What is there to do in Cornwall?
10 best things to do in South East 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. Here are just a few ideas:
- 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). Click on the link to find out about Our top 5 walks in the area – Kernock Cottages
- Enjoy thrilling rides and activities– for the adrenalin junkie in your life, check out Adrenalin Quarry at Menheniot, where you can fly down the UK’s maddest zipwire, go coasteering, ride the giant swing (150ft up…), go wild water swimming, or take a spin in a kart (more sedate activities are also available!). http://www.adrenalinquarry.co.uk/
- Tickle your tastebuds– 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 (where the fish virtually jumps off the boat and onto your plate), Chennai Indian Restaurant in Looe (bring your own alcohol), The View at Millbrook (gorgeous food and a fabulous view over Whitsand Bay), and The Springer Spaniel at Treburley (owned and operated by Anton Piotrowski and his wife, Clare. Anton, a former MasterChef winner, has brought his culinary expertise to the pub, earning it the title of County Dining Pub of the Year for Cornwall; and it is also dog-friendly). For more suggestions read our blogs
How to find the most indulgent dining experiences that people love in Cornwall – Kernock Cottages
It’s all about food! – Kernock Cottages
- 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. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele/
- 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 bird watching, 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. http://www.canoetamar.co.uk/ . Alternatively, Golant is the base of award-winning (small activity business of the year 2024) Encounter Cornwall provide kayaking and paddle boarding 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 also welcome! Kernock guests receive a 10% discount – contact us for the voucher code.
- 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 worlds’ 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 scenary (low tide!) – Whitsand bay (warning steep steps)
- Best for general beach and watersports – Cawsand (no dogs seasonal) and Kingsand (dogs allowed) or Looe beach
Buy 10 get one free! Jam First… while you are with us don’t forget to treat yourself to a scrumptious Cornish cream tea. If you’re wondering what the difference is between a Cornish cream tea and a Devon one – in Cornwall we put the jam on first (obviously…!)
