THE "KNOWLEDGE"

This section provides an overview of what to do, and where to go, when you are at Sheviock Barton. You will find lots more information in our Guests Sitting room to help ensure you enjoy your stay.

If you don't have the time to read through all of the following, simply click on one of the underlined headings below to go directly to your particular interest. At any point, click on your back button to return to the top of the page. Clicking on a highlighted web address will, of course, take you straight to that site.

INTRODUCTION

FACILITIES

EATING & DRINKING

FURTHER AFIELD

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

INTRODUCTION

The house and village are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty set on the Rame Peninsula, known as "Cornwall 's Forgotten Corner". The peninsula has many beaches to enjoy (the nearest less than 1 mile away and recommended by a 2005 "Which" report as the best on the south coast!) spectacular coastal scenery and unspoilt fishing villages to see country houses to visit and a wide variety of places in which to eat and drink (the local pub/restaurant is half a mile away in Crafthole). Yet Plymouth with its city attractions and many historic connections is only 7 miles via the Torpoint car ferry. The popular resorts of Looe and Polperro are about 20 minutes away and the world famous Eden Project only 35 minutes.

Other attractions nearby... super walks, fishing (sea, lake and river)

Sailing/boat hire golf (spectacular 18 hole course, half a mile) tennis horse riding indoor swimming and much more.

WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO ON AND AROUND THE RAME PENINSULA

Set within South East Cornwall the Rame peninsula www.rame.org.uk/ stretches from St Germans to Torpoint to Rame Head to Downderry/Seaton. It is called "Cornwall 's Forgotten Corner" and there is a fascinating book of the same name describing it. More precisely it is undiscovered rather than forgotten. Most visitors to Cornwall go over the Tamar Bridge and drive straight past on the A38 or go via Looe.

Torpoint

Torpoint is the main town, not overly aesthetic but OK for functional needs like grocery shopping, banks, and for entering and leaving Cornwall. Beyond Torpoint, the rest of the peninsula is a very special place.

History and Heritage

The peninsula is steeped in history too great to detail here, but perfect for amateur and serious history buffs alike. It is still dominated by the three great estates of the Carew-Poles, Edgcumbes, and Eliots, based at Antony House, Mount Edgcumbe , and St Germans respectively. The latter is still completely private, but the house and gardens of the other two are open to the public and well worth a visit.

Antony House | Mount Edgcumbe

There are several fine churches, in particular at Rame (no electricity, just candle-power), St Germans (the cathedral of Cornwall in the 11th century), and Sheviock itself.

The area also has more military forts, mainly built in the 19th century, than probably anywhere else in the country. As well as all this, we can offer you a 14th century chapel at Rame Head and a wealth of smuggling history.

Beaches

The nearest beaches to Sheviock Barton are the two at Portwrinkle. The first beach, called Chalet Beach, is directly below the Whitsand Bay Hotel. Parking fees are payable on the front but if you park on the road beyond the hotel in Whitsand Bay View, there's no charge. The second beach is Harbour Beach beside the tiny, but still working, harbour.

All around the peninsula, from Kingsand to Portwrinkle and beyond, there are some of the finest beaches in Cornwall. The cliff road along Whitsand Bay from Tregantle Fort to Rame Head is spectacular in its own right but there are beautiful sandy beaches all the way along. They need a certain amount of energy to get down to but, as such, remain unspoiled. One of the best sandy beaches is immediately beneath Tregantle Fort. Don't be alarmed by the firing range as you go by they give you plenty of warning when in use, so watch out for the red flag. The next beach at Sharrow Cliff, is excellent and has steps down to it.

With a mixture of sand, shingle and rock pools, the beaches at Kingsand and Cawsand are ideal for families, rarely crowded yet close to all facilities.

The beach at Downderry is conveniently placed beneath the pub.

Seaton is the nearest beach you can walk straight onto from the car and therefore can get busier.

Water Sports - Sailing, Diving, Surfing, Swimming, Relaxing...

Whitsand Bay, with its 4-mile stretch of golden sand, is a favourite with surfers all year round. The planned sinking of HMS Scylla in 2004, with accompanying spectacular explosions, received worldwide TV coverage. The completely submerged wreck, half a mile out to sea from The View restaurant, is now a major attraction for divers. Learn more about HMS Scylla HERE

For local diving information try the link above and Whitsand Bay Divers (0845-2002313), based at Seaton.

Fishing

Within 10 minutes drive from Sheviock Barton, there is Coarse and Fly Fishing at Bake Lakes , Trerulefoot, 01503-240304. And also coarse fishing at Tregonhawke Farm, Millbrook, Torpoint, PL10 1JH . Contact Mark Blake on 01752-822423.

