Follow in the footsteps of Summer…

If you haven’t seen Summer in February, the recent film released that highlights the west Cornwall coast at its best, then there’s still time to catch the last few showings before the end of its run.

Independent cinemas in Dartmouth, south Devon and in Falmouth, Cornwall are showing the film this week and as one recent Sunday paper put it, if it doesn’t inspire you to explore more of this stunning stretch of coast then ‘you are immune to Cornwall’s charms’.

Guided walks are being led by Hugh Bedford around the Lamorna valley, where his wife’s grandfather was among the group of artists who once lived here, as he tells me in this beautifully hand-written letter sent to the Coast Path team recently, ‘together with a painting of Lamorna Cove by Frank Gascoigne Heath (my wife’s grandfather) in 1922’. It’s titled, “The last day of the holidays”. He continues with the following:

Walks around the Lamorna valley

After arriving at Lamorna Cove you might like to make a short detour following the road up the valley which around 100 years ago was home to a colony of painters known as the ‘Lamorna Group’. Amongst these artists were Alfred Munnings, Laura and Harold Knight, ‘Lamorna’ Birch, Frank Heath and Charles Naper.

Half way up the valley one comes to ‘The Wink’ pub (due to reopen this month after renovation). It was here that Alfred Munnings stayed when he first arrived in Lamorna circa 1910. It is said that he used to pay the landlord for his board and lodgings in pictures!

Almost opposite The Wink is ‘The Cove Hotel’ where, after his marriage in 1912, Alfred Munnings lived with his first wife, Florence. Also staying at the hotel was Gilbert Evans, the land agent of the Lamorna Estates. The story of their love triangle is told so graphically in the recently released film ‘Summer in February’ – starring Dan Stevens, Dominic Cooper and Emily Browning.

If you would like to find out more and follow in the footsteps of Alfred Munnings, Hugh and Jane Bedford are leading Summer in February walks around Lamorna until September. To check availability and dates phone Penlee House Gallery & Museum on 01736 363625.

There’s also a selection of self-guided walks available that take in the locations used in the film at www.southwestcoastpath.com/summerinfebruary