West Cornwall, United Kingdom

Visiting Period

Summer, 13-15 July 2010 (mostly sunny)

Towan Beach

I visited Cornwall with my parents and brother. We chose Newquay instead of Penzance as our base, as it's a larger city and famous for its coastal beaches and FOOD! But yes, it would be a better choice to station in Penzance if you're more into walking and not traveling with parents ;) Penzance is a famous entry point to Exmoor and Dartmoor National Park.

We're greedy traveler, or I'd rather say, I'm a greedy traveler who want to see as many as possible. But since we didn't drive, we gotta manage our schedule well and sacrifice a few destinations :( We didn't go to the Eden Project as it's pretty expensive and time consuming, instead we took the 1st train to Penzance and explored west Cornwall by the open top Cornwall Explorer. The bus is a loop service, but not frequent! It was designed at such that the travelers have enough time to explore each scenic stop. So, stick to your schedule tight! Else, you won't have time for the next scenic stop!

Here is my itinerary, and please note that it was designed so that we had enough time to catch the last train back to Newquay ;)

Origin	Destination	Depart	Arrive	Duration	Remarks
Penzance	Porthcurno	10.35	11.14	39m	Minack Theatre
Porthcurno	Land’s End	13.14**	13.29	14m	Land’s End
Land’s End	Marazion Sq	15.35	17.34	59m	St. Michael’s Mt
Marazion Sq	Penzance	19.34	19.48**	14m	EOT

* Lunch @ Minack Theatre
* Dinner @ Marazion Sq
** Alternative transport from Porthcurno to Land's End by Western Greyhound 504 at 13.59
** Take Bus 2A from Marazion Sq to Penzance to catch 19.13 train back

Coast Path

There're 2 paths to Minack Theatre, the coastal path and the driveway path. The coastal path is a lil' bit strenuous, BUT the scenery is rewarding. We took the coastal path. My Mom did it on heels! But if you're traveling with kids or people with movement inconvenience, do take the driveway path.

Driveway Path

Wind is pretty strong at Minack Theatre, so please layer yourself :)

Minack Theatre

By-pass all the rides and attractions of Land's End theme-park, follow the South West Coast Path from Land's End to Sennen Cove. The sceneries are more rewarding than the rides!

Land's End

Land's End to Sennen Cove

Wildflowers all over!!!

Land's End to Sennen Cove

Land's End to Sennen Cove

It's just a short 20 minute walk from Land's End to Sennen Cove, if you're not stopping for photo-taking or snacking :) The path is easy, no special physical ability's required. Go ahead, bring your kids and parents!

Sennen Cove

Our last stop is Marazion to see the St. Michael's Mount

Marazion

St. Michael's Mount

We arrived there pretty late, and the admission to the castle has closed. Anyway, it was high tide.  We can walk to the castle at low tide! else you gotta hire a boat to cross over :)

Castle on top of St. Michael's Mount

We have a very tight schedule, so we couldn't afford to stop at St.Ives and other stops, BUT you can still enjoy the scenery from the bus top. BUT, wind can be strrrrong!

Transportation

by train:
Newquay - Penzance - Newquay


by 300 (Cornwall Explorer) bus
Penzance - Minack's Theatre - Land's End - St. Michael's Mount - Penzance




Accommodation


Travelodge Newquay Seafront Hotel

This hotel is quite new. If I'm not mistaken, it was opened in June 2010. We took the family room which was quite a bargain for 4 adults, as July is the peak season at Newquay! The room was clean, the amenities were new, and the BEST was we got the panoramic view of the Great Western Beach from our room! Restaurants and convenient stores are just a few steps from the hotel. Try Tai-sing Chinese Take-Away at 5 Station Parade. The food was good, cheap, and A LOT! My Dad couldn't stop smiling while eating! Well, he's a typical Asian who can't live without eating rice ;)

Useful Links


Cornwall Explorer 300
Cornwall County Bus Service
First Great Western

The Lake District - United Kingdom

Visiting Period

Summer, 7-8 July 2010 (mostly sunny)

I visited the Lake District with my brother. It was our 1st time. The weather was kind to us, as the Lake District is famous for its random weather. We missed our full day-Ten Lakes Spectacular-tour as one of our connecting train was delayed :( and joined the half day-Beatrix Potter's Lakeland-tour instead. The Beatrix Potter tour was more for family and pensioner. But nevertheless, we enjoyed it very much. I booked our tour through Viator. They are not cheap, but from my experience, they are responsive and reliable.

Beatrix Potter Gallery

Of course, like everyone else, the main purpose of our visit was to WALK!

Orrest Head Walk

View of Lake Windermere from Orrest Head

It's a short 40 minute walk (return) just across our B&B. Superb view at the top. Best to do around sunrise or sunset. We did it at sunset.

Little Langdale Walk

Little Langdale Tarn

Blea Tarn

Wildflowers around Blea Tarn

We downloaded the map from the internet and loaded the file to our GPS :) It was supposed to be a 6 hour walk, but we finished it in 4 hours! The walk was pretty strenuous, but it was a worthy one. Wonderful sceneries all along!

Herdwick Sheep

Heilan Coo

Accommodation

Orrest Cottage (B&B), Windermere

Love it! The room is 5-star hotel clean with nice artistic touch. Love that complete Marks & Spencer toiletries :) The food is good. And to the very best, the PRICE is GOOD!!!

Getting Around

by bus:

618 Windermere - Ambleside - Windermere

516 (Langdale Rambler) Ambleside - Dungeon Ghyll - Ambleside

and on FOOT!

Useful Links

Getting around the Lake District, Cumbria

Traveline

The Lakeland Fells

A Photographic Journal of Walks in the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Pennines