12 Great & Alternative Things to do in Cornwall

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12 Great & Alternative Things to do in Cornwall

Having been lucky enough to have enjoyed a number of family holidays and trips to Cornwall we have been able to been able to explore the countryside and enjoy many of the delights that this lovely county in the South West of England has to offer.

We have listed a few very enjoyable ideas and alternative things to do in Cornwall for when you next visit this beautiful county with its stunning and dramatic coastline.

  1. Enjoy a Speedy Zip Wire Descent across the Spectacular Eden Project – Reach speeds of up to 60mph and soar across the amazing biomes at the Eden Project. It is England’s longest and fastest zip wire and a great adrenaline rush. Then relax by wandering diverse climates and environments of the Amazon rain forest, Western Australia and the Mediterranean in the incredible bio domes
  2. Grab a tasty and traditional Cornish Pasty overlooking St Michael’s Mount – sit on the benches overlooking St Michaels Mount. Then wait until the tide goes out far enough to walk across to this lovely small National Trust tidal island. It is linked to the town of Marazion by a man-made causeway of granite setts, passable between mid-tide and low water.
  3. Sand, Surf & Sangria at Newquay – There are great waves for surfing in this Cornish mecca seaside town. Head to down to Fistral Beach or the popular private beach with excellent bar and restaurant at Lusty Glaze. Book yourself onto a surf lesson and experience some of the best waves in Cornwall. Having mastered the waves enjoy a Seafood Linguine or Lusty Burger in the beach restaurant. Live music is available on certain evenings too.
  4. Amazing Cornish Harbour Pubs, Rashleigh Inn at Polkerris – After a day in the sunshine on this delightful beach visit the traditional old Rashleigh Inn pub on Polkerris Beach. It is ideal for a pie and pint overlooking the small but idyllic sandy beach and harbour at Polkerris in South Cornwall. Friendly welcome and great food.
  5. Breakfast with the Tall Ships at Charlestown Harbour –Enjoy a walk around the old and unspoilt traditional harbour of Charleston. This location is often used as a film location including for the popular Poldark series. It often harbours a fleet of old square rigger sailing ships. Grab a tasty breakfast in either Charlie’s Boathouse or Wreckers both just up from the harbour. A short drive away from St Austell.
  6. Tandem along the Camel Trail for Fish & Chips on the Harbour wall at Padstow – Hire a tandem bicycle and cycle the virtually traffic free 18 mile Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow on the old railway line. Grab some freshly caught fish and chips and eat them on the harbour wall at Padstow.
  7. Visit ‘Wheal Roots’ a Poldark Tin Mine – Head down into the cool underground temperatures of the Wheal Roots 18th century tin mine workings at the Poldark Mine near Helston. One of the most historic Cornish mining locations, Wheal Roots Workings at The Poldark Mine is the only complete tin mine in Cornwall open for underground guided tours. The old mine is on several levels. The guided tours provide a fascinating commentary and insight to the life down in the mines.
  8. Beach Cricket on Perranporth Beach – Set up the stumps and wicket on the sand near the Watering Hole café / bar on the beach at Perranporth. Be pleasantly surprised by those who want to join in. It is great fun tearing around on the soft sand in a competitive spirit with friends and family.
  9. 5 mile Coastal Path Walk, Boscastle to Tintagel Castle via the fairy pools and waterfall at St Nectan’s Kieve at Trethevy, North Cornwall –  It is a unique fairytale waterfall that some believe attracts the fairfolk. The kieve, or sugar bowl basin, at the bottom of the 60-foot waterfall is 20-feet deep and is rounded smoothly. The force of the falling water over the years has broken away the front. This has created a lovely natural arch that the falls now pass through.
  10. Fly a Kite on the Beach at St Ives – with a wonderful backdrop of the buzzing town of St Ives it is a spectacular location to fly a kite in the coastal breeze. Once you are worn out, take the ferry across to Seal Island. You can then visit the seal colony or wander the cobbled streets enjoying the art scene. There are numerous galleries that can be viewed in this picturesque old fishing harbour and seaside town.
  11. Scare Yourself Silly in an After Dark Tour of Bodmin Jail and Execution Pit up on Bodmin Moor – Bodmin Jail a formidable old jail built by French prisoners of war, with a truly sordid history is said to be one of Britain’s most haunted venues. Spooky ghost walks after dark are available if you up for it!
  12. Catching Crabs at Fowey – Using mackerel heads and pigs trotters as bait the traps are set and in no time the buckets were full of crabs of all sizes. After the younger ones catch dinner, hire out a ‘sit-on-top’ kayak.  Navigate around the lovely harbour and popular Readymoney Cove. Then head across to Polruan admiring some of the lovely sailing boats, harbour cottages and cruisers.

Come down and visit this wonderful county and enjoy the delights it has to offer. For a choice of self catering lodges and cottages by water in Cornwall see Waterside Breaks – Cornwall

Author – Waterside Breaks, Holiday Cottages & Lodges by Water across the UK