Cornwall Culture

Sitting atop Cornwall's spine on the A30 corridor are the sprawling towns of Camborne and Redruth. Often neglected by carloads eager to reach the county's southern tip, the region is worthy of note as a nod to Cornwall's industrial heritage. The disused engine houses that punctuate the heather-clad landscape are a stark yet beautiful reminder of the copper and tin boom that characterised the late 19th century, even if the towns seemingly struggle to find their place in the fervent tourism that typifies the county today. But finding their place they are, with a prosperous past fuelling a rapidly developing present, and with those heathery valleys leading to sandy idylls like Portreath and Porthtowan to the north, it's easy to see why.

For a guide to Camborne in Polish, click here

For a guide to Camborne in Lithuanian click here

To Do

If you're in Camborne at the end of April it's hard to miss the song and dance made for the town's most famous export, Richard Trevithick, who was credited with the invention of the first steam-powered car, 'The Puffin' Devil', in 1801. Get involved with the festivities that see the town go mad for a day, with street entertainment, the Trevithick parade, vintage cars and a fairground to keep you amused. Step back in time by catching a film at Redruth's deliciously Art-Deco cinema, The Regal. Take a trip to Gwennap Pit, a secluded amphitheatre tucked away in the countryside. Walking its circumference from top to bottom and back again means you've covered a mile. If you fancy covering a bit more ground and feeling pretty smug at the end of the day, then cycle the Bissoe Trail's Mineral Tramways route. It's full of contrast and striking reminders of the area's industrial heritage and links the historic mining harbour town of Portreath on Cornwall's exposed Atlantic coast with the sheltered picturesque inland waterway of Devoran on Restronguet Creek. It's not as far as it sounds only 11 miles and the fact that it used to be a tramway means that it's delightfully flat most of the way!
Visit Porthtowan's Mount Pleasant Eco Park and check out the traditional building courses also on offer at the centre, which is a stunning example of a sustainable working environment. Try your luck surfing Portreath's harbour wall break, though given the kink halfway down, it's not recommended for novices. The B3301 that snakes up the cliff from Portreath and west to Hayle must be among the best in Cornwall. Make sure the sun's out, wind down the windows and feast on the trio of field, ocean and sky.

To Eat

Stingy Lulu's western outpost, Fusion, has spiced up the centre of Camborne with a blend of culinary exotica that warrants a sample. Housed in the granite grandeur of the Berkeley Centre, its interior is as magnificent as the food, most notably perhaps in the tropical fishtanks. Expect to queue with the hordes that flock to Morris's Fish'n'Chips in Redruth; it's worth the wait. Fancy dinner in a castle? Head up to Carn Brea for middle-eastern fayre by candlelight. If the harbour wall at Portreath proves too much, try cheesy fries or a whole fry-up in a bap from the café on the beach. Nursing a sore head or otherwise, Porthtowan's Boardroom serves up a Sunday brunch that's hard to beat. Watch out for the Eggs Benedict with Serrano.

To Drink

Whether you've earned it taking a beating in the surf or not, soak up the north Atlantic sunset at the Blue Bar. Metres from the sand in Porthtowan, this bustling and vibrant beach bar serves up cool lagers on sandy floorboards, and with free live music every weekend, there's no wonder it's packed to the gunnels. Sip a sloe gin or a St.Austell ale at The Golden Lion on the shores of Stithians Lake, where the slate flagstones, creaky wooden stools and open fire seem far removed from the action on the water. Alternatively, pack a coolbox with your tipple of choice, head to one of the many clifftop car parks on the road south of Portreath, kick back and watch the sun disappear for another day.

To Buy

Lanner, just south of Redruth, has a fine country bakery, and is well worth the trip for one of its Granary loaves. Cornish Organics in Four Lanes is a Soil Association-accredited purveyor of all things organic, from veg boxes to prime cuts of beef from animals reared onsite. If cheese is your thing, head to Lynher Dairies for a hunk of Yarg. Unique to Cornwall, this creamy cheese comes wrapped in nettle leaves. The garlic version deserves a taste, though might not be the most sociable of morsels.

To Walk

The view from Carn Brea is hard to beat, and well worth the lung-busting walk to the summit. On a clear day, feast on a panorama that takes in both coasts, stretching down to St.Ives Bay and up to St.Austell. For a taste of the area's mining past, take the Great Flat Lode trail. Running six-and-a-half miles round Carn Brea's summit, it takes in many of the wrecked engine houses that made the area's name, and is suitable whether you're on foot, bike, or horse. Work off lunch with a wander over the cliffs from Porthtowan to Chapel Porth, where golden sands seem incongruous against the rock-strewn cliffs and crags. South of Portreath, head along the heathery clifftops to Hell's Mouth, which is as dramatic as its name suggests. Not for those prone to vertigo. If you fancy a break from the coast (all that beauty can be too much!), head inland to Tehidy Country Park, a 250-acre expanse of woodland, weirs and streams with nine miles of nature trails ripe for exploration.

Area information written by Helen Gilchrist - http://www.stranger-mag.com