Sea and estuary fishing is possible from the shore, cliffs (try Sharrow Cliff) and headlands, and from the River Lynher estuary, try Wacker Quay at Antony.

For more details on fishing in south east Cornwall , Look Here:

Horse Riding

Nearest to Sheviock Barton (5 miles) are the Penewin Riding Stables. You'll find them at Trerulefoot, Saltash , PL12 5DA , just off the A38. Contact Helen Moore at 01752-851365, mobile 07989-456725.

Also, TM International Riding School of Horsemanship at Sunrising the Riding Centre, Henwood, Liskeard , PL14 5BP , tel/fax: 01579-362895.

Golf

Within 20 minutes drive there are 4 excellent golf courses.

On the peninsula itself, less than 1 mile from Sheviock Barton, we have Whitsand Bay Golf Club (Tel: 01503-230778) with its 18-hole course on the cliff top, spectacularly overlooking the sea.

Also, Looe Golf Club (01503-240239).

The internationally renowned St Mellion Club (01579-351351) with its Jack Nicklaus course.

And, the China Fleet Club, Saltash, (01752-848668)

Walking

From Sheviock Barton itself, there are two particularly good walks. Cross the main road into Georges Lane and follow this out of the village, it will eventually take you (through the undergrowth) to the estuary of the River Lynher the route passes the remains of an Iron Age Fort on the right (walk across the fields), which overlooks the estuary.

The second walk takes you to Portwrinkle Harbour, about 25 minutes. Turn left from the house and left into Horsepool Road . Follow the lane, straight across the road on the hill up to Crafthole. When you reach the Coast Road , go right then left down Donkey Lane to the Harbour. You can come back via Crafthole (sustenance at Whitsand Bay Hotel or the Finnygook Inn) to make it a circular trip, which takes an hour in total.

As well as country lanes, woods, and country parks and gardens, the Cornwall Coastal Path stretches all round the peninsula with spectacular views particularly in the one-hour walk from Mount Edgcumbe to Kingsand and then a further hour's walk to reach Rame Head. You can also simply enjoy exploring the ancient and narrow streets of Kingsand and Cawsand. There is a bus service, of sorts, which links the villages, to help you get back from a long walk more quickly. Check the timetables.

Other Attractions/Distractions Nearby

Indoor swimming at Liskeard and Saltash municipal leisure centres, both of which are very well run. The Garden Leisure Centre (01752-816800) in Torpoint opened in 2003 and offers a full range of indoor leisure and fitness activities as well as a swimming pool we have an arrangement with them (and a form for you to fill in) whereby if you take a snack or meal in their jolly nice bistro, you get to use the pool for free.

There are tennis courts in Torpoint (temporary membership available) and Millbrook (open to the public).

Disco goers will find The Harbour Lights club (known locally as The Harbour Fights if that helps give you an impression of its ambience) in Torpoint is the main nightspot between Sheviock and Plymouth.

FACILITIES

In Sheviock, apart from the church, post box and bus shelter, there's not a lot! So, swiftly moving on to Crafthole, half a mile away -

In Crafthole - Village Shop/Post Office

Open 8.00am till 5.00pm on weekdays ( 1.00pm Wednesdays). Sundays open 9.00am till noon . It's small but provides newspapers and essentials. The Cornish Times every Friday, is a ripping read, giving details of all the major happenings locally e.g. "greenhouse burns down", "cat goes missing"- it's a bit quiet round here. Daily, there's the Western Morning News, v good and the Plymouth Evening Herald, which reaches Crafthole about 2.30pm (the same day).

In Torpoint

Fine for the basics. The Somerfields supermarket on the main road going into Torpoint is thoroughly adequate for most functional shopping. There are also two late-night stores one at the junction of Antony and Trevol roads, the other in Trevithick Avenue, on the large housing development to the west of Torpoint. In the centre of Torpoint there is a Coop supermarket Barclays and Lloyds banks each with ATMs various butchers, bakers, greengrocers, chemists, Post Office, hairdressers, library, etc.

ATMs/Cash Dispensers

These are increasing in number very quickly and can now be found in many village shops/supermarkets, e.g. Millbrook, Kingsand, Downderry as well as in Torpoint and, very usefully, the Shell garage at Trerulefoot roundabout.

Garages/Fuel

There is a repair garage, if needed, at Polbathic and at Antony, but no fuel station.

24-hour fuel is available at Trerulefoot Roundabout, 5 miles west on the A374/A38 junction. From early till late at Torpoint, 6 miles east. And during the day in Millbrook.

