Region Explored - Cornwall
Caravan Holidays: Private caravans for rent in Cornwall
Located in the extreme south west of England is Cornwall with its quaint fishing villages, hidden bays and beautiful, long sandy beaches.
Often classed as the English Riviera, the south coast path of Cornwall covers an amazing 149 miles spanning from Lands End to Plymouth. Along the coast you will also find lovely seafront towns such as Lizard, which and the most southerly part on England, Penzance, Mevagissey and Looe to name but a few.
Not to be outdone, the north coast boasts such delights as St Ives, Newquay and Port Isaac, all famed for their fantastic surfing beaches.
Weather and Climate
We love to talk about the weather in England, but did you know that Cornwall is seasonally warmer than most of the UK? This is due in part to the south-west of England benefitting from tropical winds coming over from France and Spain. The seas close proximity to larger areas of land means the seasonal temperature in the south-west also varies a little less than most of the UK.
If you’re looking for sunshine then the months of May through to August will be your best bet, with sea temperatures being at their highest in August. October through to March is, unsurprisingly, the wettest time of year, averaging 105mm of rainfall per month.
Surfing
Many of the same factors that make Cornwall’s weather so great also make for great surfing, and Cornwall is well regarded as a Mecca for surfers on the British Isles.
Warm winds and large areas of coastline make sites like Newquay’s Fistral Beach some of the best surf in the UK - if you’re already well-versed with a board. Alternatively, Gwithian Beach in St. Ives offers a great place for complete beginners through to enthusiastic amateurs to find their feet in safer and less busy surroundings - and it also sports its own surf school.
Outdoor Activities
Surfing may be popular in Cornwall, but it’s certainly not the only option available for those wishing to spend some time out in the open air. With activities ranging from rock-climbing and go karting, through to scenic walks, nature park visits and National Trust buildings, there’s a lot to do outside. Here are a few of our favourites.
If you’re looking for an activity the whole family can enjoy, why not try Football Golf. This fun sport uses the rules of golf but allows players to kick a football into a hole rather than having to use clubs. A full round takes 4 players around 2 hours to complete. St. Austell has a fantastic new course, featuring two 18-hole courses, and free parking. Well behaved dogs kept on leads are also welcome on the course.
Ever fancied yourself as the next Lewis Hamilton or Nigel Mansell? Located between Newquay and Padstow, St. Eval Kart Racing Circuit provides all the thrills of motor racing on its all weather 1.3km International Circuit. With a range of karts available to suit different skills and ages, the south-west’s answer to Silverstone awaits!
If you’re feeling brave, try your hand at rock climbing with Phil Matthews. Offering guided tuition and courses for seasoned climbers as well as complete beginners, Phil certainly knows his onions when it comes to climbing and mountaineering around the Cornish coastline.
The Eden Project
The world’s largest captive rainforest should be high up on anyone’s list of places of interest when visiting Cornwall. The Eden Project opened fully to the public in March 2001 and attracts anywhere from 6,000 to 14,000 visitors per day. The project’s main attraction features two enormous ‘biomes’, a Rainforest biome and a Mediterranean biome, each housing a particular climate to support the life that is cultivated inside it. With many seasonal attractions, events, and educational days, the Eden Project, near St. Austell, is a fantastic day out and not to be missed
Other Points of Interest in Cornwall
The famous Minack Theatre was built in the winter of 1931/1932 by Rowena Cade and her gardener, Billy Rawlings, to better host a local outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The performance was a success, and over the following years the theatre was adjusted and improved, a process that continues to this day. The theatre’s opening times for visits can be found on their website along with details of future performances and booking details for tickets.
Keeping to the theme of drama, why not take a guided tour of Port Isaac from a local involved in the filming of the hit TV series, Doc Martin or perhaps a private, one day tour of the Truro set locations from another Cornish set TV series, Poldark.
If all that walking seems like too much work, and you’d rather just settle down with a good drink, then the Padstow Brewing Company could be right up your street. Expect to enjoy tutored tastings and a more in depth look into the beer brewing process. Visits last about an hour and cost £25 per person, which includes two complementary bottles of beer or cider and a Padstow Brewing Co. branded glass.
The Tate St.Ives is open Monday to Sunday, 10:00am to 17:20pm. The gallery overlooks Porthmeor Beach and the Atlantic Ocean beyond and houses permanent displays of modern art, sculpture and architecture alongside temporary exhibitions and events. The Tate St. Ives is a must visit for any modern art enthusiast.
As always, we hope you have found this guide helpful. If you wish to find out any extra information regarding the surrounding area specific to your holiday let, a great place to start is to ask the let owners themselves as most are highly knowledgeable about their local areas and more than willing to offer advice if asked.