You’ve probably come to Cornwall because of the stunning outdoors and countryside. And luckily for you there are fantastic ways to get out and enjoy it. Follow coastal paths on foot or by bike, navigate the waters in a kayak or enjoy good old-fashioned seaside fun at one of the county’s glorious beaches.
Watersports fun
If you’re a real water baby, why not try a guided wild swimming tour with Sea Swim Cornwall? You’ll get to search for sea horses along the Helford, discover hidden coves on the Lizard Peninsula and join the legendary mermaids on the pristine and wild West Coast of Cornwall.
If you prefer a little more paddle power, the best way to explore the nooks and crannies of the coastline is on a stand-up paddleboard. There are SUP schools and hire outlets scattered along the coastline offering everything from short intro sessions to multi-day expeditions.
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- Relax in the Jubilee Pool, an Art Deco lido in Penzance
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- See spectacular vistas of the coast in Newquay
Cornwall’s glorious coastline is a magnet for surfers. From the Lizard Peninsula to the northern reaches of Bude there’s no shortage of surf schools, hire outlets and surf shops to ensure you’re kitted out and ready to ride the waves. Sign up for lessons at KingSurf in Mawgan Porth, or if you’re looking to surf with your kids, tap up Family Surf Co. for surfing and beach safety sessions tailored to families.
How about a jet-ski adventure along the Newquay coastline? For something more relaxing head to the Art Deco Jubilee Pool in Penzance
You could also explore the nooks and crannies of the coastline under paddle power on a guided kayaking adventure with Koru Kayaking – paddling through caves and gullies, spotting seals and discovering smuggler’s coves. Want something a little faster? How about a jet-ski adventure along the Newquay coastline with Cornwall Waverunner Safaris?
For something more relaxing head to the Art Deco Jubilee Pool in Penzance – the UK’s largest sea water pool, where you can now bask in a brand new geo-thermally heated section and fuel up in the cool poolside café.
Walking
There’s no better way to experience the wave-hewn landscapes than at walking pace from the South West Coast Path. Some of the toughest sections of coastline await between Bude and Morwenstow, where calf-busting climbs etch the rise and fall of cliffs that collapse onto rocky beaches. By contrast, the mile-and-a-half of well-maintained path between Daymer Bay and surfy Polzeath is easily accessible with a buggy.
If you want to visit some of Cornwall’s most picturesque fishing villages, tread the coastal path to the likes of Portloe, Mousehole and Port Isaac – the latter starring in Doc Martin and the Hollywood blockbuster Fisherman’s Friends.
Go on a hike through Bude
Easily accessible with buggies and wheelchairs is one of the most visited destinations in Cornwall – Land’s End. It’s at this most westerly tip of the UK that the mainland peters out into 3,000 miles of ocean rolling all the way to America. If you prefer a more rugged hike and want to avoid the camera-wielding crowds, head for nearby Cape Cornwall, where two oceans meet and seabirds swirl around the Brisons Rocks.
Pedal power
As well as its breathtaking walking trails, Cornwall is home to a diverse selection of cycle routes. Family favourites include the easy, traffic-free Camel Trail between Padstow and Bodmin Moor, and the 11-mile coast-to-coast trail from Porteath to Devoran. A new 30 km Bay-to-Bay trail is planned in West Cornwall, which will link towns and villages across Mount’s Bay.
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- Enjoy watching the water flow under Delford Bridge in Bodmin Moor
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- Go on a biking journey through Cornwall
National Trust’s Lanhydrock has a skills area and bike trails graded for all abilities – from toddlers on tag-a-longs to proficient mountain bikers, while intermediate cyclists will enjoy the more challenging Beast of Bodmin Trail at Cardinham Woods.
Cornwall is home to a diverse selection of cycle routes. Family favourites include the easy, traffic-free Camel Trail between Padstow and Bodmin Moor
If you’re serious about mountain biking, brace yourself for adrenalin-pumping downhills and the ease of an uplift at Cornwall’s first purpose-built bike park – Woody’s. Also worth checking out are the Tamar Trails, enticing all abilities to explore off-road on the border of Cornwall and Devon.
Gardens galore
There are plenty of garden wonderlands blooming in the county’s sub-tropical climate including the historic Lost Gardens of Heligan, where you can tunnel through bamboo, banana palms and gigantic rhubarb plants to ancient woodlands and water meadows.
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- Rope bridge at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
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- Trebah Garden offers stunning views
Another firm favourite with families – and dogs, too – is Trebah Garden, where you can wend through colourful foliage to a divine sandy beach perfect for skimming pebbles.
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