Nanny Pat s Adventures in Cornwall I have long been an advocate of the value of outdoor play for children’s healthy growth and development. My answer to my grandchildrens’ squabbling, disgruntled behaviour is to fling the door open, grab wellies and coats and head off into the garden or down the lane. The mere change from indoor to outdoor seems restorative and calming and normal behaviour is resumed. Open space seems to fulfil basic childhood needs – jumping, running, climbing, swinging, racing, yelling, hiding and making mess is what childhood is all about, yet in our modern, crowded world children’s lives seem more contained and controlled, depriving them of the chance to grow up naturally and be adventurous. I have been very lucky to have my four grandchildren living close by, here in beautiful Cornwall. Nanny Pat’s Adventures Book 1 was a collection of 30 blog posts I wrote detailing the fun day trips I had with my first two on Wednesdays and it proved to be a fantastic resource for my holiday guests at Bosinver Farm Cottages as an introduction to Cornwall to help plan their days out. Over the past two years I have had my second two grandchildren on Fridays and it has proved to be more of a challenge to find 30 new and exciting Cornish adventures to entertain them. The criteria was usually to be outside, have activities suitable for their ages, buggy friendly paths, clean toilets with baby changing facilities and to have a café with children’s menu nearby. We did manage it and had lots of fun as well as learning about Cornwall’s history and landscape. During those days out we spend a lot of time chatting – away from any kind of electronic device or Wifi. We actually talk to one another all day and I endeavour to answer their many questions such as ‘Why is the sky blue Nan?’ Do ladybirds all have 7 spots? Why do trees lose their leaves in the Autumn? Precious moments indeed and I hope they will cherish memories of our adventures together when they grow up!
Many of these days out will not appear in guide books as I have tried to use my local knowledge and explore the ways less travelled. I hope you will enjoy discovering and sharing our beautiful county with your family and take a little piece home in your heart. With love, Pat Smith (aka Nanny Pat) If you try out any of the days out in this ebook (and we hope you will), we’d love to hear what you think of them. Drop us a line reception@bosinver.co.uk, tweet us @bosinver or post on our Facebook page. Note: While all the information about the places we’ve visited is correct at the time of writing, things like opening hours, admission prices and facilities can change. We’ve included links wherever possible and suggest you check online before making a special trip.
Contents
1. All aboard on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway 2. Canoeing from Golant 3. Tales from the riverbank: Lerryn and St Winnow 4. Farmtastic fun at Dairyland 5. Top toddler friendly walks: part 1 6. Top toddler friendly walks: part 2 7. Discovering tin in St Agnes 8. Magical adventures at Heligan 9. Stepping into the past at Lanhydrock House 10. Gruffalo Spotter Trail in Cardinham Woods 11. Spotty Dog Trails: Flushing to Mylor Harbour 12. Nautical adventures in Charlestown 13. In the footsteps of King Arthur: exploring Tintagel Castle 14. Clip and Climb at Cornwall Services 15. Pentewan Trail by bike 16. A ferry trip to Fowey 17. A boat trip down the Fal with Enterprise Boats 18. A wild day out at the Screech Owl Sanctuary 19. Exploring Restormel Castle 20. Family fun at Camel Creek 21. Blackberrying at Argal 22. Helston Boating Lake and Loe Pool 23. Exploring the Helford River 24. Helman Tor and Par Sands Beach kite flying 25. Fantastic Football Golf 26. Penrose and Porthleven 27. Spotty Dog Trails: Falmouth 28. Wheal Martyn and the China clay industry 29. A wild ride and a great day out in Padstow 30. Adventures galore at Swanpool
1 All aboard on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway I just squeaked in on the last day of September to take a trip on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on a Friday when I look after my granddaughter, Jasmine. We managed to park in the station car park and caught the 11.15 at Bodmin General Station. Jasmine was excited to see the big engine puffing out clouds of steam and making chuffing noises as we set off in the direction of Wadebridge. We sat in an old-style compartment with two bench seats and nostalgic prints of Cornish beaches in the 1950s on the walls. After about 15 minutes we reached Boscarne Junction, where we got off. I headed left in the direction of Wadebridge for the Camel Valley Tea Garden, half a mile up the trail. It took about 15 minutes to walk with Jasmine in the pushchair along a good metalled track. We stopped at the café, but if you continue a little further you’ll find the Camel Valley Vineyard - so if any of you wine buffs fancy a vineyard tour and wine sampling, you could make it part of this trip! The café offered us a lovely tea garden with Little Tikes play equipment to amuse Jasmine while I enjoyed a coffee in the sunshine. We then retraced our steps, stopping to examine fruits, nuts, leaves and fungi, talking about autumn and crunching through fallen leaves. We continued past Boscarne Halt towards Wenford Bridge. In about 20 minutes, we reached the Borough Arms pub, where we stopped for lunch, and Jasmine enjoyed running around in their play park.
We carried on walking for about half an hour towards Helland Bridge. The Camel Trail is much less busy here than the section between Wadebridge and Padstow; I love the peace and tranquillity and the safe haven from traffic it provides. Jasmine fell asleep as we hurried back to catch the 14.28 from Boscarne Junction, the last train of the day. We stayed on board and chuffed our way down to the mainline station at Bodmin Parkway. It was a fair pull back up the hill and I spared a thought for the poor fireman shovelling coal into the engine boiler to keep us going. All the staff at this railway are volunteers and it is a real credit to them. Pay them a visit, you won’t be disappointed!
Extra details Useful information
Nanny Pat’s top tip
You can take bikes on the train for free (as long as they have space), so you can easily combine this day out with cycling along part of the Camel Trail.
There are various special events throughout the year, including their popular Santa by Steam days in the run up to Christmas, and other child friendly events in the school holidays. Keep an eye on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway website for the latest event information.
It’s worth checking the Bodmin & Wenford Railway website for times and dates as they vary from day to day. Dogs are welcome on the trains and just require a £1 ticket. Find out more: www.bodminrailway.co.uk
Getting there Bodmin & Wenford Railway has its own car park at Bodmin General station, which is free for rail passengers. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL31 1AQ. You can also get to Bodmin by train from St Austell - to save a car journey.
2 Canoeing from Golant We visited the beautiful creekside village of Golant, near Fowey, to join David and Karen at Encounter Cornwall on a canoe trip up the River Fowey. I must admit to feeling some trepidation about the responsibility of a precious grandchild in a two-man canoe. While both of us had canoed before, it was the first time we’d done it together. However, the weather was calm and sunny and I knew help was on hand if we needed it. I wrapped Jasmine up really warm as she was going to be sitting still and it is always colder on the water, and Karen kitted her out with a brilliant little buoyancy aid. We confidently paddled off from the boatyard and joined a small group of adventurers paddling with the tide towards the beautiful village of Lerryn. Encounter Cornwall’s trips always try to take advantage of the tide and paddle with the flow, making the job much easier. We stuck close to the bank in order to spot wildlife better. Karen and David, armed with binoculars and vast knowledge of local wildlife, pointed out creatures which we would otherwise have surely missed. I found the paddling quite easy once I had got over the fear of Jasmine diving out, and she settled down to watch the world go by, chatting away about what she could see. Our first stop was at the historic boathouse of the Penquite estate, a favourite haunt of King Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales. David then guided us past the junction where the River Lerryn joins the Fowey. We could see the Fowey continuing up towards Lostwithiel via St Winnow and the lovely church there. We took the right-hand fork and headed on up the creek, enjoying beautiful views of Ethy Woods on our left-hand side.
Most of the estuaries in south Cornwall are rias (drowned river valleys) and I love the way that the trees come right down to the water, giving a sense of privacy and peace and only a hint of what lies within. Soon we arrived at Lerryn and came ashore for a leg stretch and a welcome coffee at the lovely village shop there - Lerryn River Stores. There are toilets here by the car park and picnic benches on the green alongside the river. The tide was starting to turn as we headed back down the river but the wind had picked up, so paddling home was a little more testing. We marvelled at the lovely properties tucked down by the water’s edge and David told us about the days when Lerryn was a bustling port. Jasmine fell asleep on the way home (I tell myself it was the gentle motion and my confident paddling) and I could not believe that three hours had passed since we left – time had flown by. We spotted so many different birds on our trip, including herons, redshanks, cormorants, black headed gulls, egrets, and a blue flash as a kingfisher darted by.
Extra details Useful information
Nanny Pat’s top tip
Encounter Cornwall run a variety of kayaking trips from their base at Golant. They’re a family run business with green credentials, helpful, friendly and knowledgeable – I highly recommend them. You can find the details of all their trips on their website.
Encounter Cornwall also run a café in Golant in the summer, and Karen’s home baked cakes are delicious!
Find out more: www.encountercornwall.com
Getting there Encounter Cornwall are based in Golant, near Fowey. Park in the car park near the boatyard. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL23 1LW.
3 As Jasmine and I had been listening to The Wind in the Willows in the car, I thought it would be nice to go and visit some of the places that may have been the setting for the story. Kenneth Grahame never actually lived in Cornwall, but he spent many holidays here and got married in Fowey. It’s claimed that he made a boat trip from Fowey to Lerryn with some friends, and that this was the inspiration for the first chapter of the The Wind in the Willows, where Ratty and Mole take a boat trip along the river to go for a picnic. Lerryn, near Lostwithiel, has always been a favourite spot of mine. It is a delightfully peaceful little village, straddling the banks of the tidal River Fowey and is still unspoilt. There are numerous walks around Lerryn but my favourite is the five mile circular walk along the north bank on the creek edge, which takes you through Ethy Woods to St Winnow and back across the fields. We didn’t attempt a long walk as I can’t carry Jasmine that far, so we took the pushchair and contented ourselves with the riverside walks on either side which are hard surfaced and level (approx one mile long). Parking is easy in the public car park in Lerryn alongside the village shop, Lerryn River Stores, which sells great coffee, cakes and hot pasties. The tide was high when we started so we fed the ducks and crossed the river by the ancient narrow bridge and headed downstream. We entertained ourselves picking and eating blackberries. We talked about finding signs of autumn, and of the creatures who might live on and around the riverbank. Jasmine found a hazelnut case which fascinated her. A mouse had obviously been nibbling on it, as you could see the indentations made by its teeth. By the time we had meandered back, the tide had fallen to expose the stepping stones across the river, so we took a leap of faith and came back that way.
