Local Activities

Sights and Activities in the Locality

It's Winter, and the South Coast of Cornwall never shuts down. Storms have brought out the kite surfers on Par Sands. Truro buzzes with post-Christmas shopping fever. The roads have freed up! Dinner in Padstow (20 mins north). Travel in comfort by train from St Austell to St Ives for lunch. Dine in Fowey amidst the locals...

And of course the following places of interest....

Port of Charlestown, 10 mins west, Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre and Square Sail Shipyard. The 18^th century square rigger sailing ships are used on location for film and TV

Historic town of Fowey, 15 minutes by car on the South Coast, is well worth a visit and provides good shopping, restaurants, pubs and boating activities. Crossing the Fowey estuary on the car ferry reveals the beautiful and tranquil countryside and churches of St Wyllow and Lansallos

Tregrehan is a mile inland from the south coast, overlooking Carlyon Bay golf course to the sea. Local beaches include Porthpean, Par (dog friendly) and Polkerris, within 10 minutes drive. Many other beautiful beaches along the meandering coastal walkways of the National Trust invite exploration. Nearby North Coast beaches with great surf include Watergate Bay, Newquay, Polzeath and Padstow (35-45 minutes drive).

The Eden Project and winter ice-skating within walking distance

Marsh Villa Garden, and charming Cornish hospitality with tea and cakes in the local village of Par

Pine Lodge, Trewithen and Heligan Gardens are all within 30 minutes

Golfing at Carlyon Bay and Porthpean Golf Courses

Architectural feats such as Treffry's viaduct in the beautiful, wooded Luxulyan Valley

Wheal Martyn Museum -the historical significance of mineral and china clay mines in the county

Mevagissey, 14^th century fishing village

National Trust and English Heritage properties of Lanhydrock House and Restormel Castle

Family owned St Austell Brewery recently awarded the Best Pub Food in England using local ingredients

The mid-Cornwall Galleries, Par

Local theatre productions at St Austell Arts Centre, The Keay and Hall for Cornwall in Truro

Cycleways ~ the China Clay Trails, Pentewan, Camel Trail....

Lostwithiel - 15 minutes east on the A390, the ancient stannary capital of Cornwall

Truro - 30-40 mins west on the A390, shopping and The Hall for Cornwall, venue for the arts

Cornwall Market World within walking distance open on Wednesday and weekends. Adjacent to the market is Ben�s Playworld � an inside play area for children

The Britannia Inn within walking distance � popular pub with food, sky television on big screens, and outdoor play area for children

Further afield ~ day trips toSt Ives and Newlyn, the restaurants of Padstow, the surf at Newquay, the gems of the National Trust such as St Michael's Mount, Cornish Gardens,North Coast ruggedness and the Roseland Peninsula�

See the monthly magazine Inside Cornwall and the weekly Guardian for more details.