Whatever the time of year, the county of Cornwall has something of interest to offer visitors: from gardens brimming with new life in the spring, shows and water sports in the summer, to food festivals in the autumn and cosy escapes during the winter. And, with the continued rapid expansion of www.cornwallscottages.co.uk, specialists in high quality self-catering accommodation, there is also a good range of character properties in which to stay during each one of the seasons. The following is a selection of brand new accommodation for 2010.
SPRINGTIME brings a revival of the many gardens in and around the Roseland Peninsula, among them Caerhays Castle gardens with their magnificent displays of tree magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias (open Feb 15 to May 31). And, of course, there’s the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan and The Eden Project, with its million plus bulbs coming into bloom, as well as a magnificent display of tulips in March in the Mediterranean Biome. An excellent base from which to visit all of these attractions, is Carvinack Cottage, near St Just in Roseland, which is often said to have the prettiest church in the country. The tastefully converted Cornish stone barn overlooks a picturesque valley and is surrounded by organic farmland, yet is only a short drive from St Mawes, Portscatho and the King Harry Ferry. Spring prices start from £379, based on one week’s accommodation in March. Sleeps six.
SUMMER hails a raft of entertainment, including the County’s biggest annual event, The Royal Cornwall Show (10-12 June 2010). Complete with agricultural competitions, farm animal shows, parachute displays, show jumping, a traditional steam fair, live music, singing and dancing, and even a human cannonball, to name but a few of the hundreds of attractions, it has something that will appeal to every country loving visitor. What’s more, within walking distance of the show ground is Burrow Cottage, a ‘chocolate box’ pretty 16th century property packed with charming features such as original beams, slate flagstones and an inglenook fireplace. Prices range from £399 to £699 during the summer months - £499 during the show - for one week’s accommodation for four people. The cottage is also just 15 minutes’ drive from Padstow and the glorious beaches along the North Cornwall coast.
Alternatively, Merrose Barn near the peaceful waterside village of Portscatho, is a good choice of accommodation during the summer for lovers of water sports. The comfortable barn conversion, which sleeps up to six guests in a double bedroom, a bunk room and on a futon in the lounge, belongs to the owner’s of Roseland Paddle & Sail. They offer guests who are staying in the cottage a year-round discount of 15% on equipment such as wetsuits, kayaks, windsurfs and sail boats. Prices in the summer range from £499 to £899 for a week.
AUTUMN highlights an abundance of fresh produce and everything that’s good about the food and drink of Cornwall, beginning with the Cornwall Food and Drink Festival in Truro (24-26 September) and including the Falmouth Oyster Festival (14-17 October), which celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season. Both events give visitors the chance to appreciate the skill of master chefs in action, marvel at the extent of Cornwall’s produce and savour some of it at a series of popular tasting sessions.
An ideal base for these culinary events, is a small cluster of new barn conversions, situated outside Truro. Lighthouse Cottage, Sunlight Cottage and Moonlight Cottage have all been converted from traditional agricultural buildings into first-class, comfortable, modern holiday accommodation. Prices range from £259 for a week in October in Moonlight, which sleeps two people, to £369 for Sunlight, which sleeps four.
WINTER is a time to savour rugged landscapes, take pleasure in deserted beaches, revel in attractions with no queues and take advantage of celebrity restaurants with availability. And it’s a time to snuggle up in cosy hideaways to enjoy the company of loved ones. Bethel Cottage is one such retreat, brand new for 2010, located in a remote corner of the Tregothnan Estate, home to the UK’s only tea plantation, but still within easy reach of the shops, restaurants and nightlife of Truro. Overlooking a tidal creek in a peaceful conservation area, and complete with wood burning stove for chilly winter evenings, this recently renovated cottage is a perfect base to return to for a warming cup of English Estate tea, after exploring the many footpaths nearby and perhaps spotting herons, cormorants and other wildlife along the way. Prices for seven nights in December range from £319 to £699 for the Christmas week.
For further information about these and other cottages available for short breaks and longer holidays, whatever the season, visit www.cornwallscottages.co.uk or telephone: 01872 264441.
Falmouth Oyster Festival 2010 takes place between this week from the 14th to the 17 October 2010 celebrating the start of the Oyster dredging season. The four day Falmouth Oyster Festival takes place on Events Square next to the Maritime Museum Falmouth, attracting in the region of 27,000 visitors. The Oyster festival kicks off with a cookery masterclass from Valentine Warner of the BBC2 series "What to eat now". Wine from Walter Hicks and ale from Skinners Brewery will feature highly during the festival. 