Opposite the pub is the ‘Little Shop’. It’s a real treasure trove that’s full of brica-brac. It’s unmanned and run on trust, which is so refreshing and so Cornwall – it gladdened my heart! We had a browse and found a little something to buy. We then drove around to St Winnow and parked by the beautiful riverside church. It’s well worth venturing into, and there’s also a farm museum here to look around too. We were delighted to discover Angie’s Kiosk (open every day except Monday, from 12pm - 6pm). It’s in the middle of nowhere but busy with locals and visitors in the know. They’ll cook up a bacon bap or serve cakes and cream teas to suit your fancy. When we popped down to the riverside it was low tide and full of mud and wading birds. It was so peaceful there – we could just imagine Ratty and Mole paddling down to meet us.
Extra details Nanny Pat’s top tip When it’s time for lunch, pop in to the Ship Inn in Lerryn and try their bar menu, or buy a warm sausage roll from the village stores and enjoy a picnic on the village green. Getting there
Useful information You can find maps and instructions for a 5 mile circular walk from Lerryn to St Winnow here: www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk/walk/ lerryn_to_st_winnow
Lerryn is near Lostwithiel, just off the A390. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL22 0PT.
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Farmtastic fun at Dairyland With showers and a chilly breeze forecast, I decided to take Sam and Jasmine to Dairyland Farm World at Summercourt near Newquay. Dairyland has the advantage of indoor and outdoor activities, and with scheduled feeding and milking times, there is never a dull moment during a visit. As it was raining when we arrived, we began the day in the Bull Pen soft play area. Toddlers always seem to be happy in this environment, crashing into the ball pool, going up and down the slides and often finding little friends to play with. There is a small café here which has a range of basic snacks and ice cream on offer. I grabbed a cappuccino while the kids charged around having fun. After lunch, Sam and Jasmine were excited to milk the wooden cow. They got a certificate for their squeezing ability, which made Farmer Dave proud. Next up was ‘Pat a Pet’ in the animal barn. I was really impressed at the standard of care taken to make sure the rabbits and guinea pig were stroked and handled kindly. We pottered about in the Wendy house, attempted the agility trail, bounced on low-set trampolines and pedalled JCB trikes around an indoor track. The day flew by and the children were busy and happy the entire time. Soon it was time to watch the cows being milked. They have a high tech rotary milking parlour with a viewing platform so you can watch the cows being milked from above. Sam loved it last time he was here and fired nonstop questions at me the whole time we were there. I think we may have a future farmer in the family…We all loved it and plan to return again soon.
Extra details Useful information
Nanny Pat’s top tip
Everything is well presented and maintained, and animal welfare seems particularly good. On a practical note, there are three sets of really good, clean toilets with baby changing facilities.
If you want to take a packed lunch, there’s a barn set up with tables and chairs for you to picnic inside if the weather is changeable. Alternatively, Clarabelle’s café serves the usual fare, with chips made to order (be prepared for a wait if they’re busy), sandwiches and children’s lunch boxes.
There’s lots of information on the Dairyland website, so it’s worth taking a look before you go to help make the most out of your visit: www.dairylandfarmworld.com
Getting there Dairyland is just off the A3058 at Summercourt, near Newquay. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR8 5AA.
5 Top toddler friendly walks part 1 When you have an energetic toddler who’s keen to ride a balance bike or scooter and baby in a buggy, it can be quite a challenge to find a level walk with a hard surface and interesting scenery for the grown-ups too. I’ve been seeking out such places over the years and have compiled what I think are the best buggy friendly walks in Cornwall. Most of these walks also have a have a good coffee shop or café nearby with baby-changing facilities and easy parking. Cardinham Woods There are several different trails in Cardinham Woods, but the best one for toddlers is the Lady Vale walk. It’s an easy, mostly level 1.5 mile walk on a hard surface beside a stream. There’s an added surprise on this walk – the Gruffalo Spotter Trail (based on Julia Donaldson’s popular book). Take a picnic, or pop in to the lovely Woods Café for a bite to eat to fuel up after your adventures. Lanhydrock The area around Lanhydrock is perfect for exploring. Park at Respryn Bridge in the National Trust car park (it’s also a great spot for playing Pooh sticks). You can either follow the old carriage drive to Bodmin Parkway station and back for a gentle two mile walk, or opt for a two mile circular route. If you prefer the latter, cross the bridge, then turn immediately right and follow the path with the River Fowey on your right. Cross the first bridge you come to and carry on till you reach a gate. Turn right here and follow the lane back to emerge at Respryn car park. There are two good National Trust cafés to choose from, one at the main car park (next to an excellent children’s playground), and another adjoining Lanyhdrock House.
Pentewan Trail The Pentewan Trail is one of my favourites. It’s a two mile level walk from the car park adjoining the Kingswood restaurant along the river to Pentewan. The village has cafés and a pub, and there’s also a large sandy beach here – so don’t forget your buckets and spades! Bissoe Trail The full Bissoe Trail is an 11 mile coast-to-coast route which runs from Devoran/Bissoe on the south coast to Portreath on the north coast. If you’ve got little ones in tow, why not try this ‘taster’ instead? Start at Devoran and walk to Bissoe (or vice versa). This is a short, level walk along the old tram road trail that’s ideal for families with young children. There’s parking available at either end, and I recommend Bissoe Bike Hire Café for refreshments. Devoran is a pretty creekside village, and well worth spending some time exploring. If you’d like to extend your walk, you can take the old tram way down to Point and Penpol and enjoy the stunning views across the water.
Argal Reservoir, Mabe, near Falmouth Follow the route around the lake for a gentle 1.5 mile stroll. If you’re visiting in the autumn, take a box or bag and go blackberry picking along the way. The brambles are abundant here, and you’ll easily pick enough to make a delicious crumble when you get home. There is a pop up cafe near the car park. Trelissick: North Woodland Walk This is an easy, level, 1.5 mile level circular walk alongside the upper reaches of the River Fal. Park in the National Trust car park at Trelissick and look out for the signs for the woodland walks. There’s also excellent food at the National Trust café and a kiosk selling drinks, snacks and ice creams. (NB access to the woodland walks and café is free for members and non-members alike but non-members will have to pay to park). Tehidy Woods, near Camborne If you go down in the woods today… you’re sure to find lots to keep even the most active toddlers entertained. There are nine miles of walking trails at Tehidy, including an easy half-mile walk around the lake. You’ll also find rope swings and plenty of trees suitable for climbing, plus an excellent café near the main entrance.
Extra details Nanny Pat’s top tip Why not make up your own scavenger hunt to enjoy along the way, or try one of these from the Nature Detectives: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ naturedetectives
6 Top toddler friendly walks part 2 Walking is a great way to see the best of what Cornwall has to offer – there’s always something new to look at and plenty of scope for activities along the way. But it’s not always easy to find walks which work just as well for little legs as big ones, or that you can do with a baby in a buggy – you need to know where to go. Here are some more of my favourite family friendly walks in Cornwall. Several of them can easily be reached by train, which is ideal if you’re holidaying without a car, or prefer to use public transport. Newlyn to Mousehole This is a level off-road walk of approximately two miles from the harbour at Newlyn to the pretty village of Mousehole – the setting for the children’s book The Mousehole Cat. There are cafés at either end of the walk, and the harbour is a lovely place to stop for an ice cream. Polzeath to Daymer Bay and St Enodoc church A 1.5 mile level coastal walk with spectacular views across the Camel Estuary, the Doom Bar and out to sea. Pack a picnic and enjoy the view, or pop in to one of the cafés at Polzeath. Penrose Estate, near Helston Park in the free car park opposite Coronation Lake on the outskirts of Helston (where you’ll also find a great playground and a café). From the car park, cross the River Cober and head for Penrose House on the west side of Loe Pool. The level walk takes in beautiful parkland, and there’s a seasonal café at the house where you can stop and refuel.
West Looe to Hannafore Point This walk offers spectacular views of Looe Island and the river. Park at Millpool car park and head for Looe town centre (making sure you keep to the car park side of the river). Turn right at the bridge to pass through West Looe to the headland, following the coast for approximately two miles. Hannafore Beach has some fantastic rock pools to explore, while Looe Beach is a safe, sandy beach ideal for families. There are numerous cafés in Looe to choose from, and the all-important public toilets. Travel by train: take the train to Liskeard, then transfer to the scenic Looe Valley Line. The Camel Trail I have purposely avoided the Camel Trail between Wadebridge and Padstow (lovely as it is) as it can be busy at times, so not ideal for toddlers. Instead, I recommend the less busy and much safer stretches from Bodmin to Wenford Dries or Bodmin to Wadebridge instead. Park at The Borough Arms pub one mile out of Bodmin on the Wadebridge road. From here, you can walk either way on a hard, level surface alongside the River Camel until you decide to turn around! Both directions pass through tranquil woodland, and it’s a lovely way to while away an hour or so. Penzance to Marazion This is a scenic two mile coastal walk on pavement, starting at the main car park near the railway station in Penzance. As you walk, you can enjoy panoramic views across Mounts Bay towards Marazion. If you’ve got time, it’s well worth stopping off at St Michael’s Mount – the National Trust staff and volunteers are brilliant with young children. If the tide’s out, you can walk across the causeway to the island. There are cafés at either end of the walk, or choose between the Island Café or the Sail Loft restaurant on the Mount itself.
