Page 160 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

158  ENGLAND ' S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

the 6th century. The monastery
has disappeared, but the bones
of St Petroc remain, housed in
a splendid 12th-century ivory
casket in the church. A stained-
glass window shows St Petroc
with a wolf – according to legend
he lived on an island in the Indian
Ocean for seven years, and when
he returned to Cornwall he
brought a tame wolf with him.
For a pleasant day out, ride on
the Bodmin & Wenford Railway,
or take part in a Victorian murder
The church on the Lanhydrock estate, located south of Bodmin trial at the Courtroom Experience,
run by the tourist office.
5 Newquay 6 Bodmin Located south of Bodmin, also
accessible along a 3-km (2-mile)
Cornwall. Map B5. * 20,000. Cornwall. Map B5. * 15,000.
k Newquay, Cornwall. 3 Cliff Rd. 3 Bodmin Parkway. @ Bodmin. path from Bodmin Station, is the
@ Marcus Hill. n Marcus Hill; 01637 n Mount Folly Sq; 01208 76616. famous National Trust-owned
838516. ( daily. _ Boardmasters: ∑ bodminlive.com Lanhydrock estate. The lovely
Aug; Fish Festival: Sep. ∑ visit main house dates from the 17th
newquay.org Cornwall’s ancient county town century, but only parts of the
lies on the sheltered western original structure still exist; the
Beginning life as an Elizabethan edge of Bodmin Moor. The east wing was demolished in
sailing port, Newquay quickly history and archaeology of the the 18th century and most of
became one of Cornwall’s biggest town and moor are covered by the rest of the house was rebuilt
pilchard fisheries. After the arrival Bodmin Town Museum, while following a fire in 1881. Visits
of the railway in the 1870s, it Bodmin Jail was built in 1779 by give an insight into the life of
also became the county’s most prisoners of war, forced to lug a country house, covering the
popular beach resort. Today, the 20,000 tonnes of granite from kitchens, nurseries and servants’
proximity of Newquay airport has Bodmin’s Cuckoo Quarry. Public rooms as well as the quarters of
helped maintain its popularity. executions took place until 1862, the family that lived here. Exhibits
Traditionally down market, with and among the exhibits are the also examine the impact of
its huge sandy beaches attracting execution blocks and hanging pit. World War I on the estate.
a budget-conscious crowd of The waters of a holy spring The house is child-friendly, with
backpackers, surfers, clubbers, gush out of the mouths of two plenty of hands-on activities,
pensioners and families, parts of gargoyles at the foot of the toys and a Victorian schoolroom.
Newquay are now showing signs St Petroc churchyard. It was by The grounds include a formal
of gentrification. Jamie Oliver and the original site of these waters – parterre (see p24) with displays
Rick Stein eateries have opened diverted from their natural of rhododendrons and camellias.
in the town, along with boutique location in the 16th-century – There are acres of woodland,
hotels and two sustainable that St Petroc discovered the with riverside walks and cycle
living projects, sponsored by hermit St Guron living in a cell, trails, including routes for families.
the Duchy of Cornwall. and established a monastery in
E Bodmin Town Museum
Mt Folly Sq. Tel 01208 77067.
Surfing Around Newquay Open Easter–Oct: Mon–Sat & Good Fri.
Newquay is the UK’s self-styled Closed public hols. 7 limited. =
surfing capital, attracting surfers E Bodmin Jail
from all over Europe and hosting Berrycombe Rd. Tel 01208 76292.
several competitions. It is also Open 9:30am–6pm daily.
an ideal place for novices. Long, Closed 25 Dec. & 7 limited. 0
straight Fistral Beach, with regular, - = ∑ bodminjail.org
consistent waves, is a good place
to start. Small and quieter, Mawgan  Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Porth (to the north of Newquay) Bodmin General Station. Tel 01208
faces the same direction as Fistral, 73555. ∑ bodminrailway.co.uk
so it has great waves but without
the crowds. Adventure-seekers P Lanhydrock
should target Watergate Bay, Bodmin. Tel 01208 265950.
which offers bodyboarding, SUP, Open House: Mar–Oct: 11am–5pm
wave-skiing, kitesurfing and other daily. Gardens: mid-Feb–Oct: 10am–
sports, plus traditional surfing. Surfers in action on Fistral Beach 5:30pm daily. Closed 25 Dec. & 7
0 = ø ∑ nationaltrust.org.uk
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp178–9 and pp190–91

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