Bi 2 it's time to come home genius. Giant post about Cornwall: huge photos and a lot of text

Let me deviate a little from the literal interpretation, which is indicated by the postscript to the video, and which has already been written about here, and speculate about this.

When the creator touches on the theme of returning home, he is almost doomed to fall into some symbolic dimension. In this dimension, returning home is returning to a certain starting point, returning to the source in the very in a broad sense this word in all possible philosophical, religious, mystical interpretations. These interpretations can be divided into two large groups.

The first group, let’s call it “Western”, is associated with a linear perception of time and history. Here it is appropriate to turn to the Bible, as the most important text for Western culture (whether we like it or not), in which the history of mankind begins with the expulsion from Eden and ends with the Last Judgment. It is Eden, again in the broadest sense, that is understood here as the home to which one longs to return lyrical hero. This can be expressed in different ways, often in a nostalgic vein: as a longing for why home, for the homeland, for the lost paradise, for childhood, for innocence, for a creamy ice cream for 19 kopecks. Castaneda has an episode in “Journey to Ixtlan”, after which the book is actually named, where Don Genaro tries to return to his home in Ixtlan, but at some point realizes that this is impossible:

“I will never reach Ixtlan,” he said firmly, but very, very quietly, barely audible. “However, in my feelings... In my feelings, sometimes, I think that I am one step away from reaching it. However, I will never reach it. On my way I don’t even come across a single familiar landmark that I knew before. Nothing is the same anymore, nothing remains the same.”

The poet and musician Sergei Kalugin has a song “Return to Ixtlan (78th)” about this same thing through the prism personal experience, but with a breakthrough into that very symbolic dimension:

Mom mom,
Looks like I've been walking too long
Sorry,
Mother,
I'm cold, mom.
I'm standing in front of a locked door.
Mom, let me go home.
Home.
At seventy-eight.
Home. Home.
Mom, open up.

“The path to innocence, to the uncreated, to God leads not back, but forward, not to a wolf, not to a child, but to ever greater guilt, to ever deeper humanization. And suicide, poor Steppenwolf, will not really help you either, you will not escape the long, difficult and difficult path of humanization, you will still be forced to multiply your duality in every possible way, to complicate your complexity in every possible way. Instead of narrowing your world, simplifying your soul, you will have to painfully expand, open it more and more to the world, and then, you look, and take the whole world into it, so that someday, perhaps, you can reach the end and peace. Buddha walked this path, everyone walked it. great person- some consciously, some unconsciously, - some managed to dare. Every birth means separation from the universe, means limitation, separation from God, painful becoming anew. To return to the universe, to abandon painful isolation, to become God - this means to expand your soul so that it can again embrace the universe."

Psychologist Erich Fromm generally interprets the Fall and expulsion from Eden in a positive way:

"Myth identifies the beginning human history with the act of choice, but at the same time especially emphasizes the sinfulness of this first act of freedom and the suffering that resulted from it.<...>From the point of view of the church, which represents a certain power structure, this act is undoubtedly sinful. However, from a human point of view, this is the beginning of human freedom. Having violated the order established by God, he freed himself from coercion and rose from an unconscious pre-human existence to a human one. Violation of the prohibition, fall from grace, in the positive human sense is the first act of choice, an act of freedom, that is, the first human act in general."

Thus, we see that the “Western” interpretation of the theme of returning home combines a nostalgic longing for home (Eden), a desire to return, an awareness of the impossibility of this, as well as the opposite desire to move forward, further and further from home.

An alternative view on the issue of returning to the source, which we will call “eastern,” is associated with a cyclical perception of time. In Buddhism, the universe has no beginning or end in time; in Hinduism, it goes through cycles of creation, existence and destruction, followed by creation again. Living beings are born, live and die, and are born again. In such a picture of the world, the desired source is located outside this looped time, this “bad infinity.” Eastern spiritual practices are aimed at stopping this endless carousel and getting off it. Unfortunately, I can’t give many examples of such a worldview in Western culture, but at one time I was struck by the album Sempiternal British group Bring Me the Horizon is precisely because it is permeated with a sense of cyclical time and “bad infinity” (by the way, the word sempiternal means “eternal”, “having no beginning or end”). In particular, the song Empire from this album contains the following lines:

We live while we learn
And then we forget
We"ll never find our way back home

Here we see both the theme of returning home in an absolutely negative formulation (“We will never find our way home”), and the theme of endless rebirth (“We live and learn something, and then we forget,” which can be interpreted as the oblivion brought by death , due to which we do not remember our past lives).