Local Transport:

Buses

The road through Sheviock has a regular bus service linking Plymouth, Looe and Polperro. The bus stop opposite our entrance has the timetable and the double-decker coastal bus trip to Looe and Polperro can be fun.

Trains (08457-484950)

There is a very pretty railway station three miles away at St Germans which happens to be on the main line from Penzance to London, via Plymouth. Not all trains stop there. But enough do to make it an attractive way to go East or West and to pop into Plymouth without worrying about parking.

Taxis

The peninsula is well served by plenty of taxi services. See the Contact List for details.

Ferries:

Torpoint Ferry (01752-812233)

The three Torpoint car ferries run throughout the day and night. Leaving every 10 minutes during the day and evening from 6.30am to 9.30pm . Every half hour during the night, leaving Torpoint on the hour and half hour and on the quarters from Devonport. NB It is free to come into Cornwall (so you can leave your car and go up on deck for the 8 minute crossing), £1.00 per car to go back to England .

Queue in the lane with the green light.

Cremyll Ferry (01752-822105)

This is a passenger ferry that leaves from Mount Edgcumbe and takes you over to the Stonehouse area of Plymouth. It's a great little boat trip and links with the bus service which takes you into the centre of Plymouth.

Cawsand Ferry (07833 936863)

This is an excellent scenic trip leaving from Cawsand beach, which takes 30 minutes, and drops you right in the lively Barbican area of Plymouth . It tends to run in summer only so check if in doubt. Times are:

From Cawsand: 11.00, 12.30, 3.00, 4.30

From Plymouth : 10.30, 12.00, 2.30, 4.00

Fare £2.50 adult single (no return tickets)

EATING and DRINKING

Take Aways and Cafés

In Torpoint you will find:

Chinese. There are two take-aways at the bottom of Fore St. Wongs (01752-813748), which is good and also has a restaurant. Also, The Orient (01752-812999).

Indian. There are two Indian take-aways. The Fahad (01752-816611) in Fore St, which is good and also has a restaurant. Also, the Dawat (01752-816156) in Trevol Rd.

Fish and chip shops. One in Fore St. And the other, Top Shop, being on Clarence Road, take the second turning left before reaching Somerfields.

Also, in West St , Millbrook, is Posh Nosh (01752-823374) a take-away and café/restaurant.

Other cafes on the peninsula -

Cleave Tea Rooms, Kingsand. Run by Ann and Tony. Very nice place in a great spot beside the village clock tower and overlooking the sea. Open 10.30am till 4.30 pm every day from May to September plus other ad hoc times.

The Boat Store, Kingsand. Run by Mike and Francesca. Nice relaxing place with arty ambience also overlooking the sea. Opening hours to suit (them usually!). We love it.

Windy Ridge Transport Cafe, at Trerulefoot roundabout on the A38 (the gateway to the peninsula!). Functional, but jolly good nosh and very good for children. Open very early to late which can be handy.

Pubs and Restaurants on the Peninsula

It is difficult to either keep track of or generally recommend particular pubs it's a personal thing! All those below serve food, from pub grub to top of the range.

Unless you're into tattooed matelot types it's probably worth giving Torpoint a wide berth but The Carbeile Inn in Trevol Road is the best of the bunch.

Almost all pubs are "children-friendly", although they are usually required to stay away from the bar/serving area. Some pubs are open all day, i.e. until 11.00pm (10.30 on Sundays). NB evening food orders at most of the pubs are taken between 7.00pm and 9.00pm .

The following are just some we can suggest:

Finnygook Inn, Crafthole (01503-230338) http://www.finnygook.co.uk/

Certainly the nearest, a half mile up the hill behind Sheviock Barton. Pseudo smart, but thoroughly acceptable, just not very Cornish. With a wide-ranging menu.

Whitsand Bay Hotel (01503-230276), at Portwrinkle, is open to non-residents, and as well as lunches and dinners, serves snacks and cream teas throughout the day. The bar is open all day. New management have, successfully, been spending serious money to update it. http://www.whitsandbayhotel.co.uk/

Going east from Sheviock/Crafthole:

St John Inn, St John (01752-822280) http://www.stjohninn.co.uk/

A genuinely interesting and characterful, local, old (14th century) village pub, in an attractive village. Well-kept Cornish ales, Skinner's Betty Stogs beer is recommended. Good pub grub. Wednesday night, 9.15&rsquoish, is quiz night.

