Cornwall lies at the far south-western tip of England. On three sides, the sea shapes the landscape. Much of the coast is steep and irregular, with coves barely visible from the road. Reaching some beaches means a good walk first. At least that keeps a main road out of the background.
Inland, the scene changes. Bodmin Moor is a landscape of open moorland, granite formations and traces of much older use. Prehistoric remains and mining relics occupy the same countryside. Cornwall has more history than a holiday photograph of a beach might suggest.
Between mining and Arthurian tales
Tin mining left an important mark on Cornwall. Old mine buildings and chimneys belong to the landscape just as much as the cliffs. Even when the machinery is gone, the structures remain clear landmarks.
Tintagel is best known for its stories about King Arthur. That connection belongs to legend, rather than a proven birthplace. The medieval castle whose ruins stand there today was built in the thirteenth century for Richard of Cornwall. According to English Heritage, the existing Arthurian tradition itself helped him choose the location. The story was already there before these castle walls were built.
The maritime climate brings relatively mild winters. In sheltered spots, plants can therefore grow that you would not immediately expect this far north. That does not mean the weather is always pleasant for photography. An exposed coast is still an exposed coast, with wind, rain and light that can change quickly.
That variety is welcome in a photo series: a long coastline does not have to produce one sweeping view after another. A wall, an abandoned mine building or a detail of the rocks tells another part of the same region’s story. Together, these photographs form my impression of Cornwall. They are not a list to get through in a single day of your holiday.
Comments