US CONNECTIONS

Cornwall’s rugged landscape, dotted with tin mines and surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic, was well suited to John Wesley’s habit of preaching outdoors. The Methodist leader visited the county more than 30 times, and his teachings took hold quickly and easily among the rural and mining communities. Today, the picturesque shing villages, breathtaking coastline and the Cornish mining landscape, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, make the county endlessly appealing to visitors.

Cornwall’s coastline was also a key embarkation point for the D-Day landings, using Mount Edgcumbe to ferry thousands of American troops, armour, equipment and supplies to the beachheads of northern France. Aircrews were also trained at St Merryn Naval Air Station near Padstow and Treligga on Cornwall’s north coast.

Popular for its breathtaking coastline and picture-perfect shing villages and towns, much of today’s landscape was shaped by its pioneering mining industry. In the 19th century many emigrants left for the mining regions of North America. Today, Cornwall’s UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves this unique heritage for future generations. There are many mining sites to enjoy - you may recognise some from the blockbuster BBC TV series Poldark!