7 Discovering tin in St Agnes I have long been fascinated by the history of mining in Cornwall. The remnants of what was once a major industry here shape the skyline. I took Wilf and Megan to visit the only working tin producer in the county, Blue Hills in St Agnes, to discover what they do there. We parked at the main car park in St Agnes village, walked down by the side of the church and headed along the road towards Perranporth for about half a mile. Just before Barkla Shop, turn left to follow a footpath marked Trevellas Coombe. You are now entering the Jericho Valley, an area covered in old mine workings and rocky spoil heaps. It is a pretty wooded path now, covered with wild flowers in Spring, but in the mid-1800s it would have been dirty, dusty and noisy with the stamps from the mines on the Wheal Kitty complex pounding and crushing the ore. At the bottom of the valley, you’ll find the entrance to Blue Hills tin mine. This was the start of a journey of discovery for the three of us. Cornish mining dates back to prehistoric times. Metal traders from the Mediterranean visited as long ago as 2000 BC, referring to Britain as the Cassiterides (tin islands). Most of Britain’s tin, arsenic and copper was produced in Cornwall and West Devon. The earliest tin workers extracted tin from the sand and gravel on beaches and on the beds of streams. Later they extended this underground, and by the sixteenth century they were tunnelling into hillsides and cliffs, wherever the rich veins of tin ore were visible. Blue Hills is one of a handful of the old mines that were worked here until 1780, before the depth of the shafts exceeded the pumping facilities available at the time. The harnessing of steam power brought a new range to the pumps’ capabilities, and the mines reopened in 1810. By 1897, however, Australia and Malaya were dominating the market in tin and, unable to compete, the Blue Hills mines closed, with the loss of 100 jobs.
There’s a small tin processing plant still working today at Blue Hills. It’s Cornwall’s last tin stream works and produces tin which has been gathered along the coastline, mined by the sea and washed by the waves. Here you can see rock being crushed to a coarse sand by stamps shod with iron, powered by a water wheel, and then finely ground in a ball mill. After this the tin powder is washed and separated on a shaking table, and the concentrated ore produced by this is smelted in a furnace. This produces the brilliant white metal which is then cast into ingots or turned into the jewellery, tableware and other gifts available for sale at the mine. Mark Wills and his mother run this working attraction and they were marvellous hosts, willing to answer my endless questions and show the children how they make the gifts for sale in the shop. Wilfred had a go at ‘fettling’ his own tin teddy bear, which needless to say has accompanied him home. The whole place is rich in history and all the processes simply explained. At last I felt I understood what the miners were looking for in the tin-bearing lodes deep underground and the incredible skills they had to remove it and process it. I discovered the work of the bal maidens, women who toiled above ground breaking the rocks to expose the rich ore. The waste that they cast aside still litters the hillsides all around. I also found out, at last, exactly what purpose the mine chimneys and engine houses served.
Sadly, the rich tin lodes have now been worked out and all that is left is very deep underground and not commercially viable. The tin Mark produces hardly covers its costs; imports from China are cheaper – a familiar story! I wholeheartedly recommend this place. We all enjoyed it and learnt a lot about our local history in a fun way. When you’ve finished your tour, the beach at Trevellas Porth is just in front of you. It’s great for a picnic but not for swimming as there are dangerous currents here. You can then walk up along the cliff path to Trevaunance Cove where there is a great pub called Driftwood Spars and a coffee shop on the beach. When you’re ready, follow the road back to the village to return to the car park. The whole walk is about four miles and is ideal for families with older children and adults.
Extra details Useful information
Nanny Pat’s top tip
The visitor centre at Blue Hills is open 10am-2pm, Tuesday to Saturday (April to October only). If you prefer to travel to Blue Hills by car, drive out of St Agnes towards Perranporth and you will soon see a sign to it on the left, where you can drive down to the bottom of the road to their car park. Blue Hills: www.cornishtin.com
Don’t miss having a go at fettling your own tin teddy bear! Getting there Blue Hills is just outside St Agnes, in Trevellas Coombe. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR5 0YW.
8 Magical adventures at Heligan Heligan is a truly magical place which holds many stories. After its rediscovery and restoration in the 1990s, the tale of its history kindled a desire for many people to want to discover the garden and its treasures for themselves. I’ve visited often, marvelling at the beautiful greenhouses and pineapple pit, neatly laid out rows of abundant vegetables and flowers, the gardeners’ tools, the bee boles, bothy and ‘Thunderbox’, set in 200 acres rolling down to the sea at Mevagissey. In recent years, Heligan has worked to capture the interest of children of all ages, through a combination of outdoor play and opportunities to interact with nature and wildlife. They have done it with passion and creativity and produced a destination which truly offers interest for all the family. In the school holidays, they put on a variety of extra activities for children. October saw a Halloween trail with giant spiders’ webs and ghoulish face painting, while February half term focused on getting crafty and learning about wildlife, making bug hotels, bird feeders and seed bombs. At Easter, we followed a giant emu egg trail to Egg HQ where we made cress heads - a mini version of the famous Heligan giant! Whenever you go there is something to discover. The kids loved venturing down into the jungle and testing their agility over the swinging rope bridge, visiting the hide to watch the birds feeding, seeing live videos of birds nesting, learning about wild bees at their bee hotel, climbing on the agility trail and checking out the new farm animals. The café at Heligan is very child friendly with highchairs and a corner well stocked with reading and colouring books and games. There are clean, well-maintained toilets and baby changing facilities around the site and everywhere (except the depths of The Jungle) is buggy friendly. We just love this place!
Extra details Useful information There are acres of walks around the gardens and it is easy to walk into Mevagissey on an off-road trail if you want to extend your day out. Find out more: www.heligan.com Nanny Pat’s top tip Lobb’s Farm Shop adjoins the car park and is a great stop for stocking up on local produce to take home. Getting there The Lost Gardens of Heligan are just off the B3273 near Pentewan look out for the brown tourist signs. Postcode for Sat Navs PL26 6EN.
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Stepping into the past at Lanhydrock House If you’re looking for a toddler friendly day out in Cornwall (especially when the weather isn’t right for outdoor adventures), I highly recommend a trip to Lanhydrock. As I discovered, the house is well set up for visitors with young children, and you can be sure of a warm welcome from the friendly National Trust staff and volunteers. We had been very unlucky with a series of wet days, and with another one forecast I decided to forego our normal outdoor adventure and seek an indoor one. With the promise of a children’s trail to follow round the house, we set off. I must admit that it was with some trepidation that I wandered down the hill to the entrance with a four-year-old and 18-month-old in a buggy, wondering whether a) we would be made welcome or b) the children would be interested. However, I needn’t have worried one little bit! All the staff and volunteers, without exception, went out of their way to be helpful and give us their time. We left the pushchair in the secure buggy park and then stripped off our outdoor gear and put it in a locker with my rucksack. We were given a pictorial trail to follow, and with his own clipboard and pencil, four-year-old Sam felt really important – he couldn’t wait to be off!
Jasmine at the time was still very slow walking on her own, so I was pleased to be given a Hippychick carrier (it clips round your waist and provides a ledge for baby to rest on) to use during our visit. It was super comfortable, so it was no problem to carry her. The route around the house was easy to follow. We started in the grand dining room – with the table set for dinner it looked very opulent. Next were the kitchens, which were full of interesting items. Sam was fascinated with the spit as he’d seen a picture of one in his favourite castle book. One of the volunteers spent a long time explaining to us how it worked. We visited about six rooms dedicated to specific jobs: the dairy, bread ovens, butchery, cold room for meat and fish and the scullery. All of them were peppered with antique gadgets. Some I’d used myself, while others I remembered my mother and grandmother using. Seeing them all laid out was a good reminder of how many people it took to look after a family in a stately home.
Sam was chomping at the bit to find some animals and the next corridor, on the way to the billiard room, yielded some finds in the shape of stuffed animals and fish, tiger and leopard skins, and a bath with a spider in it! We happily wandered around for two hours, talking to the room volunteers and chatting about all the interesting objects. There was a real contrast between different areas in the house, from the nursery with its abundance of toys to the starkness of the poky servants’ quarters and the grandeur of Lord and Lady Robartes’ bedrooms. We only saw one other child on our way round and he was having fun too. I must congratulate the National Trust for bringing the house and its history alive. There was lots to see and read for adults, as one might expect, but they have gone the extra mile to make visiting as a family a pleasure. I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit. Sam couldn’t wait to rush down to the magnificent gatehouse to collect his badge for finding all the animals before we walked back to the car park and had lunch at the café. We played on their lovely natural wood play area and then spent another hour doing the balance bike and skills trail. A great day out for all of us!
Extra details Useful information
Getting there
Find out more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ lanhydrock
Lanhydrock is just off the A38/A30 near Bodmin. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL30 5AD.
Nanny Pat’s top tip There are some lovely walks to explore around the estate if the weather’s good. We love playing Pooh sticks down at Respryn Bridge.
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Gruffalo Spotter Trail in Cardinham Woods I have always had a soft spot for Cardinham Woods, having lived close by at Lanhydrock – it was my local spot for exercise, walking, cycling and outdoor play with my children. It is brilliantly managed by the Forestry Commission, who make everyone feel welcome to enjoy the facilities, trails and outdoor recreation areas they have developed. Their most recent creation is the Gruffalo Spotter Trail (the Forestry Commission has installed 26 of these trails in their managed forests nationwide). There is something about the Gruffalo story that enthralls children. My grandchildren just can’t get enough of it, so I knew we were going to have fun. Now, the exciting thing for me was the Gruffalo Spotter App that you use alongside a very nicely put together paper tick box, drawing and spotting kit, together with mini binoculars that you can buy in Woods Cafe on site for £3. Their Gruffalo trail starts from the car park and follows the Lady Vale Trail, a circular hard path following a stream. It’s suitable for buggies and balance bikes, and took us about an hour and a half to complete.
The marker posts follow the appearance of the animals in the story, so you begin with the mouse and so on until you find the Gruffalo at the end. We found the mouse post and I fiddled around with the app. Once I pointed it at the mouse footprint, lo and behold, as if by magic, the mouse himself appeared on a video on my phone screen. I must admit I was beside myself with excitement as we watched him come and sit down on an invisible tree stump and chat to us. The piece de resistance was yet to come. At the end of the video, the photo button changes colour and you can take a picture of your child alongside the animal! Yes, really you can! Even though the child can’t see the animation, the photos are amazing. We followed the trail, found all the creatures, watched them come to life and stuck our stickers on. Then we headed back to the lovely Woods Cafe for lunch. Allow half a day to make the most of it with under 5’s. Older children will have a whale of a time, discovering and exploring other trails or going off piste on their bikes. Cardinham Woods is a great place for outdoor play, mostly quiet with plenty of parking (£5 all day), and the advantage of a cafe serving great coffee and food on site. There is a children’s playground and some wicked trees to climb, a stream to paddle in and logs to balance on. We all had a lovely time and it reinforced my firm belief that children are happier when playing outside, surrounded by nature. As long as they are kitted out for the weather and conditions underfoot, outdoor play offers them freedom of movement, imagination and wonder – we just need to get them out there more often! It was a great day out for me too – I’m proud to be a nan who has mastered downloading and using the app!
