The Rame Peninsula is Cornwall's forgotten corner - forgotten surely by the hordes of tourists who stream over the Tamar Bridge further into Cornwall. The Forgotten Corner is uncommercialised and timeless - a haven for those who enjoy the slower pace of life in the countryside - walking, birdwatching, fishing or just lazing - the perfect place for the traditional family holiday.

History and Heritage

The Rame Peninsula is steeped in a history too great to detail here - from the iron age fort at Rame Head with its original armaments factory - all flint!, to the three great estates of the Carew-Poles, Edgcumbes and the Eliots at St Germans. In Cawsand Bay an Armada of 700 Spanish Fighting ships waited at anchor until too many of the soldiers were overcome with illness, and they all went home. Kingsand came by its name after King Charles who escaped over the beach to a ship in the bay. Lord Nelson spent time in the villages too.

Perhaps you would like to explore one of the many fine churches - 11th Century Rame Church with no electricity and one of the last remaining hand-pumped organs, or St Germans - Cornwall's Ancient Cathedral. While on the peninsula you will not fail to miss the many 18th Century military forts (Palmerston's Follies) built to keep the French at bay. All surrounded by the sea, with its stories of shipwrecks and smuggling - which still goes on today.

Country Parks and Gardens

Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is one of the few Grade 1 historic gardens in the country - come and visit the fabulous camellias early in the year - walk along the waters edge and take tea in the famous Orangery - where orange trees are still grown.

Nearby Antony House also has internationally renowned gardens. A little further afield are the Lost Gardens of Heligan untouched for 40 years and now restored to their former - Victorian - glory, with the pineapple pits and the Melon House. National Trust Properties abound with the main ones being Lanhydrock and Cotehele.

Walking and Boating

Set off from Cremyll - the ancient entry point into Cornwall - and follow the Cornish Coastal path through Edgcumbe Park to the old fishing villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, and on to Rame Head, through the bluebell carpeted woods of Penlee, or stop off at one of the many pubs and restaurants for lunch.

Spend the afternoon on Cawsand Beach - if you're feeling energetic hire a canoe, sailing boat or sailboard. Cawsand, with its safe waters plays host to the National Hobie Catamaran championships, and the Cornish Gig Regatta. If you're feeling optimistic, why not find one of the great fishing points from the rocks or beaches and pluck a gleaming silver sea-bass from the sea, or maybe a flat fish out of Millbrook Creek - just perfect for dinner. Just around the corner from Rame Head, is the fabulous 4 mile stretch of sandy beaches that make Whitsand Bay the perfect base for a seaside holiday. Don't worry about crowds - you won't find them here!

Golf

The Rame Peninsula is the perfect base for a Golfing Holiday with the world famous St Mellion Golf Course (designed by Jack Nicklaus) just 30 minutes away, as is Looe Down Golf Course, while the stunning sea views from the cliff top of Whitsand Bay Golf Course is right on the doorstep.

Wild Life

The Peninsula is a very important centre for all types of flora and fauna - overhead the buzzards circle, competing with the kestrels, and the peregrines of Rame Head - look carefully and you may catch a glimpse of the rare Dartford Warbler, while over the other side, the Lynher estuary plays host to a wide variety of sea birds and waders in particular the famous Little Egret. For this reason the peninsula is very popular with artists and photographers.

Further Afield

Rame Peninsula is the perfect base for exploring the rest of Cornwall - Land's End is only 90 minutes away, while Plymouth (reached from one of three ferries) is just across the water, with its big city attractions, theatres and conference centre, cinemas and wealth of history. If you're feeling energetic then Dartmoor is a mere half an hour away as are Looe and Polperro. Bodmin Moor is only 45 minutes.