Now is the time to get outside and explore the local area.  Whether you are staying in the North, South or West of Cornwall there will be some fantastic walks nearby.

Pull on your walking boots, wrap up warm and step outside.  Meet Cornwall face to face.  Walk along coastal paths and watch huge swells rolling towards the shore.  Climb over stiles and follow the footpaths. Stop along the way for a delicious pub lunch and a refreshing drink.  Set off again with renewed energy and a full stomach.

Hike through the hauntingly beautiful landscapes.  Saunter through scenic woods and bound over babbling brooks.  There’s nothing like fresh Cornish air to rejuvenate your mind and put a spring in your step.

When you arrive back at your Cornish cottage, relax and rest your feet.  Make yourself a nice hot drink and decide where to go tomorrow!

Bodmin Moor

This majestic wilderness is set in a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.  Visitors to Bodmin Moor can explore Bronze Age settlements, burial chambers and holy wells.

Walk through moorland tracks, paths and follow disused quarry tramways.  Start at one of the highest places in Cornwall ‘The Minions’.  Walk on a circular route passing the famous Hurlers Circles and Pipers Stones.  Visit the Cheesewring Quarry and pass some fascinating granite mounds.

Finish up back at the highest pub in Cornwall ‘The Cheesewring’ and enjoy a steaming hot delicious meal.

We have a collection of Cornish cottages in the Bodmin Moor area awarding you with an ideal base to explore the mysterious moors.

Cotehele

Follow a historical journey along the River Tamar.  From Calstock’s Victorian viaduct to the area’s finest architectural gem, the manor house of Cotehele.  Explore the surrounding area and discover its history and fascinating past.

Walk along the River Tamar to reach the Rail viaduct of 1906.  The viaduct is an enduring memorial to industrial progress and later decline.  This was once a bustling river port from Saxon times.

For superb views head to just beyond the Tamar Valley office for a stunning vantage point of the surrounding area.

We have Cornish cottages available in Cotehele located on the beautiful South coast of Cornwall

Morwenstow

Morwenstow is a wild outpost of dramatic and beautiful scenery with some fantastic routes to walk nearby.  With scenic walks through high cliffs and deep grassy valleys.  The area is backed by quiet woods and farmland.  Welcoming pubs are situated along the way for refreshments.

This was once a base for wreckers who lured ships onto the rocks.  A one-time home of the eccentric Victorian parson-poet Robert. S. Hawker.  He introduced the Harvest Festival and gave Christian burials to shipwrecked seamen washed up on the shores of the parish.

We have Cornish cottages in the Morwenstow area available.

Mount Edgcumbe

Explore the peninsula that extends into the River Tamar.  Mount Edgcumbe is a stunning Tudor home built in the early 16th century.  The Grade 1 listed gardens of the property have remained largely unchanged.

This provides a stunning parkland environment on the banks of the Tamar.  Wander through the mansions grounds and along the surrounding coastal paths.  Explore the wooded shorelines.  Enjoy the spectacular views over Plymouth Sand.

Staying in this area near the county border will give you the opportunity to explore both Devon and Cornwall.  We have Cornish cottages available in the Kingsand area.

Bedruthan Steps

For stunning and dramatic coastal scenery this is the walk for you.  I spend most of my evenings in the summer walking my dog along these coastal paths.

Ancient rock formations have created breathtakingly beautiful views.  At low tide you are able to walk down a steep staircase to Bedruthan Beach.  The beach feels so unreal and magical with its seaweed covered rocks and archways through the rocks.  The area was named after a legendary Cornish giant who used the rocks as stepping stones.

If you keep walking north down the cliff park you will come to Park Head.  This is a headland jutting out to sea where you are able to view the remains of an Iron Age Embankment.

For great access to popular seaside coastal towns such as Padstow and Newquay staying in a Cornish cottage in the Mawgan Porth area will put you in close proximity.

With over 300 beaches in Cornwall there certainly is a huge selection to choose from.  Explore North Cornwall’s coast with its shingle beaches, rugged cliffs and rock pools. In south Cornwall enjoy soft white sand, warmer waters and turquoise blue seas.

