If your kids are past the sand castle stage, here are a few ideas to fill their Cornish holiday with memorable fun and adventuring
Surfing
It is hard to come to Cornwall with it’s stunning coastline, great waves and surfing heritage, and not want to try out surfing. With a range of options from sheltered areas for beginners and big waves for the more advanced, you’ve got no excuses. Most beaches have a local surf school with lessons available, along with wetsuit and board hire. If you’ve not surfed before a lesson is the ideal introduction, because as well as the technical aspects, all the important beach safety elements are covered. Surfing is a sport, a hobby, a passion, an addiction, a way of life.
Here is a local surf school option at Widemouth Bay
Tree Surfing
If you have good balance and co-ordination and fancy something different, try out a high ropes tree top adventure. Leap, swing, glide and soar through the canopy layer. Not for those who do not like heights, navigate your way through rope bridges, zip lines, obstacles and walkways .
Cost: Adult £27, Child £23, Juniors (4-12years) £14. Height restrictions apply.
Coasteering
This increasingly popular activity allows unparalleled access to the rugged and beautiful North Cornish coast. Sessions include swimming in rocky coves, exploring caves and whitewater, and not forgetting jumping from the cliffs into the sea.
Based in Polzeath Cornish Rock Tors Ltd run sessions of this popular coast adventure sport. From an introductory session in sheltered waters, with every activity being voluntary, to advanced coasteering, all levels are catered for.
Sessions £40, all the gear provided.
Sea Kayaking
Get away from the crowds and view Cornwall from a different angle, from a kayak. A guided sea kayaking trip is the perfect way to explore the amazing coastal views and wildlife. Paddling along in the tranquil waters is a great way to access the parts of Cornwall that can’t be reached by foot or car. Keep an eye out for seals and dolphins.
Sea Fishing
With over 300 miles of coastline, Cornwall is a perfect place to set sail out into the Atlantic and explore the oceans bounty. Mackerel fishing trips are very popular. A bottom and reef trip would allow you access to different fish such as Pollock, Cod, Bass, Gurnard and Ling.
If you don’t fancy taking to the seas, other local fishing options include beach fishing, coarse fishing and rock fishing.
Go Extreme at the Eden Project
Choose from the SkyWire, the Drop, or the Giant Gravity Swing? Or all three if you are brave enough!
The SkyWire, at 660 metres long is England’s (and Europe’s) longest zip line, and reaches speeds of 60 mph. I’ve seen lots of people brave enough to zooming high over the biomes, and it does look amazing, but I think in this case I’ll stick with watching!
For the Gravity swing you plummet at 50mph over a 65ft cliff edge, solo or with friends. It looks like the most adventurous swing I have ever seen.
The Drop is the latest addition for thrill-seekers. Jump off the platform and “drop” the equivalent of a three-storey fall, no wires or supports are needed, it’s just total free fall. Then comes a further 20 metre drop over the edge of a cliff on a free fall simulator.
SkyWire £20, Giant Swing £15, The Drop £15. £30 for 2 activities, or £36 for all 3. No Eden admission necessary.
Siblyback Lake
If watersports is what you are after, Siblyback Lake is the place to be offering windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, wakeboarding stand-up paddle boarding, as well as cycling and climbing.
If water sports aren’t for you, try a bit of Segway tour. An hour and a half of all terrain action on this 2-wheel vehicle taking in the sights of the lake as you cruise along.
Climbing
There is a great climbing centre about 20 minutes away called The Barn. This dedicated climbing venue is for the serious enthusiast, though taster sessions run for those aged 7 and up (£15pp) for those less experienced who fancy a go. All kit hire is included.
Bodmin Jail
I took my daughter (aged 5!) to Bodmin Jail last year, and the she was terrified, the memories still haunt her. I would definitely recommend taking older children as it is pretty gruesome in places. Notorious in history this jail, still standing, was built in 1779. Step back in history and experience real prison life.
In all these activities, have fun and be safe!