If you can fight the urge to hibernate indoors at this time of year, then North Cornwall has much to offer. The scenery gains a mellow quality as the moors and coastal paths positively glow with heather and yellow gorse, while the autumn leaves take on a fiery hue as breath-taking as Toronto, Tokyo or Turin…or anywhere else in the world, for that matter.
The beaches – full of their own savage drama – are all but deserted as the summer crowds have long departed, in the short window before Christmas visitors start arriving in their thousands.
If you’re a keen walker, try climbing out of Boscastle Harbour towards Pentargon Waterfall and returning via inland paths and the ‘Private Lane’; at low tide, you can enjoy the spectacle of rapidly cascading water from the harbour blowhole. You’ll find the Witchcraft museum en route, too!
Or try walking between Padstow and Prideaux Place, with views over the River Camel. For a gentle stroll that’s suitable for all the family, there’s the Glebe Cliff path at Tintagel. Look out for cliff-nesting house martins getting ready for their journey south – you might even spot a peregrine or a merlin looking for prey among them.
Finally, keeping with our outdoor theme, if you like your November 5th to go with a bang, the Bodmin annual bonfire, laser show and grand fireworks display at the Priory Park football Club, might just fit the bill – there are dozens of others in the area; for a full list go to http://www.intocornwall.com/special/fireworks.asp .
There’s a ring of truth to the old adage that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing, so wrap up warm, dig your wellies out from the cupboard under the stairs and enjoy the view.
