Things to do
Here are just a few things that we really recommend considering.
Walking
Lots of walks are accessible directly from the cottage but an OS map is needed to make the most of these. Please keep our farmers happy by keeping to the footpaths marked by yellow arrows and closing any gates behind you. Please remember to keep dogs well under control during lambing season and on a lead around sheep and lambs.
The South West Coast Path is famous for its amazing scenery and we recommend the stretch between Looe and Polperro (just over 5 miles), buses and boat trips connect the two ports so a one-way walk can be enjoyed without worrying about getting back to the car.
Bodmin Moor is around 10 minutes away and has many walking opportunities, we particularly recommend that you consider a walk to ‘The Hurlers’ standing stones from the village of Minions (worth a trip for a photo next the village sign), Golitha Falls, Sibleyback Lake. If you are on the moor from May to October please be tick aware.
Kit Hill Country Park was given by the Duchy of Cornwall to the people of Cornwall to celebrate the birth of Prince William in 1984. It’s a rugged granite hilltop that rises to over 1000 feet above sea level and on a clear day you can see both the north and south coasts of Cornwall. Access is from the east, off the link road between Monkscross on the B3257 and the top of Silver Valley on the A390.
Accessible walks that are suitable for buggies or wheelchairs, or for anyone who fancies an easier stroll can be found at Cardinham Wood (has 4 multi use trails, a play area and a cafe), Seaton Nature Reserve (next to the beach car park), Saltram Park and Gardens, Cotehele Quay (flat footpath through the woods to the weir), Plymouth sea front and Hoe, Siblyback Lake, the multi-use trail at Mount Edgcumbe Park, and the historical trail at Wheal Martyn.
The Tamar Valley – an area of outstanding natural beauty and mining heritage. Many walks with lots of accessible and multi use trails. For details got to http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/explore/access/walking/
Or visit the Tamar Valley Centre in Drakewalls, near Gunnislake, PL18 9FE
Further afield we also love Lydford Gorge on Dartmoor ( EX20 4BH) with a beautiful, challenging gorge walk some of which is along rock hewn paths right next to the river, with the White Lady waterfall and swirling Devil’s Cauldron (shorter, easier walks are also possible).
Beaches and Coast
There is a guide to beaches in SE Cornwall
https://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/south-east/
https://www.cornwallbeachguide.co.uk/secornwall/secornwall.htm
Dog friendly beach list here (please be aware that some beaches only allow dogs out of high season)
https://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/dog-friendly
Our nearest beaches are Seaton and Downderry both 6 miles away, Seaton is particularly good for families and is lifeguarded at high season. Seaton has a countryside park with a buggy-friendly walk, pentanque court, and playground and there is a buggy-friendly path along the edge of the beach heading away from the car park. Both Seaton and Downderry have a choice of places to buy food and drinks. The beaches here have grey sand, formed from the granite and slate from the moor.
We recommend a drive around the Rame Peninsula; it is known as Cornwall’s forgotten corner and has some of the most impressive coastal scenery. The peninsula is also worth visiting for Antony House, Port Eliot, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Kingsand and Cawsand, Rame Church and Rame Head.
The Rame Peninsula is also home to Whitsand Bay where the beaches (Tregantle, Tregonhawke, Sharrow Point and Freathy) are very popular with surfers, body boarders and local teenagers but are only accessible down a steep cliff path, Tregantle being the least steep. The steep path puts off a lot of visitors and so there is a good chance of enjoying Whitsand Bay’s three miles of sand with a limited number of other people. There are cafes on the cliff and the beach at Tregonhawke. At high tide many of the beach areas can become cut off so please be aware of tide times before you go (general high tide times are shown by area on the local weather forecast).
