Cornwall, the village of Polperro is undoubtedly one of the prettiest.


Packed tightly into a steep valley on either side of the River Pol, the quaint colour-washed cottages and twisting streets offer surprises at every turn: the Saxon and Roman bridges, the famous House on Props, the old Watch House, the fish quay, and the 16th century house where Dr. Jonathan Couch lived, naturalist and grandfather of the celebrated writer Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch.


Mellow Polperro


Polperro, a spectacular few miles along the coast from Looe, is a different kettle of fish. Sheltered from the ravages of time and tide in its cliff ravine, it's an enchanting jumble of cottages, each one unmistakably the work of a Cornish fisherman. What he wanted was a place on shore to store his gear and his pilchard catch, and over that a loft divided into rooms like the cuddy of his boat. He reached the ground by means of stone or wooden steps, like a ship's gangway. You see, his idea of a dwelling was that of a ship in stone. And there's a fleet of them at anchor in Polperro.


Wending your way through the traffic- free streets to the small harbour, you're treading the paths where barrows of fish were once carted and, under cover of night, brandy casks and tobacco bales were carried into their hideouts. Make no mistake, this peaceful fishing cove, mellow Polperro,was once a thriving centre for the area's smuggling.


Wagonloads of contraband left here, some heading across Bodmin Moor en route to London. The 'freetraders' have long since sailed into folk history and the shining shoals of pilchards have gone, but a visit to the


smuggling museum brings this rich heritage back to life.


Today, in cellars where furtive smugglers once dodged the customs men's muskets, you can see displays of local crafts and fishermen's smocks, or you can dine in style at one of Polperro's excellent restaurants.


Pulling into Polperro from the sea is an unforgettable experience, especially when you've caught a basket full of fish! Fishing trips or pure pleasure cruises are easy to arrange from the quayside. Or take the cliff path to explore the secluded smuggling coves of Talland and Lantivet Bay.


One of the most popular places in


With its protected inner harbour full of colourful boats. Polperro is still a working fishing village, although tourism provides the main source of income. Attractions include a Museum of Smuggling and a model village.


Callington - pleasant town with much to offer visitors


Callington has been in existence for many centuries but saw its first great expansion during the mining boom of the 19th Century.


The pleasant centre of the town is a conservation area and this has preserved much of the architecture of that time as well as earlier examples, the most noteworthy being the parish church, St Mary’s.


Callington is situated in the middle of East Cornwall, only a short distance from the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within sight of Bodmin Moor.


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Another moorland area is Kit Hill which overlooks the town. Surrounding the town are miles of quiet lanes with high Cornish banks that are a haven for wildlife. Where these are broken by gateways, panoramic views are often revealed.


There is a good selection of shops and car parking is plentiful in Callington


The town has a wide variety of eating establishments. There are several take-aways and cafes, historic public houses that provide food, and a selection of restaurants, some of them having won national awards.


The famous Ginsters brand provides the traditional Cornish pasty but cuisine in the town also includes Chinese, Indian and Malaysian / Thai.


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6 Cornish Visitor Guide - autumn & winter 2012-2013


If you like walking, Callington is the place to go as there are miles of paths in the parish and beyond.


And if you enjoy sports, you can play golf at the nearby world- famous St Mellion golf course or indulge in a variety of sports at Callington Community College.


With the Tamar only a short distance away, there is the opportunity to sail, canoe or just take a ferry and enjoy the bird life on the river.


www.cornish-visitor.co.uk


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