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Easter in Charlestown

After the end-of-year mayhem at work, I really needed a break over Easter – somewhere where I could just relax and do very little whilst recharging my batteries. So I booked a long weekend’s break in Cornwall, in a self-catering apartment just outside St Austell. I don’t know Cornwall at all well, but I rather lucked out with the place I settled on. Charlestown is a very scenic, unspoiled village, with a very sheltered harbour that is home to some tall ships.

Charlestown harbour

It is also the place where Poldark was filmed, and the locals aren’t going to let you forget that in a hurry, with photos of a topless Aiden Turner all over the place. I had an “authentic Cornish clotted cream tea” on Monday, and even the tea came in a Poldark mug!

There’s also a Shipwreck Museum, just above the harbour, that is surprisingly interesting. It has a very eclectic mixture of exhibits – just about anything with a tenuous link to a shipwreck. There’s stunning views from the cliff-top paths, plenty of restaurants, and several very pleasant little beaches. Even the weather was good – it was a bit chilly, but generally sunny.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable break – and I’ve come back feeling much more rested and ready to face the fray.