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Getting there
Find out more: www.forestry.gov.uk/cardinham
Cardinham Woods is just off the A30/A38 near Bodmin. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL30 4AL.
Nanny Pat’s top tip Woods Café is open all year round and is very welcoming. Homemade scrumptious fare is the order of the day, and they have a fantastic roaring log fire to ward off any winter chills. There’s a special children’s menu, good wooden high chairs and baby changing facilities in the toilets.
11
We had such fun when we did our first Spotty Dog Trail at Prussia Cove that there was nothing but enthusiasm when I suggested going for a four mile walk armed with a different trail guide! It was a gloomy January day, but we were in high spirits and dressed for the weather with wellies to combat the muddy trails. All the walks are packaged in a delightful drawstring bag containing a beautiful hand illustrated map, numbered drawings of things to spot, a tally count, and a wooden Spotty Dog badge as a reward when the walk is complete. The walk began in Flushing on Trefusis Road. Keeping the houses and river on your left, walk along the road and turn right at the last house down to Kiln Quay and the beach. We checked the list at the car and spotted a pine cone on the way to the beach, where we then easily ticked off a yellow shell. As we walked along the sand there were whoops of delight as the children spotted (and used) another item on the list – a rope swing! When I finally managed to drag them off the swing we carried on to an ancient set of steps leading up into the field. The trail then took us along the coastal footpath around the headland. Keeping their eyes open for items on their list distracted them from the distance and, as ever, brought up discussions about such things as port and starboard buoys for navigation, identifying trees in winter and bird spotting. I love spending time with the children outdoors; they are truly in their element, running, jumping, playing, splashing in puddles, happily getting muddy.
We passed Penarrow Point and the granite Truro boundary marker, then turned the corner to see the boat masts of Mylor Harbour come into view. CafÊ Mylor, with its funky interior, beckoned us in. The children were made very welcome and we opted for the sofas, enjoying bacon sandwiches, juice, and the obligatory cappuccino for me. The trail took us to the churchyard next. We were on a mission to find the grave of Joseph Crapp, which amused Wilfred no end. The clue we were given - to look under a holly tree -helped us find it amongst all the gravestones. We left the churchyard and crossed the road to follow the edge of Mylor Creek to Trelew. A public footpath on the left took us up through the woods to a road junction. Following the instructions, we turned left at the road and took the road to Trefusis Barton B&B, turning right at a yellow sign before the house and following the hedge line to our right with glorious views of Falmouth and the sea beyond. If you follow the path down beside the houses and turn right into Coventry Road then left towards the Bowling Green, you’ll find a small playground. Alternatively, head down into Flushing for the pub and shop. We took this route to go down the slip to wash our muddy wellies, then turned left past Flushing Sailing Club and back along Trefusis Road to the car. The walk took us about three hours and all of us enjoyed walking, playing, learning and being outside having fun!
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Nanny Pat’s top tip
Spotty Dog Trails give you things to find and activities to do while you’re out on a walk. There are several different walks in Cornwall to choose from. Each is thoroughly researched and includes an illustrated map and directions, plus a guide with things to spot and do in the area. There’s also a score card in each pack, for those who enjoy a little competition! Find out more: www.spottydogtrails.com
Try taking the ferry over from Falmouth to Flushing to make the most of the adventure and enjoy the views. Getting there The walk starts in Flushing on Trefusis Road. There’s usually plenty of roadside parking here, although it can get busy in the summer. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR11 5TY.
12
Nautical adventures in Charlestown
Charlestown has a fascinating history. It was created as a Georgian ‘new town’, a port development planned by local landowner Charles Rashleigh and built between 1790 and 1810 for the export of copper and china clay. Throughout the 19th century the little dock was packed with ships and the harbourside sheds and warehouses bustled with complementary businesses, such as boat building, rope making, brick works, lime burning, net houses, bark houses and pilchard curing. The distinctive wide road leading to the port was designed to facilitate the movement of large numbers of horse drawn wagons carrying cargo to and from the harbour. To this day Charlestown remains unspoilt and retains much of its Georgian character, so it’s easy to imagine what it would have been like here then. The port is home to a fleet of square rigged sailing ships and there is usually at least one gracing the harbour, evoking a bygone age. This unique combination has led to the port becoming a popular location for film and television productions, including the recent Poldark TV series. I visited with Sam and Jasmine on a dreary December day, but this didn’t dampen our spirits – we were off on an adventure! We always stop to admire the old sailing boats and talk about pirates and smugglers, how the sails work with the wind and how the tide rises and falls. Around the harbour walls are various chutes and winches used for loading and unloading cargoes from the boats. We then headed for the beach on the left-hand side of the harbour. There was a low spring tide so there were large areas of exposed rock pools, perfect for searching for the creatures that hide there, waiting for the incoming tide.
Sam loves playing our ‘explorer game’ – he leads us across the imaginary rivers and lakes, hills and valleys and we have to follow until he reaches the safety of the beach! This can last for up to an hour, interspersed with spotting crabs, shrimps and fish in the rock pools. Sometimes we pretend we have been shipwrecked and have to set up camp on the beach. We hunt for driftwood and rocks to build a shelter then I have to track him by following his sand arrows until I find his hiding place. Great fun! Time flies by when you’re using your imagination and playing games in the great outdoors. Jasmine had fallen asleep so we left the beach and crossed the narrow steel bridge to the other side of the harbour, climbed the harbour wall and had a look out to sea. We decided that you would have to be a very clever sailor to get a big ship into the harbour through the narrow entrance. We then climbed the hill back to Charlie’s coffee house to have some lunch. The staff are always very welcoming and there is a mixture of seats, high chairs and sofas. There are also good baby changing facilities in the toilets. They serve children’s portions and babycinos and small hot chocolates for warming children up on cold wintry days. Sam just loves their toasted teacakes, while my favourite is a toasted panini. To finish the visit we headed over the road to the playing field with swings and slides to run off excess energy. There are some nice little gift shops and galleries in the village, plus restaurants and pubs. With easy parking, a range of family friendly options for lunch or snacks and lots to see, do and inspire at any time of year, Charlestown’s a winner!
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Nanny Pat’s top tip
There is free on road parking all the way down to the harbour and a car park on the right-hand side as you approach the roundabout in the centre of the town. The Charlestown Shipwreck Rescue and Heritage Centre which documents the history of the port and its maritime history is also worth a look. Find out more: www.shipwreckcharlestown.com
Try an ice cream from the Tall Ships Creamery, a tiny little shop which sells delicious ice cream in many flavours, all homemade. They even have toddler sized cornets! Getting there Charlestown is just off the A390 near St Austell. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL25 3NJ.
13
Set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, Tintagel offers dramatic views. The remains of the 13th century castle are breath-taking. Steeped in legend and mystery, the castle is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur, and it also features in the tale of Tristan and Isolde. The castle is well signposted from the centre of Tintagel and the car parks (look out for the brown tourist signs) and the steep hill signposted to the castle. As you proceed down the hill, a glorious vista opens up with sea views between the steep cliffs. The visitor centre, restaurant and toilets are situated at the end of this road. There is a Land Rover service for people who prefer not to walk or would struggle to cope with the hill. However, if you want to visit the castle, you will have to climb some very steep steps. After purchasing tickets, you pass a small beach and Merlin’s Cave – which is definitely worth exploring. When you’re ready to continue, climb up the steps to cross the narrow neck of land which has crumbled to leave the castle remains perched precariously on either side. Some of the walls and windows remain and with a great leap of imagination you could picture a castle with battlements and rooms. On the cliff top, you’ll also see the remains of small houses dating back to the Dark Ages. It makes you wonder how on earth anyone managed to build up on top of the steep cliffs all those years ago!
Megan and Wilf had a brilliant time clambering over the ruins and peeping over the cliff edges to the crashing waves below. The views are majestic – North Cornwall at its best, with views out to Lundy Island and down to Trevose Head. We clambered back down and chatted to one of the guides who told us that the island is grazed by a flock of Soay sheep, a hardy breed from Scotland. The farmer herds them up the steep steps to reach the grazing – that’s some task! We spent two hours at the castle which was plenty of time to explore. Afterwards we climbed back up the hill to the town, where we treated ourselves to an ice cream in King Arthur’s Café, a great little place which serves light bites and good coffee. This is a day out for people of moderate fitness as it involves some steep climbs and narrow steps, but the views and the experience are well worth it!
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Nanny Pat’s top tip
We parked in the all-day car park in Tintagel, near the Old Post Office, which cost £2. Tintagel Castle is managed by English Heritage and is open every day from 10am – 6pm. Throughout the year, a programme of events, such as the Easter Adventure Quest, offers great family fun. Find out more: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/tintagel-castle
We spent some time finding clues for a spy-themed Treasure Trail – these little packs are a good way to entertain the children and learn about the history of a place. They’re available for many towns around Cornwall (and the rest of the UK, for that matter). www.treasuretrails.co.uk Getting there Look out for the signs to Tintagel from the A39. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL34 0HE.
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Indoor Active is a soft play and climbing centre based at Cornwall Services near Roche, St Austell. There’s a large soft play area for children aged up to 11, with ball pool, slides, climbing nets and a maze run on two levels. It’s free for babies under 12 months old and varies from £4 to £6 for older children. You don’t need to book in advance – just turn up. Clip ‘n Climb This clever idea originated in New Zealand. You clip on to an automatic belay system and start climbing without the need for a partner. There are 12 climbing challenges, suitable for ages 4+ (adults are welcome too) and some soar to 9.6m high. I took Wilf and Megan one Saturday morning. It was busy! At the briefing we were shown how to wear our harnesses and clip on to the apparatus. There were a number of ‘Clippers’ – fit youngsters who were in charge of safely clipping you onto the belay rope and instilling confidence amongst the fearful! The aim is to scale your wall (there are different shapes and sizes of foot and handholds) up to the height you feel comfortable, then push yourself off and gently float to the floor supported by the belay rope. Wilf struggled at first to trust the rope but the Clippers soon came to his aid and showed him what to do. After that, there was no stopping him! He loved every minute, soon taking on new challenges. Megan did well too – she didn’t go as high as her brother, but picked up the technique quickly. The session flew by and the children both said how tired their arms and legs were afterwards, but could they visit again soon, please?