Returning to the song Bi-2 and Oxxxymiron, you can guess in it just such an “eastern” view. For example, the line “The winding path has become tightened in a loop” hints at the cyclical nature of time. And the phrase “While connections are broken with the point I” is a reference to the Hindu concept of Atman, the true “I” of every living being, that very source, located outside of time and space, the connection with which most people seem to have been severed (“as if”, because in fact it is always present, but we we don’t feel it in the flow of everyday thoughts and feelings). But the “Western” feeling of nostalgia and longing for a lost home, to which it is impossible to return, is, of course, also present in the song.

Comment

It is this area that is considered a deposit all over the world Celtic culture, home of King Arthur, pirates and smugglers, magical fairies and elves. She inspired the creation of world masterpieces by Arthur Conan Doyle, Virginia Woolf, Alfred Hitchcock and Daphne Du Maurier. Many myths and legends are associated with it, including the Holy Grail.

This is the land of artists and saints (many names have the prefix “St” - saint). It is called the most mystical county in Great Britain. At the same time, it is agricultural, due to the fact that it is the sunniest, completely uncharacteristic of Foggy Albion, and truly economically backward region of the country.

Meet: county Cornwall). Today we are traveling around the South West of England.

How to get to the peninsula

Getting to the coast of the peninsula is quite easy, and it is better by train. The Night Riviera and the improved high-speed train run from London Paddington Station. They differ in comfort and, logically, in price. If you have to pay £40 for the Riviera, then only £20 for the train, but it will no longer be a compartment with a luggage room and a sink, but an ordinary seat, perhaps with a TV. Four and a half hours and amazing views outside the window!

Fishing town of Penzas

The train arrives at Penzance, a small fishing town. Back in the 30s of the last century, it was considered a resort for the rich. The only reminder of those times is the outdoor Jubilee Pool, where you can only swim in good weather in August, when the British summer begins. There is no beach as such in Penzance, but the embankment that stretches from the center to the outskirts is quite sufficient.

Among the attractions, it is worth paying attention to the monument to the scientist Davy, the Egyptian House, the church and the local park. There are almost no famous chain restaurants here, only Costa cafes. Everyone eats mainly in private cafes, where in addition to traditional “Fish & Chips” it is worth trying Cornish soup and biscuits. The city has many shops with vintage items, old books and handmade accessories.

The county capital is Truro

If you are interested in shopping, you are welcome to Truro - administrative center Cornwall. By the way, you can get to any city in the county by regular bus, having previously purchased a travel ticket for Cornwall and Devon from the driver. As for Truro, its population of twenty thousand does not prevent it from having the status of a “city”.

Among the attractions worth visiting gothic cathedral 1880 and Royal Museum Cornwall. There will be no problems with food; Truro has everything from Starbucks to ready meals in the Marks and Spencer hypermarket.

"The Sock of Britain" - Land's End

Cornwall's next Curiosity - Land's End, the most extreme western point England and Wales. This is reminiscent of a pillar on which the distances to various cities of the world are indicated. Tourists love to take pictures at this place, but not for free - you will have to pay £7 out of pocket for a photo. After Stonehenge and London itself, this is the most visited place in England.

There is a museum in the village where they broadcast videos of travel, exhibit photographs of travelers and some of the history of the settlement. They came up with such entertainment in Land's End as King Arthur's quest and watching 4D films.

What's really worth it is the scenery. Truly English, the likes could only be seen in the films “Atonement” and “PS I Love You”.

In this area, the sense of time is completely lost: the splashes and sound of the surf, peace, sometimes screaming seagulls, fields of blooming daffodils...

There is also an airport near the village. From where do they fly to the islands? Scilly Isles, which are especially popular among divers due to the large number of ships that sank in the bay.

St Ives - a paradise for surfers and artists

Another unusual city Cornwall is St Ives, a paradise for surfers and artists. It is best known for its wide sandy beaches and the Tate Gallery of Modern Art.

