I've recently finished reading Jamaica Inn for the first time.

As someone who first fell in love with Rebecca as a teenager, it felt rather overdue. Like many people, I was drawn into Daphne du Maurier's world through the mystery of Manderley, but reading Jamaica Inn reminded me just how deeply Cornwall shaped her writing.

The wild moorland, hidden creeks, dramatic coastline and atmospheric old inns that appear throughout her novels are still very much here today. If you're staying at Lower Trengale Farm and would like to discover a different side of Cornwall, here are some of the places most closely linked to Daphne du Maurier.

1. Jamaica Inn, Bolventor

Just 15 minutes from Lower Trengale Farm, Jamaica Inn is perhaps Cornwall's most famous literary landmark. Perched on the edge of Bodmin Moor, the inn inspired Daphne's 1936 novel Jamaica Inn. Legend has it that during a stormy journey across the moor she took shelter there and became fascinated by its history of smugglers, highwaymen and mysterious travellers.

Today you can visit the inn, browse the small museum and imagine Mary Yellan arriving on the windswept moor. Even if you've never read the book, the atmosphere alone makes it worth a visit.

2. Fowey – Daphne's Beloved Home

If one place defined Daphne du Maurier's life, it was Fowey. She moved here as a young woman and lived at Ferryside overlooking the estuary before later moving to Menabilly. The town appears in various forms throughout her writing and it's easy to see why she fell in love with it.

Spend a day wandering the narrow streets, watching boats drift along the river and enjoying one of the many cafés overlooking the water. For fans of Rebecca, this is where the story really begins.

3. Menabilly – The Real Manderley

Although not open to the public, Menabilly remains one of the most intriguing places in Cornwall.

The house became the inspiration for Manderley in Rebecca. Hidden amongst woodland near Fowey, Daphne leased the property for many years and became deeply attached to it. You can't visit the house itself, but you can walk through the surrounding woods and along the coastline towards Gribbin Head, imagining the grand estate that inspired one of literature's most famous fictional homes.

4. Bodmin Moor

No discussion of Daphne du Maurier would be complete without Bodmin Moor.

The vast open landscape provides the backdrop for Jamaica Inn and remains one of Cornwall's most atmospheric places to explore. On a misty morning it's easy to understand how tales of smugglers, ghosts and hidden secrets found their way into her novels.

Some of our favourite nearby walks include:

The Cheesewring
Golitha Falls
Rough Tor
Brown Willy

All are within easy reach of the cottages.

Feeling on top of the world at the Cheesewring, Minions on Bodmin Moor

5. Frenchman's Creek

For lovers of romance and adventure, Frenchman's Creek is a must. Located on the Helford River, this peaceful creek inspired Daphne's novel Frenchman's Creek and remains one of the most beautiful corners of Cornwall. The combination of ancient woodland, hidden waterways and quiet creeks feels almost untouched by time. It's a little further from us, but easily combined with a day exploring the Lizard Peninsula.

hy Visit Daphne du Maurier's Cornwall?

The reason Daphne du Maurier's stories continue to captivate readers isn't just because of the plots or the characters – it's because the Cornwall she wrote about still exists. Stay long enough and you'll find it for yourself. In the mist rolling across Bodmin Moor on an early morning walk. In the hidden creeks and quiet coves tucked away from the crowds. In the winding streets of Fowey, where fishing boats still bob on the water and life moves at a gentler pace.

Here at Lower Trengale Farm, we're lucky to be surrounded by many of the landscapes that inspired her writing. Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor and Fowey are all within easy reach, making the cottages the perfect base for exploring Daphne du Maurier's Cornwall.

Whether you're a lifelong fan of Rebecca, have just discovered Jamaica Inn, or simply love uncovering the stories behind the places you visit, following in Daphne's footsteps offers a wonderful way to experience a different side of Cornwall – one filled with history, atmosphere, adventure and a little mystery.

And who knows? You may find yourself returning home with a new favourite book, or perhaps a renewed appreciation for the landscapes that inspired one of Britain's greatest storytellers.

Following in Daphne du Maurier's Footsteps: Places to Visit in Cornwall