| Great escapes: Cornwall 6 |
| All at sea |
| The sea has played such an important part in this land's history that no visit would be complete without a tour of marine attractions |
Since time immemorial, the Cornish coastline has played a major role in shaping the area's commercial and social
history As you might expect, then, there are a number of marine attractions here, dedicated to the relationship between the Cornish people and the sea.
What's more, the £21m National Maritime Museum Cornwall is due to open in Falmouth this June. Here, you will be able to visit the National Small Boat Collection with more than 20 historic and modem boats, a gallery depicting how the sea has shaped Cornish life over the ages, and much more. Today's trip takes in all things
watery, including lobsters, pilchards, telegraphy and shipwrecks...
1. Shipwrecks at Charlestown
From Sea View International Caravan Park, zero your car's trip meter. Follow the signs for Gorran, then at 1.1 miles, follow the signs for St Austell. At 34 miles, at the junction for Polmassick (to the left), bear right and in 1.4 miles bear right again. At 6 miles turn left at the junction with the B3273. At 10.5 miles, at the miniroundabout on the edge of St Austell, turn right on the A390 (Liskeard). At 11.7 miles, at the roundabout, take the third exit, to Charlestown. The Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage Centre son the left at 12.5 miles.
The Centre is contained inside an historic china clay building, and it gives a good insight into the history of Charlestown and the shipwrecks which have taken their toll on the lives of the local people. There are artefacts here from more than 150 shipwrecks. And, you are offered the opportunity to climb aboard a real lifeboat and try out a selection of resci ie equipment.
2. Hatching lobsters at Padstow
Exit the car park and at 0.7 miles, at the roundabout, take the third exit (A390 Liskeard). At 1.6 miles, at
traffic signals, turn left onto the A391 towards Bodmin. At the roundabout (5 miles) take the second exit B3274 (Padstow). At 18.1 miles, at the junction, take the A389 to Padstow, arriving at 20.3 miles.
The main purpose of the Lobster Hatchery is to conserve the environment of the lobster, and protect the now-dwindling stocks of a part of the fishing industry which has supported the Cornish people throughout the centuries.
3. A blue lagoon in Newquay
Zero your trip meter, head towards Wadebridge and leave by the A389. At 2.2 miles, take the B3274 (St Columb). At 3.2 miles bear right towards St Austell. At 6.5 miles, take the third exit at Winnards Perch roundabout, (A39 Truro). At 9.2 miles, take the third exit at the roundabout, (A3059 Newquay). At 14.5 miles, turn right onto the A3058 to Newquay.
The Blue Reef Aquarium enjoys a prime location at the water's edge in Newquay. It offers the chance to discover a variety of marine life from around the Atlantic shores. Open-top tanks mean you can get up close to friendly ray fish, and there are a number of rock pools to explore, too. Other displays show the profusion of colours to be found in Mediterranean waters. The centrepiece of the aquarium is a spectacular, Caribbean coral reef display housed within a gigantic 250,000-litre ocean tank.
4. Underground at Porthcumo
Zero your car's trip meter and exit the aquarium car park, following the signs for Redruth (A3075) to leave bytheA3g2. At 1.8 milestakethe second exit at the roundabout (A3075). Stay on the A3075 upto 11.5 miles then, at the next roundabout take the third exit (A30). Stay on this road and, at 36.6 miles, turn left onto the B3283 signposted St Buryan/Porthcurno. At 39 miles, take the B3315. At 41.8 miles isthe car park forthe Porthcumo Museum of Submarine Telegraphy.
In Newquay, a 250,000-litre tank of seawater houses a Caribbean coral reef the cliffs above the golden beach of Porthcumo Cove. Here, you can explore the World War II tunnels which house a museum of historic communications equipment dating back to the 1870s. There's an underground power station, early telegraph systems, and vintage wireless equipment.
5. Newlyn's plethora of pilchards
Leaving Porthcurno, zero your trip meter and head backthewayyou came, on the B3315. At 1.7 miles, takethe 83283 signpcsted to St Buryan. Continue on the B3283 and at 5 miles turn right onto the A30. At 6.9 miles turn right and rejoin the B3315 signposted to Newlyn. On entering Newlyn (at 7.6 miles) the Pilchard Works Museum and Factory ison the left. Use the car park straight ahead on the other side of the cross roads.
The Pilchard Works Museum and Factory is the only working salt pilchard factory in Britain and the museum is a fascinating visitor centre which looks at the history of this tradition. Small, local boats fish for a few hours each evening to catch the pilchards using traditional drift nets and ring nets specifically designed not to catch any other species. Once landed, the fish are layered with salt in tanks at the factory. Once cured, within a few weeks, the fish are pressed (using 70-year-old machine presses) and packed into wooden boxes for export. Britain's oldest pilchard net-making machine is also on view. A free brochure lists recipes using pilchards as an ingredient.
• Return to Sea View International Zero yourtrip meter and follow the signs for Land's End B3315. Turn right at 0.7 miles onto the A30 (Penzance). At the roundabout (23.9 miles) take the fifth exitA3gO(Truro).At 29.1 miles, at the Arch Hill mini-roundabouts go ahead on the A39. At the next roundabout (0.7 miles) take the second exit and stay on the A39 until the traffic signals. Go straight on along the A390. At 43.8 miles take the B3273 (Mevagissey). At 48.3 miles turn right onto an unclassified road signposted Gorran. In 1.2 miles bear left towards Boswinger. At 54.5 miles pick up the signs for Sea View, arriving at 55 miles.
|
|
|
Distance 140 miles
Time 11 hours
Start/finish Sea View International
Suitable for all the family
Refreshments
The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
Tel 01841 532132
Rick Stein's superb restaurant.
Attractions
Shipwreck. Rescue & Heritage Centre
Tel 01726 69897
The Blue Reef Aquarium Tel 01637 878134.
The Pilchard Works
Tel 01736 332112.
The National Lobster Hatchery
Tel 01841 533877.
The Museum of Submarine Telegraphy
Tel 01736 810966.
National Maritime Museum Cornwall Tel 01326 313388.
Tip
The annual Newlyn Fish Festival is to be held on 26 August this year, when the busy and colourful fishing harbour becomes a riot of colour and activity. The port celebrates its sea-going traditions and the harbour is crammed with boats, while the fish market and surrounding area has trade stalls, displays of all types of fish, cookery demonstrations and entertainment.
|
|