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Nanny Pat’s top tip
You can order food and drink in the soft play area from Sausage & Roll or the Open Oven Pizza Co, who are both based on site. You can also get cakes and coffee to sustain you while the kids play.
Indoor Active is a super place to entertain children of all ages on a wet day.
Climbing sessions at Clip ‘n Climb last for an hour, with a 15-minute briefing at the beginning. You’ll need to wear trainers to be able to climb. Prices range from £8 to £15 depending on age and session, and advance booking is recommended. If you’re using the Indoor Active facilities, you get three hours free parking. Find out more: www.indooractive.co.uk
Getting there Cornwall Services is just off the A30 and approximately 20 minutes drive from Bosinver. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL26 8UF.
15
Pentewan Trail by bike
The Pentewan Valley Trail is a gentle 4km trail which follows the bed of an old narrow gauge railway through woodland and along the river down to the harbour at Pentewan. The railway was built in the 19th century to carry China clay and tin from St Austell to the docks at Pentewan where it could be transported by ship to other parts of the UK and beyond. Once a busy harbour, the dock basin is now separated from the sea by the beach and the harbour is filled with fresh water. While a ship hasn’t docked at Pentewan for over half a century, you can still find plenty of clues to Pentewan’s industrial past throughout the village. The Pentewan Valley Trail is level and very popular with locals who make good use of it for cycling, walking, running and dog walking. We spent a happy few hours wandering along, with Wilfred and Sam on bikes, Megan walking and me pushing Jasmine in the pushchair. We found a great rope swing half way along and Wilf splashed through the ford on his bike. Pooh sticks is compulsory wherever we find a bridge over a stream so we stopped and played beside some other wild kids who had taken their wellies off to use them as buckets. Great fun! There is also access to Kings Wood, a lovely broad-leaved woodland, managed by the Woodland Trust. It’s rich in flora and fauna, with lots of trails to explore (great for anyone with a dog) and has lovely views from the higher levels. If you’re a walking enthusiast, you can follow the trail down to Pentewan and along the beach, before joining the coast path to Mevagissey. There are regular buses back to London Apprentice. Happy trails!
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Nanny Pat’s top tip
If you fancy hiring bikes, Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire can be found at the Pentewan end of the trail. You can pick up Sustrans Route 3 from here to the Eden Project and beyond. Alternatively, you could take the first left off the trail from Pentewan towards London Apprentice and do a circular route via Lost Gardens of Heligan and Mevagissey, mostly off road. Find out more: www. pentewanvalleycyclehire.co.uk
I suggest driving to London Apprentice then cycling down the trail to Pentewan for a trip to the beach or food at the Ship Inn. There is also a tea shop and restaurant in the village if you’re in need of refreshment. Getting there There’s free roadside parking in London Apprentice (on the B3273 near St Austell) near the start of the trail, close to the Kingswood Restaurant. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL26 7AP. Alternatively, there’s a small free car park in Pentewan Village PL26 6DA.
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A ferry trip to Fowey
I’ve wanted to venture on the sea trip from Mevagissey to Fowey for some time now, but the ferry is subject to weather and tide variations, and each time I have planned to go the ferry has been cancelled! Not so this time – the weather forecast was good, and with most of the older children back to school, Sam and I packed a rucksack and set off early to catch the first ferry of the day about 9.30am. The ferry departs from Lighthouse Quay in Mevagissey. They advise getting there 15 minutes before the ferry’s scheduled to leave (there’s no pre-booking, so it’s on a first come, first served basis). You’ll need to allow plenty of time on your car park ticket and probably 10 minutes to walk to the end of the quay. With the wind chill factor it can be really cold out on the water, even on a sunny day, so do take a jacket. There is some inside seating and flaps that can be rolled down if you’re heading into waves and want to avoid getting wet. After leaving the quay we gently headed out of the harbour. The captain revved up the engine and we sped off doing about 14 knots, which was exhilarating! The first bay you come to is Pentewan, with its wide sandy beach and caravan park. This is followed by Hallane with its lone house on the beach, Black Head, Ropehaven, Porthpean and Charlestown, with its old galleon ships in the harbour. Rounding the cliffs you’ll pass Carlyon Bay, Par Beach, Polkerris and the Gribben – famous for its red and white striped daymark on the top. In St Austell Bay there is a mussel farm with warning lights and beacons to warn ships. The whole trip lasts about 35 minutes and we soon headed round the Gribben to approach Polruan and the entrance to Fowey Harbour. The ferry docks at the Esplanade, a short walk from the town centre. We made our way to Pinky Murphy’s café, which is on the main street on the way to the Bodinnick Ferry. It’s one of our favourite child-friendly restaurants and has some really funky décor and a great menu.
On the way, we stopped at the Aquarium to buy some fish bait to put in our crab lines. The best place for crabbing is off the pontoon alongside the Harbour Office, just along from where the lifeboat is moored. Sam and I spent a happy hour catching our one crab and hoping for more, which didn’t materialise! Lunch consisted of sandwiches from Kittow’s butchers and deli, just behind Town Quay, where they make sandwiches to order – delicious. We sat and ate them watching the comings and goings of life around the harbour and enjoying the early autumn sunshine. A seagull swooped down and stole the end of Sam’s sandwich, which was quite frightening. Unfortunately, due to people feeding the gulls, they’ve learned that people mean food – please don’t encourage them by feeding them. We ambled back to our ferry point, stopping for a visit to the Old Grammar School gardens along the Esplanade, a favourite haunt of mine. It is a jewel of a place, always quiet and peaceful, lovingly tended with great views over the harbour. Handfuls of bees were buzzing around the sedum plants and we had the place all to ourselves. More time would have allowed us to visit Readymoney Cove, which is just a short walk from the quay. Next time maybe? A hop, skip and jump and we were back to the quay where we dangled the crab line hopefully for the last time before the ferry arrived for the return trip to Mevagissey. We even caught sight of a pirate while we were waiting! A lovely day indeed and a very tired toddler…
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Nanny Pat’s top tip
Ferry departure times vary depending on the season and the weather, so I recommend checking the website before setting off. Find out more: www.mevagissey-ferries.co.uk
If you have time, combine this trip with a visit to Polruan, just across the river from Fowey. Kids will love the short ferry journey, and the views looking back towards Fowey are magnificent. Getting there There is a small car park on the quay in Mevagissey, but the streets are narrow and often busy, so I’d recommend parking in the Willow Long Stay car park (the first one you come to as you enter Mevagissey). It’s a 10-minute stroll to the quay through the town. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL26 6SB.
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A boat trip down the Fal with Enterprise Boats
The Fal Estuary is in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and provides a stunning natural landscape wherever you look. Enterprise Boats run regular trips down the river, with options for stopping off on the way. This is a lovely choice for a family day out, as there’s so much to see and do – and going on a boat always feels like a big adventure! The tides were not favourable for Truro on the day I chose, so the boat left from Malpas village, a 10-minute bus ride away from the ticket office at Town Quay in the centre of Truro. The double decker bus squeezed its way into the narrow lanes of Malpas village and parked just a few yards from the boarding pontoon. On the boat there is covered seating downstairs with tea and coffee making facilities and toilets – essential when taking toddlers out for the day! We sat on deck in the open as it was a glorious day, perched on top of the lifeboat locker. The boat left the pontoon and wove its way through the pretty moored boats down the Truro River to the upper reaches of the River Fal. Most of the land here is owned by Lord Falmouth, who lives at Tregothnan House. A little further on, we could see the blue outline of the King Harry chain ferry, which carries cars from Trelissick to the Roseland, saving drivers a 20 mile round trip by road. Our first port of call was Trelissick. Soon Turnaware point comes into view. This was a major encampment for Allied Forces in World War II, and one of the locations where boats were launched for the D-Day landings.
On the starboard side, you’ll see the majestic Trelissick House, owned by the National Trust. Next stop St Mawes to drop more people off, passing St Mawes Castle, one of a pair (with Pendennis on the Falmouth side) built by Henry VIII for protection against the Spanish Armada. St Mawes is one of those picture postcard places, especially beautiful from the water with its pretty pastel-painted cottages and harbour. A quick turnaround and off to Falmouth, the third deepest natural harbour in the world. The town has a long maritime history with a busy shipyard. Graceful rows of captains’ houses stand out above the port, with tiny little cobbled alleyways, known as opes, link them to the water. We motored up through the moorings to Prince of Wales Pier, where we all got off to look around Falmouth town. As I had a baby and a toddler, shopping was not an option! We just took advantage of our two-hour stop to wander down to Custom House Quay, buying a pasty en route and sat in the sunshine, watching the boats. It was soon time to head back to the pier for our 3.30pm sailing. If you had more time in Falmouth you could visit the National Maritime Museum in nearby Events Square. The wind had got up for our return trip and seated at the top with two little ones and a rucksack was proving a challenge with the rolling of the boat. Luckily my fellow passengers were very kind and helped me look after them and keep them safe! The children were absolutely fascinated and well behaved for the whole trip there and back. I would certainly recommend this for a great day out for everyone.
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Nanny Pat’s top tip
Details, timetable and prices for Enterprise Boats are all available on the Fal River website, plus information on the other ferries they run on the river and opportunities for charters and parties. You can save 10% on the ticket price if you book online in advance. There is also a great little video which follows the boat down the river. Find out more: www.falriver.co.uk
You can hop on and off the boat at Malpas, Trelissick and St Mawes as the boat wends its way downstream to Falmouth, so you could easily combine this trip with a visit to English Heritage’s St Mawes Castle or the National Trust’s Trelissick GardensI highly recommend both!
On a high tide the boat leaves from Truro’s Town Quay. Around low tide a free bus service will take you from Town Quay to Malpas to join the boat there.
Getting there If you’re catching the boat in Truro, the best place to park is at Garras Wharf car park, close to the Enterprise Boats ticket office in Town Quay. It’s £6.60 for an all-day ticket. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR1 2HJ.
