Cornish Countryside

Cornwall is famed for its dramatic coastline, pretty fishing villages and peaceful coves but there is also a lot to explore in the Cornish countryside. The famous Bodmin Moor stretches across the centre of Cornwall and is a fantastic area of rolling moorland, home to abundant wildlife and unusual flora and fauna. This makes it a great place for walking and horse riding. There are also the famous Tors, impressive ancient rocky hill summits that are dotted across the dramatic moorland landscape.

As you near the Atlantic Coast of Cornwall the Cornish countryside is influenced by the slightly warmer climate and it is not uncommon to see palm trees growing there, as well as other plants associated with balmier temperatures. There are also the famous Cornish tin mines to explore that are dotted all over the landscape, often located near small rural villages and communities that sprung up due to their proximity to the mines. All of these unique features give the Cornish countryside its distinctive character.

Many of the villages and small towns in Cornwall are surrounded by beautiful, unspoilt countryside. This historic county hasn't been too built up and so has avoided the destruction caused by large motorways, this gives it the overall feel of a relatively unchanged and beautiful rural environment where wildlife can thrive. As testament to this, Cornwall boasts an impressive twelve separate areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, one of which is Bodmin Moor.

There is also the Western South Coast area running down to Lizard Point that features a network of Bronze Age Settlements and medieval enclosures running across the landscape, making this an area of great interest for history lovers. Also in this area is the Helford River, an ancient deep wooded valley and network of creeks covered in ancient oak woodland that is sheltered by the Lizard Peninsula.

Another interesting environmental feature in Cornwall is the Camel Estuary, which is a tidal river valley and is an essential habitat for wildlife.There are many enjoyable walks along the Camel River, which runs from Wadebridge to the famous fishing harbour town of Padstow. You can spot a wealth of fantastic bird life and watch the landscape alter as the tide changes along the estuary.The main thing to note about the Cornish countryside is how varied it is. From rolling moorland to lush semi-tropical gardens and dramatic coastal paths to winding creeks, there is a landscape for everyone in this stunning and unique part of the world. Cornwall is the perfect place to explore the British countryside at its best!