Take a surf lesson or try paddleboarding or coasteering at the Adventure Bay Surf School in Whitsand Bay. Or stay dry at The Climbing Hangar in Plymouth, with 9000 square feet of bountiful bouldering and some of the most interesting and graceful route-setting in the UK. The only way is up.
Pick from 21 horses and ponies to suit people of all ages and abilities at Great Trethew Trekking, set in 40 tranquil acres of woodlands and gardens. Or burn off some serious energy at Adrenalin Quarry in Liskeard, with its unique gravity park, Wipeout-style aqua park, race track, wild swimming and lovely picnic spots.
Hire bikes from Edge Cycles and explore the local routes at Lanhydrock, Cann Woods, the Camel Trail, and the Tamar Trails Centre. Explore four ocean zones at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, Britain’s biggest. Or meet capuchins, barbary and marmosets at the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe.
Visit the Elizabethan House in Plymouth, a 16th-century survivor of the Blitz and slum clearances that offers an immersive historical experience. Ride through 13 miles of beautiful countryside on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway. Or just bring your cossie and your crab lines for lovely beaches at Polhawn Cove, Whitsand Bay and Cawsand.
Take a tour and sample the product at Plymouth Gin Distillery, or visit the taproom, see beer being brewed, learn about the process, and buy takeaway drinks at the Steel Brew Co. Shoot clay at Cart Ridge Shooting Grounds. Or fire for a low score at Whitsand Bay Golf Course, where sport meets the stunning South Cornwall Coast Path.
You can walk the path direct from Surrounded by Sea, with Rame Head a popular landmark to aim for, or sea-swim, surf, paddleboard, canoe or kayak from the cove below. Hire your gear from Cawsand Water Sports. Or just sit on the rocks and drop a line into the water.
Treat yourself to a relaxing massage or arrange an onsite rejuvenating yoga session with Sarah at Cornwall Ayurveda. Take a trip to Lanhydrock House, the finest house in Cornwall, set in 450 acres of wooded parkland with golf course, gardens and fascinating Victorian kitchens and larders. Or find a stained-glass oasis of calm at Truro Cathedral.
Shop in Plymouth for an amazing mix of brand names and creative independents, including a treasure trove of boutiques on the waterfront. Cap your nights by heading into one of the nearby villages to drink local ales in typically Cornish pubs such as The Halfway House Inn or The Finnygook Inn.
