| With the current economic crisis convincing more | | | | and towns, the moorland has no doubt changed |
| and more prospective holidaymakers to stay in | | | | very little over time - and today retains much of |
| the UK this year, the south west is likely to | | | | its natural isolation. Siblyback Lake and Brown Willy |
| receive a fair amount of visitors. So why is | | | | are both destinations that are well worth the |
| Cornwall worth driving those extra couple of | | | | day's walking. |
| hours? Is it all just pasties and beaches? Well, it's | | | | Cornwall's capital is Truro and contains many |
| true, the pasties and the beaches in Cornwall are | | | | sights. The grand gothic cathedral in the city |
| unmatched by anywhere else in the country - but | | | | centre is a 250 foot tall twin spire structure that |
| there is much more on offer west of the Tamar. | | | | was built continually over the period between |
| Here is my "unique" Cornwall guide. | | | | 1880 and 1910. Today it is open to the public, and |
| In fact, it is the Tamar Valley I would like to draw | | | | along with many of the Georgian style residences, |
| your attention to first. Officially an Area of | | | | a must see for anyone with an interest in |
| Outstanding Natural Beauty, the valley makes up | | | | architecture. The city is also home to many shops |
| most of the border between Cornwall and Devon, | | | | and the theatre/music venue, Hall For Cornwall. |
| and is well served by a railway line with abundant | | | | Sights elsewhere that are unique to the county |
| views. Its steep sheltered gorges, and great | | | | include the Minack Theatre, an open air theatre |
| amount of woodland, makes for a sheltered | | | | established on the cliffs near Portcurno, and runs |
| habitat for rare species (such as Greater | | | | plays all through the summer. For lovers of |
| Horseshoe Bats) - which can be experienced first | | | | nature, you will also be satisfied by Cornwall's |
| hand by those eager to hike and explore. The | | | | array of gardens, including: The Eden Project near |
| valley is also home to many beautiful picturesque | | | | St Austell, Trebah Gardens on the Helford |
| villages such as Calstock and Bere Alston. | | | | Passage, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. And for |
| Move further west and you come to Bodmin | | | | those with an interest in history, Tintagel Castle is |
| Moor. This moorland stretches over 80 square | | | | famed for being the birthplace of King Arthur, and |
| miles and was formed during the Carboniferous | | | | its ruins make for an exciting exploration of the |
| period (about 300 million years ago). Apart from | | | | legend. |
| the settlements of scattered parishes, villages, | | | | |