Richard Madeley explains why Cornwall is the ultimate destination
He may be best known for his book club and TV partnership with Judy Finnigan, but Richard Madeley is also one of Cornwall’s most famous residents. And this month, speaking to the Radio Times, the presenter and author has shared with readers his thoughts on why his beloved county is the ultimate holiday destination.
Noting that – due to issues such as the weak pound and security fears – rural Britain in particular is currently enjoying a boom in ‘staycation’ visitors, and a trip to Cornwall can allow holidaymakers to ‘journey into our real collective past’.
Madeley acknowledges that one of the reasons why Cornwall is enjoying such popularity at the moment is at least partly due to the opportunity it offers to visit ‘Poldark country’, a result of the huge interest generated by the much-loved BBC One drama. However, he is keen to point out that the county’s dramatic history stretches back much further than the 18th Century swashbuckling the programme depicts.
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One of the events Madeley describes is the day nearly 430 years ago when hundreds of Cornish people assembled on the cliffs near his home in the south east of the county (a spot also just a stone’s throw away from our Cornwall caravan site) to observe the intimidating Spanish Armada sail slowly by during its attempt to invade the English coast.
Perhaps the most interesting incident he mentions, however, involves the mysteriously beautiful Looe Island, which sits just a mile offshore from the popular town which bears its name. As Madeley explains, ‘legend holds it that Jesus landed here with his uncle Joe. He would have helped shift cargo to and from the hold’.
Anyone interested in visiting Looe Island this summer can do so by boarding one of the regular boat trips organised by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, who now manage the island.
Madeley concludes by saying ‘next time you’re toying with the idea of a holiday, think twice before you head abroad for an adventure – take a staycation and have one here instead.’
We couldn’t agree more!
Image credit: Alistair Young
