There’s a magic about Cornwall. The far south-west of England has a long mythical and mystical history that seems to hover in the moorland mist over Bodmin. It’s also a county of fantastic beaches, Britain’s best surfing and the finest clotted cream in the world.
As the weather starts to pick up a little, many of us will be thinking ahead to the summer and if you’re considering a sunshine break by the sea there’s no better place in which to unpack your trunks than the county that has everything – sandy beaches, rocky coves, beautiful natural wonders and cracking family attractions.
Here’s our top 10 Cornish days out to help you plan your break:
1 – Hidden Valley Discovery Park
This isn’t a high-adrenaline amusement park, but it is a great place for smaller kids and for families to explore together. The manor house is set up as a mysterious Forbidden Mansion, there’s a train to ride, and beautiful gardens to explore. The restaurant’s good too.
The Hidden Valley is near Launceston, centrally located and handy for Dobwalls Holiday Park at Holbourne Dubois.
2 – Flambards Amusement Park
For some more of the big-thrill rides, head towards the “toe” of the county and Flambards, near Porthleven, an established favourite for families that mixes amusement park attractions with historical recreations.
Flambards is handy for River Valley Country Park near Penzance.
3 – Trebah Gardens
Cornwall’s mild climate makes it fantastic gardening country and Trebah Gardens is amongst the best in the county, with some fine exotics and a pretty, private beach. It’s got good access for those with mobility problems and a good café too.
Trebah Gardens just a hop across the peninsular from award-winning Riviere Sands Holiday Park.
4 – Fistral Beach
If the sun shines most of us will head towards the beach. But for some visitors to Cornwall it’s the strength of the wind that’s just as important as the temperature. They’re the surfers who make this one of the board sports hotspots of Europe. You’ll find many of them at beautiful Fistral Beach, but there’s plenty of room for sunbathers, walkers and kids too.
Fistral Beach is close to Newquay, where there’s a good choice of holiday parks, including Haven’s Perran Sands.
5 – The Eden Project
The golf ball domes of Eden Project are world famous, not least as the roof to be raised at some top quality gigs. It’s also an important environmental project, but it’s the fascination of disappearing into a dripping rain forest in a Cornish former quarry that’s the real magic of the place.
The Eden Project is near St Austell, not far from the historic surroundings of the Hoseasons Trelawne Manor park.
6 – Boscastle
If you go to Cornwall you have to take in one of the justly famous fishing villages. Boscastle is amongst the best of them, so beautiful that the whole place is a National Trust property. The Witchcraft Museum is good too, and local boat trips take in fine seabird – including puffins – territory.
Just up the coast from Boscastle, you’ll find Widemouth Bay Caravan Park, you can even walk it on the coastal path.
7 – Pendennis Castle
Pendennis isn’t one of the monster fortresses of the UK, but it’s very well preserved and has some interesting historical content. What’s really magical, in the summer particularly, are the gardens, grounds and a fantastic setting with excellent river and sea views.
Pendennis Castle is close to Falmouth, not too far from River Valley Country Park.
8 – Tintagel Castle
Did King Arthur really walk the wind-swept cliffs of north Cornwall? The truth is we’ll never really know, but the county’s history is rich, Celtic and full of fascinating legends like the Camelot tales that mist around Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave, a beautiful local coastal beauty spot.
North of Tintagel you’ll find Widemouth Bay Caravan Park, a Hoseasons park.
9 – Polperro Coast
Polperro’s another pretty little town with some nice tourist attractions, including a model village and a smuggling museum, it’s also a great starting point for some wonderful walking along the Cornish Coastal Path. Head off in the direction of Polruan for some of the most exciting seascapes in Britain.
Polperro is close to Looe, and nearby is Hoseasons’ Tencreek holiday park.
10 – St Ives
An outpost of the Tate gallery gives St Ives its cultural cachet, celebrating the fact that the beautiful light and stunning coast and countryside here have attracted artists for centuries. There’s also a Barbara Hepworth sculpture museum and excellent beaches at Porthminster among other places alongside lots of traditional seaside fun.
St Ives juts out from the north of Cornwall, a short drive from Haven’s Riviere Sands park.
