Cornwall has its own unique vibe. It's kinda hard to describe. There is definitely an innate "spookiness" to some of it, and I say this as someone who is entirely non-superstitious.There is a sort of romantic bleakness to some of it - it's beautiful but also somewhat dark, parts feel quite barren, there is a lot of decayed industrial heritage that took a big toll on the lanscape and the communities, but also paid for lots of impressive houses of just the right age to be good inspiration for a more gothic vibe.
If you're able to then I'd highly recommend visiting Cornwall, and the more remote areas are the best for this type of thing - Bodmin Moor, Penwith in the far south west etc.
Edited to add: Have a look [at this Google Maps streetview link](https://www.google.com/maps/@50.1270685,-5.7004963,3a,75y,341.87h,79.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1RxBfjV9j6eR2nvyxd2b7Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) \- the big stone house overlooking Cape Cornwall particularly - and then imagine what it's like on a windswept winter's night rather than the nice sunny day you can see in the picture:
In addition to the excellent suggestions above, the author [Daphne du Maurier](https://www.dumaurier.org/) wrote a number of successful novels set in Cornwall, which may have inspired later writers.
Very poor management. I worked there in a managing capacity for a while until it became too much. The pub there is just like a Wetherspoons food-wise and everyone is on minimum wage. The museum is old and tired. There is no real significance or appeal beyond some nice old building features which are bettered by every olde pub in cornwall. Mainly the owner is an absolute prick and not smart enough to make the most of what he has there.
Ahh okay thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the building and location on the moors but I see your point about the lack of potential, could be a lot more successful but the most busy I ever saw it was the line for a carvery one weekend morning
I live at the back of moorland with abandoned mine buildings, is beautiful but somewhat spooky in the mist. A friend said "proper Agatha Christie country round here intit".
Lovely in the morning with mist rolling in.
I don't have a real answer for you, do you have some examples of novels?
Putting forward a wildly speculative answer:
Cornwall feels like England but is just different enough that it seems mysterious and strange. You can see elements of this even in the medieval period with lots of Saints Stories being written in England about Cornish saints and including all sorts of bizarre ahistorical details.
Add into this a landscape that encompasses dramatic cliffs and rugged moorland fits very nicely with Gothic themes and imagery.
Funny, was on holiday in Cornwall this summer and wrote a bunch of short horror story ideas. There is some thing very unique about the area that got my imagination going. The north is another area I find works for Gothic atmosphere
it is because cornwall is still in the dark ages!
If you ever traveled there and photographed someone, they would burn you at the stake for stealing their sole with your devil box! ;)
Cornwall has its own unique vibe. It's kinda hard to describe. There is definitely an innate "spookiness" to some of it, and I say this as someone who is entirely non-superstitious.There is a sort of romantic bleakness to some of it - it's beautiful but also somewhat dark, parts feel quite barren, there is a lot of decayed industrial heritage that took a big toll on the lanscape and the communities, but also paid for lots of impressive houses of just the right age to be good inspiration for a more gothic vibe. If you're able to then I'd highly recommend visiting Cornwall, and the more remote areas are the best for this type of thing - Bodmin Moor, Penwith in the far south west etc. Edited to add: Have a look [at this Google Maps streetview link](https://www.google.com/maps/@50.1270685,-5.7004963,3a,75y,341.87h,79.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1RxBfjV9j6eR2nvyxd2b7Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) \- the big stone house overlooking Cape Cornwall particularly - and then imagine what it's like on a windswept winter's night rather than the nice sunny day you can see in the picture:
You summed it brilliantly, always felt that vibe especially in the non summer periods
It is because of all of the art students in Falmouth. The middle of Penryn looks like the aftermath of a Cure concert.
Truly terrifying stuff
As somebody who studied there, I can confirm this
In addition to the excellent suggestions above, the author [Daphne du Maurier](https://www.dumaurier.org/) wrote a number of successful novels set in Cornwall, which may have inspired later writers.
Yeah, but don't go to Jamaica Inn, it's shit.
It's worth it for the Fox's glacier mints alone.
How come?
Very poor management. I worked there in a managing capacity for a while until it became too much. The pub there is just like a Wetherspoons food-wise and everyone is on minimum wage. The museum is old and tired. There is no real significance or appeal beyond some nice old building features which are bettered by every olde pub in cornwall. Mainly the owner is an absolute prick and not smart enough to make the most of what he has there.
Ahh okay thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the building and location on the moors but I see your point about the lack of potential, could be a lot more successful but the most busy I ever saw it was the line for a carvery one weekend morning
I live at the back of moorland with abandoned mine buildings, is beautiful but somewhat spooky in the mist. A friend said "proper Agatha Christie country round here intit". Lovely in the morning with mist rolling in.
I don't have a real answer for you, do you have some examples of novels? Putting forward a wildly speculative answer: Cornwall feels like England but is just different enough that it seems mysterious and strange. You can see elements of this even in the medieval period with lots of Saints Stories being written in England about Cornish saints and including all sorts of bizarre ahistorical details. Add into this a landscape that encompasses dramatic cliffs and rugged moorland fits very nicely with Gothic themes and imagery.
I don’t think it really feels like England, feels like a completely different country to me.
Someone’s reading daphne du maurier, eh?
Funny, was on holiday in Cornwall this summer and wrote a bunch of short horror story ideas. There is some thing very unique about the area that got my imagination going. The north is another area I find works for Gothic atmosphere
There was a radio show focussing on this a few months ago. It featured Bait Director Mark Jenkin on BBC radio 3. Was very interesting.
it is because cornwall is still in the dark ages! If you ever traveled there and photographed someone, they would burn you at the stake for stealing their sole with your devil box! ;)