Over three floors. Three bedrooms: a king size double, a twin and a bathroom with bath, and separate shower, basin and WC all on the first floor, and a further twin bedroom on the second floor. Ground floor WC and basin. Hallway. Kitchen with dining area. Sitting room. Rear porch.
The small village and civil parish of Treknow lies on the north coast of Cornwall in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, some four miles north-west of Camelford. It boasts a slate quarrying history and was also once home to a small copper mine in the latter years of the 18th century. It has a village hall and small hotel, yet there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding area, which is dominated by glistening waters, rocky coves and spectacular scenery each way you turn.
Tintagel, home of the legendary King Arthur’s Castle, is merely a stone’s throw away, a popular but not overcrowded tourist destination. Several beaches, including nearby Trebarwith Strand and Bossiney Cove, are within easy reach and surfing is the main attraction for those who love the water. It is littered with pubs and restaurants and the Old Post Office (National Trust) is a must for any visitor. The South West Coast Path passes through the village and in both directions, it winds its way along the cliffs, down to the water’s edge through dramatic countryside. Head north along the path and in 2.5 miles is the pretty village of Boscastle with its narrow valley leading down towards the raging sea. Further afield are the surfing meccas of Newquay and Bude. The vast landscapes of Bodmin Moor, the largest indoor rainforest at the Eden Project and the Camel Estuary are all within a 40-minute drive, plus the colourful harbour at Padstow beckons with traditional pubs and delicious seafood.
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.
