Multi-stop trip around Cornwall/Devon areas - anyone done this?

[KarenG]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I was stuck at Boscastle for a week, following the disastrous flood of 2004, anti looting patrols on nights after our team was originally sent up there in the afternoon following the downpour. The good news was the money.. the bad news that Ginsters kept driving around in a van, handing out their appalling pasties, a nice gesture, but wish it had been absolutely anything else. I will attach some photos in a sec...

The Witchcraft museum.

The cars, swept down by the flood and dredged out of the harbour a few days later.
Miraculously, not a single person died.

Tintagel? Have you visited the Toy shop/Museum? I love seeing things in there that I had forgotten that I even had. There is also a new suspension bridge linking the two parts of the Castle across the gorge. King Arthur would have been proud (had he existed and had he actually lived there).

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Boscastle 😢 a team of us from my work volunteered there for a few days to clear up the debris from the floods. We had been very involved restoring essential utilities immediately after the floods.

Plus, I used to work in Pool from time to time!

I love Tintagel once you leave the touristy part. When you’ve crossed, it feels like you’re at the end of the world!

[Gev]

We love Jamaica Inn. There is a rumoured Trip Adviser review where someone is supposed to have said “lovely place, shame they built it on such a busy main road” 😳 x

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by Gev

We love Jamaica Inn. There is a rumoured Trip Adviser review where someone is supposed to have said “lovely place, shame they built it on such a busy main road” 😳 x

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I remember as a child in an RAF family how we used to drive down to our annual vacation with relatives in Falmouth from RAF Hullavington, RAF or RAF Wyton. It was always night by the time we entered Cornwall and took the old A30 through the middle of Launceston and then on towards Bodmin (which the road also went through the middle of). The weather was invariably wet and gloomy, the road a single lane in each direction, unlined, unkerbed and unlit, just catseyes. The Jamaica Inn would emerge out of the gloom, badly lit and uncommercialised.. simply a pub in the back of beyond.. then it would be gone. It was spooky, atmospheric and you could see just why it was the setting for the Book. At this time, we still had an hour and a half to go.

Now, whilst the old bit as detailed in my image is still very atmospheric, the whole place has been exploited, expanded and commercialised. It has also been bypassed by the A30 rerouting. Still a recommended place to visit, but the essence of why it became so famous is largely gone in the quest for lucre. Once the area became well lit, the magic left.
The same has happened to the equally interesting, historic Pandora and Norway Inn’s, but to a lesser extent. They are also well worth a research before a visit for a meal, but be aware that in the holiday months, they will be busy.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Gev

We love Jamaica Inn. There is a rumoured Trip Adviser review where someone is supposed to have said “lovely place, shame they built it on such a busy main road” 😳 x

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I'm reminded of overhearing an American couple bemoaning the fact that they built Windsor Castle so close to a busy airport.

I certainly can't add anything to the excellent advice already given. Our first trip was to stay in a caravan here. Any guesses - CFB is excluded I'm afraid.

This was around 1970 and we lived in Harrogate about 400 miles away and long before the motorway network that we enjoy today. Took us two days and we overnighted in Stratford. Remember clearly the solid traffic on the Fosse Way near Bath, driving round the Cumberland Basin in Bristol under the Clifton suspension bridge and the infamous stationary Exeter by-pass later to become a bit of the M5.

Mick

[twogoto]

Wow thanks for all of the replies, looks like some great info. I’ll be sitting down with a cuppa to read through this as soon as I get chance - thanks so much!

[scruffycharlie]

Originally Posted by mick

I'm reminded of overhearing an American couple bemoaning the fact that they built Windsor Castle so close to a busy airport.

I certainly can't add anything to the excellent advice already given. Our first trip was to stay in a caravan here. Any guesses - CFB is excluded I'm afraid.

This was around 1970 and we lived in Harrogate about 400 miles away and long before the motorway network that we enjoy today. Took us two days and we overnighted in Stratford. Remember clearly the solid traffic on the Fosse Way near Bath, driving round the Cumberland Basin in Bristol under the Clifton suspension bridge and the infamous stationary Exeter by-pass later to become a bit of the M5.

Mick

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Holywell Bay. Love that beach.

[Gev]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I remember as a child in an RAF family how we used to drive down to our annual vacation with relatives in Falmouth from RAF Hullavington, RAF or RAF Wyton. It was always night by the time we entered Cornwall and took the old A30 through the middle of Launceston and then on towards Bodmin (which the road also went through the middle of). The weather was invariably wet and gloomy, the road a single lane in each direction, unlined, unkerbed and unlit, just catseyes. The Jamaica Inn would emerge out of the gloom, badly lit and uncommercialised.. simply a pub in the back of beyond.. then it would be gone. It was spooky, atmospheric and you could see just why it was the setting for the Book. At this time, we still had an hour and a half to go.

Now, whilst the old bit as detailed in my image is still very atmospheric, the whole place has been exploited, expanded and commercialised. It has also been bypassed by the A30 rerouting. Still a recommended place to visit, but the essence of why it became so famous is largely gone in the quest for lucre. Once the area became well lit, the magic left.
The same has happened to the equally interesting, historic Pandora and Norway Inn’s, but to a lesser extent. They are also well worth a research before a visit for a meal, but be aware that in the holiday months, they will be busy.

See more...

We too used to make this trip. We drove down from the Manchester area overnight, invariably reaching Bodmin in the early hours of the morning. As a kid, I never understood why Dad would say it would be a relief to get through Bodmin Moor. I remember the eeriness of travelling through in fog and the relief of getting past Jamaica Inn so my Dad would be happy for the rest of the journey. Happy days x

[mick]

Originally Posted by Gev

We too used to make this trip. We drove down from the Manchester area overnight, invariably reaching Bodmin in the early hours of the morning. As a kid, I never understood why Dad would say it would be a relief to get through Bodmin Moor. I remember the eeriness of travelling through in fog and the relief of getting past Jamaica Inn so my Dad would be happy for the rest of the journey. Happy days x

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When we moved to the Midlands we changed our travel plans and left home in the small hours often heading here

Another scanned print not digital I'm afraid.

At the top of the lane near the A road was a cafe where we had a full English. Another clue. Near the camp site was an old "castle" where peacocks roamed.

On the walk to the beach was a house called "Halloween" and the Merc parked there had a plate "OCT 31". I often wonder whether the house is still so named.

Mick