Relocating to Cornwall - Part 2
I covered in Part 1 of my blog 'Relocating-to-Cornwall---Part-1-Myth-reality-the-whole-Cornish-Pasty', our initial first steps moving away from the rat-race to the South West of England.
So why Cornwall?
Well that would be my doing. I’ve always wanted to live in the county since holidaying here as a child and any opportunity that presented itself to return as an adult, I grabbed with both hands. I feel a special connection with the area. Like its running through my veins. I really can’t explain it. It’s that special kind of feeling you get deep in your gut when you see something or meet someone amazing for the first time.
I likened it to a love affair in an earlier post. It really is. I’m not sure even my husband really understood he’d got competition in that sense. Just as well he loves it nearly as much as I do.
Cornwall, for me, feels like home. It always has done. Its quintessentially English. Cornish English if you know what I mean, and you will if you’ve visited the county before.
I’ve travelled a lot over the years – France, Italy, Spain, America, Bermuda, Egypt, Turkey, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Australia. Phew! I also spent 2 years living in Asia. I truly enjoyed all of those experiences and gained an insight into life and different cultures I’m not sure I would have ever acquired had I stayed in the UK.
As much as I got a buzz out of my travelling, and believe me, it took me a while to get rid of the travel bug that consumes you when you’ve been as nomadic as I was in my earlier years. There’s still nothing quite as wonderful as coming home.
Flying over rural England and its patchwork fields and farmland, is like nowhere else. Possibly rural France comes close, but I can’t say I’ve seen anywhere as stunning when you have a birds-eye view of our British homeland.
I just wanted to take my love for the area a step further and live among that patchwork quilt loveliness. Have enough land around us to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our surroundings, but close enough to the coast to be able to walk or hop in our car and be there in five minutes. To enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle in the fresh open air was generally the remit.
When making our life change we considered lots of different areas across the UK. Those in the running as far as my husband was concerned were Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Those in the running as far as I was concerned were Cornwall and Devon (in that order).
Don’t misunderstand me. I have loved and enjoyed spending time in all those wonderful locations over the years. I just never felt the connection that I feel to Cornwall. Never felt that feeling of loss when I had to return to our old home. That yearning to return every holiday. I’m sure I sound quite mad, but it’s almost something spiritual. Maybe I’ve been here in a past life. In many past lives. It’s in my psyche.
Since moving here, our weekends are now spent walking our four mad rescue cocker spaniels on the beach, the picturesque South coastal path, in the local woodland or the moor. We are spoilt for choice for things to do.
Previously our busy work lives would come to an end each week and we’d sit looking at each other, wondering what the hell to do with our rare free time that we hadn’t already done thousands of times before. It didn’t help that our old home was located as far away from the coast as was possible in the UK, which was a real problem for a water baby like me.
As John Lennon once said, Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
So what were our top reasons for making the move to Cornwall?
1. The beautiful coastline
The South West coastal path is truly a joy to behold. Stretching 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset, the coastal path spans the whole of Cornwall and really is one of England’s national treasures. Highlights include, The Rame Peninsula to Polruan, Penzance to Falmouth, St Ives to Tintagel.
2. The stunning beaches
Whether you like the ruggedness of the North, the seclusion of the West or the warm, clear calm waters of the South, you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to Cornish beaches. Some stretch for miles, others are secluded coves. My favourites include: Cawsands, Whitsand Bay (Rame Peninsula), Talland Bay, Lansallos, Lantic Bay, Godrevy, Kynace Cove, Carbis Bay, Porthcurno, Mawgan Porth and Bedruthan Steps.
3. Cornish harbour towns
There’s nothing more Cornish than a little harbour town. Full or character and charm, some of the most picturesque harbours in the UK are located in the county with many designated areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or World Heritage sites. Some of the best include: Polperro, Looe, Boscastle, Mevagissey, Mousehole, Port Issac, Cadgwith, Padstow.
4. Cornish countryside
Cornwall boasts some of the loveliest countryside in the UK and perfect for getting back to nature. I adore the rolling hills and valleys of the South, with its perfect vistas round every corner. Home to approximately 17 National Trust treasures, Cornwall really is the place to enjoy our green and pleasant land.
5. Fabulous places to visit
I never tire of the variety Cornwall has on offer. Whether it’s a boutique style shopping trip to Truro, a trendy gig in Falmouth, a day out at stunning St Michaels Mount, a food and music festival in Port Eliot, a visit to the tropical gardens of the Eden Project, muse at the galleries in St Ives, grab a theatre show at the Minnack or lunch in the stylish Royal William Yard. There really is something for everyone (or in our case, something for every friend and family member that suddenly wants to come and visit, once you are living here).
6. The outydoors lifestyle
Whether its walking, cycling, kayaking, sailing, diving, surfing or gig rowing there are lots of ways to get out and active in the county. The majority centre around water, owing to the sheer amount of coastline, so great if you’re a water baby like me or a wannbe surfer dude.
7. Local produce
If food is your thing, Cornwall’s larder has some great offerings. We just love being located near to one of the few working harbours left in the UK, so obtaining fresh, locally sourced seafood is a big plus. Surrounded by countryside, beef and lamb farming is also one of the main incomes of the area (other than tourism), and I’m a great believer in providence and shopping locally. Cornwall also produces some fabulous cheese such a Yarg, Cornish Blue and Whalesborough.
8. Cornish cuisine
You can’t come to Cornwall and not try the famous Cornish Pasty, a Cornish Cream Tea or a cone of Cornish Ice Cream. It’s the law.
9. The Cornish life
Yes, you really could get up and go for a surf before work, walk the dog on the beach at lunch time and enjoy a cheeky beer at your local pub watching the sunset over the sea. Many people that move to or choose to live in Cornwall, do so to enjoy a slower more relaxed pace of life. If you’ve ever driven down our country lanes you will know they slow everything down, so why fight it!
Cornwall Lifestyle Blog, Cornwall Lifestyle Blogger, Relocating to Cornwall