If we compare all the settlements in Cornwall, then this the best place for relax. The city is popular with tourists due to the abundance of hotels, restaurants and shops.

Young people also come to St Ives to paint and surf, while other towns are mostly visited by older people and their dogs. The city has direct rail links to London, which is especially convenient for traveling to the neighboring county of Devon.

Mystical St. Michaels Mount

Finally, a little mysticism in the form St Michael's Mount (St Michael's Mount). This is a real medieval park with a castle, which can be reached along a path or by boat. The path to the island sometimes floods, which workers always notify tourists about. However, there is always a boat that will take you to the shore for a fee.

There is also a similar “mountain” in Montenegro called Sveti Stefan, which is better known as a popular resort among celebrities such as Sophia Loren and Sylvester Stallone.

But this is not all there is to see in Cornwall. Hundreds of monuments, including monuments of Druid culture, prehistoric blocks of stone menhirs, remains of the Roman period, ruins of castles, as well as magnificent buildings from the reign of the Tudors - testify to rich history Cornwall.

On the way to London, you immediately notice how different the views of Cornish Plymouth and Bournemouth, already close to the capital, differ. British Riviera may be perceived ambiguously, it is not the same as French or Italian, but it has its own zest, which lies far not in luxury, but in aristocratic simplicity.

Dear reader, if you have not found the information you are interested in on our website or on the Internet, write to us at and we will definitely write useful information just for you

To our team and:

1. get access to discounts on car rentals and hotels;

2. share your travel experience, and we will pay you for it;

3. create your blog or travel agency on our website;

4. get free education to develop your own business;

5. get the opportunity to travel for free.

You can read about how our site works in the article

One of the brightest picturesque places in England is the county of Cornwall, which is sometimes called the “Cornwall Peninsula”. Here is the westernmost point of Great Britain - Cape Land's End (translated as "End of the Land") and the southernmost point - Cape Lizard. A special feature of the county is that there is not a single city in Cornwall, and the capital is the village of Truro.

located in the southwestern part of England, washed by the English Channel on one side and the waters Atlantic Ocean on the other hand, this is what makes its coast so attractive for numerous tourists and those who want to live in a warmer climate.

The eldest son of the monarch always bears the title Duke of Cornwall.

Legends are still made about the beauty of the county, its secrets and attractions. One of them is associated with King Arthur, whose legends take place in Cornwall. Although this is only one version, the people of Wales think differently.

Economically, this is a rather backward region and is considered by the British to be a real backwater. Therefore, they provide him with grants from the European Union, which is why they try to attract young artists, designers and other representatives of creative professions here.

But mostly retirees move here who dream of changing the climate to a warmer and more livable one. There are mild, windy winters and sunny, cool summers.

History of Cornwall

The history of this county in England dates back to the settlement of Britain after the Ice Age. Before the Romans invaded the territory, Celtic tribes lived on the Cornish peninsula, whose language eventually transformed into Cornish.

When the Romans began to conquer England, they soon reached Cornwall, but due to the low economic development and geographical remoteness, they paid the least attention to this area. The economy here in the past was based on tin mining.

As a result, it turned out that Cornwall has very few traces of the Roman presence in England: several fortresses, a small part of the roads and the villa of Magor Farm were built.

After the Romans, power in the county of Cornwall passed to Celtic and British rulers. The Kingdom of Dumnonia was formed. During the early Middle Ages, this kingdom came into conflict with Anglo-Saxon Wessex.

At first (in 722) the inhabitants were able to defeat the enemy. And in 814, the ruler Egbert of Wessex raided the peninsula and devastated it. Later (in 838), the inhabitants of the future county of Cornwall, along with their Danish allies, were completely defeated by the Anglo-Saxons.

In 1120, the border between the two peoples - the Cornish and the English - was marked in the area of the Tamar River, although before that the peoples lived on equal terms.

Wessex, later annexed by the Danish Empire, left independence to Scotland, Wales, Ireland and this southwestern part of England in exchange for an annual payment of tribute. Subsequently, these territories were not included in the possessions of the next Viking king.

