Key Takeaways:
- South East Cornwall offers diverse experiences beyond tourist hotspots, from quiet countryside to vibrant coastal adventures.
- Cornwall is ideal for all ages, combining outdoor activities, culture, food, and family-friendly attractions.
- Dog-friendly accommodation makes it easy to explore Cornwall without leaving any family member behind.
- Outdoor adventures in Cornwall range from gentle walks to high-adrenaline experiences on land and water.
- Cornwall is a standout UK food destination, known for fresh local produce and exceptional dining.
What Is There To Do in Cornwall?
Cornwall isn’t just about Newquay, the Lizard and Penzance – the beautiful rolling hills and valleys of South East Cornwall have a lot to offer, with picturesque fishing villages, glorious beaches, stunning scenery, great restaurants, and so much to do for all ages.
Staying at Kernock Cottages, a luxury cottage retreat in Cornwall, gives you the perfect base to explore it all, with beautifully designed, dog friendly cottages that ensure every member of the family, four-legged ones included, can enjoy the experience.
10 Unmissable Things to Do in Cornwall for All Ages (and Paws)
Whether you’re craving fresh air, adrenaline, exceptional food, or classic Cornish culture, South East Cornwall offers an incredible variety of experiences right on your doorstep. From wild coastal walks and moorland adventures to indulgent dining, historic houses and family-friendly days out, there’s things to do in Cornwall here for every pace and every age.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side.
We have fantastic walking all over Cornwall (not least the glorious South West Coastal Path and Bodmin Moor). Known as Cornwall’s Forgotten Corner, the Rame Peninsula is a stunning, unspoilt National Landscape rich in wildlife, history, and coastal scenery, bounded by the English Channel, Plymouth Sound, and the Tamar and Lynher rivers.
Find out more about Our Top 5 Walks In The Area.
Enjoy thrilling rides and activities.
For the adrenaline junkie in your life, head to Adrenalin Quarry in Menheniot, where you can tackle the UK’s wildest zipwire, try coasteering, brave the 150ft Giant Swing, go wild water swimming, or take a spin in a kart though calmer activities are available too if you prefer to keep your feet (mostly) on the ground!
Tickle your taste buds.
With an abundance of great local produce, Cornwall is fast becoming something of a foodie Mecca, and we are fortunate to have some fabulous restaurants in South East Cornwall.
A few favourites include The Sardine Factory on the Quay in Looe, Chennai Indian Restaurant in Looe (bring your own alcohol), The View at Millbrook , and The Springer Spaniel at Treburley, owned by former MasterChef winner Anton Piotrowski and his wife Clare, where his award-winning cooking has earned the pub Cornwall’s County Dining Pub of the Year and it’s also dog-friendly.
Explore the full posts on How To Find the Most Indulgent Dining Experiences in Cornwall and It’s All About Food.
Visit the Tudors
Cotehele House (National Trust) is one of the best examples of a Tudor house in the UK. Explore the beautiful interiors and the glorious gardens, and don’t forget to go down to Cotehele Quay on the Tamar, where the views are lovely and you can enjoy a cracking cream tea at the Edgcumbe Tea Room overlooking the river.
Climb a hill
Prince Charles gifted Kit Hill in Callington to the people of Cornwall to celebrate the birth of Prince William in 1985. This 400 acre Country Park is a wild, rugged, granite hilltop that is famous for its fine view over the Tamar Valley AONB, and is the ideal place for a wide range of activities including birdwatching, kite flying and picnics. The all-day breakfast at Louis Tea Room is recommended, as is their cream tea.
Canoe the river Tamar or river Fowey
Paddle from Cotehele Quay to the majestic Calstock Viaduct, and experience the delight of gliding in a silent boat in some of the most beautiful scenery in England, past steeply sloping woodland, ancient quays, and mine chimneys with Canoe Tamar.
Alternatively, Golant is the base of award-winning (small activity business of the year 2024) Encounter Cornwall provides kayaking and paddleboarding tours on the River Fowey. Their highly recommended river kayaking tours allow you to explore the river and creeks in safety with a guide.
Dogs are welcome too, and Kernock guests receive 10% off; contact us for your voucher code.
Read the full post on Exploring Cornwall’s Charming River Fowey.
Experience the wonders of the ocean
The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is the biggest in Britain and the deepest in Europe. It has over 4000 different types of sea creatures, from sharks to the world’s largest collection of seahorses. There is a walk-through tunnel and a giant coral reef tank, and Britain’s only specimen of the giant squid!
Pop into Polperro
Polperro is the perfect Cornish fishing village, with tiny fisherman’s cottages jostling together down the valley and sail lofts hanging off the rocks. In olden times it was the haunt of smugglers but is now more famed for its seafood, so don’t forget to try a mouth-watering crab sandwich.
Go shark fishing
Looe is not just a fishing town but is also home to the Shark Angling Club of Great Britain. However, you can also take a boat trip without the fishing! It has a pretty harbour, a couple of beaches, and plenty of foodie opportunities, from fish and chips and cream teas to fine dining.
Head to the beach
Our top picks:
- Best accessible (no dogs) – Looe beach
- Best accessible (dogs all year) – Seaton beach
- Best for young children – Looe Beach (safe, sand, rock pools and crabbing, watersports)
- Best for surfing – Whitsand Bay
- Best for dog walking and scenery (low tide!) – Whitsand bay (warning: steep steps)
- Best for general beach and watersports – Cawsand (no dogs seasonal) and Kingsand (dogs allowed) or Looe beach
For more beach activities, read the full post on Beaches & Watersports.
Making the Most of Your Time in Cornwall
With so much to see and do, it’s easy to understand why South East Cornwall captures the hearts of so many visitors. Whether your days are filled with coastal walks, river adventures, historic discoveries, beach time, or simply great food enjoyed at a relaxed Cornish pace, there’s always something new to experience.
Staying at Kernock Cottages gives you the freedom to explore it all from a peaceful, luxury base in the heart of the countryside, perfect for unwinding after a day out, with space for families, friends, and dogs alike.
However you choose to spend your time, Cornwall has a way of turning a simple holiday into lasting memories… preferably finished with a cream tea, jam on first, of course.
FAQs
Is Cornwall good for walking and outdoor activities?
Yes, Cornwall is one of the UK’s best destinations for walking and outdoor activities. The South West Coastal Path, Bodmin Moor, Kit Hill and the Tamar Valley AONB offer spectacular scenery, while activities like ziplining, kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering are widely available across the county.
Are there good food and dining experiences in Cornwall?
Cornwall is a renowned foodie destination, known for fresh seafood, local produce and excellent dining. South East Cornwall is home to standout restaurants such as The Sardine Factory in Looe, The View at Millbrook, and The Springer Spaniel at Treburley, alongside traditional pubs and cream tea spots. Explore our Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants page.
When is the best time to visit Cornwall?
Cornwall is a year-round destination. Summer offers beach weather and lively events, while spring and autumn are perfect for walking, sightseeing and quieter beaches. Winter is ideal for scenic walks, cosy pubs and dramatic coastal views.
What historic attractions are worth visiting in Cornwall?
Cotehele House, managed by the National Trust, is one of the best-preserved Tudor houses in the UK and a must-visit in South East Cornwall. Historic fishing villages such as Polperro and Looe also offer a glimpse into Cornwall’s maritime past.
