The Cornwall Blog

For this month's blog story I wanted to share some of the great places in Cornwall where you can meet animals. From sanctuaries and farms to wildlife parks, they all have education and conservation at their heart. These are just a few of the places we love to visit in Cornwall... Paradise Park, Hayle Located in Hayle in West Cornwall, Paradise Park is a firm family favourite. It's great for kids, with a little train, soft play and a lovely array of colourful birds and small animals to see. All in all, a fun family day out. Newquay Zoo This little zoo has a real passion for conservation and you can really see how much the team love their animals. Zebras, sloths, penguins, red pandas and brown hyenas are just a few of the animals you can see. Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek A firm favourite, the seals are such characters! It's best for a dry day as most of the sanctuary is outside, and it's more than just s...

Cornwall is a county famed for its coasts, on its highest points you can see the waters stretch from both north and south, as far as the eye can see. But I thought this month I would consider a different kind of water, as well as the salty waves that crash our shores, Cornwall is also home to some beautiful lakes. Still, serene but if you want it, fabulous active fun. One I often frequent, mainly because of the very tasty cafe on site, is Siblyback lake on Bodmin Moor. As you drive down the little road to enter this tranquil spot you are treated with a great view of the lake, actually a man-made reservoir. The sun hits the waters and shines silver bright, often in the fields surrounding you can find those fabulous hairy cows I am so fond of.  Truth be told this is a popular spot, at least at the entrance, so you are sure to find plenty of families making the most of the fresh air, play park and those afore mentioned fabulous cafe treats.  Olive & Co have a refreshing menu...

There are few things better than taking to the sea on a stunning Cornish sunny day. It won't surprise you to hear that up and down the county we have a multitude of ways that you can enjoy the vast waters that wrap around Cornwall. From spotting dolphins to picnics at sea, or perhaps something for those who have a need for speed or for those who simply want to mess about on the river, catching fish. Let's start tranquil, what could be more beautiful then a picnic on the River Fowey . This area is my neck of the woods and it truly is lovely. You decide where you might like to go with 'Sunbeam', a 1930s 20 foot classic wooden motor boat. Bring your own picnic or they can provide one for you. An afternoon tea amongst the kingfishers - glorious.  So how about wildlife-spotting, here we really are spoilt for choice, at Padstow perhaps book Padstow Sea Safaris , an experienced team doing there very best to show you the likes of dolphins, puffins and seals.   In Looe harbour ...

Photo by Maria Spencer  Welcome to June, a bit of a confusing month all round! Slowly businesses are opening up starting with zoos and open air markets, shops to follow soon. Gradually life is returning to normal, or at least our new normal. What I have noticed recently is a real influx of hedgehogs, have you seen them out and about? My parents found one in their garden that they had to rescue from their over enthusiastic dog, and Maria, my boss's wife, found this handsome fella by Anneka's bridge in Wadebridge. So cute.   Wildlife has had a bit of a boom over lockdown it seems. The hedgerows have been overflowing with grasses and flowers and the bird song seems all the more beautiful. The lack of sound pollution has helped us all connect with the beautiful sounds of nature, especially the dawn chorus. I know in my garden the birds have been so loud I've had to shut the windows on Zoom calls!  Zoos can open soon, so check out Newquay Zoo 's website t...

In central Cornwall there are plenty of peaceful beauty spots a little less known, one I love is Helman Tor. So wonderfully quiet and on a clear day you can see for miles, both coasts if you are lucky! Finding it is always a bit of a mission, Visit Cornwall have directions you can check out. With massive slabs of granite, and a logan stones (teetering on the edge) it's a place ideal for clambering over with the kids, or to just relax and watch the sun set. At the foot of the tor there is a large wetland and with grazing animals gathering around bodies of water. The landscape comprises of heathland, acid grassland with willow and oak trees down below. You can see the weather rolling across the hills with birds of prey soaring in the sky above. The rocks seem to defy gravity and provide sheltered nooks to sit and admire an impressive view.