With two Bank Holidays in May and the summer holidays on the horizon, here’s the first of a regular blog from Sykes Cottages featuring the best family days out up and down the country! This week we put Cornwall under the spotlight!

Find your perfect Cornwall cottage!
 

Tintangel Castle

Said to be the birthplace of King Arthur, North Cornwall’s Tintagel Castle is a fantastic day out with the family.  Maintained by English Heritage, these castle ruins are a great place to let your imagination (and the children) run wild.  The castle dates back to Roman times so there is more than 2000 years of history to discover as well as featuring in the tale of Tristan and Isolde.  There are events throughout the summer such as family fun trails and archaeology week, guaranteed to keep young and old entertained.  To continue the Arthurian theme after your visit, head to Dozmary Pool located on Bodmin Moor where legend has it that Excalibur rests in a watery grave.
 

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall – Via. Flickr

South West Coast Path

Stretching some 630 miles through Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, the South West Coast Path is a great way to see Cornwall’s beauty in all its glory.  If you’ve got little ones with you, choose a section of path which is pushchair friendly or short enough that even little legs will manage the walk and really make a day of it.  While walking along the coastal path is lovely in itself, you can make your stroll more family friendly by following a Treasure Trail.  These trails take you on an exciting discovery of the area’s smuggling history as you crack a number of clues.  My personal favourite?  The stretch between Polperro and Looe; a manageable walk with stunning views with a pretty fishing village at either end!
 

 

Watersports

In a region boasting over 200 beaches, it will come as no surprise that life in the water is pretty popular in these parts.  Newquay is undeniably one of the finest surfing destinations in the world so where better to don a wetsuit for the first time?  The most recent craze is coasteering where participants navigate the coastline using a combination of climbing, swimming and jumping.  An adrenaline hit like no other!  Water babies should also try Adrenalin Quarry, which as the name suggests, is a former quarry packed with nail biting activities near Liskeard.  Reach speeds of 40mph on the zip wire, experience 3G on the giant swing or just bring a picnic and relax by the lake; the choice is yours!
 

 

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Venture to the charming village of Mevagissey and you’ll find the Lost Gardens of Heligan.  With more than 200 acres of botanical beauty to explore, a day out here is just as exciting as the perhaps better-known Eden Project.  Children will love the jungle where they’ll be amazed by giant rhubarb, a huge banana plantation and tunnels of bamboo to get lost in!  The Pleasure Grounds take you on a journey from Cornwall to Italy and New Zealand and back again.  Dogs are welcome all year round at Heligan which means you don’t have to leave your furry friend at home if you’ve chosen one of our pet-friendly cottages.  For a personalised tour of Heligan and many other gardens in Cornwall, you could consider Cornwall Garden Tours.  This small family business will transport you to some of Cornwall’s most beautiful gardens in style ; what better treat for those with green fingers?
 

 

Flambards

Enjoy a day out at Cornwall’s theme park, Flambards located in Helston.  The park offers hours of fun for children of all ages (and grown-ups too) including an indoor soft play area for children as young as one and award-winning exhibitions including ‘Victorian Village’ and ‘Britain in the Blitz’.  You’ll also find rides and activities for all levels of daring from log flumes, the traditional carousel, stomach churning rides as well as family favourites like the tea cups and swinging pirate ship.  Plus, if you visit the website this weekend you can save 10% on your entrance tickets over the Bank Holiday; what could be better?
 

 

Have we got you thinking about a holiday in Cornwall?  Why not take a look at our website or give one of holiday cottage advisors a call today?  We still have plenty of cottages available for the late May Bank Holiday and the summer and now is a great time to book!

Here at Sykes Cottages, we’re already taking a lot of bookings for the summer holidays and with fantastic food, a mild climate and great attractions, it’s no wonder that Cornwall is as popular as ever. Cornwall isn’t just a great choice for surfers and sun-worshippers; it’s also a brilliant spot for nature lovers looking to discover this naturally stunning part of the UK.

