Discover Cornwall
Mawgan Porth is a wonderful place to come and visit. You can learn about the ancient artefacts that were unearthed during the last century and about the people who roamed these shores over a thousand years ago. During the middle part of the 20th century, an ancient settlement was uncovered by archaeologists that dates all the way back to Saxon times. Carbon dating has shown that some of the items found in the unearthed settlement were from the years 850–1050AD. This is a great place to bring children to see objects from the past and help them understand what life was like for their ancestors many years ago. The ancient tower of St Mawgan Church dates back to the 14th century and has a peal of eight bells. Most of the land in the bay was owned by a few significant families and it wasn’t until the 1930s that Mawgan Porth was split into individual plots of land. Since then, tourism has grown here but without losing the roots of history, the relaxing pace of life and the beauty of the rugged landscape set against the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
If you walk inland through the Vale of Lanherne, where The Park is situated, you will come to St Mawgan village and the historic town of St Columb where you can still explore its medieval buildings. Bedruthan Steps, just nearby, which are said to have been created by a giant but more likely by nature, lead you down to the beach where volcanic rock pillars rise from the sand. Experiencing the magic of a production in the moonlight at The Minack Theatre, almost at Land’s End, is another uniquely Cornish experience. Then there’s the mystery of the legends of Arthur and Merlin to be explored at Tintagel.
Closer to The Park, there are all the delights of Padstow to be explored. Enjoy the history and tradition of a Cornish fishing town with its pretty harbour and beautiful position on the estuary opposite Rock. There are many excellent restaurants to choose from, including several of Rick Stein’s, and great shopping, as well as a delightful old-fashioned cinema that feels like stepping back in time. Watergate Bay, just along the coast from Mawgan Porth, has the renowned Extreme Academy for all manner of extreme sports, Jamie Oliver’s 15 restaurant with its stunning position overlooking the beach, cliffs and sea and The Hotel Watergate Bay which also welcomes dogs.
Cornwall has stepped firmly into the 21st century through the creation of the Eden Project, showing us the way forward with biodiversity, recycling projects and fuel technology, to name but a few of the issues the Project is focusing on. It is a fascinating day out for the whole family. Similarly, Tate St Ives is a cutting edge art gallery that showpieces international modern and contemporary art. There are many more exciting, innovative events and projects taking place all over Cornwall and there is no shortage of choice when planning a day out.
Here are some of the links The Park recommends for discovering what’s on offer in Cornwall. Our staff provide a great resource with lots of local knowledge and information on site to help you plan your holiday.
Sport and Leisure
Extreme Academy www.extremeacademy.co.uk
Harlyn Bay Surf School www.harlynsurfschool.co.uk
Waves Surf School www.wavessurfschool.co.uk
Constantine Surf School www.constantinebaysurfschool.co.uk
O’Neill Surf Academy www.oneillsurfacademy.co.uk
King Surf School www.kingsurf.co.uk
Bridge Bike Hire www.gobycycle.co.uk
Bike Chain Bissoe Bike Hire www.cornwallcyclehire.com
Walking www.walkingincornwall.info
Trevose Golf Club www.trevose-gc.co.uk
Merlin Golf Club www.merlingolfcourse.co.uk
Go Karting Newquay www.kartworldcornwall.co.uk
Rock Sailing and Waterskiing Club www.rswsc.co.uk
Skydiving www.skydivecornwall.com
Mawgan Porth Stables 01637 860236
Trenissick Riding Stables 01637 830413
Restaurants
Fifteen, Watergate Bay www.fifteencornwall.co.uk
Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Padstow www.rickstein.com
St Petroc’s, Padstow www.rickstein.com
Rojano’s, Padstow and Wadebridge www.rojanos.co.uk
Waves, Higher Harlyn www.wavessurfschool.co.uk/waves-surf-school-restaurant
Basement Café, Padstow www.basementcafe.co.uk
Margot’s Bistro, Padstow www.margotspadstow.blogspot.com
Fistral Blu, Fistral Beach www.fistral-blu.co.uk
Nature and Places of Interest
National Trust Gardens, Cornish mining heritage attractions www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Eden Project www.edenproject.com
Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Minack Theatre www.minack.com
Steam Railway www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
Royal Cornwall Museum at Truro www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk
Working Cyder Farm www.thecornishcyderfarm.co.uk
Tintagel Castle www.english-heritage.org.uk
Relaxation
Spa at The Hotel Watergate Bay www.watergatebay.co.uk
Ocean Spa, Bedruthan Steps Hotel www.bedruthan.com/spa
Cornwall is a wonderful county to explore as it doesn’t take more than an hour and a half to reach almost everywhere, either on the North or South Coasts. If you want to stay close by, the North Cornwall Coastal Path is stunning and all ages will enjoy exploring its beaches, cliffs and dramatic seascapes. There are the seven bays between Newquay and Padstow which offer great surfing, beach life and fun for young and old alike.
