Celebrating Cornwall's Influential Women
Cornwall has been home to remarkable women who have shaped literature, activism, art, and even the landscapes around us. This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating their legacies and the places where you can experience their stories today.
Emily Hobhouse
Emily Hobhouse was a trailblazing humanitarian who fought for justice during the Anglo-Boer War, exposing the harsh realities of British-run concentration camps. She became a hero in South Africa, yet her story has remained largely untold in Britain - until now.
At The Story of Emily, an immersive experience in her beautifully restored childhood home, visitors can step back in time and explore her courageous activism through the War Rooms, where her impact comes to life. The visit isn’t complete without sampling traditional South African dishes in the on-site restaurant, a nod to her legacy.
Rowena Cade
High on the cliffs of Porthcurno, the Minack Theatre is one of the world’s most spectacular open-air theatres - and it was built largely by hand by Rowena Cade.
After settling in Cornwall in the 1920s, Rowena transformed her clifftop garden into a dramatic theatre space for a performance of The Tempest. Rowenna and her helpers personally carved and shaped the terraces with hand tools, carrying materials up the cliff herself over the next 50 years. Today, the Minack remains a thriving hub for over 200 live performances a year.
Dame Barbara Hepworth
A pioneering figure in modern sculpture, Barbara Hepworth helped shape the St Ives art scene, which became one of the UK’s most influential artistic movements.
In 1939, Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson relocated to Cornwall with their young family. She lived and worked at Trewyn Studio from 1949 until her death in 1975.
Trewyn Studio - now the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden - welcomes visitors to explore her studio, sculptures, and personal collection, offering a glimpse into the creative mind of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.
Daphne du Maurier
Few writers have captured the mystery and drama of Cornwall as vividly as Daphne du Maurier. Her novels, including Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, and Frenchman’s Creek, are deeply rooted in Cornwall’s landscapes, history, and folklore.
The author moved to Cornwall as a young woman in the late 1920s. She soon started writing, gaining inspiration from the towns and landmarks around Cornwall to set her novels.
- Fowey & Menabilly: Du Maurier’s home, Menabilly, became the inspiration for Manderley in Rebecca.
- Bodmin Moor: The real Jamaica Inn still stands, drawing fans of her eerie, smuggler-filled novel.
- Helford River: The secluded Frenchman’s Creek remains as enchanting as the love story it inspired.
Rosamunde Pilcher
Born in Lelant, Cornwall, Rosamunde Pilcher became one of Britain’s most successful novelists, with over 60 million copies of her books sold worldwide.
Her sweeping family sagas, such as The Shell Seekers, Coming Home, and Winter Solstice, captured the charm of Cornish life. Though her books gained international fame, it was in Germany where her work became a phenomenon. Over 100 of her stories have been adapted into TV films, boosting Cornish tourism and leading fans to visit her most iconic locations.
Famous Rosamunde Pilcher Filming Locations in Cornwall:
St Michael’s Mount – A breathtaking tidal island, often used as a romantic backdrop in her adaptations, as featured in The Shell Seekers and Coming Home.
Land’s End – The rugged cliffs and dramatic scenery have appeared in many of the productions, including Day of the Storm.
Lamorna Cove – A picturesque and artistic coastal spot, as seen in The Shell Seekers.
Prideaux Place, near Padstow – A 16th-century mansion, featured in over 15 adaptations, including Winds Across the Sea.
Why not join a tour on your next visit and let our knowledgeable guides take you on a journey of the famous filming locations?
Your weekly dose of Cornish cheer!
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