The Cornish Coastal Path is 296 miles long, suggesting that Cornwall has the longest coastline of any county in Britain. It is a rugged coastline where wreckers earned a good living in centuries past. The tiny fishing villages are now almost down to depending of tourism rather than fishing for existence after the goons in Brussels virtually destroyed the UK fishing fleets - with UK government support, of course. Inland you will discover the delights of tiny tracks just wide enough for a horse and cart, Dolmen hide in the corner of fields. Standing Stones play Quoits with the Menhirs in the Stone Circles or near the Burial Chambers (which of course is a load of rubbish) but fun can be had seeking them all out and getting away from the mad tourist rush <G>. Cornwall is famous for its old tin mines. Tin mining in Cornwall can be dated back to at least 100 BC and it is possible that it goes back another 2000 years. Copper was also mined alongside the tin. This copper was usually used only locally. The biggest problem of tin mining in Cornwall was that of drainage, getting rid of the water that accumulated in the mine was a major problem which caused many mines to close before being worked out. In the 1830’s steam power came into play and steam driven pumps were fitted at the head of many mine shafts. The remains of which can be seen around the county. A new project the ‘Eden Project’ is very popular just inland from St. Austell as is the now found ‘Lost Gardens if Heligan’ although when I went there the sign was buried deep in the roadside bushes so maybe they are trying to loose them again. As I said at the top of the page, Cornwall is really about the sea, the coast, pretty harbours and fishing villages which is why so many artists are enjoying the beautiful light and wealth of material in this, the west most county of England - Enjoy Cornwall, many times! There is far too much to see on a single trip. | 
