North Coast of Cornwall
The North coast of Cornwall is a wonderful place to come for a holiday. A very family-friendly area, it has long attracted visitors looking for a traditional “bucket-and-spade” holiday, as well as surfers, walkers and those seeking the more relaxed pace of life that Cornwall offers.
The scenery found in this area is particularly striking - with dramatic vistas of stark landscapes and imposing cliffs (which actually, if you look closer, are home to many species of plants and wildlife). At frequent intervals all along the coastline, the towering cliffs give way to wide sandy beaches which delight younger visitors with many hours of fun, whether it’s rock-pooling, building sandcastles or ball games. The North coast has so many wonderful beaches to entice visitors - you’d be hard-pressed to pick a favourite.
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out - there are so many first-rate restaurants, welcoming cafes and cosy country pubs, all offering fine food and a warm and friendly atmosphere. Padstow is the name many people think of in connection with this, thanks to the efforts of celebrity chefs such as Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth, but you will be pleasantly surprised by the range of choice throughout the region.
This area is also known for attracting surfers in their droves - Newquay and Polzeath in particular are very popular destinations for those who like to ride the waves. The town of Newquay has hosted many surfing competitions, and has long been a must-see destination for those dedicated to the sport. Not far away at Watergate Bay is the Extreme Academy, which is a school dedicated to teaching a diverse array of watersports.
The beaches around St Merryn (also known as the “seven bays” area) are also great for surfing, as well as for the more traditional beach holiday activities - for example if you head to Harlyn Bay, they host an annual raft race, and further down the coast at Mawgan Porth, you can witness a good old-fashioned donkey derby, and a duck race! Most are also dog friendly, so your canine companion won’t be left out.
If your interest is walking, there is the South West Coast path, plus hundreds of other paths and tracks to explore, and you will find the area boasts a great diversity of seabirds and other wildlife - see how many species you can spot! You will be traversing wild and rugged landscapes that have inspired countless artists and authors.
