Launceston and Bude

Ancient market town Launceston was once the capital of old Cornwall, the Royal Mint was located here, and the town is marked by it's historic roots. Once called Duneved, meaning summit of the hill, Launceston is indeed a hilly town with character and charm, with its castle keep high on a mount. The centrepiece is Launceston Castle, parts of which date back to the 11th century. History is everywhere - during the Napoleonic Wars, Launceston was a designated parole town and french prisoners of war were billeted here. View fascinating arts and relics made by prisoners at the superb Lawrence House Museum. It's true what they say, Launceston is a friendly town - Lanson folk always give a warm welcome to visitors.

As well as visiting the castle take time to do the town trail, taking in numerous historic churches, pubs and architecture, as well as a superb selection of arts and crafts shops, restaurants and tea rooms. Launcestron is often referred to as the gateway to Cornwall, and it serves as an excellent base for easy access into both Bodmin Moor and Devon's Dartmoor National Park.

Launceston retains its ancient market roots, and still holds regular farmers' markets. Local produce and the environment is important here - you get a sense of it taking the Launceston town trail as you pass numerous family run bakery shops, butchers and bookshops - Warrens the butchers is renowned and you can find their steaks on many a fine menu in pubs, inns and restaurants in Launceston and its surrounding villages.

A sense of community is strong here and Lanson folk are the friendliest in Cornwall! Cowslip Workshops is based on a small organic farm on the Devon/Cornwall border. Jo has been sewing all her life and all classes & workshops hopefully inspire you to paint a piece of furniture, make a willow basket or best of all start making a patchwork quilt!

Everyone who works there is dedicated to making you happy and make the most of turning an old object or recycling fabric into a quilt from traditional to contemporary quilt design, they have classes to suit everyone.

Or, if you just like looking, they have an excellent café serving delicious traditional home grown and local produce in a relaxed Cornish Country Garden and a shop with lots of goodies to tempt you!

If you are interested please contact Jo on 01566 772654, she's looking forward to welcoming you…….

Back towards the coast is the seaside resort of Bude. Renowned for its fantastic surf beaches, the long golden sands of Crooklets, Widemouth Bay and summerleaze are perfect for a day relaxing and walking on the sand or maybe give the surfing a try with expert guidance and tuition from one of the many surf hire shops and schools.

Family run Pengenna Pastie's Bude "on show bakery" is a perfect place to enjoy a freshly baked pasty or take home their baking mixes and try scones or gingerbread at home.

Summerleaze beach is particularly sheltered  by dunes to one side and Bude canal on the other. There's pleasant walking nearby too on the cliffs to the south, and joy of joys Summerleaze Beach is a dog friendly North Cornwall beach, but dogs need to be kept under control and all mess cleaned up! Bude Canal was completed in 1825, although it was operating to some extent from 1823. This canal stretched 35 miles in total from Bude to Blagdon Moor Wharf, near Holsworthy, with a branch out from Red Post to Druxton Wharf near. Launceston and a feeder arm from the newly constructed Tamar Lake (now Lower Tamar Lake) was used to feed the canal with water. Bude canal is significant for the fact that it was constructed for agricultural purposes, and the transportation of lime rich sand for the improving of soil in areas like Exmoor. The Bude & Stratton Museum is well worth a look, with a choice of fascinating exhibits on the Bude canal and its history.

Bangors Organic is one of only two Soil Association certified organic B&Bs in the UK and the only one offering home grown totally organic evening food in a licensed organic restaurant. Neil and Gill are passionate about their gardens and the wonderful fresh food they grow. The impressive raised beds and polytunnels produce a huge range of seasonal vegetables, salads and fruit, lots of heritage varieties and unusual crops such as physalis, yakon and globe artichokes.

Having restored the charming Victorian house, they then converted the old Coach House into additional luxury accommodation in a contrasting contemporary style. Beautifully finished and with a careful eye for detail all the rooms are spacious, light and extremely comfortable, and you can even treat your self to a range of holistic treatment, facials and massages.

The accommodation is open all year with dinner by arrangement, however the restaurant is open for guests and non residents on most evenings throughout the summer, but you do need to phone to book in advance on 01288 361297.