By the beginning of the reign of Edward the Confessor, Cornwall had become a full part of England. In the book Last Judgment”, made by William the Conqueror, there were no longer any Britons left among the large landowners. Under the reign of Edward I, Cornwall was exempt from taxes, but in 1497, during the war with Scotland under Henry VII, taxes rose sharply, leading to the Cornish Rebellion.

They considered themselves a special part of England, where they did not even speak English, and therefore did not approve of war at their own expense. This uprising was suppressed, but already in 1549 the inhabitants of Cornwall rebelled again, and the cause was language barriers and the Reformation, but this rebellion was suppressed. During this time, many local residents were killed, which caused a decline in the use of the Cornish language, which completely disappeared in the 19th century.

In the 20th century, attempts were made and are still being made to revive the Cornish language, but so far these attempts to awaken Cornish self-awareness among indigenous residents and visitors have been fruitless.

Cornwall attractions

Cornwall offers a variety of holiday activities. Cycling, diving, horse riding, hang gliding, surfing, yachting and other types of entertainment are developed here.

Wildlife lovers, fishing enthusiasts and artists will find something to their liking here, for whom there are many beautiful views. Cornwall is considered the most beautiful garden in Britain, and all thanks to the local temperate maritime climate that is characteristic of the islands.

Since the 19th century, botanists have appreciated the potential of this land and began to plant exotic plants that are not found throughout England. Also in Cornwall great amount beaches, among which there are highly rated holiday destinations.

There are two higher education institutions in Cornwall – Camborne Institute of Mining and Falmouth College of Art, as well as 12 colleges and 31 high schools.

Cornwall is not so rich in attractions, although the bulk of its income depends on the tourism sector. Still, the county attracts people not with its sights, but with the beauty of nature and the mildness of the climate. However, there is also something to see here.

The Garden of Eden or the Eden project in Cornwall is considered interesting for tourists, where the botanical garden features not only greenhouses, but also various exhibitions showing the role of plants in people's lives. Most of the plants presented here are endangered and were grown specifically in research centers in other countries.

The garden also features unusual sculptural compositions from old electrical appliances, algae, branches and roots, from soil and grass.

Not far from the "end of the earth" (Cape Land's End) is unusual theater under open air– Minak Theater. It was founded at the expense of one local resident, who provided her plot overlooking the sea and built beautiful terraces and an amphitheater.

Nowadays various famous troupes and artists from different countries. Performances here take place from June to September, and the rest of the time the theater is open to tourists.

One of the most photographed castles in Cornwall is Tintagel Castle.. It was here, according to legend, that King Arthur was born. A little lower, near the beach, there is a cave where Arthur’s mentor and assistant, the wizard Merlin, supposedly lived.

Another interesting historical place is Mount St. Michael. It is a separate island, which is located 350 meters from the coast. According to ancient legends, the Archangel Michael appeared to local fishermen, after which an abbey was built on this site. You can get there on foot at low tide and by boat at high tide. There is a park with exotic plants around the abbey.

Also on the territory of the county is the legendary thanks British writer Daphne du Maurier's tavern called "Jamaica". Now anyone can visit the famous smuggler's tavern, drink Cornish ale and spend the night here. Many visitors say that it is haunted, which is of interest not only to tourists, but also to various television shows.

The Museum of Witchcraft is located in Boscastle. where you can easily find out about various types fortune telling, magical rituals and love potion recipes.

Museum exhibits include magic books with spells, crystal balls, potions, amulets, talismans, mirrors for communicating with spirits and much, much more from the world of magic. There is a library of several thousand interesting books, where you can pre-register.

In Cornwall there is also Tate Museum of Modern Art", and those left over from the Celts megalithic structures, and small fortresses that used to guard the harbors, and the real “Edge of the Earth”, where you can see with your own eyes the vast expanses of the sea.

In order to feel the spirit of a slightly different England, a kind of fairy-tale kingdom of Arthur, you need to come here and give free rein to your imagination.

Cornwall is a peninsula in the southwest of England, where there is a historical region with a special historical destiny, population and attractions. The indigenous people of Cornwall are descended from the Celts and in some places they are trying to revive the Cornish language, which died out in the 18th century.

