Hawthorne Dene Hotel

Cornwall's town and villages are many and varied, ranging from small and rural hamlets to bustling visitor resorts. Cornwall boasts 12 separate 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. These are precious landscapes whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to protect them. Cornwall is often described as the 'garden capital of the world' as the lush vegetation and colour give garden lovers a feast for the eyes all year round.

Flight to Bristol, Exeter or Bournemouth. The Hawthorne Dene Hotel, a family run Falmouth hotel with the charm and comfort of a bygone era, extend a warm welcome to you. Each of the bedrooms is furnished to a very high standard with fine comfortable beds and are full of individual character and detail. Most rooms have fantastic sea views overlooking Falmouth's magnificent bay, with its castle, and a panorama that stretches from the Roseland to the Lizard. All the rooms are fully ensuite with showers, heated towel rails, towels and a range of luxury toiletries, colour TV/video, radio alarm, hairdryer and hospitality tray with tea/coffee, Cornish mineral waters and biscuits.Your hosts Jona and Ross offer original menus using only the finest of fresh produce, free range and organic. There is a choice of daily Table d'hôte and à la carte menus inspired by both traditional English and continental cuisine.

Begin your day in Falmouth with a relaxing walk around this beautiful historic maritime town, third largest natural harbour in the world and the town was once home the famous Packet Ships . These ships sailed to the far reaches of the British Empire to deliver mail and bring back, amongst other things, the exotic plants that now flourish in the many gardens in and around the town and those on the steep slopes of the Helford River. The town hosts major international watersports events and is a renowned haven for sailing.

Here you can experience the pleasure of two English Heritage properties, sister castles of Pendennis and St Mawes, Pendennis Castle - Pendennis and its sister, St Mawes Castle, face each other across the mouth of the River Fal. Constructed between 1540-45, they are the Cornish end of a chain of castles built by Henry VIII on the south coast.

 

A short boat trip from Falmouth to St Mawes allows you to experience the sister castle, St Mawes - This, the most perfectly preserved of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses, was built to counter the invasion threat from Europe in partnership with Pendennis, on the other side of the Fal Estuary.

Your tour begins with a visit to Marazion, with a prominent position on the shores of Mount's Bay; this ancient market town was formed as early as the twelfth century. The town, which catered for pilgrims throughout the Middle Ages, and has a long historic relationship with St Michael’s Mount and the Castle. Pilgrims accessed the island by way of a causeway which is revealed at low tide. Take a guided tour of this fairy tale Castle, a former Benedictine Priory and its maritime terraced gardens with sub-tropical species.

 

Depart the Mount and travel to Penzance. Penzance is a colourful mixture of influences, reflected in its diversearchitecture. Take a stroll along the elegant promenade and take in the views of Victorian, Georgian and Regency hotels, a mock Egyptian house and domed Market Hall.

 

Continue your tour along the coast towards Lamorna - situated at the end of a beautiful wooded valley, famous for its artistic connections with the Newlyn School of Artists, this tranquil setting has a small charming cove with stunning views.

 

Travel onwards and visit Penberth village and cove then call in to the Minack Theatre set dramatically in the cliffs, this Roman style open air amphitheatre clings to the granite cliffs above Porthcurno beach and is the venue for a wide variety of productions including comedies and musicals. Few experiences can equal the atmosphere of an evening performance with the sea and moon as a backdrop.

Travel down to the Helford River, the setting for Daphne Du Maurier's historical novel "Frenchman's Creek", visit Trebah Garden, a dramatic 26 acre sub-tropical ravine garden, rated among the 80 finest gardens in the world, and is home to a unique collection of rare and exotic plants, trees and shrubs winding down to a private and secluded beach on the beautiful Helford River Estuary.

 

Visit Helford Village, the picture postcard village and yachtsman's haven and walk around to Frenchman's Creek.

 

Drive to St Ives an historic fishing centre. The town is a warren of narrow thoroughfares, many still cobbled and an international film location. St Ives is also the county's premier tourist destination famous for its strong artistic flavour.

This walk takes you in the picturesque fishing village Coverack, some stunning coastal scenery and remains of an iron-age promontory fort. You will start from Coverack village south towards Chynhall's Point, a defensive promontory fort during the Romano-British or Iron-Age. From Chynhall's Point the Coast Path takes you from the pretty beach at Porthbeer Cove to the high cliffs of Chynhalls and Treleaver to the prominent headland Black Head. Lookout for some of the rare and beautiful plants along stretch. Just before you reach the small valley at Beagles Hole, a path leads inland towards the small farming hamlet of Treleaver. A public footpath via Trewillis takes you back to Coverack.

Mullion, the largest village on the Lizard with shops, inns, cafes and restaurants, craft shops, art galleries and the 13th century church of St Mellanus. Mullion Cove is protected by the National Trust and has a pretty working harbour, protected from the winter gales that rage across Mount's Bay by two stout sea walls. Nearby Poldhu Cove has an accessible family beach and in December 1901, on the cliffs above Poldhu, Marconi conducted his famous experiment in trans-Atlantic radio communications. The beach at Polurrian, popular with surfers, is approached by an attractive walk along the cliffs or through a valley, and is well worth the effort.

 

The working Cornish fishing harbour Porthleven, facing southwest into the prevailing winds. This hampered the development of the port, but provided much needed refuge for ships in distress along this stretch of coast. You will see exactly why on a story winters day when the waves crash over the harbour wall and batter the walls of the little church. There are also waterfront inns, galleries and craft shops. Nearby Loe Pool and the Penrose Estate (NT) provide some great circular walks. Porthleven Sands lies southeast of the village and has some three miles of golden beach.

 

Lizard Village - Serpentine craft shops, cafes and inn cluster around the village green. Walks to the lighthouse (which is open to the public from April to October), lifeboat station, mainland Britain's southern most point.

Drive to Bristol, Exeter or Bournemouth airport.