Why not stay in a Cornish cottage by the sea or next to the beach?  Enjoy a refreshing walk with the sunrise and be the first to leave footprints on the sand.  Look out for dolphins, basking sharks and friendly seals.  They frequently visit the shallows before heading off for their winter vacation. Be brave and take a dip in the ocean.  Pull on a wetsuit, take a surfing lesson and ride some of the best waves of the year.

Cornish Traditional Cottages has lots of dog friendly cottages available so there’s no excuse not to bring your four legged friend on holiday with you.  Most of Cornwall’s beaches allow dogs through the winter.  There are some fabulous walks along the coastal paths. Expect wagging tails and happy panting aplenty.

Clear your head with an invigorating walk on a windy day.  Watch the powerful winter swells smash against rugged cliffs. Watch the white horses gallop towards shore.  On a clear day why not wrap up warm and take a walk out on the cliffs. Take a rug and a bottle of wine. Snuggle up and spend a romantic evening watching the sunset with your loved one.

Widemouth Bay

Widemouth Bay on the north Cornish coast is a popular beach for surfers and families.  Stunning rock formations make this a wonderful spot for watching sunsets. This stretch of coast is steeped in smuggling history and just south of the bay some pretty inlets and hidden coves can be found. The car park is situated close to the beach which is easily accessed.  Nearby is the coastal town of Bude which boasts excellent facilities.

Explore North Cornwall and stay in a cottage in the Bude area.

Constantine Bay

Marram and tamarisk shrubs cover the backdrop of the vast sand dunes cradling this wide expanse of beach.  Search the rock pools for a host of inhabitants including some surprisingly large crabs which can often be found here.  Constantine is a great beach to take your dog with lots of room to run around and chase seagulls.  The beach is popular with surfers. A car park and toilets are nearby with a shop just up the road.

Have a look at a selection of cottages in St Merryn we have available in the area

Kynance Cove

Kynance Cove Beach is probably the most photographed and painted beach in Cornwall.  With its turquoise water and white sand it’s extremely beautiful and picturesque.  Only accessible at low tide the beach is in a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Beauty’.  At low tide you can walk out to the offshore rock, Asparagus Island’ where the delicacy once grew wild.  This is the most southerly point of mainland Britain and has some fantastic dramatic cliff walks close by.  The café and large car park is half a mile trek from the beach so access isn’t easy.

We have a number of cottages near the Lizard peninsula available.

Whitsand Bay

Overlooked by Rame Head, Whitsand Bay is a three mile beach on the South coast.  Arguably one of the finest stretches of sand in Cornwall.  High dramatic cliffs surround the beach with wrecks located off shore including Britain’s first artificial reef.  This makes the beach desirable for divers. Access to Whitsand Bay is difficult with a steep path to walk down and limited facilities so not suitable for all.

Check out our cottages in the Torpoint area

Chapel Porth

Chapel Porth beach is approached by a winding road through heather covered hills.  Upon approach a blue wedge of sea appears and the beach looks deceptively small.  This sandy cove extends to create a wide beach at low tide with caves and rock pools to explore.  There are some stunning walks around the coastal paths with opportunities to get up close to some historical Cornish mines.

Chapel Porth is located in the stunning coastal town of St Agnes, have a look at cottages in the St Agnes area.

Mathew Filewood, Manager, Cornish Traditional Cottages comments, “The brochure cover is one of the most difficult choices I make each year as it has to work on several levels and be eye-catching and inspiring.  Photography can portray many things such as an area’s people, cultures, customs, history or landscape, so it will be fascinating to see how the public view Cornwall.

The county was recently the winner of ‘Best UK Holiday County or Region’ in the British Travel Awards, voted for by over 220,000 people, the largest awards programme in the UK. This was the third time in five years that Cornwall has come out top in the awards widely referred to as the “Oscars” of the travel industry.

The brave move by Cornish Traditional Cottages is part of an on-going re-branding process for the family run company which has been praised for its innovative use of developing communication methods such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and which has spent the last year optimising the efficiency of its website, where entrant’s photo can be uploaded.  Established in 1964 the company represents around 300 properties across Cornwall and is currently offering customers the opportunity to book for 2011 and pay only a 25% deposit.