Cornwall is fighting with Wales for the right to be the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, whose legends are the most famous heritage Celts. The historical Arthur was probably the leader of the Britons (a Celtic tribe) when the Romans had already left and the Anglo-Saxons had not yet arrived. He was only one of many “kings,” but he was remarkable because he was a Christian in a pagan environment. The Arthurian cycle is multifaceted and closely connected with legends about giants, wizards, the search for the Holy Grail, etc. The center of Cornwall is the port of Plymouth.

Neighborhoods of Cornwall

Polperro is the first historic fishing village to come to the attention of tourists on the Cornish coast. During the high season it is overcrowded and can only be explored in a horse-drawn carriage or on foot. There are only 3,000 indigenous people, but in the summer the population increases at least tenfold.

Fowey is not as crowded with visitors, despite being one of the most popular sailing centers in the southwest of England.

Mevagissey is a fishing village with 5,000 inhabitants. During the season, almost all houses are rented.

St. Mawes is a village of 3,000 inhabitants at the tip of the Roseland Peninsula. A local landmark is the round fortress from the time of Henry VIII. It was built to protect Falmouth Harbour. You can get to Falmouth by ferry.

Penzance is the most southwestern port in England. The population of Penzance is 15 thousand inhabitants (1999). Historically, we know it as Penza, the setting of one of the best operettas by Gilbert and Sullivan, “The Pirate from Penza.” Once upon a time, pirates actually lived here, hunting for ships that had gone astray. The Gulf Stream comes so close here that in the spring flowers bloom here first in England, and palm trees and other exotic plants grow right in the front gardens. The pirates used the technique of “false beacons” to lure ships onto the rocks. Those lighthouses burned without a trace, but in the Lighthouse Museum you can learn the history of real lighthouses in England. The buildings in Penzance are mainly Victorian, with the Egyptian House on Chapel Street, built in 1835, standing out for its originality. Its façade is decorated with carvings, columns in the form of tufts of papyrus, sacred apis snakes and caryatids.

Not far from Penzance, a few hundred meters from the coast, is Mount St. Michael, associated with its famous French namesake, Saint Michel. During low tide it can be reached along the bottom. Ferries operate in summer. On the mountain in 495, a monastery was founded by Celtic monks in memory of the appearance of St. Michael. It was people from here who founded Saint-Michel in Brittany. Henry VIII turned the monastery into a fortress, and it was later bought by the nobles of St. Aubyn, who turned it into a luxurious estate. Since 1954 it has been purchased by the National Trust and is open to the public.

Land's End - extreme point in the southwest of Great Britain. Popular tourist centre. The coast is very picturesque, the cliffs rise to a height of 50 m, and in the sea there are cliffs, the most interesting of which are proper names. The area is designed exclusively for tourists and is lined with restaurants, souvenir shops and cab stands. A little south of Land Ends, in the town of Porthcurno, the Minack Theater was built right on the steep seashore. There are only four performances per season.

St. Ives with 11 thousand inhabitants is one of the centers of tourism. It is forbidden to drive a car here, which provides income for cab drivers. The town is known as a haven for many artists, of whom William Turner (1775-1851) is the most famous. His romantic seascapes glorified these places. It is not surprising that it was here that the Tate Gallery opened its branch (the third after London and Liverpool). Next to the Tate is a sculpture garden and the studio of Barbara Hepworth, who died in 1975.

Newquay is the largest resort in Cornwall with 10 thousand inhabitants (1999). It's beautiful here sandy beaches, and high waves are a real haven for surfers.

Tintagel is a village of 4,000 inhabitants on the Cornish cliffs, one of the sites associated with Arthurian legends. It was here that the fortress allegedly stood where Arthur was born and raised (Celtic name Tintagil). However, the remains of the fortress are seven centuries older than the legendary king. There was a Celtic monastery here when Arthur lived. Tourists are also shown another monument, the Old Post Office from the Victorian era.

Clovelly is a fishing village that now attracts more tourists than fish. Just 1,000 locals welcome ten times as many visitors. Along the 800 m descent to the sea there are cozy cottages surrounded by greenery. You can rent a boat at the piers and, of course, visitors are invited to the local pub.

