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Cornwall Mini Guide
Driving from London to Cornwall takes rather a long time and you would do well to plan your journey for a time when the roads are not jammed. If you were to drive down the M5 on a bank holiday Friday, for example, you will find that the A30 and A38 roads become very congested the closer you get to Cornwall. Allow six hours driving time but expect to see some wonderful scenery as you reach your destination.
You will need to book your Cornwall hire car in advance as the demand in the summer months is high. If you plan to fly, head for
Newquay Airport on a domestic flight from English airports including Manchester, Bristol,
Gatwick and Stansted. Ryanair, British Airways and Flybe are some of the companies which land planes at Newquay and from there you can rent a Rhino hire car to complete the rest of your journey.
Having a car is the only way to get out and see the unmissable sights of Cornwall. These include the impressive Eden Project, a biosphere dome which holds an amazing amount of plant life, the spooky Bodmin Moor which has been the subject of much folklore and the National Maritime Museum at Falmouth.
Other attractions are the Tate Gallery at St Ives which has a good collection of modern art, Tintagel Castle which legend has it was where King Arthur was born and the Minack outdoor theatre with its stunning sea views. Whilst in Cornwall, why not try to learn a little of the Cornish language. You can pick up phrase books in most bookstores and try chatting to some of the older residents to learn a few more words.
Because of the wonderful natural heritage of Cornwall you will find many National Trust properties there so you may wish to consider becoming a member in order to see them. Then you will have access to St Michaels’ Mount, Trerice and the Cornish Mines and Engines among others.
Walkers must attempt the south west coast path which has breathtaking scenery as you walk through fishing villages, past beaches and across heaths and farms. To recuperate your energy after this exhilarating walk have Cornish tea (with freshly made Cornish Cream), Cornish ice cream or a hearty Cornish pasty to get your strength back up.
- The rise in 'staycations' this summer as the recession enters a tougher phase means that demand for car hire is likely to increase. Make sure you pre-book yours if you're considering leaving your car at home and flying into Newquay Airport
- St Piran, the patron saint of Cornwall, is celebrated on his saint's day - the 3rd March, with a dramatisation of the saint's life and works at Perranporth. Thousands of people come to see the show and enjoy the less formal entertainment afterwards.