St. Mellion is a small village about 12 miles from the Cornish south coast. The church of St Melanus has an impressive tower with five bells and is worth a visit.
Approximately 32 miles from St Mellion near St Austell, is the Eden Project. which showcases 100,000 plants from around the world in two giant transparent domes, each recreating different climate conditions.
Eden's aim was to create something that not only encourages people to celebrate and understand the world we live in, but also inspire us to action. More than simply a green theme park, the Eden Project demonstrates the need for environmental care to create a sustainable future on our own.
Approximately 40 miles away,the award winning Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissy, have been restored and now comprise eighty acres of pleasure grounds plus a complex of walled gardens and a huge vegetable garden. The house, built by William Tremayne in 1603, was the seat of the Tremayne family who controlled over 1000 acres in the area from Pentewan to Gorran.
Within easy driving distance is the National Trust’s splendid Lanhydrock House – one of the finest houses in Cornwall. The grandest and most welcoming house in Cornwall is superbly set in 450 acres of woods and parkland running down to the Fowey river and encircled by formal and woodland gardens, lovely in all seasons.
Dating from the 17th century but largely re-built after a fire in 1881, Lanhydrock has 50 rooms on show giving an extrordinary glimpse into the life of a Victorian country house from the children's nursery wing and the splendid comforts of the state rooms to the fascinating warren of kitchens, larders and sculleries 'below stairs'.
Only 5 miles from St Mellion you will find Cotehele, another beautiful National Trust house. Cotehele House is a well preserved, and little altered, Tudor manor house in the east of Cornwall and on the banks of the River Tamar. It has a series of formal gardens near the house, a richly planted valley garden, with a medieval dovecote and stewpond, a Victorian summerhouse and an 18th century tower with fine views. It is one of the least altered medieval houses in the country and contains original furniture, armour and a set of remarkable tapestries. There is more to Cotehele than just the house. The estate is criss crossed by miles of footpaths, riverside and woodland walks. There is a working watermill and industrial ruins in the Danescombe Valley.
A little further afield is The National Trust’s Buckland Abbey. This very special 700 year old building was home to Cistercian Monks when they settled in this quiet valley. The Abbey was sold to Sir Francis Drake in 1580 and still houses many treasures, including Tudor costumes. It is rumoured to be haunted by Drake and accompanying 'hell hounds!' An Elizabethan garden has been established at Bucklands, as well as an aromatic herb garden, and there are enjoyable walks through the secluded estate. The abbey Great Barn has also been restored to its medieval splendour.
Polperro with it’s narrow, winding streets and alleys and cottages perched on steep slopes overlooking a tiny harbour is everyone's idea of a picturesque Cornish fishing village. The Polperro Heritage Museum houses a remarkable collection of exhibits and memorabilia from the 18th century when both smuggling and fishing thrived.