Walking

Walking is a favourite pastime for many, many people in Cornwall. There is a diverse landscape to explore with moors, beaches, cliff tops, through villages and towns.

At Lower Barns we are close to the Southwest Coast Path and the Roseland Peninsula, which are beautiful any time of the year and provide a full range and variety of terrain, distances and views. These are popular places for us to visit, combining walking, fresh air and food too. We blog about our local foot travels www.lowerbarns.co.uk/blog frequently, so take a look and please ask for our recommendations depending on your other plans, the weather and where you are going to have lunch.

www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk www.roselandpeninsula.com

If you don’t fancy sea views then Helman Tor nature reserve could be your thing.

http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature_reserves/where_to_find_the_nature_reserves_1/helman_tor_breney_common_red_moor

The Copper Trail on Bodmin Moor passes Cornwalls copper heritage.

You don’t have to do the whole 60 miles on this link – just the bits you fancy!

http://www.oliverscornwall.co.uk/coppertrail.html

If you are feeling really adventurous you could do the Saints Way, which is an ancient pathway from Padstow to Fowey.

www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/countryside/cycle-routes-and-trails/the-saints-way/

Or the much easier and extremely pretty ‘Creeks and Coves’ walk around Fowey. www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/46/

The Clay Trails around St Austell are a great way to see the clay mining heritage and to see some very different and dramatic landscapes. There are lots of easy walks to do. www.claytrails.co.uk

A walk around Colliford Lake, near Bodmin will show you yet another side of Cornwall. It’s near Jamaica Inn and in Du Maurier country and is very tranquil.

www.swlakestrust.org.uk/lakes-and-facilities/the-lakes/colliford

A gentle 4 mile walk on the Camel Estuary is not only beautiful but historic on the Sir John Betjeman Walk.

www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/276/

There are so many! We are still discovering favourites and love to hear where you have been and what you recommend.

This website is very helpful www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk

If you fancy taking a pasty or a picnic with you, let us know when you book or before you arrive and we will be happy to help.

A selection of popular activities which might be tempting for you!

Foraging

Emma runs ‘Nevermind the Burdocks’ and organises foraging parties locally which are highly recommended. She will show you where to find natures hidden treasures and then you get to cook them up and eat them.

www.facebook.com/nevermindtheburdocks

Body Boarding

Rob Barber is a brilliant teacher and his lessons are awesome. It’s based at Newquay which is only a 30 minute drive.

www.englishsurfschool.com

Wine Tasting (should this come under ‘Active and Outdoors?!)

If you fancy a tour of Bosue Vineyard, which is next door, the cost is £7.50.

www.bosuevineyard.co.uk

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

This lesson will get you on the water and standing up within an hour.

Based in Mevagissey, you will see Cornwall from a different perspective.

www.facebook.com/wassupcornwall

Surfing

Most of the surfing happens on the north coast and there are many places offering lessons and hire. Extreme Academy at Watergate, Newquay does kite surfing, stand up paddle surfing, hand planing and body boarding.

Watergate Bay, Newquay, TR8 4AA. 01637 860840 www.extremeacademy.co.uk/

Sailing

Just like with surfing, there are lots of places to sail and have lessons.

http://www.loebeach.co.uk/

http://www.polkerrisbeach.com/watersports.php

Kayaking

A huge choice of sea and rivers to choose from. We recommend the river between Lostwithiel and Lerryn.

www.encountercornwall.com/

Coasteering

Coasteering is a great way to navigate the coastline as you climb, jump, scramble and swim around gullies and caves. Not for the faint hearted!

Elemental are Falmouth based and are really experienced and offer lots of other activities, including Bouldering. Yeah – really – take a look…

www.elementaluk.com/coasteering

Coasteering, kayaking, high ropes and more

Between Porthpean and Pentewan, Porthpean Outdoor is very local to Lower Barns and very close to lots of our lovely beaches with spectacular views.

Castle Gotha Farm, St Austell PL26 6AZ. 01726 72901 www.cornwalloutdoors.org

Flowrider

If you fancy a surf but don’t want to go out to sea, this is the only place in Cornwall where you are guaranteed a surf! It’s a good way to learn to ride waves and it’s very good fun.

Retallack Resort and Spa, Winnard’s Perch,TR9 6DE .01637 882420.

Back at Lower Barns, you can soak your tired feet in the hot tub on the main deck, or if you are staying in Nook or Cranny you have your own private hot tub. Cranny also has a wood burner and Nook has a sauna. One of the Hiding Places, Cranny – a suite with sitting room, log burner, garden and hot tub. If you would like to book a room, for some rest and relaxation, call us on 01726 844881.

Mike and Janie x