Traditionally Halloween (Friday, 31st October 2014) is a time for 'trick or treating', playing pranks, visiting haunted houses, telling scary stories, watching horror films, and carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, (so called from the myth about a man who cheated the devil being forced to roam the earth throughout eternity, with only a glowing coal carried in a hollowed out turnip to light his way)! So here are a few ideas on how to best celebrate it (and the half-term holiday) here in Cornwall:
The clues all in the name, where the Eden Project are offering a special range of 'spooky things' to see and do, celebrating Halloween, including making positive potions, protective charms and pumpkin carving - all great fun!
Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft Located in the harbour at Boscastle, this is a truly fascinating place to look around, with anything/everything you could possibly want to know about witchcraft through the ages. It's packed full of displays and information about witchery, along with some genuine witch-type things (for example bits of animals etc). Apparently you can even buy a genuine witches broom from the little shop to fly home on. (- if only!)
Bodmin Jail, BodminBuilt in 1779, located near the start of the Camel Trail in Bodmin, this is a truly fascinating building, steeped in architectural and social history, and was the last county jail in Cornwall - closing in 1927. Today there is a civil and naval prison, museum, execution chamber, 'Warders Room' restaurant and 'Witness Box' wine bar. With 'Ghost Walks' and 'Tales from the Jail' - it claims to be one of the 'most haunted' places, full of 'spiritual energy' - making it a perfect to place to visit around Halloween!
Jamaica Inn, on Bodmin Moor, Immortalised in Daphne du Maurier's novel of smugglers, rogues and pirates, this historic coaching house has welcomed travellers crossing Bodmin Moor for nearly 300 years. Full of legend, mystery, romance and even, according to folklore, the odd friendly spirit. It is said that on a moonlit night you can hear horses' hooves and metal wheel rims turning on the rough cobbles in the courtyard - but see nothing! Or hear uneasy footsteps pacing the corridors in the dead of night, and see a strange man in a tricorne hat and cloak who appears and then walks through solid doors? Well worth a visit in the safe daylight hours(!) to see their collection of smuggling artefacts, and also to learn more about the writer Daphne Du Maurier.
So don't miss a 'trick', give yourself a 'treat'.
Pack your love potion, and work some magic,
Smuggle your loved one down to Cornwall for a late holiday, or short break
And let Cornwall (and Rooky's Nook) 'charm you' under it's spell!
And to avoid the 'witching hour', remember the clocks change on 26th October 2014,
when by magic we loose an hour!
Rooky's Nook Luxury Holiday Cottage for Two, North Cornwall
