Any interesting maritime history things to do in Cornwell?

[Konovalov]

Heading down to Cornwell with the Mrs on Friday for a long weekend in Cornwell and staying in Newquay. Does anyone know if there is anything of interest down there? If not then I may sneak the golf clubs into the back of the car. Thanks for any late advise. :DL

[Tribesman]

Newquay?
Thats ruined now, good waves but fistral is far too busy, even RTTS is only a shadow of its former self even though its bigger.
The pubs seem to be almost exclusively set up for masses of lager swilling stag parties, though the Red lion may still have the old range-finder for looking along the town beaches.
I find Crantock much better than Newquay nowadays and its only a short walk between the two.
For maritime history stuff its only a short drive south to Charlestown for the tall ships and the shipwreck museum or a much longer drive to Falmouth for the National Maritime.
Since you are heading from the home counties depending on your route you will either pass right by the Fleet Air Arm museum or be only a short detour away.

[TarJak]

Not Cornwall and more aircraft than maritime, but there is the Fleet Air Arm Museum in nearby Yeovil Somerset. http://www.fleetairarm.com/

A visit to Falmouth should let you see some RN ships in drydock or fitting out at the yards there. You can also visit the National Maritime Museum there http://www.nmmc.co.uk/index.php?page=Visiting&id=9 and Pendennis Castle whis has some interesting WWII coast watch facilities amongst other interesting artillery exhibits. http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk/english-heritage/pendennis.htm.

I visited Cornwall a couple of years ago with the family and had a great time there. A very beautiful and interesting place.

Also if you are interested in archaeology in any way make a visit to Carn Euny down near Sancreed on the Penwith Peninsular. I found that an amazing site. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carn_Euny

EDIT: Was browsing the FAA site and found this: http://www.fleetairarm.com/en-GB/exhibit/****e_Achgelis_FA330A-1_100545/6_30_59.aspx (http://www.fleetairarm.com/en-GB/exhibit/****e_Achgelis_FA330A-1_100545/6_30_59.aspx:o)

:o

[Konovalov]

Thanks guys for the info. Headin off shortly from Bucks down the M4 towards Bristol and then on from there, I think the A30. Cheers. :)

[Jimbuna]

If it's not too late....you could PM danlisa, he lives in Cornwall.

[danlisa]

Hello.:DL

Firstly, watch out for the speed cameras from Taunton, downwards. When you join the A30 there is only one fixed camera (oncoming traffic side), so pedal down.:har:

As TJ said, you have the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth. However, that is South Coast and you'll be on the North. Should take about 1 hr drive from Newquay. There are a couple of UBoat wrecks on the North Coast but I can't recall any visitor centre or such that detail these.

Other than that, just indulge in the local history by visiting the smaller coastal harbours etc, most have resisted the urge to develop and are steeped in History.

If it were me, I would look at the local Cycle trails and walks. Some of the best coastal walks are on the North Coast.

P.S When entering Newquay, don't be surprised to be stopped by Police. They are currently conducting random searches in a pilot scheme to stamp out public drinking and drug taking. I know the train stations are cordoned off, not too sure about the roads. Hide the Stash.:haha:

Have fun though. The weather is set to be great. I'll warn the locals you are coming.

[TarJak]

We stayed near St Agnes when we visited and I'll go along with Dan on the walks and cycleways on the North Coast. Great scenery up there.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Aa3Z9QSGhFM/S9GLMfNF4NI/AAAAAAAABp4/I8FV3Hf-L2I/s800/HolidaySep2006%20488.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Aa3Z9QSGhFM/S9GLP1XSSuI/AAAAAAAABp8/SRvLRmCkuKM/s800/HolidaySep2006%20489.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Aa3Z9QSGhFM/S9GLWDhlwTI/AAAAAAAABqA/1uQjPQnGkr0/s800/HolidaySep2006%20572.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Aa3Z9QSGhFM/S9GL9rf5-6I/AAAAAAAABqc/exGF7zBKz4E/s800/HolidaySep2006%20595.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Aa3Z9QSGhFM/S9GMIAn6DoI/AAAAAAAABqg/SmtgVx-I7_o/s912/Cornishcoast1.jpg

For an Aussie the drive to Falmouth will seem like a short drive.:D

[OneToughHerring]

Nice piccies. Well don't know much about Cornwall (it is Cornwall with an a right?) but in Plymouth which is nearby in Devon there is various World war 2 stuff which you might find interesting. Not sure how much navy-related stuff there is but interesting stuff anyway.