Cornwall

I

Introduction

Cornwall, county, south-western England, bordered on the north by the Bristol Channel, on the east by Devon, on the south by the English Channel, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The Isles of Scilly, formerly part of Cornwall, lie some 40 km (25 mi) to the south-west of Land's End, the most westerly point of England. Cornwall forms a peninsula, approximately 120 km (75 mi) long from north-east to south-west, and 72 km (45 mi) wide at the broadest point, which is close to the border with Devon. The county has an area of 3,515 sq km (1,357 sq mi).

Cornwall is a county of contrasts—bleak moors and picturesque bays with wide sandy beaches, religion and superstition, an ancient Celtic people and modern holidaymakers. Bordered on land only by Devon, it considers itself to have a unique character. Cornwall is the oldest county in England, and the male heir to the throne is traditionally given the title of Duke of Cornwall.

II

Land and Resources

Much of Cornwall consists of comparatively high and hilly land, composed chiefly of granite. In the north and east, the bleak Bodmin Moor covers an area of more than 6,800 hectares (16,800 acres); on its northern edge is the peak of Brown Willy (420 m/1,377 ft). Farther south are the Hensbarrow Downs, the Wendron Moors, and the Goonhilly Downs. The Cornish countryside is not entirely forbidding, and steep, thickly wooded valleys descend from the moors and downs towards the sea. The north coast has a number of attractive bays, most with good sandy beaches, and many with interesting slate rock formations and cliff scenery of both grandeur and beauty. At Land's End, the seas pound the granite rocks. The Lizard, the southernmost point of the island of Great Britain, is some 40 km (25 mi) to the east of Land's End across Mount's Bay, in which St Michael's Mount stands. The south coast is less spectacular than the north, but is notable for the drowned estuary at Falmouth, which forms a large natural harbour.

Cornwall's eastern border with Devon runs along the course of the River Tamar for most of its distance. The other principal rivers of the county are the Camel and the Hayle, which have their estuaries on the north coast at Padstow and St Ives respectively; and the Fal, the Fowey, and the Looe, which flow into the English Channel at Falmouth, Fowey, and Looe. The canal that runs between Bude and Launceston is no longer in use but work is in progress to restore the architectural and industrial heritage of the canal between Bude and Virworthy Wharf.

III

Climate

Cornwall has a generally mild climate, although the north coast can be bracing. The sheltered south coast enjoys higher temperatures than the rest of England, and for this reason is often referred to as the Cornish Riviera. However, the prevailing westerly and south-westerly winds bring comparatively heavy rainfall to the entire county, and sea mists and fog are common. Average annual rainfall over most of Cornwall is in the region of 1,000 to 1,520 mm (40 to 60 in).

IV

Plants and Animals

Cornwall's warm climate allows a number of plants (including several varieties of palm), which are not usually expected as far north as the British Isles, to be grown on the south coast without difficulty. Many kinds of colourful heather and furze grow on the moors and the cliff tops, and are especially to be found in the Lizard nature reserve near Mullion Cove, where many varieties of seabird can also be seen. The whole coast is rich in sea birds, including razorbills, turnstones, and gulls of all varieties. However, the chough, a member of the crow family, once so common in Cornwall that it was known as the “Cornish chough”, is now rare and no longer breeds in the county. Grey seals are to be seen on the north-west coast and there is a seal sanctuary in the estuary of the River Helford. Otters are found in the north-west of the county, although not in large numbers; the Tamar Otter Park is near Launceston. Brown trout, sea trout, and salmon breed in some of the rivers. Porpoises and dolphins sometimes visit Cornish waters, and large shoals of Portuguese Man-o'-War jellyfish are occasionally blown towards the shore.