Latest news with #DaphneduMaurier
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cornwall's 'inspirational women' in art exhibition
Dame Barbara Hepworth, Dame Daphne du Maurier, Dawn French and Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover are among the names added to a list celebrating inspirational women from Cornwall. Art Centre Penryn said the trio would be among 50 who will feature on a collection of ceramic plates highlighting their achievements. It follows a call for suggestions in 2024 that led to more than 200 nominations, said bosses. Organisers said the list included well-known names as well as unsung heroes representing a cross-section of the community. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Also on the list is world para surfing champion Charlotte Banfield, the UK's first professor of human sexuality, Tamsin Wilton, and headmistress turned suffragette Annie Williams. Dina Holder, from The Women's Centre Cornwall, and Joyte Brown, co-founder of Black Voices Cornwall, were also included. An advisory panel made up of charity representatives helped decide the list, said the art centre. Katie Bunnell, the ceramic artist who led the Women of Cornwall project, said: "Selecting 50 women from the 234 has been an incredibly challenging task. "The different perspectives of the advisory group were immensely helpful, enabling us to create what we hope is a broad and inspirational group." Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ 'Amazing' Cornish women in frame at new exhibition Call to nominate women to be featured in art display Art Centre Penryn
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Inspirational Cornish women picked for art exhibition
Dame Barbara Hepworth, Dame Daphne du Maurier, Dawn French and Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover are among the names added to a list celebrating inspirational women from Centre Penryn said the trio would be among 50 who will feature on a collection of ceramic plates highlighting their follows a call for suggestions in 2024 that led to more than 200 nominations, said said the list included well-known names as well as unsung heroes representing a cross-section of the community. Also on the list is world para surfing champion Charlotte Banfield, the UK's first professor of human sexuality, Tamsin Wilton, and headmistress turned suffragette Annie Holder, from The Women's Centre Cornwall, and Joyte Brown, co-founder of Black Voices Cornwall, were also advisory panel made up of charity representatives helped decide the list, said the art Bunnell, the ceramic artist who led the Women of Cornwall project, said: "Selecting 50 women from the 234 has been an incredibly challenging task. "The different perspectives of the advisory group were immensely helpful, enabling us to create what we hope is a broad and inspirational group."
Mint
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Travel: Journey through Cornwall's iconic literary sites
Daphne du Maurier may have been born in London, but the British author lost her heart to Cornwall's rugged beauty and haunting atmosphere. This deep and lifelong connection led her to draw heavily on the county's coastline, moors, and mysterious histories, turning them into settings that shaped the mood and characters of her novels. Born in 1907, Daphne and her two sisters had a privileged childhood, growing up at the family home, Cannon Hall in Hampstead, but the family often trooped to Cornwall for holidays. 'The family started looking for a second home and zeroed in on Ferryside, the house that became their home in the waterside town of Fowey on Cornwall's south coast," says Viv Kelly, the proprietor of Old Bissick Mill, a charming B&B located in Ladock, about 18 miles from Fowey. On learning of my plans to follow in du Maurier's footsteps, Kelly reveals that Ferryside is where the author wrote The Loving Spirit (1931), which was followed by 'moody and resonant" romantic stories set on the wild coast of Cornwall. These included Jamaica Inn (1936), a period piece set in Cornwall; Rebecca (1938), the Gothic mystery she's best known for; Frenchman's Creek (1941), a historical novel; My Cousin Rachel (1951), a mystery romance similar in theme to Rebecca, The Apple Tree (1952), a short story collection that included The Birds and Don't Look Now, a long story collection (1971); her autobiography Growing Pains (1977), and The Rendezvous and Other Stories (1980). Alfred Hitchcock made both Jamaica Inn and The Birds into films. Du Maurier wrote a total of 38 books, but her Cornwall-based novels remain the most popular with readers. Topping the list is Rebecca, which showcases her love for atmospheric Cornwall and her own home. The sinister manor of Manderley, surrounded by wild woods and crashing seas, draws clear inspiration from Menabilly, the mansion near Fowey that du Maurier leased and lived in for over two decades. 