Looe is worth a visit, there is a range of shops in East Looe, and it’s a great spot for crabbing and to watch the fishermen unload their catch if you time it right. Looe Harbour can be a good place to spot grey seals. The beach is grey sand and close to Banjo pier and the lifeboat station, it is accessed by walking all the way through the town. Just round the headland of West Looe, Hannafore Point beach is a rocky shore which is great for rock-pooling. Looe gets busy in the holidays and parking can be difficult but you can also reach Looe by taking the scenic train line from Liskeard, which is reasonably priced with parking at the station. Lots of boat trips can be taken from Looe for mackerel fishing, glass bottom boat rides or a trip to the marine nature reserve of St George’s Island (also known as Looe Island).
Polperro is a step back in time; the fishing port hasn’t changed much over the years, with its narrow lanes and wonky houses. It’s a walk from the car park but there is also a horse and cart or the village tram. There are plenty of pubs and tea rooms – the Blue Peter is our favourite pub here and the food they serve is good. Parking can be expensive here, it accessible by bus from Looe.
Fowey has a range of interesting shops and lots of cafes and pubs. It was home to author Daphne du Maurier and there are plenty of literary themed activities (visit Fowey Tourist Information Centre). You can also catch a ferry from here to Polruan or Mevagissy (and boat trips to many other places) and there is a family-friendly beach named Readymoney Cove.
Polkerris for a good family beach and watersports.
Gardens and History
https://www.greatgardensofcornwall.co.uk/
https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/gardens
Eden Project – of course we must recommend the excellent Eden Project (PL24 2SG) which is around a 30–40 minute drive away. Eden has many new attractions every year and a full events programme. It is on the expensive side but you can often acquire vouchers and offers.
Cotehele House and Quay (PL12 6TA) is a Tudor manor little changed since it was completed in 1539, with gardens leading down to the Tamar river. It can also be reached by the Calstock Ferry. The watermill has a blacksmith, carpenter, wheelwright and saddler.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan (PL26 6EN) – gives a fascinating view of a grand Cornish Victorian garden which was “lost” when the gardening staff all joined up for the First World War. There are boardwalks through banana palms and bamboo, subtropical jungle, woodland sculptures, lots of wildlife and a tea room.
Restormel Castle (PL22 0EE) is a ruin just a mile from Lostwithiel, it’s a good spot for picnics and great for children to explore. Lostwithiel is also an interesting medieval town, and ancient capital of Kernow, with many antique shops. It’s also where Prince Charles has his Cornish home.
Lanhydrock (PL30 5AD) is a magnificent country house, massive garden and estate; it was described by one of our guests as the best National Trust property he’d ever visited. Great Cafe, play area, bike hire and family friendly cycle paths.
Morwellham Quay (PL19 8JL) is a historic port, farm, and railway and copper mine. Home of the BBC’s Edwardian Farm.
Plymouth Barbican is a cobbled, Tudor area with independent shops and lots of eating/drinking places on the harbourside. Within this small area of the city there is also the historic Elizabethan House andMerchant’s House and Plymouth Gin Distillery – they are all well worth a visit and were the only part of Plymouth to escape devastating World War Two bombings.
Bodmin Moor is just 5 miles away and has many places to see, great walking, climbing and wild swimming – just a few of them are Golitha Falls Nature Reserve, Carnglaze Caverns, Cardinham Woods, many ancient standing stones such as The Cheesewring and The Hurlers (head for the village named Minions) or the Neolithic Fort of Helman Tor.
Bodmin and Wenford Railway – six-mile full-sized steam railway from Bodmin General Station to Boscarne Junction where it links with the Camel Trail (an 18-mile cycle trail following a disused railway track alongside the River Camel that leads ultimately to Padstow).
Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park – China clay museum, 26-acre Country Park, children’s challenge trail and play area.
Bodmin Jail (PL31 2RN) – A fascinating historical jail that is both educational and fun, especially for those who like a bit of spine-tingling! Re-opened in October 2020 after extensive refurbishment.
Pencarrow House and Garden (PL30 5AG) – The family home of the Molesworth-St Aubyns for almost 500 years. On the edge of Bodmin Moor with Grade II listed garden, Iron Age fort, play areas, café and gift shop. 50 acres to explore and dog friendly.
