Notes & Observations
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The four routes are now on-line for you to download. (downloadable from here)
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We do feel it best if you have a sufficiently detailed road map with you to the area you opt to explore.
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Sat Navs will certainly be useful to get you to the start offs, and back to your base after the finish. They are an aid in the lanes, but best to punch in one village/town at a time if you need it, as our routes may not be the more direct route.
4. Fuel up before you start off as the routes are all into remote areas. -
There will be ample places for pit stops, with food & beverage options along all the routes. A picnic would be good, and certainly a flask of coffee & a mars bar, may just be enough to enjoy that magical isolated spot you will inevitably find to enjoy.
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We do advise that some research on things that tick your particular boxes should be done. To add to our previous suggested Forum Leads Whats On in Cornwall more research into Tin Mines, Azaleas, Cirl Bunting; Rhododendrons, Steam Pumps, Steam Engines, Surfing, white Egrets, Shipwrecks, Whale Sharks; Air/Sea Rescues; Peregrine Falcons, Daphne Du Maurier; or Barbara Hepworth are worthy of consideration as these runs will have some of them on that route to look out for. So be prepared.
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Mobile phone signals are not reliant, and yet ironically Marconi the No1 radio man, made his first call to Polhdu, Cornwall from America nearly 100 years ago, and in true Cornish fashion we’m sure things will 'ventually get better !
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All our hedges are built of granite, and are covered with an abundance of delicate & beautiful flora, but don’t squeeze in tight when passing other vehicles, better to consider reversing to an obvious wider spot or you may want to rename that pretty clump of honesty, into something less endearing.
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Drive carefully and imagine there is a bus around every corner, … this be very sound advise me 'ansoms … because most of the lanes in Cornwall really are our bus routes !
A special NOTE for those considering opting for the Lost Gardens Special tour on Saturday, we will forward your special applied entrance passes together with directional/advise on how to make your way to Heligan Gardens for the 11 o’clock tour. However, we WILL also provide those requesting the Heligan Tour an optional shortened mirrored drive on to The Roseland and down to St.Mawes, which can be embarked upon after the garden tour has finished.
ROUTE A. BEST OF THE WEST (80 miles)
This route will link the far west spectacular North & South coasts, using the lanes to link and explore the natural rugged beauty as you drive this peninsula tour.
Starting on the outskirts of Falmouth this route will visit Helston, Porthleven, Marazion (St.Michaels Mount), Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole, (Lands End), St.Just, Cot Valley, St.Ives, Lelant saltings & Hayle.
Specific points of interest we will put in the final details, but for now this route will encompass several Cornish fishing villages, have access to the historic tin mining areas, Lighthouses, and not forgetting the superb coastal roads enjoying the memorable panoramas that Cornwall’s far west’s coastline has to offer.
ROUTE B. ROSELAND PENINSULAR (50 miles)
The Roseland Peninsula is one of Cornwall hidden treasures. Isolated from the main spine roads, it is a Cul-de-Sac quietly tucked away, and surrounded by water. Sheltered by the Lizard land mass, from the full fury of the south westerly storms. The area has a very special micro climate which the Peninsular enjoys.
Starting from the Probus area (midway Truro-St.Austell, A390) this route will snake down to St.Mawes, then over to Portscatho and on out to St.Anthony’s Headland, retracing back to the spine road before turning off to Veryan, onto Portloe, Portholland, Caerhays, and finally winding it’s way off the Roseland, and down through the very narrow streets of Mevagissey, before culminating in the Tea Rooms of The Lost Gardens of Heligan for a well earnt cuppa.
Special points of interest, a chance to see a very very special Churchyard, enjoy some ancient woodlands with quiet leafy lanes, quaint hamlets & villages, picturesque and unspoilt fishing harbours and wharfs, Round Houses built to keep the devil from hiding in the corners, a couple of Castles, magnificent open coastal bays, and of course an abundance of panoramic sea and estuary views everywhere you go.
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ROUTE C. NORTH COAST (20 miles)
Battered and shaped by the full fury of the fierce Westerly Atlantic Gales, this rugged west Facing granite coastline opens up every now and then to expose some of the worlds renowned and superb surfing beaches that pepper this part of the North Coast of Cornwall.
This stunning undulating drive also has its share of villages and hamlets to admire.
Starting from the outskirts of Newquay, the route heads north up the coastal road passing numerous surfing beaches and bays, before culminating in the picturesque town of Padstow or Steinsville as the locals have now renamed it.
This is a simple and spectacular coastal road run, with some small detours added. Simply navigated by keeping the sea on your left until you park up for a stroll around the intimate harbour of Padstow.
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ROUTE D. THE LIZARD (50 miles)
The Lizard is the UK’s most southerly point. Rugged and Remote are its main attributes, flanked by the open Atlantic waters. It is truly a massive lump of granite that has defied the fury of the North Atlantic Gales for centuries. On it’s northern flank nestles the stunning beauty of The Helford Estuary.
The Lizard has some hidden treasures with small coves & hamlets, miniscule sheltered valleys which are there enticing your Five to go in and explore. This route will help you do just that.
Starting from the outskirts of Falmouth, through the lanes to Mawnan Smith, passing Gledurgan & Trebah Gardens which overlook the nothern side of the Helford, we pass through Porth Navas, Constantine, Gweek, & wind our way over to Helford village, down to St.Anthonys in Meneage and then up the Gillan Creek (a must before 15.00 otherwise you’ll need your goggles & snorkle to find the road), and winding your way down to the Lizard village, before returning back up the spine road with optional detours off to Church Cove, to Kynance Cove, and to Mullion and nearby Poldhu Cove, before passing RNAS Culdrose and culminating in the Helston area for dispersal back to your base.
The stark contrast of the wild and the sheltered is The Lizards absolute fascination.
Images of the routes kindly created by JulianK.
These are provided for information only and should not be used for navigation but just as a general guide to the area the run takes you through. They are in no way guaranteed to follow the printed route details.
ROUTE A. BEST OF THE WEST (80 miles)
ROUTE B. ROSELAND PENINSULAR (50 miles)
ROUTE C. NORTH COAST (20 miles)
ROUTE D. THE LIZARD (50 miles)
