Holiday coming up in Cornwall
Discussion
I've never been to Cornwall before, so have rented a cottage almost on the Beach for a 3 day break in the middle of the month.
I'm hoping to spend most of the time pottering and playing around with my camera and have hired a few lenses for the occasion (10-20mm sigma and 100mm macro).
We have got a day penciled in to visit the Eden Project, but aside from that are free for 2 days to do whatever we fancy. Does anybody know any 'must see/photograph' spots we should especially seek out?
I'm hoping to spend most of the time pottering and playing around with my camera and have hired a few lenses for the occasion (10-20mm sigma and 100mm macro).
We have got a day penciled in to visit the Eden Project, but aside from that are free for 2 days to do whatever we fancy. Does anybody know any 'must see/photograph' spots we should especially seek out?
The Eden project is interesting for a whole five minutes and the best view is annoyingly just inside the (expensive) ticket gates. Once that view is over then it's OK I suppose. But the difference between its hype and the delivery is sucking big donkey balls.
I would recommend giving it a miss and instead visiting the close-by peaceful, beautiful and historically interesting Heligan - as in the "Lost Gardens of Heligan". Thoroughly enjoyed that.
Recommended are "The Lizard" and the Bedruthan Steps. Be prepared to clean your camera after capturing the waves at the bottom of the steps!
Do not bother with Land's End. It sucks even bigger and hairier donkey balls than anything else in Cornwall.
There are a number of National Trust gardens and properties. If you are a member you will enjoy those greatly.
It's a great area, have a great time. Just avoid the stuff that sucks so badly it blows...
I would recommend giving it a miss and instead visiting the close-by peaceful, beautiful and historically interesting Heligan - as in the "Lost Gardens of Heligan". Thoroughly enjoyed that.
Recommended are "The Lizard" and the Bedruthan Steps. Be prepared to clean your camera after capturing the waves at the bottom of the steps!
Do not bother with Land's End. It sucks even bigger and hairier donkey balls than anything else in Cornwall.
There are a number of National Trust gardens and properties. If you are a member you will enjoy those greatly.
It's a great area, have a great time. Just avoid the stuff that sucks so badly it blows...
Cornwall is renowned for the quality of its light so it will be interesting to see if that transfers across into your photos.
Obviously the beaches are awesome (great for wide-angle shots), there's surfing on some beaches too.
There's a big radar site near Bude, I think it's called 'Goonhilly'? Might make a good backdrop if you're near there.
Some of the former mines to the west of the Eden Project are awesome. The chemicals in the water turn it a bright blue/green etc depending on which one you're near. You might be able to find these on Google Earth.
I'll keep thinking.....
Obviously the beaches are awesome (great for wide-angle shots), there's surfing on some beaches too.
There's a big radar site near Bude, I think it's called 'Goonhilly'? Might make a good backdrop if you're near there.
Some of the former mines to the west of the Eden Project are awesome. The chemicals in the water turn it a bright blue/green etc depending on which one you're near. You might be able to find these on Google Earth.
I'll keep thinking.....
mikee boy said:
There's a big radar site near Bude, I think it's called 'Goonhilly'? Might make a good backdrop if you're near there.
Indeed it is Goonhilly. Famous as one of the first major satellite uplink stations. Fascinating to see how big the older dishes are - and how small the modern ones are in comparison.It's a good visit and if you get some interesting skies over the dishes you can go for some abstract shots...
For photography, almost anywhere on the coast is good if the weather is nice. You could easily spend three days just going out to a random place on the map and taking photos. If I was just wanting to take photos, this is probably what I'd do, especially if I lived in London. It does depend partly on the weather though.
I agree with Don that the Eden Project doesn't match the hype. If you're into flower photography, unless there are some specific flowers that you want to shoot that only Eden has, then you're probably better off going to a garden centre. Also, if you hold the typical PH view on the climate then it'll probably annoy you.
Land's End is fine, as long as you don't expect it to be anything other than a bit of coast that happens to be the western end of the south-west peninsula. There's a crappy little theme park type thing there, but that's incidental really; if you want to go to the western point, the theme park doesn't make it any less pleasant, if you don't want to go to the western point, you won't go there for the theme park.