Animal Attractions
The Monkey Sanctuary (PL13 1NZ) has a spectacular position above the sea near Looe; this is a working sanctuary and not a zoo. The monkeys have all been rescued and many of them show the signs of their past. The keepers give regular talks but it probably isn’t suitable for very young children as noise can frighten the monkeys. The sanctuary has a vegetarian Treetop Cafe.
National Marine Aquarium (Plymouth Barbican) multi-level, zoned aquarium with over 4000 creatures from 400 species, it features Britain’s deepest tank and over 70 sharks.
Newquay Zoo (TR7 2NN) – small sized wildlife park operated by a conservation charity.
Paignton Zoo (TQ4 7EU) – further away than Newquay but this is really good large zoo with more to see than could fill just one day.
Dairyland Farm World ( TR8 5AA) – lots of animals, lots of play equipment and a working dairy farm
Screech Owl Sanctuary (TR9 6HP) – Close encounters with owls
Active/Adventures
All suitable for families depending on ages/swimming ability.
Adrenalin Quarry (PL14 3PJ), just up the road has the UK’s fastest zip wire descending over a flooded quarry, kart tracks for all ages, aqua park, coasteering and a giant swing.
Adventure Fit South West in Looe (PL13 2BX) climbing wall, kayak, canoe and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) trips tel. 01503 262000
Horse riding – try Great Trethew Trekking (PL14 3PY) (tel. 07791174104) who can arrange beach rides, Polmartin Farm (PL14 4RE) (tel. 01503 220428) or to ride on Bodmin Moor try either Lower Tokenbury Equestrian Centre (PL14 5AR) (tel. 01579 362747) or there is also TM International School of Horsemanship (PL14 5BP) (tel. 01579 362895). Poldark rides with Hallagenna Riding (tel 01208 851500)
Surfing and Coasteering – Adventure Bay Surf School at Tregonhawke Beach, Whitsand Bay tel.07722 913 206 , Discovery Surf School, Bigbury https://discoverysurf.com/
Kayaking and Watersports River Kayaking on the Tamar with Canoe Tamar (tel 01822 833409), part of Tamar Trails, Stand Up Paddle board and Kayaks at Blue Dot Adventures at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, on the River Fowey with Encounter Cornwall (Tel. 01208 871 066) or Fowey Kayak Experience (tel. 01726 833627), Cornwall Kayaking at St Austell, Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre, St Austell. Polkerris beach https://polkerrisbeach.com/
Flowrider at Retallack resort – Body boarding and surfing but not in the sea! Suitable for children age 5+ between Bodmin and Newquay.
Cycling – There are many cycling routes throughout Cornwall see:
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=17685
The multi use Tamar trails mentioned in the walking section above.
Cardinham Woods – has had a lot of cycle trail development and now boasts a blue (moderate) grade 12km off –road/mountain biking trail named the Bodmin Beast, there are two red-grade loops off this trail suitable for proficient cyclists named Dialled-in Dave and Hell’s Teeth
Lanhydrock - bike hire, family friendly and intro to off road cycling trails and some sligtly more challenging routes. Outside of the house so no payment to access. Also has a nice cafe and children's play area.
There are many bike hire places in the area, many also hire trailers, electric or adapted bikes.
Hangloose at The Eden Project – zip wire over the Eden Quarry, free fall, giant swing
Others
St Austell Brewery Visitor Centre and tours (PL25 4BY) – an interactive museum and tour (tour only accepts children over 8) teaching you all about brewing and the history of St Austell Brewery, ending with tastings.
Sterts Theatre and Arts Centre (PL14 5AZ) – lots of fantastic arts and theatre events in a magical setting on the edge of the moor. Built in a natural amphitheatre covered by a giant tent.
Camel Valley Vineyard (PL30 5LG) – Cornwall’s award winning vineyard, tours, tastings and shop. Choose from an early evening tour with tasting sessions or an afternoon tour with a glass of wine and soft drinks/concession prices for children!
Aerosauraus Balloons – see Bodmin Moor from the sky, perhaps with a glass of champagne in your hand tel. 01404 823102