Old Lanwarnick
In the local area
In the local area
Explore the Cornish coast
With 433 miles of coastline and over 300 beaches to discover, whether you’re looking for secluded coves, vast stretches of sand, still turquoise waters or dramatic crashing waves you’ll be spoiled for choice in Cornwall.
Try Talland Bay or East Looe Beach for sandy coves – each just a 13-minute drive from Old Lanwarnick – and spend the day building sandcastles, exploring rock pools and cooling off in the water. Or for vast expanses of sand your dog will love, it’s just 30 minutes to Par Sands Beach.
In the local area
Watersports for everyone
Unsurprisingly, Cornwall’s home to a vast array of watersports activities. Bodyboarding is the easiest way to get the whole family in the water for some adrenaline-inducing fun! Or you can rent kayaks from the cafe at Talland Bay by the hour and head off to explore the rocky cliffs from the water.
You can also try your hand at SUP boarding, windsurfing, sailing, and powerboating at Polkerris Beach just 30 minutes away. Or to learn to hover above the water, in what seems like a feat of science, while e-foiling just down the road in Looe.
And of course, you can’t visit Cornwall without experiencing the thrill of surfing. Book a lesson at the world-famous Fistral Beach in Newquay, just 45 minutes away, or watch the World Champion surfers show you how it’s done.
In the local area
Discover quaint towns and villages
Cornwall is full of beautiful little towns and fishing villages perfect for exploring – especially on chillier days. For charming gift shops, sailing boats and picturesque houses down winding alleys, head to Fowey just 30 minutes away. Kids will love crabbing from the harbour wall both there and in Looe closer to home.
And for fans of Poldark, go back in time and enjoy a ride in a traditional horse-drawn cart in Polperro, only 15 minutes away, before exploring the Georgian port of Charlestown featured in the famous television series. Still a bustling port today, spend some time wandering up and down the harbour, admiring the tall ships and being transported to a bygone era.
In the local area
Where to eat and drink
It’s not hard to find mouth-watering local food and drink wherever you go in Cornwall. Our recommendations? Make sure you try some freshly caught fish, hearty Cornish pasties, or impossibly creamy Cornish ice cream. And of course – you mustn’t miss out on a traditional Cornish cream tea. Just be sure to put the jam on first if you don’t want to upset the locals!
In the winter, nothing beats a pub lunch or Sunday roast washed down with a pint of local Cornish ale, all sat by a roaring fire. The Jubilee Inn at Pelynt is just 7 minutes away and prides itself on championing local producers. As does The Plough at Duloe, just 10 minutes away. And both are dog friendly.
For special occasions, the relaxed fine-dining restaurant Asquiths serves up modern British dishes made with the best that local producers have to offer. The Sardine Factory in Looe champions Cornish seafood – including mussels caught in Fowey and Looe itself – and has a Michelin Bib Gourmand, signifying excellent quality and value. And Padstow, Cornwall’s fine dining hub, is just 50 minutes away, where you’ll find Paul Ainsworth’s one-Michelin star restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No. 6.
And for something different, why not take a tour around one of Cornwall’s vineyards, cider farms, or breweries? Spend a sunny day sampling local sparkling wine on the terrace at Camel Valley vineyard 30 minutes away, or Looe Valley vineyard 14 minutes away. Wander among the apples at Cornish Orchards 13 minutes away, and sip some ice-cold refreshing cider. Or while away a rainy day discovering how your favourite Tribute ale is made at St Austell Brewery 35 minutes away.
In the local area
The best places to walk
From peaceful woodland walks to dramatic cliff-top paths, you’ll find endless places to walk in the countryside around Old Lanwarnick. If you’ve already explored our own Woodland Walk and are looking for other routes, discover the leafy oasis of Herodsfoot and Church Bridge on an easy circular walk that starts and finishes at Old Lanwarnick. Or if you’re looking for a buggy-friendly walk, head to Deerpark Forest just 8 minutes away and explore the network of paved paths running through the trees.
And of course, we can’t forget the world-famous South West Coast Path running along the rugged cliffs just 15 minutes away. At 630 miles long, the whole path can take two months to complete. But you can walk our favourite section in just two hours by joining at Lansallos Bay and walking East to Polruan via the stunning Lantic Bay.
In the local area
Immerse yourself in arts, culture and history
Visit local artist Gina Farrell’s studio in Polperro for vibrant paintings of the local area, or spend the afternoon dipping in and out of the art galleries of Fowey, and come away with a souvenir of your time in Cornwall that supports Cornish artists too.
Discover the medieval Restormal Castle just up the river from Fowey, one of four Norman castles in Cornwall. Then from there why not walk to Lanhydrock House? Take a tour around the magnificent Victorian house and gardens owned by the National Trust and discover how the family and their servants would have lived in times gone by. Enjoy the family-friendly activities, and stroll around the gardens enjoying the explosions of year-round colour.
And for a gruesome and fascinating day out even the most avid history-haters will love, head to Bodmin Jail, just 25 minutes away, for an unforgettable immersive experience. Discover Cornwall’s dark history of crime and punishment in the Georgian and Victorian eras, and take a journey through the lives of its most infamous prisoners.
In the local area
Enjoy Cornish gardens and wildlife
If you enjoyed the gardens of Lanhydrock, you’ll find lots to love in The Lost Gardens of Heligan, just 45 minutes away near St Austell. With over 200 acres of previously lost and lovingly restored gardens, this romantic and mysterious place is steeped in a special kind of magic that will soon make you feel as if you’ve stepped into The Secret Garden. Step back in time and find adventures to suit all the family – from the most avid horticulturalists to the littlest nature lovers.
On your way back to Old Lanwarnick, you mustn’t miss a stop at the Eden Project. Walk through the treetops of a real rainforest in the Biomes – recognisable all over the world for their futuristic design. Enjoy family-friendly activities, and discover rare plant species and eco-innovations for sustainable living. And for tired legs, there are lots of places to sit, eat and enjoy the view, with your dog too!
And if it’s animal sanctuaries you’re after, why not pay a visit to the Porfell Wildlife Sanctuary closer to home? Just 8 minutes away, you’ll find exotic animals that have been rescued from all over the world. From meerkats to reptiles, here you can feed, pet, and learn all about these well-loved creatures.