“This is an opportunity for everyone” continues Filewood, “I’m looking forward to seeing different interpretations of the county.  We’ve seen a steady increase in bookings this year and it’s clear from conversations we have with our customers that many are now choosing Cornwall over a holiday abroad, so I hope there will be a diversity of entries and look forward to one of them taking pride of place on the front of the brochure.”

5 members of the team swapped the office for the great outdoors and geared up for walking the Cancer Research Cornwall 10k Stride event at Lanhydrock on Sunday November 7^th.

The walk was mapped out so that the walkers had the chance take in the magnificent 890 acre extensive grounds and gasp at the breath taking views across the valleys.

The great house at Lanhydrock sits above the river Fowey and has been owned by the National Trust since 1953. Parts of the house date back to the 1620’s, but most of the house as it stands was built in the Victorian times after being badly hit by  fire in 1881. The house has even appeared on the big and small screen, being the main setting for the 1996 film 12^th night and hosting the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow in 2008.

The gardens and grounds are open for the public to explore all year around, with the house being open for visitors between March and October.

Many parts of the grounds are dog friendly, which makes it a great excuse to take the dog out and take in the grounds for yourself.

Why not put Lanhydrock on your agenda when visiting Cornwall. Bofarnel Barn, is a great pet friendly peaceful detached barn set within walking distance of Lanhydrock’s grounds. With 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms it is the ideal location for a countryside getaway.

Pictures of the walk have been posted on our Facebook page, so why not check them out.

With the English Open being played at Cornwall’s premier course, St Mellion for five consecutive years, starting in 2011, there has never been a better time to try your hand at the county’s various courses. The Open has been pencilled in for the 11^th-14^th August 2011, on the famous Jack Nicklaus Course.

The course was the first in Europe to be professionally designed by the 18 times major winner. The course was opened in 1988, with a televised match between the USA and Britain, with Britain being victorious. The course has gone on to hold the Benson and Hedges International Open 6 times.

The resort boasts two other courses, including the Kernow Course, which underwent a complete redevelopment in 2008, with amazing views across the Cornish countryside.

If you want to include golf in your break, or purely have a golfing break then we have some amazing country cottages within 3 miles of the course. Kingsmill Farm Cottage is set in an area of outstanding beauty, with views across the tidal creek. The cottage sleeps six and is a one of our dog friendly cottages.

Just 3 miles south from the cottage is the China Fleet Golf and Country Club, with course views across the river Tamar. The Championship Course was designed by Hawtree Limited, the longest Golf Course Architectural Practice in the UK.

If sea views are what you are after then look no further than Trevose Golf and Country Club, located at Constantine Bay in Padstow. The Championship Course was designed by the world renowned Harry Colt, who also designed the Augusta and Wentworth courses. The Course was host to the 2008 Amateur English Open Championship. Trevose has two other courses, the Headland Course and the Short Course, so there is plenty to choose from.

If you’re looking to stay in the area then Treveglos Barn is just over a mile from the course. The newly renovated barn sleeps 4 and is pet friendly.

Golf is certainly going to play a big part across the County in the next couple of years, so why not come and play some of the amazing courses Cornwall has to offer.

With the rugby season now in full flow, it is a great opportunity to get out there and watch a local game. The county boasts some great high level teams to get excited about, including Championship side Cornish Pirates. Based in Penzance, the team are currently unbeaten this season, with the club hoping to gain promotion to the top flight of the Aviva Premiership next season.

With 24 cottages on our books within 5 miles of the Cornish Pirates ground, this means watching a game is made even easier whilst staying in your own holiday cottage in Cornwall. You could stay at the converted pet friendly bell tower apartment Tittle Tattle, enjoying panoramic sea views. Located in the oldest street of Penzance, it is also within walking distance of the ground.

