About the Tour
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Arrive in Wadebridge
Check in for your first night’s accommodation at The Molesworth Arms in the north Cornish town of Wadebridge. In the afternoon you are free to explore the abundant independent shops and cafés of Wadebridge, or you could stretch your legs by cycling the Camel Trail to Padstow. If you are hiring a cycle for the tour, we will get you set up and make all the necessary adjustments in the afternoon of your arrival, to ensure you are ready to go in the morning.
Your Accommodation
The Molesworth Arms, Wadebridge The Molesworth Arms is a beautiful 16th Century coaching inn with original wood beams and exposed brickwork. It is nestled in the heart of the bustling traditional market town of Wadebridge with easy access to The Camel Trail, local and coastal walks and scenery. A warm welcome awaits as well as fine foods, Local Ales and lovely rooms. A hearty ‘full Cornish’ breakfast is served each morning so you’ll be well prepared for your first day of cycling.
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Wadebridge to Charlestown
Leaving Wadebridge, your tour begins with a gentle cycle along the Camel Trail. Following the river towards Bodmin, where many Poldark scenes featuring the exterior of Ross Poldark’s cottage, Nampara were shot, along with snippets of the cast on horseback trotting across the rugged terrain. In the afternoon you will pass The Eden Project and ride along parts of the Clay Trails. Then it’s on to the historic port of Charlestown which was used as a location for Jane Austin’s Persuasion, and was also featured in Poldark, providing a great 18th century setting for the show. There is a shipwreck museum here where you will see tall ships docked.
Your Accommodation
The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown The Rashleigh Arms is a delightful village inn and restaurant with accommodation. The inn has recently been refurbished, resulting in superb en-suite bedrooms, most with sea views and situated close to the quay. Located in the picturesque fishing port of Charlestown and close to the bustling town of St Austell, the Rashleigh Arms has a full menu and specials board available from 12pm until 9 pm. There are eight letting rooms, all of which are kept to a high standard of cleanliness and decoration throughout.
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Charlestown to Falmouth
First stop of the day is Mevagissey, a small working fishing village with narrow streets filled with gift shops, cafés, galleries and pubs. From there the route takes you through country lanes, past beaches and the impressive Caerhays Castle, deeper into the beautiful Roseland Peninsula towards St Mawes. Here you pass St Mawes Castle, one of Henry VIII’s coastal fortresses, before coasting down the hill to the beautiful scenic village of St Mawes, where you catch the ferry to Falmouth. Falmouth is home to the world’s third largest natural harbour and the National Maritime Museum.
Your Accommodation
The Gyllyngvase House Hotel, Falmouth Gyllyngvase House Hotel offers quality accommodation and all the facilities of a small hotel. This is a friendly, family-run hotel, situated 200m from the seafront at Gyllyngvase beach with Falmouth town centre and historic harbour just a few short minutes walk away. The hotel has thirteen bedrooms, comprising of doubles, twins, family rooms and singles. Paul and Emma Lower are the proprietors of this family run hotel and will personally supervise all your arrangements during your visit. Option to vary route: With the last St Mawes to Falmouth ferry leaving at around 5.15pm, cyclists have the option to stay overnight in St Mawes if they would prefer a more leisurely day. Alternative accommodation is at Braganza B&B, St Mawes, and has a surcharge of £25 per person.
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Falmouth to Porthleven
Leaving Falmouth the route passes Trebah Gardens and the beaches of Swanpool and Maenporth, before turning inland to cross the Lizard Peninsula. Cycling through some of the most unspoilt villages on the Helford River, the route takes you to the town of Helston, home of the Flora Dance festival. From Helston there is a short ride down to the fishing village of Porthleven, which is home to an array of pubs, cafés and art galleries, as well as one of the best surfing breaks in the country.
Your Accommodation
The Harbour Inn, Porthleven The Harbour Inn is a lively pub situated on the harbour in the small Cornish village of Porthleven. The Harbour Inn has 14 rooms in total each featuring a telephone, television, tea and coffee making facilities and a hairdryer. All the food served at The Harbour Inn uses fresh local produce and there is also entertainment in the bar on Saturday evenings until 11 pm, with a quiz night on Thursday evenings.
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Porthleven to Sennen Cove
From Porthleven you will cycle along coastal lanes to the seaside village of Marazion, which affords breathtaking views over St Michael’s Mount and Mount’s Bay. From Marazion there is an easy, level ride around Mount’s Bay to Penzance and neighbouring Newlyn. Both towns have large harbours and big fishing fleets, so there is always plenty going on here. It’s also an ideal place for lunch. The tour follows the coast road to Mousehole, a cosy fishing village with real charm and character, then onto Porthcurno, which was Nampara Cove on the popular Poldark series. Just around the corner from here is Porthgwarra, the setting of a popular scene in series one during which Ross takes a swim in the crystal clear water while Demelza watches him from the clifftops. From here it’s the final stretch to Sennen Cove with a beautiful harbour and sandy beach.
Your Accommodation
The Old Success Inn, located in Sennen Cove, is a characterful, contemporary bed and breakfast with each room overlooking the beach – a perfect place to go for a sunset walk and stretch your legs after a day on your bike. The inn is run by St Austell Brewery, and serves delicious freshly-cooked pub food for your evening meal.
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Sennen Cove to St Ives
From Sennen Cove you’ll journey to one of the most ancient mining districts in Cornwall, St Just. Cornwall’s mining heritage is clearly present around St Just. Riding north along the coast past Gwennap Head, Levant Mine and through Botallack, with spectacular cliff scenery studded with mine engine houses and chimney stacks. In Poldark, this location was used as a setting for Tressiders Rolling Mill and Wheal Leisure. There is a dedicated tin mining museum at Geevor too. Then on to St Ives, which is well known for its artists, the Tate gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, as well as being home to some great restaurants and a picturesque harbour.
Your Accommodation
The Queens Hotel, St Ives The Queen’s Hotel is a late-Georgian, three-storey building in the heart of picturesque St Ives. Eight en-suite bedrooms have been redecorated with vintage furniture and Cornish artwork, plus sparkling new bathrooms with new showers. Downstairs is a relaxed and friendly bar with delicious pub food made from the finest local and seasonal ingredients Cornwall has to offer.
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St Ives to Perranporth
First stop of the day is Hayle, which is known for its three miles of golden sands and is also a good bird watching spot. From there the tour continues along the coastal lanes towards St Agnes, which doubles as Nampara Valley in the show, with a beautifully scenic coastline. Leaving St Agnes you’ll cycle through the Blue Hills to Perranporth, a valley of gorse and heather where you will see a selection of old mines. The family resort is home to a three mile long beach and the Perranzabuloe folk museum.
Your Accommodation
The Seiners Arms, Perranporth The Seiners Arms is a family run bed and breakfast with its own restaurant and bar located on the beautiful Perranporth seafront in Cornwall. They offer a warm, friendly and traditional Cornish bar environment and each day serve a locally sourced, freshly prepared menu with an emphasis on the abundant seafood caught almost on the doorstep. Guests can enjoy jaw-dropping views over Perranporth’s iconic Chapel Rock, the three mile stretch of golden sands and mighty Atlantic Ocean.
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Perranporth to Wadebridge
Make a booking
Because all our tours are created around your preferred start dates and party size, we have a two stage booking process.
