Cornwall

Situated in the far south-western part of the UK, Cornwall is known for its ancient heritage, beautiful landscapes, rugged cliffs and golden sands. Its picturesque towns and fishing villages, magnificent public gardens (like the Lost Gardens of Heligan) and the stunning Eden Project (which houses a vast global garden within breathtaking space-age conservatories) adds up to a quite unique visitor experience.

The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth and the Tate Gallery in St. Ives are recent additions to Cornwall's cultural heritage. It is a wonderful county to visit and an ideal situation for the International Male Voice Choral Festival. Truro, the County town has a superb Cathedral, elegant cobbled streets and Georgian town houses and is set at the head of the Truro river. Truro is Cornwall’s cultural, commercial and administrative centre and has excellent pedestrianised shopping. It boasts the Royal Cornwall Museum, and the Festival International Gala Concerts and the International Choral Competitions are held in the well-equipped Hall for Cornwall and historic Cathedral.

Travel to and within Cornwall

Cornwall is in the far south west of the UK and is well-served by road, rail and air.  London connects its major airports to Cornwall by the Great Western Railway in less than five hours.  Coach travel from a ferry or Eurostar / Le Shuttle point of arrival (e.g. Dover or Folkestone) takes somewhat longer.  Newquay Cornwall Airport has limited scheduled services outside the UK, however choirs have previously chartered aircraft directly there to participate in the Festival.  Exeter, Bristol, and the London airports all have excellent European and worldwide connections and all are served by fast train services to Cornwall. 

The Festival’s tour operator, Melody Music, maintains up-to-date links with all relevant transport hubs and travel companies and has access to all necessary timetables and other relevant information. Much of this will also be posted on melodymusic-company.com/cimcf. Melody Music can make all travel arrangements for choirs if required and can also assist choirs in making their own travel arrangements. 

Melody Music can also negotiate with local bus and coach companies on behalf of visiting choirs for transport from their accommodation to and between Festival events. Because Melody Music maintains contacts with transport companies they are in a position to obtain favourable rates. 

There is no obligation for Choirs to use Melody Music for transport arrangements.