Location Location Location: The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

I used to visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan every time I came to Cornwall on holiday. Now, at only £13 for an adult ticket (and a new option for a locals pass!) it's a perfect place to take a springtime walk without breaking the bank *cough Eden Project cough*.  A genuine lost garden, these beautifully wild grounds were owned by the Tremayne family; during WW1 ivy, overgrowth and brambles took over this estate as the family and workforce joined the war. Unlike many estates, it was never sold or developed in that time; proceeding a further 'sleeping beauty' timewarp to the grounds.  Eventually, in the 1970's the house itself was sold, split into apartments and yet, the grounds were left undiscovered...

It wasn't until the 1990's that Tim Smit (Eden Project creator) and John Willis (Tremayne descent) discovered a tiny doorway, covered in hedgerow and brambles, and began the clearance and restoration of the classical gardens and enchanting landscape. 

You really can get lost for hours in the different areas of the grounds. Acres to walk, Stacie and I headed first for the jungle (like any adventurer would!) This landscape could be anywhere, in reality, it's 20 minutes or so from my house. Do I mention enough how brilliant Cornwall is?

Taking the rope bridge is a novelty experience and guaranteed to have you declaring yourself as the next Indiana Jones. Stacie and I queued for about 10 minutes and as we got closer, shouted at the children ahead of us, rocking and jumping on the rope bridge "You'll weaken it before we get there and we'll die!" We're slightly dramatic adventurers...

Since we'd practically mastered the jungle (Tarzan eat your heart out) we ventured over to the farm area. Squealing at the piglets and having a stare-off with an emu, we rolled around in the sunshine, feeding sheep and lambs, declaring ourself as the first ever 'Farm Jungle Experts'. Every little moment just screamed "SPRING HAPPINESS" in your face. I can sense you feel it right now. 

Farming aced (it really was quite the mastering day) we needed to slow down a little and headed for the Italian gardens and melon yard for a hunt of inspiration and peacefulness. One of the many joys of Heligan is just how relaxed the different spaces are. It's venturing into someone's beautiful home without being pretentious or invasive. It took us a little while to spot the pineapples growing (that's right we grow pineapples in Cornwall) and we were a little early in the season for the veg garden to be fully appreciated but despite being a bank holiday weekend with a queue of genuinely almost 200 people when we arrived, there were plenty of spaces that were empty and serene. 

The scent of The Citrus House was invigorating and fresh, placing my little mind somewhere much more exotic than a corner of the UK. Legs a little tired, hearts filled with sunshine, we headed over to the farm shop for a bit of local produce (honey purchasing- duh) and headed home. 

Thinking of a trip to Cornwall? You may want to have a browse of some other locations that are tip-top! 

Daymer Bay Beach

Charlestown

St Ives

Falmouth

Roche Rock and Hermitage

Pentewen

St Austell Brewery

Melinsey Mill

Polgooth

Dairyland Farmworld

Mevagissey

Eden Project

Lanhydrock

Over & Out 

Sophie

Location Location Location// Eden Project

Have I already warned you that this is the most photo heavy post in town? Well consider that your warning. So sue me, Sunae convinced me to man-up and practice shooting in manual and I pretty much ran with it. My photography knowledge now stretches to 'moving the dial-ly thing' but hey, I'm getting there! If you haven't yet gagged over my 'ode to Sunae', take a little read here and come on back for some plant photos, a couple of funny looking birds and mostly a little tour around a must-see attraction in Cornwall (and one of the only ones still open in the winter months!)

I've been to the Eden Project a few times now; more-so for charity related goodness or a little browse before seeing a band or two, it's somewhere that I totally overlook and take for granted, living so near by. The great thing about going there though is that so much is indoors (a rarity for a Cornish attraction) and meant that it didn't really matter what the weather was like, Sunae and I could visit and warm the o'l cockles whilst taking our time snapping and nattering. Starting in the education centre, she educated me more on the microbiology more than the exhibition did- I'm sure we had a small group even listening in at one stage. The 'seed' pictured above is an incredible instillation with the most amusing acoustics (when you're stomping around pretending to be dinosaurs like we were, you need great acoustics!)

Beautiful tiles in the Mediterranean biome. I'm not actually a penguin by the way, my TOMS just make me look like one. Can you spot the bird?

David Attenborough eat your heart out. 

Cacti and succulents galore!

I'd just like to remind you (again) that I am using the manual mode on my camera finally and for first attempts I'm pretty proud as punch (even if Sunae and I probably took hours longer seeing everything!) After a spot of lunch (which was super tasty, if incredibly overpriced-it's a tourist attraction so you kind of expect it!) we headed over to the rainforest biome for what became a LOT of humidity that made us go a little crazy...

