Unmissable things to do in Cornwall
When it comes to Cornwall it isn’t just about the pasties or clotted cream scones, there are other things to see and do in Cornwall. We share the six unmissable things to see and do in the stunning county of Cornwall.
The Eden Project
Cornwall’s ecological cause célèbre has come a long way since it opened its doors in 2001. The three space-age bio-mes are still very much the main attraction, housing exotic plants from all over the globe, but these days Eden is a year-round destination. In winter, a full-size ice rink springs into life during the Time of Gifts festival and, in summer, big-name acts play in the shadow of the biomes for the popular Eden Sessions.
Padstow
Padstow was once a north coast lobster port, but now is the epicentre of Rick Stein’s ever-expanding food empire, which includes:
- Deli
- Gift Shop
- Fish and Chip Shop
- Seafood School
- Several Hotels
- Pubs & Cocktail Bars
Lanhydrock
There is a mass of stately homes in Cornwall, but few can match the splendour of Lanhydrock. The ancestral home of the aristocratic Robartes family has been owned by the National Trust since 1953 and offers a fascinating insight into life above and below stairs in Victorian England. Around the house, more than 800 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens roll all the way down to the River Fowey.
Geevor Tin Mine
The history of mining in Cornwall has left an indelible mark on the county’s landscape. There are crumbling buildings that once housed steam engines for the mines pepper the horizon. By heading to the underground you will gain complete insight into the unimaginably tough lives of Cornwall’s hard rock men. The knowledgeable guides (some of whom are ex-miners) are more than happy to lead expeditions into the murky mineshafts.
Bushcraft on Bodmin Moor
Any budding Bear Grylls can enhance their survival skills with an all day bushcraft course at South Penquite Farm, in the wild surroundings of Bodmin Moor. The day covers the basics – fire lighting, shelter building, foraging, cooking on an open fire – and introduces the moor’s natural habitats and unique wildlife. For something more sedate, there are art workshops, fly-fishing and walks around the organic farm.
Coast to Coast Bike Trail
Between Portreath and Devoran there is an old tramline which was used to carry copper ore from the mines around Gwennap. This has now been converted to an 11 mile bike track which runs from the north coast to the south coasts. It is mainly flat and level, and passes through an atmospheric industrial ruin which forms part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. You can hire bikes at both ends, or there’s parking if you’d prefer to bring your own.