Enjoy a scenic walk

A walk along the South West Coastal Path, which stretches for more than 250 miles in Cornwall, certainly won’t disappoint.  At any time of year, a stroll along the coastal path gives you the best opportunity to see wildlife in an unspoilt and natural habitat.  Try the circular walk from Carbis Bay which takes in Porthkidney Sands noted for its wildflowers and seabirds.  Take the dog too, for a walk which won’t feel like a chore!  Come the autumn, the best place to watch hundreds of swallows and swifts venture south for the winter is The Lizard.  You can also expect to see flocks of fieldfares and whooper swans arriving in Cornwall to escape the bitter Arctic winters.  Pack your binoculars and a flask of something warm and enjoy a day trip during your holiday in Cornwall.  During 2013, the charity behind the South West Coast Path will undertake a number of improvements to make the path a more enjoyable place to walk.  Sykes Cottages are proud to be involved in this important conservation project on one of the UK’s most picturesque coastlines.

Get out on the water

There’s no better way to appreciate the beauty of the Cornish coast than from the water where you’ll get to explore parts of the coast normally hidden from view.  From coasteering to kayaking, water babies are spoilt for choice on a holiday in Cornwall.  If you’re into fishing, try a boat ride from Specialised Charters who offer organised trips to catch everything from bream to sharks with the added bonus of useful local knowledge.  Pack your camera and keep your eyes peeled for seals, seabirds and bottlenose dolphins while you’re out on the water.  I can’t think of a better way to build lasting memories of your Cornish cottage holiday for years to come!

Try a boat ride on a holiday in Cornwall

Family fun at Eden

The Eden Project is proof that nature doesn’t have to be boring for little ones and so a trip to the Eden Project is a must during a family holiday in Cornwall.  Enjoy exploring the largest rainforest in captivity, discovering where chocolate comes from and more than 70 plants in a variety of exotic climates.  Young explorers can also take part in exciting nature trails, enjoy hours of fun on outdoor play equipment and get involved in special family friendly activities like den building and ice skating.  For older children the longest zip wire in the UK and rock climbing are sure to be a hit!

If this has got you thinking about booking a holiday for 2013, why not take a look at our website or call one of our friendly holiday cottage advisors until 9.30pm, seven days a week.

Although it feels that the school summer holidays of 2013 are a million miles away, getting in early and booking your summer holiday accommodation for 2013 could really pay off! The early bird catches the worm, or so they say, so get ahead of the crowd and reserve your self-catering cottage in Cornwall now. The high demand for quality family holiday accommodation in the peak season always outstrips supply, so if you have a particular holiday location on the Cornish coastline in mind, then make sure that you don’t miss out. We are taking reservations for summer 2013 already! Why not give us a call or send us an email to book your holiday cottage in Cornwall today.

So much to do in Cornwall

Cornwall is an eternally popular holiday destination for people of all ages, with many people flocking back to the area time and time again. From the Eden Project and the Tate Gallery, to fantastic opportunities for water sports and outdoor pursuits, Cornwall has so much to offer. So, whether it’s the golden sandy beaches, the fantastic sunny weather, the coastal walks, delicious local cuisine or the great choice of accommodation in Cornwall, that draws you to Cornwall, there really is something for everyone.

Great family holidays in the UK

Cornwall is a fantastic UK family friendly holiday destination. Simply pack up the car, not forgetting your bucket and spade and off you go! Travelling to Cornwall by car means that you have the flexibility to bring with you whatever you like. So whether its surf boards for surfing at Newquay, bikes for great family cycle rides by the beach, or simply a car packed full of treats and goodies to enjoy whilst on holiday, you can bring with you whatever you like to make your time in Cornwall extra special.

An unforgettable holiday in Cornwall

Try a boat ride on a holiday in Cornwall

For something a little bit different, why not get in touch with Specialised Charters who offer specially chartered boat trips from Lizard and Falmouth Bay on the Cornish coastline. Whether you fancy a day of fishing, a relaxing boat ride or a chance to capture some stunning photographs of Cornwall’s coastline from a whole new perspective, a trip on a specially chartered boat is a great way to make your holiday to Cornwall totally unforgettable.