This beautiful area of Cornwall is credited with having one of the most spectacular coastlines in England. The area boasts picturesque villages, historic towns, quaint harbours and secluded beaches. It has a distinctive charm of ever changing colours and light with a variety of different land and seascapes accentuated by the variation of the tides and the sea state.
It is important to book tickets in advance to most visitor attractions
A stay at the Upper Deck B&B in Marazion is incomplete without venturing across to the spectacular island castle of St Michael’s Mount to discover legend, myth, pilgrimage, and over a thousand years of incredible history. The Mount is considered to be the ‘Jewel in Cornwall’s crown’. This beautiful, magical and historical landmark is now in the care of the National Trust with the St. Aubyn family still resident. The Mount can be reached at low tide by the famous cobbled causeway and at high tide by local ferry boatmen. (Please check opening times which are tide dependent - The Mount has advance ticket only entry, and it is necessary to book on-line for the castle and gardens. Access to the Mount on foot is possible 2 hours each side of low tide when the causeway is exposed. Causeway opening times can be found at: https://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/plan-your-visit/causeway-opening-times
House of The Dragon - HBO’s prequel to the popular fantasy drama ‘Game of Thrones’,chronicles the House Targaryen of Dragonstone 172 years prior to the birth of Queen Daenerys Targaryen was filmed at St Michael’s Mount, which serves as the House of the Dragon’s fictional ‘Driftmark’ (home of the House of Velaryon) in ‘Blackwater Bay’, the large body of water at the edge of ‘Kings Landing’. Driftmark was previously featured in Game of Thrones during the Battle of the Blackwater. Filming also took place at Kynance Cove, which was portrayed as Velaryon camp, and also at Holywell Bay near Newquay.
Castle Driftmark - home of the house of Velaryon - photo Credit HBO House of the DRagon
Lanhydrock House
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock
Close to Bodmin is the superb National Trust property of Lanhydrock House, which is the most magnificent stately home in the County and well worth a visit. Explore 50 rooms, including a fascinating kitchen complex, state bedrooms, nurseries and servants quarters. Fabulous gallery with 400 year old ceiling friezes and wonderful formal gardens to explore.
Pendennis Castle
Pendennis Castle was built by King Henry VIII to guard the River Fal Estuary and important trading town of Falmouth. Explore Tudor gun deck and tunnels to the half moon battery to learn about the lives of soldiers who lived here over the ages. Large display of artillery pieces from Tudor time to present day. Jousting and other events throughout the year. (English Heritage)
St Mawes Castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/st-mawes-castle
Cross the River Fal from Falmouth to find St Mawes Castle which is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, and the most elaborately decorated of them all. One of the chain of forts built between 1539 and 1545 to counter an invasion threat from Catholic France and Spain, it guarded the important anchorage of Carrick Roads, sharing the task with Pendennis Castle on the other side of the Fal Estuary.