Flambards

Flambards is Cornwall's main theme park, just outside Helston. Not only does it have a collection of exciting fairground rides, but much else besides.

The Victorian Village re-creates life a century ago with its realistic shop windows and houses. Life in the last war takes on a whole new feel in the Britain in the Blitz exhibition.

The gardens are a peaceful haven after all the excitement but there are still the Creepy Crawlies to be met in the large, blue geodetic dome.

Dingles

If you are fascinated by old steam and traction engines then this is just the place for you. A fascinating reminder of times when steam provided the power for almost any type of equipment.

The collection also includes a lot about fairgrounds, the people who ran them and their way of life. Several big rides are under cover and have been restored to working order. Try out the dodgems for yourself!

Amongst the more unusual items is an early machine designed to peel and core apples for an American factory that produced apple pies! Blink and you have missed it working!

Cyder Farm

With this day out you'll certainly be happier on the way home! Famous for the modern cider of Cornish Rattler, which is available across most of Britain, the Cyder Farm offers the chance to taste a variety of fruit juices as well as strong Scrumpy [hic]. Here you will get a view of the art of cider making and see the presses at work.

The orchards in bloom in spring are a real sight and if riding on the tractor then you can get to smell that blossom.

Brewery

When William Cookworthy discovered china clay he put St Austell on the map and made the area famous throughout Europe and further afield, but little did he know what else would follow.

The influx of workers eager to earn good money and build a new life, flocked to the area north of the town in large numbers. St Austell expanded rapidly. Some 100 years later a local businessman saw the chance to make money and so started his own brewery. Many a glass has since been raised to toast Walter Hick. His original home and brewery are now a care home, but the present brewery is in the town, combining old traditional skills with modern technology.

The visit to see the manufacture of the ale is a real eye opener into the craft of the brewer, and of course there is that chance to taste the product too! The modern ales sell, like the china clay before it, world wide and have been recognised nationally and awards given. These are a Tribute to the foresight and hard work over the past 160 years.