good wildlife places near St Austell, Cornwall

peppermint · #1 (**permalink**) 14-08-2007, 03:29 PM

Hi there.

Off for a few days in Cornwall at the beginning of September near St Austell. Going to check out the Eden project and was wondering if anyone knew of any good wild places/reserves to visit in the area.

Jen

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 14-08-2007, 03:33 PM

You are close enough for the Gardens of Helligan,go around early
in your soft shoes (look in the giant ferns for goldcrests)

peppermint · #3 (**permalink**) 15-08-2007, 10:05 AM

thanks, i will check it out.

kshotton45 · #4 (**permalink**) 15-08-2007, 11:14 AM

Gardens of Helligan, I was there 2 years ago. Highly recommended.

Keith

peppermint · #5 (**permalink**) 15-08-2007, 12:37 PM

Thanks guys, Just been checking out the website and it looks like a definate must visit

ChasCreek · #6 (**permalink**) 15-08-2007, 02:00 PM

We used to visit Cornwall just by St Austell 3 or 4 times a year and never visited the Gardens of Helligan!

It would be interesting to know what the Eden Project is like now. We went before it fully opened and while it was being built. You could visit (hard hats supplied on a little tractor train ride around the building of the 3 domes) and then you were given a free ticket to go back when it was finished.

We went back just after it was finished and it was all still a bit sparse then, and followed it up with another visit about a year or so later. Since then it has had the ice rink built etc and seemed to be going the way of a bit of a theme park / event venue which seemed to be at odds in a way with the main intention.

Would be interesting if you could let us know what you think of it now.

peppermint · #7 (**permalink**) 15-08-2007, 02:58 PM

I have never been before so i wont be able to do any comparisons, but will definatly report back for those of you who have never been before or who went when it was first built.

peppermint · #8 (**permalink**) 15-08-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasCreek

Since then it has had the ice rink built etc and seemed to be going the way of a bit of a theme park / event venue which seemed to be at odds in a way with the main intention.

hmm that doesnt sound too good. I sincerely hope it is mainly a nature focused place these days as i will be a little dissapointed to see too many attraction type things more suited to a theme park / events venue.

kshotton45 · #9 (**permalink**) 15-08-2007, 07:26 PM

I've been twice. The last time was 2 years ago. It was brilliant. Lots to see and do. I would recommend a visit.
I will also go again if ever I'm in that area.

Keith.

emma314 · #10 (**permalink**) 27-08-2007, 04:25 PM

Hi! I hope you have a great time here in Cornwall

I love the coastline around St. Austell bay - particularly Black Head and Ropehaven Cliffs near Trenarren. There is a small car park at Trenarren and you can either go left along Ropehaven Cliffs or to the right and get to Black Head and Pentewan. Ropehaven Cliffs is a wildlife trust nature reserve and the scenery really is stunning. It's also quite quiet in that area, which is unusual for Cornwall at this time of year!!

As well as all the coastal areas, there are the clay trails. Not your typical "wild" scenery but it's amazing how what was just wasteland is now being turned into something more natural and beautiful. There are some lovely walks around the disused china clay tips with amazing views of the St. Austell area.

Have a lovely holiday!!