18 A wild day out at the Screech Owl Sanctuary Jasmine, Sam and I visited the Screech Owl Sanctuary at the end of March – it was cold and the rain was driving across the county in sheets. We did wonder if any of the owls would be brave enough to venture out of their nest boxes. However, we were well togged up and decided to take a chance. The Screech family has been rescuing and caring for sick and injured owls for over 25 years and they’ve received many accolades and awards for the work they do. They also have an owl breeding programme and are funded entirely by donations and entrance fees to the Sanctuary. The site is well laid out with large cages and descriptions of the owls (and other birds and animals, including meerkats). We marvelled at the resident owls – they have lots of different types from across the globe. The owls range in size and colour, but all have beautiful big eyes. Every day (weather permitting) there are three flying displays. Sam wasn’t brave enough to let an owl land on his arm, but he was enchanted as they swooped and dived around the show area, landing on the bench alongside us for a good close up view. Afterwards, we visited the hand tame area, where you can stroke the owls. There is an outdoor play and picnic area and a great little tea room where we dived in out of the rain. The children particularly enjoyed hot chocolate and a chocolate owl on a stick! The Screech Owl Sanctuary is great entertainment for half a day. It is simple and unsophisticated but you get the feeling that everyone cares passionately about the owls and their welfare.
Extra details Useful information Find out more: www.screechowlsanctuary.co.uk Nanny Pat’s top tip Book a falconry experience or a one-to-one handling session in advance if you want to learn more about these wonderful creatures during your visit. Getting there Screech Owl Sanctuary is located near Indian Queens in mid Cornwall, just off the A30. It’s a little off the beaten track so hop onto their website for directions. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR9 6HP.
19
Exploring Restormel Castle
This is the type of castle that everyone imagines – high on a hill, circular, in the middle of nowhere and oozing with history. Restormel Castle was built on a spur overlooking the River Fowey by the Normans and is one of the best-preserved motte and bailey castles in Cornwall. You can make out the layout of the keep, the Great Hall, the kitchen and private rooms from the ruins. The defences are perfect. The castle is built behind a 17 metre moat with steep slopes to make attack on foot particularly difficult. In fact, it must have been a powerful deterrent: Restormel only saw action once - in 1644, when Charles I’s forces drove out the Parliamentarian garrison during the Civil War. It is now managed by English Heritage and is a magical place to visit with children. Sam and I went on a drizzly day and we had the place to ourselves. You can climb up the ramparts and walk around the top of the walls imagining life as a soldier on patrol. It is easy to envisage what it must have been like – cold and draughty mostly! Sam and I bought some rubber swords in the shop and staged our own battles in and out of the rooms and defending the gate. We talked about archers, lords and ladies, servants and soldiers – being there really brought history to life for both of us!
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Getting there
Dogs on leads are welcome at Restormel Castle. There are toilets on site and a shop which sells souvenirs and snacks. The castle is also sometimes used for events – check on the English Heritage website for current details. Find out more: www.englishheritage.org.uk/visit/places/ restormel-castle
Restormel Castle is just off the A390. Post code for Sat Navs: PL22 0EE. There’s a free on-site car park (approx. 70 metres from the site entrance). Alternatively you can also park for free in Lostwithiel and walk to the castle (just over a mile and up a hill). If you prefer to use public transport, trains run between St Austell and Lostwithiel with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes.
Nanny Pat’s top tip On a nice day, Restormel Castle is the perfect spot for a picnic. It is close to the attractive medieval town of Lostwithiel, now brimming with antique shops and tea rooms. There’s a lovely walk along the river through Coulson Park. The beautiful little village of Lerryn, on the banks of the River Fowey, is just two miles down the road. Plenty to keep everyone happy for the day!
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Family fun at Camel Creek
When I was searching for a campsite for a weekend in October (our last trip in my camper van, Muriel, for the year!) I was thrilled to discover that the ever-popular Crealy Adventure Park (now Camel Creek) had opened up their own campsite next to the park, complete with electric hook ups and a shower block. I booked us in and off we went to explore. When we arrived we were shown down to the camping field, which was very secluded with lovely countryside views and a herd of deer in the field next door. The kind lady asked me if I would be happy here as they had nobody else booked in and I would be alone with Wilf and Megan in the night. I told her I was a farmer’s wife and used to the dark (I would live to regret that confidence), so we pitched up and made our way to the park entrance. We entered the toddler zone and went on everything. It was just right for six year old Megan but a little tame for eight year old Wilf. We were early, so we had the undivided attention of the super friendly and helpful staff. We spent a happy half hour before moving on to the Beast! They both loved this ride and weren’t scared at all. Next stop, the Zorb balls. They were great fun, but left the children very puffed out with red faces! A short walk took us to the water rides. Wilf and Megan both adored the water chutes with inflatable boats. You climb to the top of a hill and jump into a rubber boat and go really fast down a water slide – and of course get
wet. We did this over and over again, with much happy shrieking! The log flume was a bit scary for Megs, so Wilf and I took the challenge. We loved it, but we had to invest £2 in the drying machine to make walking round afterwards bearable! They both really enjoyed the dragon roller coaster and went on several times on their own. Megan also adored the horses that cruised around on train tracks. We joined in the animal feeding, held a snake and spent lots of time on the massive zip wire and playing air ball on the pirate ships, firing at some other children with make-believe cannons. The children had an absolute ball and you could easily spend a whole day here, as we did, and still not do everything. I suggest you take a picnic, as buying food for a family can get expensive. We stayed until closing time, played a few outdoor games and had some tea after it got dark. Luckily I had a DVD to keep them entertained, and drown out the roaring of the stags next door. I must admit to feeling a bit uneasy as the roaring merged with a family of owls and the barking of a fox! Hey ho, that’s what you expect in the countryside! We woke after a good night’s sleep, had our breakfast and headed for Padstow, but that’s another adventure to watch out for…
Extra details Useful information Check the website for opening times – during the winter Camel Creek is only open at weekends, although they are open for additional days over the Christmas/New Year period. Find out more: www. camelcreek.co.uk Nanny Pat’s top tip If you book online in advance you can save 20% on the admission price on the door. You can also return for free within seven days if you validate your ticket before you leave. Getting there Camel Creek is in Tredinnick, near Wadebridge. Post code for Sat Navs: PL27 7RA.
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Blackberrying at Argal
Argal Reservoir is not far from Wilf and Megan’s house in Mabe, so we often go there when we fancy popping out for a couple of hours. Sunny days in late September and early October are perfect for getting outdoors, and the blackberries are usually abundant here. We went out on a mission to collect some blackberries to make apple and blackberry pie for lunch and stock up the freezer. We did the circular walk around the reservoir. It’s approximately two miles long and takes you through meadows and woodland. It’s a popular spot for coarse fishing – it’s well-stocked with fish and you can buy fishing permits from a ticket machine on site. It’s a pretty walk and we found plenty of blackberries to fill our basket along the way. At the Argal village end, there’s also a bird hide, where we sat and watched a heron and cormorants fishing for their tea. The undergrowth was buzzing with bees, butterflies and dragonflies – it’s a great location for a little wildlife spotting. It’s a good spot to come for a relaxing couple of hours for a walk with a view and somewhere to stretch little legs. Most of the walk is suitable for buggies. There’s also a children’s play area with swings and climbing equipment where kids can burn off a little more energy before the journey home. The Argal View Café adjoins the car park. They have the most wonderful cakes and cream teas with superb Italian coffee. It’s run by Hayley and Mark who also run Café Nova at Stithians Lake. Hayley’s cakes are legendary, so I suggest you put this lovely little spot on your ‘to do’ list!
Extra details Useful information
Nanny Pat’s top tip
There’s ample car parking on site (small charge) plus accessible toilets. Dogs are welcome at Argal, but you’ll need to keep them on a lead. Find out more: www.swlakestrust. org.uk/lakes-and-facilities/the-lakes/argal
There are plenty of picnic tables and a BBQ area, so it’s ideal for a leisurely family day out at any time of year. Getting there Argal Reservoir is just outside Penryn, near Falmouth. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR11 5PE.
22 Helston Boating Lake and Loe Pool Helston Boating Lake is little gem of a place. It’s part of Coronation Park, just outside the town centre. It’s an ideal pit stop if you’re travelling down to the Lizard Peninsula or to the far south west, as you can break the journey and let the kids burn off some excess energy. There’s a great outdoor play area with some challenging climbs in the tree house structure plus a skate park. When you’re ready for refreshments, stop at the Lakeside Café, which is modern and spacious – we indulged in their ice creams. The lake itself is quite large and has a hard level path all around it, which is perfect for wheelchairs and buggies. You can hire a pedalo or a rowing boat if you’re feeling adventurous! A walk around Loe Pool Just down the road from Helston is an inland freshwater lake known as Loe Pool, or The Loe. Legend has it that Loe Pool is the home of the Lady of the Lake; somewhere deep beneath the surface lies King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur. Loe Pool is separated from the sea by a long shingle bank called Loe Bar. As a nature reserve, it’s popular with birdwatchers and is a wonderful place to explore with children. I love taking my grandchildren here, as they always have fun seeing how many different wading birds they can spot. You can walk across the road from Coronation Lake through the car park past Flora motors, staying to the left for a walk around Loe Pool to Loe Bar and back through the Penrose Estate. It can be quite muddy on the outward stretch and not suitable for buggies, it is more for older children as it is a 6 mile round trip. If you feel energetic, you can hire bikes from Porthleven cycle hire at Coronation lake and cycle through the Penrose estate, which is all off road and perfectly safe, with a detour into Porthleven itself. The walk through the estate can be found at number 26 in this book.
Extra details Useful information
Getting there
Visit the National Trust website to find out more about the Penrose Estate and walks in the area: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/penrose
The Penrose Amenity Area car park (by the boating lake) is on the B3304 (Porthleven Road) just off the junction with the A394 (Penzance Road). Postcode for Sat Navs: TR13 8SG.
Nanny Pat’s top tip There are regular buses back to Helston (2 or 2A) from Porthleven, so you don’t have to walk both ways – unless you want to!