I spent a good while hunting for these little birds name plaque (like the ones you get with all the plants) only for Sunae to highlight to me that 'birds move around Sophie, there probably isn't one!' I think I dubbed thee, punk chickens.

A lot of craziness later, and deciding as evening descended so much so that it got rather dark, that we were in-fact in Jurassic World, we started hiding from dinosaurs. As you do.

Finally we made it to the end, after being a little convinced that it had actually closed and we were going to spend the entire night trapped in dino-land. *wipes brow*

To wrap up, Eden Project is a great day out for a visitor to Cornwall in winter because it's mainly inside. It isn't cheap but they do offer a locals' pass which is great value for money and gives you access during all the exciting times of year. It's been almost two months since my little dinosaur queen was here and I totally miss her every day. Sorting and commentating these photos has filled me with joy and reminiscence. I'm suddenly back to planning moving my life to Australia again.

Miss you Sunae.

Over & Out

Sophie

Location Location Location: Lanhydrock Cycle Trails.

These sunny days are meant to last. The weather has been kind over the last few weeks and it's given us a chance to get our more than our little Cornish land usually allows at this time of year. During a bit of life panic, Harps swept me outside for a little bike ride, I say little because I spent most of the time talking to wildlife and taking photos. Lanhydrock is part of the National Trust and is home to the most beautiful and fascinating house, boasting title of 'grandest in the county'. With the weather so glorious, we weren't there to learn about Victorian life indoors, nor were we here to admire the perfectly coiffed and manicured gardens, we were here to explore the captivating, wild estate and the newly added bike trails that bring cyclists and dog walkers alike. The estate itself is free to enter, making it an ever better choice for a day out in the sunshine and the variable skilled trails are suitable for all abilities.

Incase you've never heard me mention, I have really big problems with my knees. I'd probably worry, once upon a time of making that seem too serious but they've got to a stage (after about six years) of severe pain that cycling is actually quite high impact for me. Harps, on the other hand works with bicycles every day and loves a chance to get me riding with him. As much as I loved the wind in my hair, it wasn't long before I'd had to stop too many times to stretch my knees out, that I totally lost him. Both resting and documenting my missing status, imagining families finding my phone months later and hunting for clues as to where 'the lady stuck in the woods' is, I tried not to wonder too far, wishing I'd made a trail of breadcrumbs and taking some of the loveliest photos.

Eventually Harps found me (look how excited I am to have been reunited!) and flitted between riding the shorter trails and my knees having a rest and taking poor quality photos of him. I am not the sports photographer he needs me to be.

And I made some friends with nature. I actually had to be moved along by Harps because I spent so long talking to the caterpillar.

Finally we headed to the dog friendly bike cafe and scoffed some chocolate cake and cold drinks, before heading home via the National Trust gift shop/plant centre and picking up a few herb seeds that are sprouting really quite nicely.

Have you been to Lanhydrock? Maybe it's on your list of places to go? This winter I plan to head to the house and have a quiet day roaming the halls of history. Do let me know if you fancy coming along!

Here's some other places in Cornwall that you might want to add to your Location list:

Daymer Bay Beach

Charlestown

St Ives

Falmouth

Roche Rock and Hermitage

Pentewen

St Austell Brewery

Melinsey Mill

Polgooth

Dairyland Farmworld

Mevagissey

Love Sophie Xx

Location Location Location: Daymer Bay Beach.

I'd never even heard of Daymer Bay, let alone the fact that it's less that twenty minutes away from Wadebridge, Harp's hometown. It's almost as close as Padstow! So when Harp's mummy visited we all headed for a day at the seaside, much to my utter joy! Can we just all talk about how incredible this beach is? It's the perfect beach for everything! Scenic, shell scattered, sandy beaches, clear seas and some of the best rock pools I've seen in ages! There's also a great little shop and cafe just in the car park, I bought the snazziest bucket and spade I could find with the sole intention of making the greatest sandcastle Cornwall had ever seen. 

Dogs, buckets, spades and smiles in toe we made our way onto the beach. After a while of settling Harps and I started to explore. He ended up climbing so high that he could't remember how to get down from the cliff edge and I got all too excited spotting wildlife- donning my best Attenborough impression, my bucket and spade had a whole new job!

Harps and I gathered an underwater world (and yes we put it all back!) There was a little crab, some rather raunchy snails that maybe had a little orgy, a jellyfish I named Jeremy and a couple of fancy shells. Eventually, sunbathing for a little while incited me to the sea. Not equipped to go for an actual swim, I decided to take the little black dog above for a splash in the water. A sudden wave meant little legs here needed to actually take the plunge and doggy paddle, she freaked the fuck out and promptly clambered up my legs taking refuge in my arms. 

Many giggles and a sneaky ice-cream later, we headed home again.

Have any of you been to Daymer Bay beach? Maybe you'll plan a trip there this summer?

Love Sophie Xx