April 10th, 2014

Saint Michaels Mount(English) St Michael's Mount - Mount St Michael listen)) is an island and impregnable monastic town in Cornwall (England). The local Cornish name for the island is Karrek Loos yn Koos, which translates as “Grey Rock in the Forest”. Perhaps this is an echo of the times when Mount Bay was not yet flooded. The Cornish legend of Lyonesse, an ancient kingdom supposedly stretching from Penwith to the Scilly Archipelago, also tells of lands being swallowed up by the sea.

West England is the most popular holiday destination for Britons, attracting many foreign tourists with its warm climate, beauty of landscapes and atmosphere of legends.

To the south of Bristol Bay and Wales is the Cornish peninsula, which contains Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. At first glance these are ordinary agricultural counties, but for every Briton this is the land of legends about King Arthur and the Holy Grail, Jack the Giant Slayer, a land of Druid myths, stories of pirates, smugglers and shipwrecks.

Local residents are proud of their Celtic roots and consider themselves a special people. This is because the West of England is geographically separate from British culture. The peninsula was inhabited by Celts who came from Brittany and Ireland. Today their descendants, the people of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, combine rugged strength and calm. Cornish was a separate Gaelic language, as were Welsh, Irish and Breton. True, back in 1890 the last native speaker of the Cornish language died.

The influence of the Gulf Stream makes the weather on the peninsula very mild. Spring begins early, autumn lasts long. It is estimated that the sun shines here 1500 hours a year. The sunniest months are May, June and July, when the sun shines for 7 hours a day. Sea water temperatures fluctuate between 9 and 10°C in winter and 16-18°C in summer. Not very warm for swimmers, but you can take a dip. Most vacationers are attracted bright sun And great view coast of Cornwall.

Photo 3.

Cornwall is practically an island, separated from the rest of England by the River Taymar. It covers an area of 3,550 sq. km, its population is 500 thousand people, only 10% of whom are considered true Cornish, the rest are settlers who came here in search of a good climate and a leisurely lifestyle. Around 550 BC e. Celts inhabited this area. The Romans who came to this land did not change it much, and for the next 900 years after their departure, Cornwall remained under the influence of the Celts. In 450 AD e. The Anglo-Saxons overran England, the Celts were pushed to the extreme parts of Britain. Cornwall was last part England, who resisted the Saxons in 838

In 1066, William the Conqueror made this land his possession, and in 1337, King Edward III proclaimed his son Edward, nicknamed the “Black Prince,” Duke of Cornwall. Cornwall became the first duchy in England and for a long time belonged to the crown. When, in 1760, the monarchy gave the nation the right to govern its estates in exchange for revenue, Cornwall remained in the possession of the crown. Politically, this was expressed in the fact that until 1832 Cornwall was represented in parliament by 44 people, the same number as the whole of Scotland. Today Cornwall is represented by only five members in the House of Representatives.

Photo 4.

William Daniell, St Michaels Mount,

The title of Duke of Cornwall is inherited by the eldest sons English monarchs. Today Prince Charles bears this title. He received it at the age of four when his mother took the throne, but he was not created Duke until 1973 at Launcestone Palace. During the ceremony, he received the feudal trappings of power: a pair of white gloves, a pair of greyhounds, a pound of pepper and cumin, a crossbow, one hundred specially minted shillings, wood for lighting a fire, and a harpoon for catching salmon. The flag of Cornwall depicts Saint Pyran, the patron saint of coal miners, representing the victory of good over evil.

Photo 5.

A journey around the peninsula can be started from Bristol, an old British port, much of which has been converted into a museum. From here, in 1497, John Cabot set off on a journey to Newfoundland. There are interesting corners here - the Llandoger Trow pub, which is said to be the prototype of John Silver's favorite tavern from Treasure Island. Worth seeing in Bristol Royal Theater, Arnolfini Gallery, a meeting place for people of art.

The starting point for a trip to Cornwall can be Bath, a small town famous for its mineral springs, as well as the buildings of famous architects of the 18th century. J. Woods Sr. and Jr. The first patient of the healing springs of this city was Blaedal, the father of King Lear, whom the local waters cured of scrofula. It is worth visiting Pulteney Bridge, lined with houses like the old London Bridge, the Royal Theater of the 18th century, Queen's Square, Royal Gallery in the shape of a crescent, the Cross Bath, the Roman Baths, the Alluvial Hall, where the hot springs flow.

