Situated in our own little piece of Cornish paradise, guests here are often tempted to stay on site and simply enjoy the surroundings that Old Lanwarnick has to offer. However, to really make the most of your stay here, we always recommend branching out and exploring the local area. With that in mind, and with 2023 and the Easter Holidays only a short while away, we thought we’d break down some of our favourite things to see and do, some of which are perfect for adventures on sunny days, others ideal for when the rain clouds threaten.
Explore Polperro
Given that we’re currently weathering the winter, let’s start with some all-weather activities. Head to the coast just 16 minutes away and you’ll find Polperro, a charming, quintessentially Cornish fishing village home to a wealth of attractions and sites of interest. Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing is one; found right on the harbourside, it offers an intriguing insight into the history of fishing and smuggling, from the late 18th century to date. Inside you’ll find a remarkable photographic record dating from around 1860, all complemented by a wonderful collection of model ships.
For creative minds and those who love the enduring appeal of the arts, why not head over to the Polperro Arts Foundation Founded by a group of artists in 2001 who were keen to continue the 50-year tradition of promoting arts in Polperro, all the artists here live and work in the village and its environs and play a significant role in encouraging the arts in the community.
Whilst you’re in Polperro, be sure to stop by the Noughts & Crosses, a beautiful 16th century inn nestled at the village’s heart, offering fabulous food and a warm welcome for all. It’s also dog friendly, as is the nearby Dog House Deli & Bar – a dog shop like you’ve never seen before, offering toys, treats, games, food and plenty more to spoil your pooch.
A trip to Bodmin Jail
Although many travel to Cornwall to enjoy the coast here, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy in-land. A good example is Bodmin Jail, located less than half an hour away from Old Lanwarnick and offering an insight into the jail’s important role in Cornwall’s history. Bringing the past back to life in visceral fashion and showing visitors the conditions faced by felons in centuries past, including the grizzly site of the prison gallows and tours of this penal site on the windswept fringes of Bodmin Moor, it’s a fascinating day out for kids and adults alike.
Escape to Lanhydrock Estate
Another gem well worth unearthing is Lanhydrock Estate, a magnificent Victorian country house with gardens and a wooded estate. Owned and run by the National Trust, visitors here can explore the Victorian house, grab a bite in the Park Café, and if the weather allows, soak up the colour-filled formal garden and explore almost 1,000 acres of parkland, woodland and heath. There are plenty of cycle trails here too for those who like to explore on two wheels, from gentle family friendly routes to more exhilarating mountain bike descents.
Other all-weather attractions for the kids include Super Tramp trampoline park in Bodmin with sessions bookable for one or two hours for kids of all ages; Bodmin Leisure Centre, perfect for those who like to stay active on holiday with its swimming pool, tennis courts, synthetic pitches and squash courts; and Fowey Aquarium, located just over half an hour and providing a fascinating glimpse into the marine life found around the Cornish coast.
Of course, what we all hope for on holiday is fine weather, and we are constantly keeping our fingers crossed for our guests that they’ll enjoy their own share of it! Because when the sun is shining, Cornwall is a playground for the adventurous, with so much to explore and experience.
Discover the town of Looe
Just up the coast from Polperro you’ll find the popular town of Looe, with its beautiful beach and characterful geography, split down the middle into ‘East Looe’ and ‘West Looe’ by the river of the same name. Families looking for an immersive way in which to explore will love taking on the Looe Mystery Treasure Trail. Self-guided, with the help of a downloadable trail PDF, this contains all sorts of top tips to help you get around, including coded directions to the clues all over town, making it an exciting and rewarding means of seeing the sights of Looe.
Monkeying Around
Whilst you’re there, be sure to walk the South West Coast Path up to Millendreath, a south-facing beach at the foot of a wooded valley. During low tide, pleasant soft sands provide a comfortable spot for a picnic, whilst numerous rock pools are a delight for curious youngsters. Then, once you’ve finished your lunch, keep walking in the same direction and eventually you’ll come to Wild Futures, The Monkey Sanctuary. Home to 40 individuals, each with their own distinct characters and personalities, each year the Monkey Sanctuary educates thousands of visitors on primate welfare and conservation, giving them an intimate insight into the day-to-day of a working sanctuary. You can even be a ‘Keeper for a Day’, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a day in the life of the sanctuary’s keepers!
Animal Encounters
For more curious encounters with the animal kingdom, just ten minutes from Old Lanwarnick you’ll find Porfell Wildlife Park & Sanctuary, a wild family attraction offering sanctuary to many different animals from around the world. Species include parrots and owls, old reptiles including giant leopard tortoises, amazing monkeys, graceful zebra, crazy ostrich and an ever-growing gang of meerkats. The site is bigger than it looks, too, so we recommend planning at least half a day to explore it to its full!
Find your next adventure
Of course, it might be that you’re looking for something a little more adrenaline fuelled, in which case Adrenalin Quarry would be a good place to start. Offering all kinds of adventures, from navigating the inflatable aqua park, go karting, and jumping off a cliff (attached to cables!), to defying gravity on the Giant Swing, axe throwing, even open water swimming, if yours is a family of thrill-seekers, then a visit here comes highly recommended.
Alternatively, if you like to stay active but prefer to steer clear of gravity-defying freefalls, why not head to Polperro Football Golf? A mix of golf, crazy golf and football, if you haven’t heard of football golf… where have you been? Great fun for all ages, and a chance to get outside and stretch your legs whilst indulging in a spot of healthy competition, it’s a good way to help the little ones burn off some of their excess energy, meaning an early night for them and a chance to enjoy some quality time in the evening with just the two of you.
An Easter break to remember
With all of the above lying less than 40 minutes away from Old Lanwarnick, guests here will never struggle to find a way to spend their time here in the unpredictable weather that’s typical over the Easter holidays! So if you’re yet to plan your Easter break and are looking for an optimum blend of comfortable accommodation, stunning surroundings, and itinerary ideas to keep the whole family entertained, be sure to book your stay soon.
Boasting both grand farmhouses and cosy cottages, discover all that Old Lanwarnick has to offer and book your next winter break here.
