Poldark Country

I remember being just a young girl when one evening, I sat and watched the original series of Poldark. The opening sequence of waves crashing against the rocks and rugged coastline of Cornwall caught my heart and imagination in a way nothing else has. Today I opened a magazine to be informed Series 1 was first screened 41 years ago, Oh My Lord!

Being an avid reader, I devoured each of the books by Winston Graham in his series of Poldark. And for me, they helped to establish a connection to Britain and to a sense of home that has never been supplanted. I am a Surrey girl, and my heart shall always live in Devon but the connection to this wild and dramatic coast lies deep.

How could I resist a week of walking Poldark Country? I could not.

I had the opportunity to not only explore the locations where series 1 and now 2 were filmed but also to places that inspired Winston Graham. Parrenporth beach - where he sat on a public bench and wrote book one, Ross. Then across the beach, taking in a different perspective, the next three in the series.

The small village of Warleggan which gave its name to one of the novel's protagonists is a charming little place - marked now by its old church and graveyard. Its steple complete still with bell pull but showing the signs of the years. Its neglect enabling moss and plants grow inside and lend an eerie damp feeling to what is still an active place of worship.

Warleggan

Warleggan Church

Church interior

While the coast holds a magnetic lure, another location was equally stunning. I walked across Bodmin Moor to see where Ross and Demelza came to the crossroads. From the moor then up to the top of the Cheesewring - a hilltop where the natural elements have twisted the rocks into weird and strange patterns but also providing us with amazing views over Cornwall while we sat and picnicked for lunch.

Views of Bodmin Moor

Paul & the crossroads

BB at The Hurling Stones Bodmin Moor

Cheesewring

It was also the one week in September when the film crew were filming for series 3 - at Bottalock mine (the stand in for Wheal Grace) we saw the cast and crew in action!

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My souvenirs are the shell I picked up at Holywell beach, a small piece of granite rock off the beach where Ross walked in series 2, the sense of awe at seeing the waves crash against the coast just as I was in awe all those years ago.....