Photo 6.

After Joseph Mallord William Turner, St Michael's Mount, Cornwall 1814

To the north-west of Wells in Somerset, at the base of the Cornwall peninsula, you can explore an interesting natural formation - the Cheddar Gorge. It was formed by a river that today flows underground. In the village next to which the gorge is located, you can see entrances to underground cavities. South of Cheddar is another gorge, the Ebbor, formed 270 million years ago. The nature around the gorge is elms, oaks, ash trees, mosses, ferns, reminiscent of a fairy-tale, “enchanted place.”

Nearby there are caves inhabited in the Stone Age 3 thousand years BC. e. The town of Wells is 20 km from the caves. It is famous for its Gothic cathedral, which was built over five centuries starting in 1185. It contains an amazing 14th-century clock: every fifteen minutes, four knights on horseback ride out of the clock to fight, at the end of the battle one of them dismounts before the group returns. Through the square in front of the cathedral you can enter the street, which is considered the only completely preserved medieval street in England. Appearance The houses have changed little, and the atmosphere of ancient England has been preserved. One of the oldest residential buildings in England is the Bishop's Palace. Its walls were erected in the 13th century, and a moat was dug around the building in which swans swim.

Photo 7.

Between Somerset and Devon, namely on the border of these counties, is located Exmoor national park, the area of which reaches 690 sq. km. The descendants of prehistoric horses live here: Exmoor ponies, deer, sheep, and red cows. Heather-covered ridges give way to forested ravines. Many Britons love walking along the Exmoor coastline. The coastal path follows the cliffs, offering beautiful views of Bristol Bay and the ocean. On the way you can see Dunster Castle, which was a fortified place back in the days of the Anglo-Saxons. The village surrounding the castle has retained its medieval appearance thanks to the Lattreli family, who owned it for 600 years until 1950.

Photo 8.

St Michael's Mount, Cornwall, engraved by J. Stephenson

Legends say that it was in Cornwall, at Tintagel Castle, that King Arthur lived. It is believed that Arthur was born or washed ashore at Tintagel, where he built a powerful castle. According to legend, the famous wizard Merlin lived in a cave under the castle. The ruins at Tintagel are the remains of a 6th-century monastery and a 12th-century fortification. Most of structures were washed into the sea.

Photo 9.

30km away is the only sheltered harbor in North Cornwall, Padstow. This port has been of great strategic importance for a millennium. This is a small seaside quiet city, coming to life in spring and summer. Many British families come here on holiday. On the first of May, the Pony Festival takes place here, during which the city is immersed in the atmosphere of a medieval carnival. Further south is the famous surfing town of Newquay. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. it was a sardine fishing port. Today it is famous for its only zoo in all of Cornwall. The unofficial capital of Cornwall is Truro. In the 17th century, the city was a center of tin smelting and the center of public life.

Cornwall Cathedral is located here. The first stone for the construction of the cathedral was laid in 1880 by Edward VII, who at that time bore the title of Prince of Wales. The westernmost part of the peninsula is called the “toe of Britain”. This is Penwith, a windswept promontory in the blue sea and shrouded in thick Atlantic fog. The most western point of Great Britain, Land's End (or the end of the country), a nice place, constantly fighting back against Atlantic storms. This area is rich in ancient monuments - huge prehistoric stones built in the Bronze Age. They are known as “menhirs” and were religious buildings. There are 90 of them in LandEnd alone.

Photo 10.

The Isles of Scilly are 45 km from Land's End. Historians have established that Phoenician merchants landed on these islands even before the birth of Christ in search of tin, copper and other valuable metals. In the Middle Ages, pirates and smugglers hid there. Today these five islands are inhabited and, with the exception of Tresco, they are part of the Duchy of Cornwall. From the mainland they can be reached by helicopter or ferry. On the southern shore of the “toe of Britain” there is a small settlement called Mousehole. It consists of several residential houses and pubs. You can sit in a beer hall and then take a walk to the Merlin and Battery rocks. The nearby village of Newlyn, one of Cornwall's few fishing villages, offers crab, lobster, salmon and mackerel fishing. From here these delicacies are sent straight to London Market.