'She came across it in a serendipitous way. During a visit to Fowey in 1926, she stumbled upon it while walking in the woods; it was set among thick trees and—like Manderley—had a long, sprawling driveway," says Ellen Porter, a server and fellow du Maurier fan at Brown Sugar, a popular coffee shop in Fowey. We agree that her first sighting of Menabilly may have influenced her first lines about Manderley: 'There was Manderley, our Manderley, secretive and silent as it had always been, the grey stone shining in the moonlight of my dream, the mullioned windows reflecting the green lawns and the terrace." Manderley was a character in its own right in Rebecca—gloomy, romantic, and full of secrets. I realise that Cornwall offered du Maurier more than just scenery—it provided history, folklore, and a sense of timelessness. Her fascination with the past, memory, and identity, often emerged through stories linked to Cornwall's layered history—and her own narratives. Among the most famous of all du Maurier locations is Jamaica Inn, a former coach house and smugglers' den that dates back to 1750. The author landed up at the inn with a friend in 1930, after getting lost on a dark, foggy Bodmin moor. In her diary, she later wrote, 'In the afternoon, we ventured out across the moors, desolate, (and) sinister, and foolishly (we) lost our way. To our horror, rain and darkness fell upon us…(by) a miracle we saw in the distance the light from Jamaica Inn." In Growing Pains, decades later, she wrote of the inn: 'I thought of the travellers in the past who must have sought shelter there on wild November nights … the drinking deep and long, fights breaking out, the sound of oaths, men falling." The inn and its surroundings fed directly into Jamaica Inn's tense, windswept setting, showing du Maurier's gift for transforming real places into vivid literary landscapes. The inn now offers a suite named after the author, showcasing her Sheraton writing desk and a small bowl of her favourite Glacier Mints. 'There's also a small du Maurier museum with three rooms of exhibits, including original letters from the Queen to Daphne and her husband, letters by Daphne to her best friend, numerous old photos, and more," Porter tells me. In her later years, du Maurier moved to Kilmarth, a house that served as the inspiration for House on the Strand, published in 1969. Kelly tells me about another major influence: Frenchman's Creek, near Helford River. 'She visited it on her honeymoon, and the densely wooded banks later inspired her novel of the same name." In Fowey, the Daphne du Maurier Literary Centre showcases exhibits and information on the author's life and legacy. Every year, the du Maurier Society hosts the du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival in May, the month of the author's birth. 'Not many people know that in 1967 she also penned a local history and travel guide," says Porter Du Maurier's love for Cornwall shines through in her guide, Vanishing Cornwall. 'I walked this land with a dreamer's freedom and with a waking man's perception—places, houses whispered to me their secrets and shared with me their sorrows and their joys. And in return I gave them something of myself, a few words passing into the folk-lore of this ancient place." The author's words made Cornwall more than a backdrop; they made the county central to the tension, mystery, and drama of her plots. As I walked in her footsteps—from Fowey's quiet streets to the windswept moors and hidden coves—I realised that Daphne du Maurier's Cornwall lives on, not only in geography, but in the minds of her fans who have long felt the pull of her haunting and enduring stories. Teja Lele writes on travel and lifestyle.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
7 of the best wild swimming spots in the UK
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There's no better way to immerse yourself in nature than by going wild swimming. Every spot tells its own story: tidal pools fed by Scottish mountains leave your skin humming; river estuaries in Cornwall carry the scent of salt and oak; and in London, ponds are hangouts for locals looking to escape the city streets. Here, we round up seven of the most scenic, whether you're looking for somewhere to go with your family or a wild adventure. They're as beautiful as they are grounding, so take your time. And don't forget to bring a flask; one of the best things about cold water is warming up again. Set at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains, a 20-minute walk from the Glenbrittle car park, these tumbling pools look almost too perfect to be real. The glacial water is crystal clear, revealing smooth stones, darting fish and glinting shells, and bell heather and buttercups bloom at the edges. It can get busy, but go early or in soft rain and you might ride the chutes carved by centuries of flow by yourself. Stay a 40-minute drive away at The Bracken Hide, a design-led bothy hotel with Estonian sauna pods and a plunge pool. It's an ideal base for exploring more of Skye, from the hidden coves of Loch Bracadale to Loch Coruisk, reached only by boat or a challenging hike. This tidal island off the southwest coast of Anglesey is one of Wales's most evocative swimming spots. It was once home to St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and her ruined chapel is now a place of pilgrimage for couples. Park at Newborough National Nature Reserve, then stroll to Llanddwyn's sand dunes and lighthouse, with views sweeping