My travels in Cornwall, Cornwall’s special flora, Part 3
Not only does Cornwall have fabulous beaches but it also has some of the country's finest cliff walks. Not only are the views stunning - on a sunny still day you could be forgiven for thinking that you were walking in the Mediterranean - but the flora and fauna is simply magical to look at.
As a child we stayed in many coastal villages as my parents preferred to holiday in the UK than to go abroad. From these villages we used to explore the cliffs and the unusual destinations that they took you t - not to mention the glorious beaches that were mostly uninhabited by other humans as people simply had no idea that if only they had bothered to walk anther mile they would have come across these perfect idylls of tranquillity. Of course it wasn't just the beaches that were wonderful - then as now - cliff tops are alive with their own special flora. Monpressias - beautiful flame coloured flowers that originated in gardens seem to thrive or cliffs. Probably due to the high amounts of both sunshine and rain that they receive. Thrift or Sea Pink as it is more commonly known is found in large numbers on the rockier of cliff tops. Hardy and not too tall it can withstand most coastal storms as it clings tenaciously to the rocks that anchor it. Sea Campion is another common and perennial favourite. When it blooms its beautiful and delicate creamy petals are a delight for hungry bees.
Of all the Cornish Coastal villages that we stayed in as a child the cliffs near Looe were probably the most bursting with cliff top fauna. Of course this may just as easily have been to do with the particularly fine weather that that part of Cornwall had received that year. Nevertheless - if you fancy yourself as a bit of a flower buff - Cornish cliff tops are a good place to indulge this whim.
This Visitor Attractions Cornwall article was created on 28th July 2010
