Cornwall for relaxation

Like many other retirees, we enjoy travelling for leisure and hope to be able to do so for several more years. We do not have a specific bucket list of countries that we intend to visit, but we cultivate a healthy curiosity about the world.

In the past year, we travelled to locations that were out of our comfort zone and we enjoyed those experiences but found that a trip with a packed agenda can be draining. To balance such tours, we sought to identify some tranquil destinations on the coast that have an enticing history, interesting geography and a relaxed pace. The region of Cornwall stood out.

Cornwall is a county at the southwestern extremity of the island of Great Britain. We expected a certain level of familiarity since we had visited many other parts of the UK, but our minds and hearts were totally open. What we found were soothing landscapes with impressive hedges, charming small coastal towns, stone cottages with gardens in bloom, unpredictable weather, community festivals and, most importantly, welcoming locals.

We returned home refreshed and energized. We started to reflect on the benefits of an agenda-free and unhurried holiday in an inspiring rural setting. Could that become our leitmotif for future travels?

Penzance is the last stop on the Great Western Rail line. Our train from London stopped in twenty towns and villages, in the West Country, on the way there. The journey, lasting over five hours, was long enough to have time to admire the landscape and the rugged coastline. In addition, the train ride gave us an opportunity to settle into a slower, more relaxed pace, after the long transatlantic flight.

We embraced this serene tempo for the duration of our visit. We felt no obligation to see all the sights. We went with the flow. We found the people to be genuinely friendly and unhurried. They are also very proud of their Celtic heritage. We had conversations with people on the trains, at bus stops, in the street, in parks and in restaurants. When we asked, we were told that their friendliness comes from being country people.

We travelled to a few different towns by public transport, mainly using the Land’s End Coaster and the Mousehole bus lines. Locals and tourists alike use those buses because they serve small communities away from the main roads. The service was dependable, and the bus drivers were skilled and patient, often ruffling the foliage with their vehicles, negotiating tight corners in small villages, waiting while cattle were moved from one field to the next, and avoiding collisions on incredibly narrow roads. We never saw anything like impatience or road rage.

The sea air was invigorating but it could be brisk when the wind got up. The tides were dramatic, leaving boats tied in harbours resting on the sand at low tide. The pristine beaches were stunning and uncrowded even in July.

The enormous flower displays and the hedges in bloom would stop any visitor in their tracks. And we did stop often. We learned that the hedges there are different from hedgerows elsewhere in England. The hedges are generally untrimmed and have been an integral part of the landscape, enclosing fields for over 4,000 years.

The Guild of Cornish Hedgers has devised a code of practice for the building of hedges or any stone-faced hedge banks, to preserve that ancient craft. A well-built hedge, consisting of two parallel, but curved, walls of rocks with compacted earth between them and covered with foliage, is expected to last 150 years before repairs are needed. The base of a hedge is as wide as it is high. We marveled at the diversity of the foliage and the range of colourful wildflowers. Hedges are inviting for birds and a walk along a country road immerses you in birdsong.

The tourism industry has grown in importance for Cornwall, following the demise of the mining industry and the diminished importance of fishing and agriculture. In a recent survey, Cornwall was voted the most relaxing holiday destination in the U.K. It is quite simply the perfect destination for doing nothing special in lovely surroundings.

We hope the short video will provide you with a pleasant three-minute holiday in this beautiful region.