Other places of interest include the Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, the Minack Theatre (I don't think there are any shows at this time of year but it's interesting to look around all the same), Lanhydrock House, Trelissick Gardens and Tintagel Castle. Some are good for photographing, some not so. It depends on what you're into and where you're based.
I agree with Don that the Eden Project doesn't match the hype. If you're into flower photography, unless there are some specific flowers that you want to shoot that only Eden has, then you're probably better off going to a garden centre. Also, if you hold the typical PH view on the climate then it'll probably annoy you.
Land's End is fine, as long as you don't expect it to be anything other than a bit of coast that happens to be the western end of the south-west peninsula. There's a crappy little theme park type thing there, but that's incidental really; if you want to go to the western point, the theme park doesn't make it any less pleasant, if you don't want to go to the western point, you won't go there for the theme park.
Other places of interest include the Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, the Minack Theatre (I don't think there are any shows at this time of year but it's interesting to look around all the same), Lanhydrock House, Trelissick Gardens and Tintagel Castle. Some are good for photographing, some not so. It depends on what you're into and where you're based.
Thanks for the tips everybody! I might swerve the Eden Project - it looked quite good on the website, but these things rarely live up to the hype. I suppose I could go to Kew any time I like!
I had an afternoon driving a Chieftan tank and some APCs booked, but they've just called to say that due to a parts shortage they are having to refund the money. I was looking forward to that
(the CO2 would balance out my visit to the Eden Project 
).
ETA I'm staying in Mowhay on the south coast.
I had an afternoon driving a Chieftan tank and some APCs booked, but they've just called to say that due to a parts shortage they are having to refund the money. I was looking forward to that
(the CO2 would balance out my visit to the Eden Project ).ETA I'm staying in Mowhay on the south coast.
Edited by Maxf on Wednesday 4th March 16:33
Maxf said:
I had an afternoon driving a Chieftan tank and some APCs booked, but they've just called to say that due to a parts shortage they are having to refund the money. I was looking forward to that
Pop along to the Army Careers Information Office and tell them you'd like to drive a tank and you think you'd be quite good at it. If thry like the look of you, they PAY YOU to do it![there may be some strings attached and some overseas travel]
Maxf said:
Thanks for the tips everybody! I might swerve the Eden Project - it looked quite good on the website, but these things rarely live up to the hype. I suppose I could go to Kew any time I like!
I had an afternoon driving a Chieftan tank and some APCs booked, but they've just called to say that due to a parts shortage they are having to refund the money. I was looking forward to that (the CO2 would balance out my visit to the Eden Project ).
ETA I'm staying in Mowhay on the south coast.
Where's Mowhay? - I live on the south Coast and have never heard of it. Make sure you don't go to Bude expecting to find Goonhilly - they're about 75 miles apart! Bude is in North Cornwall on the coast and Goonhilly is on the Lizard which is the most southerly part of Britain. If you do go to Goonhilly there are some great bits of coast to photograph and it's fairly quiet, if not deserted at this time of year. Have a great time.I had an afternoon driving a Chieftan tank and some APCs booked, but they've just called to say that due to a parts shortage they are having to refund the money. I was looking forward to that
(the CO2 would balance out my visit to the Eden Project ).ETA I'm staying in Mowhay on the south coast.
Edited by Maxf on Wednesday 4th March 16:33
Bodmin Moor is stunning - some of the ruined engine houses over the old mines that litter the place are very photogenic. A village called Minions is a good place to park up (friendly local pub + excellent food) and you can see four or five mines around you in walking distance. This is the Prince of Wales engine house:
And another vote for the Lost Gardens of Heligan - Port Isaac on north coast (home of Doc Martin the TV series) is very pretty too.
And another vote for the Lost Gardens of Heligan - Port Isaac on north coast (home of Doc Martin the TV series) is very pretty too.
Rotaree said:
Maxf said:
Thanks for the tips everybody! I might swerve the Eden Project - it looked quite good on the website, but these things rarely live up to the hype. I suppose I could go to Kew any time I like!
