Over the past five years I have been fortunate to travel quite widely with my blogging wifey, Boo of ‘Does my blog make me look fat’. We have been lucky to have two or three European City breaks a year and this year was supposed to have been no different. Poland, Romania and Croatia were the choices on the list with a Christmas Market trip to Zagreb on the cards for December.

Perfect in Paris

COVID-19 has put a total stop on most people taking their annual or short break holidays. but it has also made me re-think my travel plans and look at having a Staycation instead!

I have not really had much opportunity to travel within the UK and there are a couple of places specifically that I would love to go and see which include the Lake District and Cornwall.

Cornwall in all its Glory

Many people seem to dismiss having a UK break; a proper holiday HAS to include a plane or ship, glorious weather and a different language. Whilst I too have been in agreement with that, I have failed to include some of the most beautiful locations in the World which we already have on our doorstep.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am fully aware that we are in a Pandemic and there are certain protocols that have to be followed. I work for a branch of services that knows this more than most.

The government is issuing rules and regulations on a nearly daily basis on what needs to happen in order to keep each other safe and well, so I will be adhering to those, whilst looking at the possibility of having a holiday.

One of the areas that seem to have a very low rate of infection, whilst being high on my list of places to visit is Cornwall.

Living in the middle of the Country means that whilst I can travel in every direction possible, I am also far away from most of the normal tourist destinations which makes Cornwall somewhere not really practical for a day trip.

This does however make it perfect for a short break.

In fact my ideal short staycation would be staying at a different hotel every night in a different part of Cornwall. This would allow me to visit many of the places I have wanted to see, all in one trip.

So, where would I go?

My first port of call would be The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Over 200 acres of beautiful landscape, that was hidden from all for over 70 years. Once a thriving, well kept House and grounds, World War I broke out and the gardeners and staff followed the call to arms.

The garden fell victim to ivy and bramble and was lost until 1990 when two men found the entrance into the grounds and Heligan was rediscovered.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Glass houses, heritage plants, rope bridges, giant rhubarb and even bamboo tunnels abound and entrance you with their majesty and wonder. A perfect first place to visit.

Obviously I need somewhere to stay and the Trevalsa Court Hotel looks right up my street. At only 2.5 miles from Heligan it has both a perfect location,  excellent facilities and several reviews describe it as like something out of Agatha Christie, with the feel of Poirot or Marple likely to walk through the door.

Trevalsa Court Hotel

Oh and a stairway down to a small perfectly formed beach at the bottom of the cliffs.

Absolutely wonderful!

My second day would be moving further down the coast to visit Kynance Cove. A 90 minute drive would get me to one of the most photographed places in Cornwall.

Kynance Cove

A stunning cove with sandy beaches and large rock formations, it would be a great way to spend the day at the beach. Whilst I have a DSLR camera, I have found that my Huawei phone takes the most amazing photographs and I love the idea of some sunset shots in the cove or from above on the South-West Coast path.

My hotel of choice would be the Mullion Cove Hotel and Spa  which is only 3 miles from the Cove.

The Mullion Cove Hotel and Spa

One of the main reasons I love the look of this hotel is that it has indoor AND outdoor pools and is situated at the top of a cliff. The décor is welcoming yet comfortable, has a restaurant with a fabulous looking menu and the most stunning Sea Views you could wish for.

Onto day three, I plan to go to a place I have wanted to see ever since I was a child.  This is purely down to the fact that it is called Mousehole!

At around an hours drive from Kynance Cove, Mousehole is a tiny fishing village which was immortalised in ‘The Mousehole Cat’ a book from the 90’s, made into a wonderful animated film in 1995.

Mousehole

I remember seeing the film one Christmas and it reinforced my desire to visit ‘Mouzel’ as it is pronounced locally. Choosing a hotel was a lot harder though.

Eventually I picked out The Hotel Penzance. Situated 3 miles to Mousehole, yet with stunning views of St Michaels Mount, the hotel has all the facilities you could need, including an outdoor pool, gardens, views and many close places of interest to visit.

Hotel Penzance

I quite fancy a look at The Egyptian House; a perfectly over the top colourful Egyptian edifice that sticks out like a sore thumb in a row of quaint English looking buildings.

Another place I really need to visit is the Jubilee Pool; a 1930’s Art Deco Lido set right on the beach. This would also cross of one of my ’50 things to do before I am 50′ which is swim in a Lido.

The Jubilee Lido

The Lido is a salt water pool and whilst that sounds pretty chilly, parts of the pool are now geothermally heated to 35degrees.

Perfect any time of the year!

My final place in my staycation would be St Nectans Glen and Tintagel.

Just under a two hour drive would take me from Mousehole to Tintagel and the doorway to some of the most unique English history and legend, including The Round Table.

The legend says that Tintagel Castle is the birthplace of King Arthur, now picturesque ruins originally built in the 1200’s and has stunning clifftop views,  architecture and history.

Tintagel Castle

Not only does it offer stunning photographic opportunities, it is also perfect for the Camelot Castle Hotel 

A unique hotel with views over to the Castle, maze, sea and clifftop walks. Described as a quirky location, the hotel even offers huge medieval style four-poster beds in some of the rooms.

Camelot Castle Hotel

Ideal for a romantic visit, I think!

It is also a perfect location for visiting St Nectans Glen.

An area of natural beauty with 3 waterfalls, there are numerous photo opportunities whilst wearing the free Wellington boots in the lower pools, looking at the faery stacks and mementoes of loved ones left behind by in this sacred place.

St Nectans Glen

So, that would be my four day Cornwall Staycation. As you can tell, it involves a lot of places of high beauty and photographic opportunities.

Oh and in case you didn’t notice, all of the hotels are Dog Friendly so I can take my Boy along with me too!

Now comes the logistics as previously mentioned with the current Pandemic.

This is were Hotels.Com comes into its own.

When making your search for a place to stay, there is a filter that you can choose for ‘free cancellation’. In the current situation, it is ideal as whilst hotels, bars, restaurants and tourist sites need money from the general public, there is also the possibility of places going into further lockdown.

Cornwall is very low in the Government listing for COVID-19, you still need to be sensible when it comes to travelling.

Firstly you need to ensure that you are well enough to travel.

Have you come into contact with anyone who has had COVID?

Do you have a new persistent cough, high temperature or a loss or change in taste or smell?

If so, get tested and DO NOT TRAVEL.

If you are COVID free, ensure that you follow guidelines at all times. As these can change frequently, check in with the Government website daily to ensure compliance.

Masks needs to be worn when out and about, keep hand sanitiser with you at all times and observing a 2 meter distance when in public will ensure you adhere to guidelines, whilst still allowing travel.

All of the places I have mentioned in my dream Staycation have their own rules to follow too. From parking to distancing measures, all of these are imperative to follow.

As 19th Century Native American Chief Seattle said, “Take nothing with you but memories, leave nothing behind but footprints”

That goes for Corona Virus too.

SPSG xxx

*****In collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own.*****