Three bedrooms: 1 x King size with TV, 1 x double with TV, 1 x bunk bed with double and single and TV. Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail, WC. Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, WC. Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area, and sitting area. Utility room
At the head of the beautiful Roseland Peninsula, this ancient village with its long main street of old Cornish cottages and houses is perfectly placed for exploring the region’s many attractions. The world famous Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the National Maritime Museum at Falmouth, Charlestown historic maritime village and the Cathedral city of Truro with its shopping centre, cobbled streets, restaurants and theatre are all within 10 miles. Nearby are several safe, sandy beaches and the coastal path winds its way over the cliffs and down among the coves through some of the UK’s most spectacular scenery, plus there are several Michelin starred restaurants within easy reach. Even the wilder north coast with its rolling surf is just 40 minutes’ by car.
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.