23 Exploring the Helford River The area surrounding the Helford River area is one of the jewels in Cornwall’s crown. I discovered this part of Cornwall while walking the coast path - and I enjoyed it so much I decided to return to explore further, this time with the whole family. Secluded creeks, woodland and hidden coves mean there are plenty of possibilities for adventure! The Helford River is a renowned sailing area, a narrow estuary in a drowned river valley like many of south Cornwall’s fishing ports. A special feature is the wooded valley sides that reach down to the water’s edge, often ancient oak forests which have been untouched for thousands of years. Wading birds abound, searching for mud-living creatures at low tide. Their calls have a music to them that is so evocative of holidays in Cornwall. There are eel beds and oyster beds here, as well as an area of Cornish maerl (a type of coral). The area is also home to Frenchman’s Creek, the setting for Daphne du Maurier’s book of the same name. Today, this is a tranquil spot, but Helford Village was once an important port, with trading ships bringing in goods from the continent such as rum, lace and tobacco. In the early 19th century, pirates and smugglers, rather than tourists, were frequent visitors to this area. The National Trust gardens at Glendurgan go down to the river’s edge, as do the gardens at Trebah (not NT). Both are outstanding and have plenty to offer all year round.
North Helford The Ferryboat Inn in the village of Helford Passage is a wonderful place to stop for lunch. Dating back 300 years, its waterfront position and south facing terrace is ideal for watching the world go by. The seafood here is simply divine. Most of the oysters and shellfish they serve are grown and harvested at the Duchy of Cornwall Oyster Farm (a short boat ride up-river from the pub), and their fish, crab and lobster come from local fishermen. South Helford If you just want to potter, take a leisurely walk around Helford Village and soak up the atmosphere before heading to the Shipwrights Arms for lunch. You can follow the coast path back from the car park for a 20 minute walk with lovely river views and the opportunity to explore a couple of small secluded beaches. The Helford Ferry You can easily get across from one side of the river to the other on the Helford Ferry, which has been running continuously since the Middle Ages. In the past, it was an important link between communities and was used to transport produce across the river to be taken to market in Falmouth. Today, it operates as a passenger ferry, but you can take bikes, pushchairs and dogs across with you. The ferry operates from Good Friday (or 1st April) to the end of October, and runs on demand during the day.
Extra details Useful information
Getting there
With pretty creeks, secluded coves and picture perfect views around every corner, this is a great area to explore on foot. There are several gentle short walks that are perfect for families and can easily be combined with a boat trip or a visit to one of the lush sub-tropical gardens nearby. Find out more: www.falriver.co.uk/ things-to-do/walking/helford
You can reach both sides of the Helford River by car. To reach the northern side (Helford Passage), head for Falmouth and take the Mawnan Smith road, heading for Durgan. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR11 5LB.
Nanny Pat’s top tip Park above Helford Village next to the sailing club. If you’re feeling fit, there’s a delightful walk of about five miles which takes you back to Manaccan, along Gillan Creek to St Anthony. We hired a boat here at Sailaway (you’ll need to book in advance) sailed around the headland and up the Helford River for a lovely day out - with fishing included!
To reach the southern side (Helford Village), you need to head for Helston and then Gweek, following the road towards Coverack out on the Lizard Peninsula. Helford Village is signposted after Manaccan. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR12 6JU.
24 Helman Tor and Par Sands Beach kite flying Helman Tor One of the best places for flying kites near Bosinver is Helman Tor Nature Reserve, which is where I took Wilfred and Megan recently. There’s plenty of space to explore and rocks to climb (ideal for active kids), so it’s a great area to visit at any time of the year. Kite flying is a great way to get the kids outdoors on a day that’s perhaps not the ideal weather for going to the beach. Wilfred and Megan were wrapped up warm and soon totally captivated by flying their kite – they weren’t bothered by the cold at all. Once they were up on the Tor, the sun even came out… Helman Tor Nature Reserve is Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s largest nature reserve, spanning 536 acres in total. As the reserve has so many different types of habitat (including wet and dry heathland, wetland, acid grassland, willow and oak woodland), numerous species of butterflies, dragonflies, birds, mammals and reptiles all thrive here. On a rather blustery early spring day, we didn’t see much wildlife this time, but the children were happily occupied with their kites anyway. Par Sands Beach Stretching for over half a mile and backed by sand dunes, Par Sands Beach is a popular destination for families, and is a particularly pleasant location for a tranquil seaside picnic. Dogs are allowed on this beach all year round and it is popular with locals and visitors alike. At high tide, some of the beach’s wide expanse of sand is covered, but a significant portion remains. The relatively shallow waters off the beach are safe for swimming, although you’ll still need to take care with young children.
We love popping down here for a spot of kite flying on the huge expanse of beach. There’s nearly always a wind blowing and plenty of level ground to run along to get your kite flying. We have a ‘pockite’ which I keep in my bag at all times - you can just unpack it and with the slightest breath of wind it takes off skywards. It always creates fun and laughter – a far cry from my days of crossed sticks and newspaper tail kites which hardly ever got off the ground! I feel as if I’m cheating as it’s so easy, but the little ones love it all the same. Simple pleasures are always the best…
Extra details Useful information There’s a small amount of car parking at Helman Tor nature reserve. Find out more: www. wildlifetrusts.org/reserves/ helman-tor Nanny Pat’s top tip If you enjoy walking, download the Wilderness Trail leaflet from Cornwall Wildlife Trust for details of walking routes on Helman Tor. The full trail is 8 miles long, but there’s also a shorter 2.5 mile trail, which is ideal for little legs or if you’ve got a limited amount of time.
Getting there Helman Tor is 2.5 miles south of Bodmin. It’s worth checking the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website for detailed instructions on how to find the reserve. Par is situated between St Austell and Fowey and has good parking facilities. Postcode for Sat Navs: Helman Tor PL30 5DF, Par Beach car park PL24 2AS.
25 Fantastic Football Golf I have been wanting to try this out for a while! A family celebration seemed to be the ideal opportunity, as it promised entertainment for our wide age range of 2 to 72. It was a gloriously sunny day, and after checking in at the Cornwall Football Golf reception we grabbed our footballs and score cards and set off in groups to tackle the red course (less hilly and easier than the blue). All you do is pick up a ball and kick. The aim is to try to avoid the obstacles and get the ball in the hole, scoring as you go - just like crazy golf. The courses are set into a gentle hillside with lovely countryside views. Football golf is a great leveller – the keen footballers did no better than the novices, as the hazards are cunningly arranged to deflect the balls off course. We grouped the little ones together and set them off first. They had a whale of a time just kicking their balls along and into the holes at speed, laughing all the way. It takes about 2 hours to do one course. Out of season, you can play both courses and stay as long as you like. It was certainly a great success and everyone enjoyed it. Some members of the group were keen to arrange a return match to redeem themselves! I highly recommend it.
Extra details Nanny Pat’s top tip Football golf is an ideal activity for large groups, especially if you have a wide range of ages, like we did. I’d recommend booking in advance if there are a lot of you, especially during the summer or the school holidays. Useful information There is plenty of parking, and you can buy drinks and snacks in reception. Well behaved dogs are welcome too. Find out more: www.cornwallfootballgolf.co.uk Getting there Cornwall Football Golf is located close to the Eden Project, just off the A391 close to St Austell. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL25 3GD.
26 Penrose and Porthleven The Penrose Estate, near Helston, is a hidden gem for getting the children outside. If you head towards Porthleven out of Helston on the B3304 you will find free parking next to Flora garage and opposite Coronation Lake. Retrace your steps to the car park entrance, turn left towards Porthleven and immediately left to enter the estate. A broad hard surface path winds its way alongside the broad expanse of Loe Pool, an inland freshwater lake cut off from the sea by Loe Bar at the seaward end. It is a haven for wildfowl and popular with bird watchers. The open parkland soon unfolds before you, with the imposing Penrose House and a number of traditional farm buildings nestled in the centre of the estate. As you head towards the bridge, you have a choice of routes. If you continue straight on, you’ll come to the National Trust car park at the top of Porthleven. It’s possible to walk down into the town here – while there’s no footpath, it’s just a short distance. If you cross the bridge and head towards the outbuildings, you’ll come to the Stables Café. It has a range of snacks and drinks on offer and makes a great place to refuel after your walk. Opening hours vary depending on the time of year, so I suggest you check the National Trust website before you go. Continue towards the lake and keep it on your left as you follow the path heading towards the sea. When you reach the coast, you can turn left and pop down to the beach at Loe Bar (the view is fantastic, but it’s not safe to swim here as there are very dangerous currents).
To get to Porthleven, turn right off the path and follow the road down into the town. There’s a lovely little harbour here with interesting shops and galleries, plus a variety of pubs, restaurants and cafés. You can make this route into a circular walk by heading back up the B3304 back to the National Trust car park. Alternatively, retrace your steps and return the way you came. If you have tiny tots I suggest you just spend some time exploring the estate before returning to Coronation Park where you can feed the ducks, enjoy the playground and have refreshments at the Lakeside Café.
Extra details Useful information
Getting there
There’s a wealth of information about the Penrose Estate and walks in the area on the National Trust website, including a downloadable map of the estate and a selection of walks: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/penrose Other walks in the area: www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk/walk/ the_loe www.carfreewalks.org/walks/388/ around_the_loe_in_cornwall
The Penrose Amenity Area car park (by the boating lake) is on the B3304 (Porthleven Road) just off the junction with the A394 (Penzance Road). Postcode for Sat Navs: TR13 8SG.
Nanny Pat’s top tip If you’re planning on doing one of the Penrose Estate/Loe Pool walks, I’d recommend taking a baby backpack carrier rather than a buggy. The Penrose Estate paths are fine but the Loe Pool walk can be boggy in places.
Alternatively, you can park in the National Trust car park at Penrose. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR13 0RD.
27
This is the third Spotty Dog Trail that I have completed with my grandchildren and I must say that we have thoroughly enjoyed getting outdoors with them and learning more about places on our doorstep. This walk begins in Kimberley Park on Kimberley Park Road. Be prepared for at least a half an hour’s delay as the children play on the brilliant play equipment there and find the first clue to begin the trail. Wander through the park, past the café and lodge, then turn right and head into town via the Moor and then on to Prince of Wales Pier, finding clues as you go. We stopped to enjoy the autumn sunshine here with coffee and snacks from the Pier Café, watching the ferries come and go and soaking up the lovely views of the harbour. We ambled along Church Street (be careful here - although it is pedestrianised, delivery and car park traffic can catch you unawares). It took quite a while to find clues in this area as we had to look up from both sides of the road! It was great fun poking our noses down into the little alleyways, known as ‘opes’, which lead down to the sea. We were being constantly reminded of Falmouth’s maritime history with ships’ carved figureheads and plaques sunk into the pavements marking the Falmouth Packet Trail.
