Calstock & Cotehele - a bit of hidden Cornwall
Hidden Cornwall
With its glorious coastline and stunning scenery Cornwall has always been a favourite and home to many well-known holiday resorts. You may never have heard of Calstock but it has no less charm than its better known cousins. It’s smaller and quieter - there are no bucket and spade shops or nagging seagulls. With its narrow streets and alleys, eclectic mix of colourful cottages and friendly locals, it is still quintessentially Cornish - a piece of hidden Cornwall.
Calstock is a short walk from the woodland hideaways at Okel Tor Mine, situated nearly twenty miles up the Tamar in the shadow of its magnificent railway viaduct. In days gone by a busy inland port serving the needs of the mining industry and market gardening; sailing barges loaded with various cargoes coming and going and rattling trains crossing the viaduct transporting fruit and flowers to the London markets.
Today Calstock is a peaceful place. The noise filled air and activities a distant memory. Now you can amble through the village and imagine the hustle and bustle of yesteryear.
The village is off the beaten track so it’s never that busy - other than when the trip boats from Plymouth visit. For a few hours it may feel like just another typical holiday place but, pasties and drinks consumed, the passengers head back from whence they came as the boat slips beneath the viaduct and disappears around the bend in the river. Tranquility restored.
Woodland hideaways with a feeling of remoteness yet pubs and attractions within walking distance
Take a stroll into the village, browse the arts and crafts in The Lime Kiln art gallery. Relax by the river, watch the boats go by and and enjoy a meal and a pint in one of its two dog-friendly pubs, The Tamar Inn or The Boot Inn, both reputed for their excellent food and fine ales, or perhaps stop off at Lishe, a quirky little café with a range of teas and coffees as well as tasty sweet and savoury dishes (including vegan and gluten-free options). How about an ice cream from Valenti's artisan gelateria?.
Stroll a bit further along the riverside past a tiny pottery and marvel at ruined industrial structures and be enchanted by the National Trust’s Cotehele House, gardens, working corn mill and quay where you can enjoy a cup of tea and a bite to eat in the quay-side tea room (also dog-friendly) or in its delightful garden.
For some evening entertainment wander into the village and enjoy some live music or an event at Calstock Arts or the village hall and then return by moonlight to your woodland hideaway and the peace and tranquility of Okel Tor Mine.