I had an afternoon driving a Chieftan tank and some APCs booked, but they've just called to say that due to a parts shortage they are having to refund the money. I was looking forward to that (the CO2 would balance out my visit to the Eden Project ).
ETA I'm staying in Mowhay on the south coast.
Where's Mowhay? - I live on the south Coast and have never heard of it. Make sure you don't go to Bude expecting to find Goonhilly - they're about 75 miles apart! Bude is in North Cornwall on the coast and Goonhilly is on the Lizard which is the most southerly part of Britain. If you do go to Goonhilly there are some great bits of coast to photograph and it's fairly quiet, if not deserted at this time of year. Have a great time.I had an afternoon driving a Chieftan tank and some APCs booked, but they've just called to say that due to a parts shortage they are having to refund the money. I was looking forward to that
(the CO2 would balance out my visit to the Eden Project ).ETA I'm staying in Mowhay on the south coast.
Edited by Maxf on Wednesday 4th March 16:33
Rotaree said:
Make sure you don't go to Bude expecting to find Goonhilly - they're about 75 miles apart! Bude is in North Cornwall on the coast and Goonhilly is on the Lizard which is the most southerly part of Britain.
Whoops, as a Navigator geography is not my strong point. Mind you, at 7 miles a minute it is just 'up the road'.mikee boy said:
Rotaree said:
Make sure you don't go to Bude expecting to find Goonhilly - they're about 75 miles apart! Bude is in North Cornwall on the coast and Goonhilly is on the Lizard which is the most southerly part of Britain.
Whoops, as a Navigator geography is not my strong point. Mind you, at 7 miles a minute it is just 'up the road'.Another vote for Heligon, loads of great image opportunities there.
The onyl other thign I would suggest is getting up way early for sunrise as well. prepare to be disappointed with cruddy grey overcast skies and light but when it comes good it can be incredibly beautiful down there.
Chris
The onyl other thign I would suggest is getting up way early for sunrise as well. prepare to be disappointed with cruddy grey overcast skies and light but when it comes good it can be incredibly beautiful down there.
Chris
Park in Padstow, get the ferry to Rock, then turn left and walk to Polzeath or the Rumps - see St Enodoc Church on the way, just behind Daymer Bay on the edge of the golf course.
Or
Park in Polzeath and walk to Port Quinn or Port Isaac
Or
Park at Park Head in the NT car park and walk to Bedruthan Steps
Or
Park at Park Head in the NT car park and walk to Trevose Lighthouse (or in that direction as it is a bugger of a walk)
Or
Park at Trevone and walk out to Trevose Lighthouse
Or
Park in Wadebridge and walk the Camel Trail into Padstow
Avoid The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow but try the Orchard in Wadebridge or the St Enodoc Hotel for great meals. Also Barnecutts in Wadebridge do fab pasties.
Eden Project is OK but dull. Canal Gardens in Leeds is much more interesting if not so big.
Or
Park in Polzeath and walk to Port Quinn or Port Isaac
Or
Park at Park Head in the NT car park and walk to Bedruthan Steps
Or
Park at Park Head in the NT car park and walk to Trevose Lighthouse (or in that direction as it is a bugger of a walk)
Or
Park at Trevone and walk out to Trevose Lighthouse
Or
Park in Wadebridge and walk the Camel Trail into Padstow
Avoid The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow but try the Orchard in Wadebridge or the St Enodoc Hotel for great meals. Also Barnecutts in Wadebridge do fab pasties.
Eden Project is OK but dull. Canal Gardens in Leeds is much more interesting if not so big.
CVP said:
Another vote for Heligon, loads of great image opportunities there.
The onyl other thign I would suggest is getting up way early for sunrise as well. prepare to be disappointed with cruddy grey overcast skies and light but when it comes good it can be incredibly beautiful down there.
Chris
Whilst you're in the area, try to catch the sunrise at Mevagissey (around 1-2 miles from Heligan Gardens) - if the weather is right it is absolutely stunning. Otherwise, just south of Perranporth is St. Agnes Head - well worth a look for sunsets.The onyl other thign I would suggest is getting up way early for sunrise as well. prepare to be disappointed with cruddy grey overcast skies and light but when it comes good it can be incredibly beautiful down there.
Chris
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