Pendennis Castle

This splendid castle stands on the headland overlooking the important Falmouth harbour - with its smaller twin across the water at St Mawes. It was built by Henry the Eighth following his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, his first wife, when invasion from Spain was feared.

Our minibus will deliver you through the narrow keep gate where you can then visit the castle itself. There is also a Discovery Centre where you can learn all about life in this castle in the late 1500s. There are several interactive displays, including an exhibit on Tudor battles. Sometimes there are re-enactments of medieval events.

More recent additions include a café and a second world war interactive display. A Land Train runs from the centre of Falmouth to the castle car park during the summer months.

Tintagel

The legends of King Arthur are closely associated with the village of Tintagel. Its castle is said to be where he grew up and remains have been discovered here which date back to Roman times. It is easy to see why this was such a good place to defend a castle against enemies.

In the centre of the village is the Old Post Office - now preserved by the National Trust.

This is a popular place for tourists as the main street is lined with many different souvenir shops, not to mention several interesting cafés!

The views from the Island are spectacular with much of the north Cornish coastline visible on a clear day.

Lanhydrock and the National Trust

Lanhydrock House was the country home of a wealthy local family but is now the regional headquarters of the National Trust.

A tour of the house is an excellent way to find out what life was like about a hundred years ago. The huge kitchens always amaze every visitor.

The grounds are extensive and a delight to wander around, including the distinctive cultivated and shaped trees in the lawns in front of the house.
There are many other interesting places owned by the National Trust in Cornwall, such as Trelissick Gardens, overlooking the River Fal.

Bodmin Jail

The original jail was built in the time of King George III, as model jail to improve conditions for prisoners! The 20,000 tons of granite used to build it was brought to the site by the inmates, by hand, from the near-by Cuckoo Quarry! It closed as a jail in 1927.

During the First World War, many valuable items were sent here for safe keeping, including the Doomsday Book, and important state papers.

A visit today though lets the visitor see the damp and dark cells, with sunlight just penetrating the small barred windows high on the wall. You can really sense the loneliness and despair that inmates felt as well as the hunger, cold and the threat of hard labour for punishment!

The café and tourist centre are well received and offer welcome refreshment. The jail most recently has appeared in Most Haunted on TV. Some people even pay to stay over night!