North Cornwall Cottages
With rugged and remote moorland, lush river valleys, dramatic cliffs and golden sandy beaches, North Cornwall is as beautiful as it is diverse. A paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, the region is home to no less than four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and boasts unspolit natural scenery few other places in the UK can compete with. If you’re looking for holiday of true escapism, somewhere you are free to hole yourselves away for the week, then North Cornwall might well be the destination for you.
Ramblers are spoilt for choice in North Cornwall, with mile upon mile of coastal footpath to explore, as well as the timeless and haunting Bodmin Moor – a wonderful landscape at any time of the year. Bring your walking boots and your camera and embrace the simple pleasures in life.
The beaches in North Cornwall are world-famous thanks to their superb surfing conditions, and each year, attract thousands of surfers looking to hone their skills. If you’re new to surfing but would like to give it a go, why not book a lesson or two with a local surf school – there are plenty throughout the region, all offering equipment hire and tuition for a range of ages and abilities. Children will love Mawgan Porth, Holywell Bay, Trevaunance Cove and Portreath beaches to name just a few; with sheltered and safe waters, rock pools and small caves to explore, and summer lifeguard duty, these beaches are very popular with local and visiting families alike.
There are plenty of attractions to visit when you fancy a break from the beach, including Crealy Adventure Theme Park, DairyLand Farm World, Newquay Zoo, Bodmin and Wenford Railway and the grand National Trust homes of Lanhydrock, Cotehele and Trerice. For a really magical day out, visit the legendary Tintagel Castle – the supposed birthplace of King Arthur – and the mystical Merlin’s Cave.
The Camel Trail is a must for those who enjoy cycling and walking. This flat and traffic-free trail runs alongside the picturesque Camel estuary from Wadebridge in to Padstow. A lovely day out for all the family, there are plenty of opportunities to stop for a picnic along the trail, or treat yourselves to a pub lunch when you reach Padstow…. and don’t worry if you can’t bring your own bikes with you – there is bike and trailer hire available at the start of the trail!
Cardinham Woods is also a great place to explore, either on foot or two wheels – with bikes available to hire here, too. There are four marked routes, as well as plenty of other tracks to discover, and a lovely café serving delicious homemade lunches, cakes and cream teas
All that sightseeing will no doubt leave you with a good appetite, so when you’re done exploring, why not treat yourselves to dinner at one of the fantastic restaurants the region has to offer? For a special occasion, we like Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen at Watergate Bay, but we also love the many cosy country pubs found in this area, perhaps best enjoyed in winter after a refreshing stomp across the beach.