A little potter along Customs House Quay led us to discover The King’s Pipe. I have walked past this red brick chimney hundreds of times and never even noticed it. Do stop and take a look; a plaque on the front explains its raison d’être - fascinating! We sat on the grass at the pyramid monument opposite Arwenack House to decipher a clue and enjoyed eating our picnic on the grass in the sunshine. Then it was on to the mini roundabout and a climb up the hill past the railway station, before turning left into Melville Road and Princess Pavilion Gardens to find the two final clues. The reward was an ice cream at Gylly Beach Café and a play on the beach to refuel before walking back to our car in Kimberley Park. The walk is approximately three miles to Gylly Beach Café, which took us about three hours with stops. I added another two miles and an hour back to the car. I had a 2-yearold in a buggy, a 7 and 9 year old, but heard no moaning or groaning from them and we had a thoroughly enjoyable day learning about where we live.
Extra details Useful information
Getting there
Find out more: www.spottydogtrails.com Falmouth Packet Trail: www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/ news/718918.walk_around_ falmouth
Kimberley Park is a short walk from the centre of Falmouth. There is some free on-street parking available. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR11 2DA. Alternatively, you could park in the large Quarry Road car park near the Moor in Falmouth and walk the to the park from there.
Nanny Pat’s top tip We only stopped at the beach briefly, but you could easily combine the Spotty Dog Trail with lunch at the café, and perhaps a paddle if it’s warm enough!
If you prefer to travel by public transport, most buses travelling to Falmouth pass by Kimberley Park on the way to the bus station at the Moor. The closest station in Falmouth is Penmere, which is approximately 12 minutes’ walk from Kimberley Park.
28 Wheal Martyn and the China clay industry Wheal Martyn is located in the heart of Cornwall’s Clay Country, just two miles north of St Austell, and is home to the world’s only China clay mining attraction and museum. Established in the preserved remains of two former Victorian clay works, it’s an atmospheric and truly special place which tells the story of the industry, its workforce, and the surrounding communities. The 26-acre site incorporates a variety of fascinating historic features, now protected by Historic England. These include Cornwall’s largest working waterwheel, an engine house, flat rod tunnel, crib hut, kilns and clay work buildings. There are also woodland walks, an indoor discovery centre and exhibitions of local industrial artefacts, social history and vintage transport. I spent four hours there with four year old Sam and two year old Jasmine, mostly outside in November. The children live in Pentewan, a disused port which is closely connected to the China clay industry. A railway was built there to ship the clay from the pits inland to the sea along the Pentewan Valley. Unfortunately, the waste from the mines upstream washed down over time and gradually silted up the harbour channel. All that is left now is a duck pond and channel choked with sand and weeds. The beach is made up of this coarse gravelly sand, which we also saw plenty of on the tracks around Wheal Martyn. When we arrived at Wheal Martyn we were given a teddy bear trail to spot hidden teddies amongst the exhibits. Sam donned an explorer helmet and backpack with binoculars and photos to identify. This kept the children’s attention all the way round. We spent a happy time learning about how the clay was won from the ground and how hard the men worked, especially those raking the powder in the heated clay dries. They wore wooden soled clogs and had to keep soaking them in water at intervals so as not to burn their feet!
We had lunch in their excellent cafÊ (with vintage china no less) and a very good homemade pumpkin and ginger soup. Afterwards we decided to follow the trail up to see the view over Greensplatt, a massive modern day working clay pit. We watched the high-pressure water jets blasting the clay out of the soil. We also spotted several diggers and dumper trucks moving the waste rock and spoil to be ground into gravel for road stone and concrete products. After the decline of tin and copper, China clay took over as the most important industry in Cornwall. Its output has far exceeded the economic contribution of these old metalliferous industries. It is found in many everyday products such as ceramics, toothpaste, paint and glossy paper. The clay is now mostly exported by rail or ship from the harbours of Par and Fowey. We really enjoyed our visit and learned a lot about an industry which has shaped the landscape around us. Best of all, we spent most of our day active, outside in the fresh air – always a plus for me!
Extra details Useful information
Getting there
Wheal Martyn is open every day between 10am and 4pm (closed 24 December – mid January). Find out more: www.wheal-martyn.com
Wheal Martyn is in the village of Carthew, between St Austell and Bugle on the B3274. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL26 8XG.
Nanny Pat’s top tip Don’t be put off taking small children to Wheal Martyn because of the word ‘museum’. The historical side of things is really well presented, easy to understand and child friendly. Sam loved it so much he went back the next day with his Mum and Dad as he wanted to show them everything!
29
A wild ride and a great day out in Padstow
We finally managed to entice Farmer Dave out for a trip to his favourite seaside haunt, Padstow. Squeezing a trip in around the demands of our farm and self catering accommodation at Bosinver is always a tall order, but we made it just in time to catch Rick Stein’s take away and enjoy our favourite version of a seaside classic (in posh boxes, not newspaper). Delicious! It was a glorious June day and as we arrived at the quay a local brass band began to play – just perfect. The harbour is always busy but today it was crammed full of boats of all descriptions. They have added a new pontoon and every space was taken, rigging clanking and flags fluttering, adding to that lovely ‘I’m on holiday’ feeling! Parents and children crammed into every available quayside space, dangling crab nets over the side with buckets full of crabs of all sizes. What is it about crabbing that’s so addictive? A smelly bit of meat, a line and a bucket has us occupied for hours! We had a mooch round and shared a boy’s crab line, but Wilf and Megs agreed that we could go crabbing any time – and I think they felt sorry for the poor creatures squashed in buckets in the hot sunshine (if you go crabbing don’t put too many in one bucket and make sure you replenish the water regularly as they use up the oxygen quickly).
After a while we decided to join the queue for a speedboat ride. Dave and I used to bring our children to speed around the beautiful Camel Estuary on these classic mahogany boats built by Gerald Pearn of Morval, near Looe, in the 1970s. It was quite calm, so good for Wilf and Megan’s first outing. We went out on Thunder, but there are three other speedboats to choose from: Jaws, Sea Fury or Fireball XL5. It is a thrill of a ride and a great way to see the whole of the estuary from the sea. They take you out to Doom Bar on the edge of the open sea. Megs wasn’t too sure and snuggled into me with her hands held tightly on the rail in front, but Wilf was whooping with delight. After we landed safely we walked out towards Hawkers Cove, a beautiful sandy beach, ideal for a picnic. The views from the path are breath-taking: azure sea, golden sand, and at this time of year, wild flowers. The children ran free, doing roly polys and balancing on walls, as children should. I just love where I live….
Extra details Useful information Boat trips run daily from the harbour from Easter to October (weather and sea conditions permitting). Find out more: www.padstowboattrips.com Nanny Pat’s top tip There’s nothing quite like getting out on the water and feeling the spray on your face! If you want to up the thrill factor, opt for the back seat of the boat - the powerful engine pushes the back of the boat down into the water and you get wet! Getting there The largest car park is the Link Road car park, which sits above the town. Postcode for Sat Navs: PL28 8AX.
30 Adventures galore at Swanpool Swanpool Beach is one of my favourite places to visit with the children at any time of year. With easy parking and a range of activities all in one place, it makes a great base for a family day out. The golden sand is perfect for sandcastle building, and there are rocks to clamber on and caves to explore at low tide. The beach slopes gently, so it’s ideal for paddling and swimming with plenty of shallow water to splash about in. Swanpool Café The outdoor café has a great range of food at reasonable prices, including homemade soup, toasted ciabattas, baguettes, salads, jacket potatoes, smoothies and homemade cakes. Don’t miss the famous Swanpool ‘quirky’ ice creams – Cornish ice cream smothered with clotted cream and a choice of toppings. Our favourites are the Hedgehog (topped with honey-roasted hazelnuts), Jelly Belly (jelly babies – what else?) and Caribbean Kiss (chunks of pineapple, papaya, mango and apricot), but there are lots to choose from… Swanpool Nature Reserve The Nature Reserve is home to all sorts of wildlife. The pool itself has both fresh and salt water, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as it is home to the UK’s only trembling sea mat (a group of primitive microscopic animals called bryozoa which live in underwater colonies).
Swanpool is a real haven for birds - over 100 species have been spotted here. There’s a pair of resident swans who live here all year round, usually producing a huge brood of cygnets each spring. You’ll find lots of mallards and coots, plus regular visitors like great crested grebe, tufted ducks, cormorants and siskins. You can buy special wildfowl food to feed the birds from the car park hut – this is always one of the highlights of our visits! Walking near Swanpool Swanpool is right on the South West Coast Path. Turn left for a stroll to nearby Gyllyngvase Beach (10-15 minutes walk), where you’ll find another fantastic child-friendly café. You can continue on from Gylly along the seafront past the grand Victorian hotels towards Pendennis Castle on the headland. Alternatively, if you turn right at Swanpool you can follow the coast path towards Maenporth and Helford Passage for beautiful views across the water. There’s also a gentle 4.5 mile level walk around the Nature Reserve. Kingfishers are often spotted in this area – watch out for a flash of turquoise close to the water’s edge. Watersports Elemental UK are based right on the beach and offer a variety of options for coastal adventures with of qualified instructors. If you’ve got older children, this is a great way to keep them entertained. Choose from sailing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding and more… Kayak Hire You can also hire single or double sit-on kayaks if you fancy venturing out independently and exploring the nearby area – there’s a beautiful cove, caves and a secret beach just waiting to be discovered close by.
Extra details Useful information
Getting there
Find out more: www.swanpoolbeach.co.uk For full details of the Swanpool Nature Reserve Walk, see: www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/ walksdb/499/
Swanpool Beach is just outside Falmouth. The car park is just across the road from the beach. Postcode for Sat Navs: TR11 5BG.
Nanny Pat’s top tip The 18-hole crazy golf course (next to the car park) is open all year round and offers a challenge for kids and adults alike!
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