Over three floors. Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x twin. Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, and WC. Kitchen/diner. External utility. Sitting room with electric fire and balcony
For those seeking peace, tranquillity and the unspoilt splendour of Cornwall’s ‘softer’ southern coast there can be few finer spots than Lerryn. Sitting at the very point where the River Lerryn joins the highest tidal reach of a creek leading up from the Fowey estuary, the village has a timeless, natural beauty no matter the season. Footpaths meander through the woods and along the river bank while out on the water the small boats owned by local residents provide another means of travelling down stream to Fowey (3.5miles) for shopping or just something to do in wonderful surroundings. The village boasts an award winning pub/restaurant and has a small shop and post office. Nearby Lostwithiel is renowned also for its good restaurants and antique shops. The stunning Eden Project (8 miles), the Shipwreck Harbour at Charlestown, the lovely fishing village and harbour of Mevagissey, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the stately home and gardens at Lanhydrock (NT) can all be reached in under half an hour while Padstow and the rolling surf of the north coast are just over 20 miles away.
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.
