and before you drive on, it’s worth visiting the Helston Folk Museum, where you will see a cider press that was constructed from timber.
A few miles further on from Helston you will come to the fishing village of Cadgwith with its whitewashed, thatched cottages and public houses. If you drive just past Cadgwith, you will find the remains of an Iron Age village. When you are feeling tired, there is an inn just past the village where you can get refreshments and even spend the night if you choose.
Falmouth and St. Austell
You shouldn’t drive through this historic part of Cornwall without seeing Falmouth and St Austell before you leave. Falmouth is home to the National Maritime Museum and you can learn more about Cornwall’s history and its maritime heritage. Before you leave the area, just northeast of Falmouth is St. Austell, a beautiful resort with a famous research facility, the global Garden of Eden project.
