Cornwall with Simon Reeve
Simon Reeve’s BBC documentary series explores all aspects of Cornish life, from tourism to flood-defence-building beavers. This thoughtful insight into the lives of Cornish residents captivates the essence of what makes Cornwall such a diverse and interesting place, not just in its stunning landscapes, but in the people that make Cornwall everything it is today. There is a focus on the seasonal economy of the county following the decline of the mining industry, and the resulting impact on the job market amid rising property value. Reeves investigates Cornish charities, sustainability and wildlife conservation efforts, as well as another lease of life for mining in Cornwall.
Johnny and Morris, the father-son fishing duo, take Simon on a trip to check the lobster pots out of Padstow harbour. They work one of the few remaining fishing boats in Padstow. To find out more about this hugely popular postcard-perfect fishing village, see our Padstow page.
Polzeath is a much-loved destination for surfers and holidaymakers alike. The Taco Boys served delicious food out of their converted horsebox throughout the summer, and whilst they have since moved to Exeter, there is still a bounty of things to do and places to eat in this tourism hotspot.
The documentary covers Cornwall’s china clay mine, Little John’s Pit, located in the ‘Cornish Alps’. Dedicated to the production of the 2nd most valuable mineral in the UK, it is the biggest china clay mine in the world and part of Cornwall’s rich mining history.
To discover more about Cornwall’s original mines, we recommend a trip to Great Flat Lode.
Further inland, Reeve’s pays a visit to a farming family on Bodmin Moor. This wild landscape can be utterly breath-taking and makes for fantastic walking and picnics. See our Bodmin Moor page for more information.
A rather thought-provoking scene in the documentary covers an initiative to remove ‘ghost nets’ from Cornish waters. Hundreds of lost nets lie on the ocean floor and are lethal to marine wildlife when they become entangled within the fine netting. The footage is filmed in Carrack Roads, which is an enormous natural harbour between St Mawes and Falmouth.
To see more of Carrack Roads, we recommend a visit to St Anthony Head.
Cornwall’s iconic attraction features towards the end of the second part of the documentary, where Sir Timothy Smit discusses the prospect of a brighter future for the Cornish economy and environment. Innovative and educational, the Eden Project is well worth exploring.