Ideas for holidaying in Cornwall throughout 2015
Cornwall begins 2015 holding on to the coveted Best UK Holiday Destination in the British Travel Awards 2014 for the SIXTH consecutive year. Around one in ten visitors are taking their main holiday in Cornwall, according to tourism experts Visit Cornwall.
The love for Cornwall shows no sign of abating. As well as boasting a very loyal and passionate visitor base, Cornwall is well-known for turning first-time visitors into lifelong fans. Holding the title for six years is real cause for celebration for everyone involved in the industry, it represents value in our product and strength in the Cornwall brand,’ says Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall, who was at the award ceremony in London to collect the trophy on behalf of Cornwall at the end of November.
Having first secured the title in 2009, Cornwall has successfully shunned competition from rival destinations around the country, including Northumberland and Devon who took silver and bronze respectively, to win the public vote and cement its position as the premier visitor destination. The Eden Project also triumphed by retaining its gold title in the Best UK Leisure Attraction category for the fourth year running, while the National Maritime Museum Cornwall won silver for Best UK Heritage Attraction for a second year. Bude added further to Cornwall’s success by taking bronze for Best UK Coastal Resort.
Our attractions and individual resorts are a leading force in the UK tourism industry; their fantastic titles are very much deserved and I offer my hearty congratulations to the dedicated people that make them the success that they are,’ continues Malcolm. Here’s to 2015 and working together to keep Cornwall strong in the ever evolving and competitive industry.’
The British Travel Awards attracted 1.25 million votes from more than 100,000 voters.
Where people holiday in Cornwall
St Austell (14%)
Wadebridge (12%)
St Ives (11%)
Penzance (9%)
Looe (6%)
Helston (6%)
Bude (4%)
Falmouth (4%)
Liskeard (3%)
(Cornwall Visitor Survey for Visit Cornwall January 2013)
While there are many loyal visitors to Cornwall who book the same hotel room, cottage or pitch every year, If you are looking for new adventures for 2015 here’s a few ideas to get you started.
Stonerush Lakes in South East Cornwall offers a choice of luxurious one, two or three bedroom detached holiday homes. Created by award winning developers, Charteroak, all lodges are fully furnished and finished to a very high standard with either lakeside or hillside views. At the centre is The Old Mill, an exclusive bar and bistro for guests, where you can enjoy a relaxing drink or a delicious meal.
Go eco-friendly: Little White Alice has a cosy collection of six eco-built cottages. Each cottage is highly insulated with triple glazing, underfloor heating and a wood burning stove. No day is complete without a brisk walk around the surrounding 29 acres of land – whatever the weather. Meet and feed the farm animals and then relax in a wood-burning hot tub - use the natural swimming pool as a plunge pool. Spend the evenings stargazing in the sunken sheltered fire pit with a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate.
Leave the motorway maps and rest stops behind and enjoy the luxury of time, advises holiday lettings experts Cornish Gems. Cornwall is the UK’s natural playground so what better way to take a break than explore the versatile county from the quiet sandy shores of the South to the roaring surf and drama of the North Coast?
Don’t have the time?
Cornwall offers some incredible short break options. Regulars make their way across the 300 miles of South West Coast path that offers incomparapbe views of the Cornish coastline, there are also incredible wildlife watching spots and areas like Bude are becoming more and more popular for people to set up their telescopes for a spot of stargazing.
Alongside the short breaks that bring with them a spot of adventure: surfing, sailing, paddleboarding, coasteering and cycling along the Camel Valley - and of course bareback horse riding across the beaches of the Isles of Scilly. Cornwall’s food and drink is flourishing with hundreds of great places to enjoy fine dining and cream teas - and everything in between - and if you like to be more hands join the many cooking masterclasses on offer.