If you’re lucky you may be able to catch the annual Cornwall V’s Devon derby against rivals Plymouth Albion on the 3^rd October at Penzance. Even if the weather isn’t on your side, a large portion of the ground is undercover, so it can be a great way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon too.

Other high flying Cornish teams include both Redruth and the Cornish All Blacks, based in Launceston, battling it out in National League Division One.

Going to watch a rugby match in Cornwall is not all about the game, it is the atmosphere surrounding the event. With Real Ale and Pasties in abundance on the side lines, you will not find a more welcoming crowd then at a Cornish rugby ground.

This could be seen when nearly 40,000 Cornish supporters travelled to Twickenham in 1999, to cheer the County team to victory in the National County Championship final. This years Championship runs throughout May, with Cornwall hosting Hertfordshire on the 7^th.

If you fancy a more grass routes game, then there are plenty to watch with most Cornish towns having a thriving club. The CRFU website has all the fixtures and even a handy box on their home page telling you about the upcoming weekends local fixtures. This will include the two Cornish Clubs Cups, with the finals being battled out on May Bank Holiday. Most games at this level are dog friendly, but make sure you have them on a lead, as you don’t want them chasing the ball around the pitch.

Feel like watching the game from the comfort of the pub? If there is a televised game, then you will be sure to find a local Pub or Social Club showing the event.

So what are you waiting for? There are plenty of opportunities to go out and watch a good old battle.

We’ve put our heads together in the office and come up with our favourite all year* round dog friendly beaches in Cornwall, to help when holidaying in the south west.

- Constantine Bay on the north coast. A firm favourite with Vicky who say’s that the sandy beach is wide and flat and the tide goes out a long way, so there’s plenty of room for your dog to enjoy. For a bit of exploration, when the tide goes out there are plenty of nooks and crannies for some rocking pooling . With parking and  toilets all to hand, you can while away a day here without realising.

-Gwenver. Just less then mile from Sennen Cove right down the west of Cornwall, this secluded suntrap is a well-kept secret (until today!). With only a few parking spaces but no other facilities you stand a good chance of having the beach to yourselves, particularly in winter. But mostly you’ll find surfers and walkers wanting to share this pictureseque spot that feels like you’re at the end of the world.

-Talland Bay. There are a few smaller beaches and then main beach at Talland Bay is a wonderful place to spend a day. Either walk the coastal path from either Looe or Polperro if you want to exercise your dog and yourselves whilst enjoying the breathtaking scenery or park up and take a stroll through the village. Walking on the beach is a little restricted at high tide but when it begins to go out there are plenty of rock pools to be be explored. A great beach cafe and shop will make sure all humans are fed and watered after running around after their pet friends!

*Information subject to change. We recommend checking details before heading down to the beach with your dog in tow.

The first thing to do before you even book your next holiday to Cornwall is research. Whether it’s your first or fiftieth visit, by doing some research about either the area or holiday cottage you are planning on staying in will mean a better experience all around. The most important thing to check is, of course, whether it is a dog friendly holiday cottage. There’s no point in spending time dreaming about that luxury apartment if they won’t allow your dog to stay too. Once you’ve found somewhere, make sure you check all the facilities that are provided and that they are suitable for you. Imagine arriving for your holiday to find that the accommodation is on the third floor and no outside space for your four-legged friend to run around in- not a good start. Many self catering holiday cottages in Cornwall are based on farms or have animals nearby, so it is important as a responsible pet owner to be respectful of other animals or wildlife and be sure to keep your pets under control at all times. This is especially so if you plan to explore the extensive Cornish coastal footpaths that often run through farmland. Being an all year round destination, visitors are encouraged to enjoy many of the attractions on offer regardless of season. This is particularly so for the beaches that Cornwall is famous for- we want everyone to enjoy them! That’s why there are over 80 beaches year round dog friendly beaches around Cornwall’s shores, for you and your dog to enjoy, even on the hottest of mid-summer days. Even our furry friends deserve a dip in the water to cool off.

So this year, don’t let your choice of accommodation rule out the chances for ALL your family to enjoy the annual cottage holiday in Cornwall. All it takes is some research and perhaps a bit of planning, but the effort will be rewarded.