The View Restaurant Website, Tregonhawke, Whitsand Bay (01752-822345)

Opened Easter 2004, this restaurant is the current "in" place. Owned and run by Matt (the chef, previously of the highly commended Well House, St Keyne) and his wife, Rachel, it has quickly built a reputation for imaginative "modern English" cuisine. Best to phone first as Matt's love of surfing can make opening hours a bit unpredictable.The building was previously a straightforward café and, though not overly inspiring from the outside, has a really good ambience and a spectacular cliff top view over the bay. Even my ex-wife, never easily pleased, thought this place was excellent! Try it and prove her wrong.

The Cross Keys, Cawsand (01752-822706). http://www.crosskeyscawsand.co.uk/

Renovated in 2002, the restaurant here, owned and run by Al and Jo Ogilvie, is one of our favourites. A good (particularly fish) menu, good portions, good service in a bistro atmosphere. The pub is open all day from 12.00 till 11.00pm all year round.

The Halfway House, Kingsand (01752-822279) http://www.halfwayinn.biz

Traditional country décor and good food in either the bar (convivial and gossipy) or restaurant (slightly claustrophobic and more formal). Almost every Wednesday night, 9.30 onwards, is Male Voice Choir night - jolly good fun. Thursday night, out of season, is quiz night.

The Rising Sun, Kingsand (01752-822840)

Cosy and welcoming pub. One of our favourites. A proper pub with good Cornish ales, plus an excellent menu. Live music is a regular feature most Thursdays and Saturdays. Open all day but often shut on Mondays.

The Devonport, Kingsand (01752-822869)

Right on the beach in Kingsand. Excellent for a pint outside overlooking the children. Saturday disco nights can, apparently, be good fun. Good range of real ales.

The Galleon Bar in Cawsand Bay Hotel, Cawsand (01752-822425). Under new ownership 2005. Looks a bit modern, but has superb views over the bay.

Going west from Sheviock/Crafthole you will find:

The Inn on The Shore, Downderry (01503-250210).

http://www.ccinns.com/Pages/innonshore.htm

Great location set on top of the cliff/beach with decked seating area around. Wide-ranging menu at reasonable prices. Interior is minimalist yellow and blue with a hint of McDonalds. Locals frequent the bar with pool table. Conservatory area is great for the setting sun. Can get a bit "local" in the evenings.

The Rosery, Downderry (01503-250308). It has a smart/nouveau ambience, but don't let that put you off. There's a wide-ranging menu. Closed Tuesdays. Open the remaining 6 days a week. Lunch 12.30 till 3.30. Evenings 6.30 till 9.30.

On your way round to/from the Tamar Bridge, 50 yards off the A38, try -

The Rod and Line, Tideford (01752-851323) http://www.attherod.co.uk/

One of our favourites. A genuinely authentic and mildly bohemian local pub. Not for the faint-hearted. Superb steak and/or crab sandwiches. Very good children's playground opposite.

On your way to/from Looe try -

The Copley Arms, Hessenford, (01503-240209)

On the main road but a nice setting by the stream. Good play area for children. Just a touch of a "theme pub" about it, but good beers and food.

Restaurants In And Around Looe

Trawlers (01503-263593) on the quay at Looe. Well regarded particularly for its seafood menu. http://www.trawlersrestaurant.co.uk/

Barclay House (01503-262929) on St Martin's hill going down into East Looe . No expense spared, particularly on your bill, makes this a top of the range local restaurant/hotel. Run by owner/chef Nick Barclay, it won the Taste of The West Gold Award in 2003 and 2004 for Best Restaurant in Cornwall. Luchtimes only. http://www.barclayhouse.co.uk/

Smugglers Cott (01503-262397) Middle Market St, East Looe. Very cosy restaurant with good menu and all-round good value.

Ye Olde Cottage, Middle Market St , Looe (01503-262770)

North of Looe:

The Well House at St Keyne (Tel: 01579 342001), between Looe and Liskeard. Very well regarded formal country house setting. http://www.wellhouse.co.uk/restaurant.html

FURTHER AFIELD

THE REST OF CORNWALL

Where do we start? Well, we don't, really. There's just so much to go at. However, here are a few of our favourites slightly further afield as a starter:

The Eden Project, the now world renowned environmental site (and rightly so!) http://www.edenproject.com

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, http://www.heligan.com

The Looe to Liskeard railway is a really good trip.

West Looe, less spoilt than East Looe . Park and take the water taxi across.

Talland Bay, and the Talland Bay Hotel for lunch. http://www.tallandbayhotel.co.uk/

Polruan and Fowey picturesque and coastal, interesting shops and more upmarket than Looe.

Bodmin Moor, around Minions and The Cheesewring masses of history, walks, and scenery.

Charlestown, a small port just south of St Austell often used as a film set but good nonetheless.

St Ives, increasingly good picturesque, artistic and sufficiently lively.

Truro, the County town of Cornwall, with a good range of interesting, and some stylish, shops.