Photo 11.

At the “tip” of the peninsula you can explore the town of Penzance, which for a long time was the main city of West Cornwall. During the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, tin was exported from here, and emigrants set off on a long journey to the New World from here. Nearby in Mounts Bay is Mount St Michaels with a large medieval castle and abbey. During low tide it can be reached by sandbank, at other times by ferry. According to legend, the abbey was founded in the 5th century after a fisherman saw St. Michael on a cliff. The monastery acquired clearer outlines in the 8th century. It is interesting that at the same time in France, off the coast of Brittany, also on a mountain overlooking the sea, the monastery of the same name Saint-Michel was founded.

From big cities In addition to Bristol, Cornwall tourists like to come to Plymouth, on the border of Devon and Cornwall. This city is a kind of monument to the great geographical discoveries and travelers. This is the city of Drake, Raleigh, the Pilgrim Fathers who founded the first colonies in America. Today Plymouth is a thriving port, an industrial center with a rich cultural life, capital of West England. In 1577 Drake sailed from the port of Plymouth to trip around the world, upon his return he was elected mayor by the city residents. Drake was not just an explorer, he became famous as the commander of the fleet during the defeat of the Spanish "invincible armada" in 1588. Of the old buildings in the city, the majestic royal citadel of the 17th century, erected by Charles II for defense against the Republicans, has been preserved. The Barbican quarter remained completely medieval. Of course, as in any port city, life in Plymouth is in full swing at fish markets, piers, and taverns.

Photo 12.

Another famous port in Western England is Dartmouth. It became famous in the 12th century, as the crusaders set off from England on their second and third campaigns from here. From here, during the Second World War, Allied troops were sent to the mainland for the Normandy landings. The opposite in spirit to the port cities of Exeter, the second center of the Cornish peninsula after Plymouth. It is a university city like Oxford and Cambridge, with a Gothic cathedral considered the most beautiful building in the entire duchy. It is famous for its treasures, which include the Exeter Book of Old English Poems, compiled between 950 and 1000. In addition to the cathedral, you can visit Maritime Museum, located on the banks of the Exe River, in which more than 100 ships, not only British ones, are collected. Among the exhibits are Arabian dhows, pirogues from Polynesia, and reed rafts from Peru.

Cornwall is famous for its cuisine. Local restaurants serve fresh fish and seafood - crabs, lobsters, flounder, salt, mackerel, sea bass, mussels, scallops. A local delicacy is considered a special condensed milk that cannot be found in any other corner of England. Very tasty food smoked fish and meat according to the recipes of local chefs. Lobster is expensive even here, but still worth trying.

Photo 13.

Cornwall offers various types recreation. Wildlife lovers, avid salmon and trout fishermen, and artists come here to depict the beauty of the waters. Cornwall is considered the most beautiful garden in Britain. This is due to the local temperate maritime climate characteristic of the islands. Back in the 19th century, botanists appreciated the potential of the local nature and began to plant exotic plants in gardens that you would not find in the rest of the country. Many people travel to Cornwall for a long holiday. bike ride along the coast. This is facilitated by specially designed bicycle paths. There are many beaches in Cornwall. If non-amateurs come here warm water, then those who like the landscape and atmosphere of a northern resort. There are 39 beaches in North Cornwall, from Newquay to Marsland Mouth; in the west, from Newquay to Land's End - 33; in the southern part of the peninsula from Lands End to Truro - 46, in the east, from Truro to Cremill - 48. Torbay is called the English Riviera, combining the cities of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

Once the towns were just fishing villages, today they receive tourists. You can stay on a farm in a cottage, in special tourist parks, in a small hotel near an ancient castle, in a hotel near the beach.

Mild climate, long beaches, palm trees - why not the Riviera?

Photo 14.

It is famous for the fact that the monastery completely occupies a small, completely inaccessible island, which can only be reached at low tide, walking along a specially laid path along the bottom of the bay, paved with stone.

The monastery was founded on the island by Benedictine monks in the 12th century.

The island is a rock of shale and granite protruding from the sea 366 meters from the coast in Mount Bay, off the Cornish coast of England, 5 kilometers east of the city of Penzance.

Photo 15.