to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and the Llŷn Peninsula. The long stretches of sand, rockpools and sheltered coves on both its east and west sides mean you'll find calm waters even when the wind picks up. And nearby Halen Môn offers wild seaweed baths in whisky barrels overlooking the Menai Strait — a soothing end to a day in the elements. Brackish water (where fresh rivers meet salty coasts) clings to the skin like green silk. Experience it in this hamlet in south Cornwall, set by the estuary of the Helford River, which has an emerald tint from the reflection of the ancient woods that line the banks. Its coves are steeped in stories; English novelist Daphne du Maurier set her piratical romance Frenchman's Creek here, and the hidden inlets, shifting tides and overhanging oaks still feel ripe for smuggling tales. Spend the night in a local National Trust cottage to explore the South West Coast Path, which runs through Durgan and links a string of secret swim spots. For a longer escape, women could consider The Salt Sisterhood – a week-long retreat offering daily guided swims. If you want children to fall in love with wild waters, bring them to this semi-natural tidal pool in north Cornwall, set on a long ripple of sand between the beaches of Summerleaze and Crooklets. At low tide, it becomes a gentle playground — a place to bodyboard, learn to swim or simply splash about while safe from the Atlantic swells, then grab a cone from an ice cream van. Beyond the sea wall, the real waves begin, with big, rolling surf drawing wetsuit-clad regulars and enthusiasts from all over. After your dip, step into Bude beach's Ocean Soul Sauna, with a glass front for watching the surfers play. Tucked deep in the Langstrath Valley, this gorge is a wild swimmer's dream: deep enough to dive, clear enough to see your toes when the sun is out and remote enough to feel truly earned. Park in the village of Stonethwaite and follow the footpath beside Langstrath Beck — a two-mile walk that gets the blood pumping. If you're brave, you can then leap in from a natural ledge, or scramble in from the smooth rocks. The water is fed by mountain streams and stays bracingly cold even in summer, and a strong current at one end creates a kind of wild swimming treadmill. Bring a jumper to stay warm post-swim, then head back to Stonethwaite for sticky toffee pudding and a fireside warm-up at the Langstrath Country Inn. You might not expect wildness in the middle of a capital city, but that's what makes the ponds in this north London heath special. There are three pools — women's, men's and mixed, often shared with moorhens, dragonflies and the occasional heron. Each has its own loyal community, with strangers passing around flasks and offering tips for warming fingers, and long-held rituals, from New Year's Day dips to solstice plunges. In summer, the grassy banks are lined with readers, nappers and sun-bathers. But autumn is when the location really shines, when the water turns amber with fallen leaves and the cold quietens the crowd. Afterwards, climb Parliament Hill and look out over the skyline to gently re-enter city life. Come to this tidal pool on the east coast of Scotland at golden hour, when the water blushes pink and the stone edges catch the evening warmth, making it a sunset swim to remember. Built into the sea wall in the 1930s, Cellardyke is now lovingly maintained by the local community, who've spent the last five years ensuring it remains safe and easily accessible. Afterwards, warm up in the wood-fired Cellardyke sauna, where the view stretches out across the Firth of Forth and Isle of May. The surrounding East Neuk of Fife area is dotted with tidal pools, from St Monans to Pittenweem, all linked by the Fife Coastal Path. Bring a towel, flask and friend and you can spend a whole weekend hopping from one the next. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
14-06-2025
- National Geographic
7 of the best wild swimming spots in the UK
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There's no better way to immerse yourself in nature than by going wild swimming. Every spot tells its own story: tidal pools fed by Scottish mountains leave your skin humming; river estuaries in Cornwall carry the scent of salt and oak; and in London, ponds are hangouts for locals looking to escape the city streets. Here, we round up seven of the most scenic, whether you're looking for somewhere to go with your family or a wild adventure. They're as beautiful as they are grounding, so take your time. And don't forget to bring a flask; one of the best things about cold water is warming up again. 1. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland Set at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains, a 20-minute walk from the Glenbrittle car park, these tumbling pools look almost too perfect to be real. The glacial water is crystal clear, revealing smooth stones, darting fish and glinting shells, and bell heather and buttercups bloom at the edges. It can get busy, but go early or in soft rain and you might ride the chutes carved by centuries of flow by yourself. Stay a 40-minute drive away at The Bracken Hide, a design-led bothy hotel with Estonian sauna pods and a plunge pool. It's an ideal base for exploring more of Skye, from the hidden coves of Loch Bracadale to Loch Coruisk, reached only by boat or a challenging hike. Llanddwyn Island was once home to St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. After a swim, find her ruined chapel, now a place of pilgrimage for couples. Photograph by Crown Copyright, Visit Wales 2. Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey, Wales This tidal island off the southwest coast of Anglesey is one of Wales's most evocative swimming spots. It was once home to St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and her ruined chapel is now a place of pilgrimage for couples. Park at Newborough National Nature Reserve, then stroll to Llanddwyn's sand dunes and lighthouse, with views sweeping to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and the Llŷn Peninsula. The long stretches of sand, rockpools and sheltered coves on both its east and west sides mean you'll find calm waters even when the wind picks up. And nearby Halen Môn offers wild seaweed baths in whisky barrels overlooking the Menai Strait — a soothing end to a day in the elements. 2. Durgan, Cornwall Brackish water (where fresh rivers meet salty coasts) clings to the skin like green silk. Experience it in this hamlet in south Cornwall, set by the estuary of the Helford River, which has an emerald tint from the reflection of the ancient woods that line the banks. Its coves are steeped in stories; English novelist Daphne du Maurier set her piratical romance Frenchman's Creek here, and the hidden inlets, shifting tides and overhanging oaks still feel ripe for smuggling tales. Spend the night in a local National Trust cottage to explore the South West Coast Path, which runs through Durgan and links a string of secret swim spots. For a longer escape, women could consider The Salt Sisterhood – a week-long retreat offering daily guided swims. The Bude Sea Pool in Cornwall is set on a long ripple of sand between the beaches of Summerleaze and Crooklets. Photograph by Visit Cornwall, Matt Jessop 4. Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall If you want children to fall in love with wild waters, bring them to this semi-natural tidal pool in north Cornwall, set on a long ripple of sand between the beaches of Summerleaze and Crooklets. At low tide, it becomes a gentle playground — a place to bodyboard, learn to swim or simply splash about while safe from the Atlantic swells, then grab a cone from an ice cream van. Beyond the sea wall, the real waves begin, with big, rolling surf drawing wetsuit-clad regulars and enthusiasts from all over. After your dip, step into Bude beach's Ocean Soul Sauna, with a glass front for watching the surfers play. 5. Black Moss Pot, Lake District Tucked deep in the Langstrath Valley, this gorge is a wild swimmer's dream: deep enough to dive, clear enough to see your toes when the sun is out and remote enough to feel truly earned. Park in the village of Stonethwaite and follow the footpath beside Langstrath Beck — a two-mile walk that gets the blood pumping. If you're brave, you can then leap in from a natural ledge, or scramble in from the smooth rocks. The water is fed by mountain streams and stays bracingly cold even in summer, and a strong current at one end creates a kind of wild swimming treadmill. Bring a jumper to stay warm post-swim, then head back to Stonethwaite for sticky toffee pudding and a fireside warm-up at the Langstrath Country Inn. Three pools are available at Hampstead Heath Ponds — women's, men's and mixed, often shared with moorhens, dragonflies and the occasional heron. Photograph by the City of London Corporation 6. Hampstead Heath Ponds, London You might not expect wildness in the middle of a capital city, but that's what makes the ponds in this north London heath special. There are three pools — women's, men's and mixed, often shared with moorhens, dragonflies and the occasional heron. Each has its own loyal community, with strangers passing around flasks and offering tips for warming fingers, and long-held rituals, from New Year's Day dips to solstice plunges. In summer, the grassy banks are lined with readers, nappers and sun-bathers. But autumn is when the location really shines, when the water turns amber with fallen leaves and the cold quietens the crowd. Afterwards, climb Parliament Hill and look out over the skyline to gently re-enter city life. 7. Cellardyke Tidal Pool, Fife, Scotland Come to this tidal pool on the east coast of Scotland at golden hour, when the water blushes pink and the stone edges catch the evening warmth, making it a sunset swim to remember. Built into the sea wall in the 1930s, Cellardyke is now lovingly maintained by the local community, who've spent the last five years ensuring it remains safe and easily accessible. Afterwards, warm up in the wood-fired Cellardyke sauna, where the view stretches out across the Firth of Forth and Isle of May. The surrounding East Neuk of Fife area is dotted with tidal pools, from St Monans to Pittenweem, all linked by the Fife Coastal Path. Bring a towel, flask and friend and you can spend a whole weekend hopping from one the next. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