For shopaholics, Trago Mills, on the A38 between Liskeard and Bodmin, with all the charm of an old style Russian superstore but with some real bargains if you seek them out.

The Camel Trail Cycle Ride. An excellent "easy" ride. A great way of getting to Rick Stein's Padstow without the parking hassle. Cycle hire at Wadebridge or Padstow.

Cotehele, a lovely country house and estate north of Saltash. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/nthandbook.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY andPROPERTYID=3

Lanhydrock, another lovely country house and estate between Bodmin and Lostwithiel.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/nthandbook.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY andPROPERTYID=5

Restormel Castle, a "real" castle just north of Lostwithiel.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

PLYMOUTH http://www.plymouth.gov.uk

Plymouth is only 7 miles via the Torpoint ferry from Sheviock Barton. World War II had a major impact on the city, seriously affecting its architecture. Much of it is like any other city, with all the usual shops. However, the Hoe and the historic Barbican areas, around the waterfront, are improving all the time and are well worth a visit. And it can be handy for children of even adult age, with lots of things to do on a rainy day.

For an up to date check on entertainment in Plymouth , check HERE

In the Barbican area, as well as the boats, shops, pubs and restaurants, try:

The National Marine Aquarium, on the Barbican, is particularly good for sharks and seahorses. http://ww.national-aquarium.co.uk

The Dartington Glassworks are well worth a visit for tasteful and interesting gifts.

For those with that sort of interest, how about a tour around the gin distillery? http://www.plymouthgin.com

On the Hoe, as well as spectacular views, you will find the Plymouth Dome exhibition, with an interactive history of Plymouth , and Smeaton&rsquos Tower, once upon a time the Eddystone Lighthouse, 8 miles off shore, and now moved to a more accessible but less functional location.

Other places of note in Plymouth :

Plymouth Pavilions with concert hall, swimming pool, ice rink, etc. http://www.plymouthpavilions.com

The Theatre Royal and its smaller offshoot the Drum Theatre offer top class productions. http://www.theatreroyal.com

Plymouth Arts Centre is worth a visit.

Many restaurants:

Chez Nous (01752-266793) in Frankfort Gate is the best French (but pricey).

The Wet Wok, West Hoe (01752-664456), and The China Garden (01752-664472), Derry 's Cross, are the best Chinese.

Lorenzo's Tapas Bar (01752-201522) and La Tasca (newly opened) both at Derry &rsquos Cross, and both lively bar/restaurants.

Green Lanterns (01752-201313), near The Barbican, candle-lit dining in 16 th century surroundings.

Cafe Rouge (01752-665522), St Andrew's Cross.

For a drink/snack we would suggest, on the far side of the Barbican, The China House, Coxside just beyond there, the bar at Queen Anne's Battery and, also, The Waterfront, West Hoe.

Shopping. All the usual ones in the City Centre. The Millbridge area has the only real, albeit miniscule, nucleus of antique shops.

Cinemas:

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=176435andcommand=newPage

ABC Cinema (01752-225655)

Arts Centre, Looe St (01752-206114)

But the prime multi-entertainment spot is the Warner Village at The Vue Leisure Park with the latest multi-screen cinemas (01752-670001), Pizza Hut, Destiny Nightclub, Superbowl, etc.

And what about the John Nike dry ski slope just off the A38 in the north east of Plymouth to hone your winter sport skills. http://www.jnll.co.uk

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

Doctors:

Quay Lane Surgery, Old Quay Lane , St Germans 01503-230088

The Surgery, 16 Antony Rd , Torpoint 01752 -813277

St James Surgery, 22 St James Rd , Torpoint: 01752-812404

Dentist:

M Conaghan, 17 Antony Road , Torpoint 01752 -812513

Casualty:

Derriford Hospital , Derriford, Plymouth 01752-777111

Police:

Torpoint: 01752-812420

Launceston: 01566-774211

Plymouth : 01752-701188

Police/Fire/Ambulance: 999

Vet:

Luxstowe Veterinary Centre, Church House,

16A St James Rd , Torpoint 01579 342120

Taxis:

Betty's Taxis (Millbrook) 01752-822733

Jim's Taxis 01752-812112

Cremyll Cabs (Millbrook) 01752-822196

Alpine (Millbrook) 01752-823111

Trevol Taxis (6 seater available) 01752-815000 or 07971-838044

Go Taxis 01752-816222

Advance Taxis (8 seater mini-coach available) 01503-250545

Looe Taxis 01503-262405

Tourist Information:

Looe: 01503-262072

Plymouth 01752-264849

Torpoint Ferry Information: 01752-812233