Over three floors. Three bedrooms: First floor king-size double, (zip-linked to 2’6″ twin on request), first floor single bedroom with doors to roof terrace; bathroom with bath, shower over, WC and basin. Second floor double bedroom with en suite shower-room and doors to little balcony. Sitting room with wood burning stove. Kitchen with dining area, utility room.
Calstock is a village in Cornwall, although it stands on the meandering River Tamar close to the Devon border and is dominated by the spectacular Calstock Viaduct, a giant 11-arched structure that still carries the railway line above the River Tamar along the picturesque branch line down to Plymouth. Calstock has been an important quay for centuries, transporting tin, copper and granite out of this important mining area downstream to Plymouth Docks. Today Calstock is a quiet village with a vibrant arts centre attracting musicians and artists from around Cornwall. A mile downstream brings you to Cotehele, a well-preserved medieval National Trust house with glorious gardens sweeping down to the River Tamar. Upstream from Calstock is Morwellham Quay, another important river port and now a living history tourist attraction where visitors can explore a copper mine by taking a train deep underground, admire the working Victorian farm or just quietly enjoy the beautiful Tamar Valley wildlife.
With its sweeping beaches, rugged moorlands, hidden woodlands, and rolling countryside estates, Cornwall is a superb destination if you want to spend some time bird watching on holiday.
One of the best spots is Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve, managed by the RSPB. This rich wetland habitat attracts a variety of birdlife, including teals, wigeons, and goosanders. While winter offers the highest numbers, spring and early summer also bring migrant waders such as oystercatchers, dunlins, and whimbrels to the tidal pools and marshes.
Marazion Marsh, also managed by the RSPB and overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount near Penzance, boasts Cornwall’s largest reedbed. It’s a haven for species like chiffchaffs, Cetti’s warblers, little egrets, and grey herons. Bitterns are regularly recorded here, and birds of prey, including sparrowhawks and buzzards, are often spotted too.
For a variety of songbirds and raptors, head to the Rame Peninsula near Cawsand. This beautiful area of tidal creeks, sandy beaches, and peaceful farmland attracts goldcrests, firecrests, warblers, and buntings. You may also glimpse birds of prey such as hobbies, merlins, peregrine falcons, and, if you’re lucky, the rare hen harrier.
At Stithians Lake, a large reservoir, breeding birds like little grebes, coots, and moorhens are common. Waders such as greenshanks, ruffs, and curlew sandpipers can also be seen foraging along the muddy banks.
Not far from St Ives, St Ives Island, actually a headland between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, is a top spot for seabird watching, especially in autumn. Huge flocks of skuas, terns, gannets, fulmars, and auks pass by, alongside waders like purple sandpipers, whimbrels, and turnstones.
Finally, no trip to Cornwall would be complete without exploring Bodmin Moor. This dramatic granite moorland, scattered with ancient ruins and rich in wildlife, is especially rewarding in spring and summer, when skylarks, stonechats, wheatears, and sedge warblers arrive to breed. In autumn and winter, the moor plays host to thousands of golden plovers, along with snipes and the more elusive jack snipe.
