Kitchen/diner
Sitting room with wood-burning stove
Bedroomw with super-king-size bed
Bedroom with 4 ft double bed
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail, WC.
External shed with utility area
The civil parish and village of Gweek rests on the head of the Helford River, on the edge of the Lizard Heritage Coast in Cornwall. Resting moments away from the scenic walks and beaches of the Lizard peninsula, whilst also being close to the bustling towns of Helston, Porthleven and Falmouth, Gweek is a relaxing base for a staycation. Offering visitors sumptuous meals at the traditional pub and B&B of The Black Swan, whilst also offering a post office & convenience store, Gweek is well-equipped for a self-catered break. Gweek additionally enjoys access to the marvellous Cornish Seal Sanctuary, where visitors can tour the rescue centre and even spot an array of penguins, ponies, otters and goats! Avid walkers can enjoy hiking west along the river to the scenic point of Tremayne Quay, a place that is also ideal for any canine companions! Keep the kids entertained at Helston’s fantastic Flambards Theme Park or board the heritage railway and experience the thrill of running through the mixture of the region’s country and coastal scenery. Porthleven not only offers a stunning beach, but is bound to keep the history buffs of the group entertained with the nearby National Trust property of Penrose, a manor house with dog-walking opportunities, an on-site café and a stunning, adjacent lake of The Loe. With Helford Passage, Constantine and Maenporth resting a stone’s throw away, Gweek truly enjoys an idyllic position that is perfect for any Cornwall adventure!
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.
