St. Mawes

Rock, on the Camel Estuary on Cornwall's north coast, is the sailing village that gets all the attention from the media, perhaps partly thanks the well-connected youngsters who holiday and party there in summer. St. Mawes has always been a great deal more discreet but has always been a home for serious wealth. It is a bright and colourful sailing village with white-washed cottages under slate roofs - and a little thatch - with flowers everywhere enhancing its charms. Above the village one of Henry VIII's coastal castles looks across Carrick Roads to its twin atop Pendennis Point high above Falmouth. On Upper Castle Road, above St. Mawes Castle a sign points to Lamorran House Garden, a delight open two days in week in summer. Hotels abound; of these, Tresanton is undoubtedly the best, the Idle Rocks next best, while the Rising Sun is an attractive inn. Pub afficianados will enjoy the Victory Inn. Walkers who enjoy a garden should park by the castle and follow the water north to find the tiny village of St. Just with its delightful churchyard garden. Ferries run from St. Mawes, one crosses Carrick Roads to Falmouth, the other crosses the Percuil River to Place on the St. Anthony peninsula.

A shortish round walk from St. Mawes includes St. Just-in-Roseland.

By A3078 from A390, 6 miles east of Truro

Thatched cottages on Marine Parade

St.