Situated in the deepest depths of South West England, Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK and is famed for its natural beauty, sandy beaches and surfing. The Cornish are also fiercely – and quite rightly – proud of their individuality, with their own language, dress and delectable regional dishes. So much so, in fact, that recently they were officially recognised as a national minority for the first time. All of this unique personality and regional pride leads to a rare, fascinating experience, with activities abound for the whole family which you wouldn’t find anywhere else on the planet.
With all this in mind, we’ve teamed up with holiday cottage specialists Blue Chip Holidays to offer some of the best Cornwall experiences for those wanting to try something a little different. So, here are 6 alternative activities in Cornwall for an IDEAL trip off the beaten track.
St Nectan’s Kieve
When we think of waterfalls, exotic images of grand, majestic cascades from far flung places spring to mind. Sites like Niagara falls have set the water level so high that the UK is not somewhere we typically associate with the wondrous wet. As a result, many of our own go unnoticed; perhaps a blessing because much of their natural beauty is preserved.
One such unique waterfall can be found in Cornwall. Tucked away off a coastal road between Boscastle and Tintagel, St Nectan’s Kieve is a stunning 60 ft waterfall fed by the Trevillet River, which flows through St Nectan’s Glen and onto the sea at Rocky Valley. It’s not only beautiful, but it’s also believed to be a place where fairies and other mythical creatures gather. Look out for brightly coloured ribbons hanging from trees around the site – this is a Celtic tradition of leaving pieces of cloth known as ‘clouties’ near water sources for good luck and health.
© Raymond
Fistral Beach (Newquay)
Mention Firstral to a surf fan and watch the pavlov-esque reaction of goosebumps rising and excitement building. The beach is akin to mecca for watersports aficionados and is famed for being the home of British surfing due to the consistency and quality of its waves. The International Surfing Centre is based here – need we say more? – and full of a variety of businesses, cafes and restaurants serve the thronging mass of bronzed, blonde haired beach bums and babes.
The Museum Of Witchcraft And Magic
Housing the world’s largest collection of pieces relating to witchcraft, the occult and magic, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is perfect for those wanting an intriguing, spooky experience. It’s all very knowingly weird and, as such, very knowingly Cornish!
Established in Boscatle in 1961 and with over 3,000 items including charms, curses, dolls and trinkets, this independent museum is one of the most popular in Cornwall, and is dedicated to preserving the great variety of magical practice through its educational exhibitions.
©Überraschungsbilder
The Shipwreck & Heritage Centre
Although a little morbid, there is something mysterious and exciting about shipwrecks. The Shipwreck & Heritage Centre has one of the largest private collections of shipwreck and historical artefacts on display in Europe, and is great for those who want to learn about the temperamental mistress that is the Cornish coastline.
This display features displays from over 150 shipwrecks, as well as exhibitions that feature the history of Charlestown, village life and the once thriving China Clay industry. The exhibition hosts an array of maritime history dating back to 1715 and has one of the largest underwater diving equipment assortments in the country, including various underwater suits used for treasure hunting and other naval purposes.
Eden Project
The Eden Project houses the largest indoor rainforest in the world. Enough said.
Ok, so this one isn’t exactly off the beaten track as it’s one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions, but it’s home to so many weird and wonderful exotic plants and fruits that you’d find off the beaten path (in another country that is) we reckon we can get away with including it.
The dedication to environmental education and the interdependence of plants and people here will provide an invaluable education for all the family.
The complex is famed for its two huge enclosures – iconic images recognisable the world over – consisting of connecting domes that house thousands of plant species; one emulating a natural Rainforest environment and the other a Mediterranean environment. Incredible stuff.
The Eden Project also has an outside botanical garden which plays host to a variety of plants and wildlife native to the U.K and Cornwall. The attraction is also home to a range of family friendly events to experience throughout the year including music festivals during the summer and the Festival of Light and Sound during the winter months.
Davidstow Airfield & Cornwall At War Museum
Situated on Davidstow Moor Airfield, the Cornwall At War Museum is a great day out for all. Primarily covering the history of RAF Davidstow moor, the museum also hosts exhibits on other North Coast airfields and details wartime life in Cornwall.
Spread across multiple buildings on the complex, some feature mixed displays and others dedicated to specific military forces such as the RAF, the Army and the Royal Navy. Although many of the exhibitions and artefacts are from the WWII era, there is also an extensive collection of wartime memorabilia dating from WWI to the Falklands Conflict.
Visitors can get refreshments at the onsite NAAFI and the museum is wheelchair and dog friendly too.