CORNWALL

Now is the time to visit the UK - the Pound is still quite weak against other currencies and so you really will get value for money. You might be a frequent visitor, or perhaps have organised tours to London and other areas for your clients, but why not take the opportunity now to visit or plan a tour to an area of the country that you may not have explored before. The West Country is a beautiful part of the UK and Cornwall, the most western county, is an area that is under-visited. Almost divided from the rest of the country by the River Tamar, Cornwall has an identity of its own - it even has its own language. Evidence of its ancient past can still be seen in the many standing stones which date from the Bronze Age and indeed there are remains of Bronze Age villages on Bodmin Moor and in the West Penwith area. Until the 19th century, copper and tin mining were the the mainstay of Cornwall and a source of great wealth for the owners of the mines. The invention of the steam engine during the 18th century - and it was a Cornishman, Richard Trevithick, who pioneered this development - meant that the mines could be sunk deeper but by the middle of the 19th century vast deposits of both tin and copper had been found abroad and it became less viable to export Cornish ore. This led to a decline in Cornish mining and the emigration of local miners to such countries as Australia, South Africa, North and South America. The last mines in Cornwall have now closed but the Camborne School of Mines (founded in 1888 and now part of the University of Exeter) welcomes students from all parts of the world who wish to study mining, geology and related subjects. Geevor Mine, in Pendeen closed in the 1980's but is now a visitor attraction showing the history of mining in Cornwall; it has also been designated a World Heritage Site. Although under threat, fishing is still an important part of the Cornish economy and these days the industry is centred mainly on the town of Newlyn although the charming fishing villages of Polperro, Mevagissey and Mousehole, amongst others, are still very active and certainly worth a visit. Dining in Cornwall is as good as anywhere you care to name - Padstow, on the north coast, has become world-famous as synonymous with the TV chef Rick Stein who runs a restaurant, hotel, delicatessen and fish and chip shop in the town. Further along the coast at Watergate Bay is Fifteen, the Cornish outpost of Jamie Oliver's London-based experimental restaurant where under- privileged young people are trained to be chefs. Tourism is now Cornwall's major industry and the county boasts some of the most varied landscapes in the UK - from the rugged north coast through to the almost sub-tropical regions on the south coast around Falmouth and the Roseland Peninsular, and all this in a pensinsular that is only 8 miles wide at its narrowest point. The beaches of Newquay, Perranporth, St Ives - to name but a few - are magnets to surfers from all over the world and the magnificent gardens such as Heligan, Trelissick, Trebah etc., and of course the world famous Eden Project, attract garden enthusiasts throughout the year. The pretty town of St. Ives is a haven for artists and art lovers from all parts of the globe and is home to the Tate St. Ives which exhibits works by modern British artists. Nearby is the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden - a unique experience, offering an insight into the work and outlook of one of Britain's most important twentieth century artists. Sculptures in bronze, stone and wood are on display in the Museum and Garden, along with paintings, drawings and archive material. The cathedral city of Truro is certainly worth a visit as is the historic sea-faring town of Falmouth, home now to the National Maritime Museum. And why not take a day trip to the Isles of Scilly - this can be done by sea or helicopter from Penzance or by plane from Land's End. The Scillies lie approximately 28 miles off the coast of Land's End and are made up of several islands, the largest of which is St. Mary's. If you are a garden lover then you should perhaps consider visiting Tresco, the second largest island, where the magnificent tropical Abbey Gardens feature species from around the world - from Brazil to New Zealand and from Burma to South Africa. The island's climate means that plants you would never expect to see in the British Isles happily bloom throughout the year. If you visit Cornwall during the summer months then a 'must' is to take in a performance at the unique open-air Minack Theatre which has been built into the rock face above the cove at Porthcurno. Although the theatre is famous for its productions of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, many other productions take place throughout each summer and it would be hard to beat such an idyllic setting. Cornwall has some fine hotels and an abundance of self-catering options from cottages to luxury houses to apartments which can be rented for a week, or longer, or just a few days, allowing you to explore this beautiful region at your leisure. Group accommodation is available to suit most budgets. G