Tried and tested by the Hendra Team, we bring you the Ultimate Cornwall Bucket List!
We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Cornwall so you can have the best holiday ever. If you’re stuck for ideas, looking to experience local culture, or just want to try something new, take a look at our list below and tick them off as you go!
Download our Cornwall Bucket List here to take with you on your travels!
1. Go surfing
View this post on Instagram
Newquay is famous for it’s surfing culture! Hire a board and have a go at riding the waves like a pro.
2. Explore a Cornish tin mine
View this post on Instagram
See Cornwall’s mining history first hand by going down the abandoned min shafts of one of our famous mines! Poldark Mine is a great place to start, or stay above ground and see the Wheel Houses at Botallack and St Agnes.
3. Grab a pasty!
Try a traditional Cornish pasty! Did you know the pasty crust was originally made for miners so they could hold it with their dusty hands and not dirty their food? There are plenty of flavours to choose from, but in our opinion, nothing beats the traditional Cornish!
4. Eat fish and chips on the beach
Have a taste of some locally caught fish and delicious chips on one of our many beaches! There are multiple fish and chip shops in Newquay town centre, just a couple of minute’s walk from the beach. Or stay local and try our on-site fish and chip shop – open for takeaway every day!
5. Watch a sunset (or a Sunrise!) at the beach
View this post on Instagram
There’s no sunset like a Cornish sunset. Grab a drink and watch the world go by. Don’t forget to look out for the mystical Green Flash – legend has it that if you see the flash at sunset, you’re in for a lifetime of good luck!
6. Try Traditional Cornish Cyder at Healey’s Cyder Farm
View this post on Instagram
See the place where Cornish cyder originated from at Healey’s Cyder Farm in Truro! Take a tour of the brewery, try their famous Rattler Cyder, meet the farmyard animals, have a cream tea in the café, or explore the apple orchards with a tractor ride. This is a perfect day out for the whole family!
7. Enjoy a Cornish Cream Tea!
View this post on Instagram
There are plenty of cafes and attractions in and around Newquay selling delicious cream teas and other sweet treats. Healey’s Cyder Farm has a cosy café selling local produce and delicious homemade scones. Just remember to do it the Cornish way – Jam first!
8. Have a photo taken at Land’s End
Go to the very end of the UK and take a windswept photo with Cornwall’s famous signpost! Lands End is an iconic location is known across the world, and is now home to indoor attractions for all the family. Definitely one for the ‘gram!
9. Visit St. Michael’s Mount
View this post on Instagram
St Michael’s Mount in Penzance is famous for it’s ancient castle and as the filming location for the new Game of Thrones series! This beautiful island is a magical place to escape reality and step back in time. Walk across the causeway and explore this magical island – perfect for adventurers!
10. See a show at the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
View this post on Instagram
Built inside the cliffs beside Porthcurno’s stunning beach, this theatre has unbeatable views, and wonderful shows too! You can also visit the theatre without seeing a show if you’re desperate to get down onto the beach.
11. Build the biggest sandcastle
View this post on Instagram
Host you’re very own sandcastle competition! There are plenty of beaches to choose from. The trick is using damp sand to make sure you get the best shapes – but don’t tell everyone!
12. Visit the pirate port of Charlestown
View this post on Instagram
Home to merchant ships and museums, this harbour is the place to step back in time. Discover Cornwall’s history of sailing and piracy, just watch out for pirates lurking around the cove!
13. Uncover Cornwall’s spookiest history at Bodmin Jail
View this post on Instagram
Visit the most haunted jail in Cornwall… see where prisoners were tried and executed. Explore the jail cells, see the hanging pit, and walk the ‘Dark Walk’, an interactive experience for the ultimate thrill seeker! Enter if you dare!
14. Cycle the Camel Trail
One of the best ways to see Cornwall is by cycling the camel trail from Padstow, taking in the views of the Camel Estuary. A perfect day out in the sun for the whole family!
15. Walk the South West coast path
View this post on Instagram
See Cornwall the way it was meant to be seen… wander the coast path that stretches around the whole of our beautiful county. Look our for wildlife, admire the coastal flowers that bloom all through the summer, and take a rest at the many tin mines dotted along the cliffs. Don’t forget to take your binoculars and a camera – you might even spot a seal or a dolphin in the waves!
16. Ride the largest rollercoasters in the county at Flambards!
View this post on Instagram
Brave the Skyforce, and the Thunderbolt, get soaked on the Log Flume, and fly high on the Sky Swinger! If you’re after a more chilled day out, head to Ferdi’s Funland with shows for little ones, play mini golf, or ride the range of children’s rollercoasters including the Rocking Tug Boat. And don’t forget to explore the indoor museums before you go home, with plenty for the whole family!
17. Explore a hidden valley on a real steam train!
View this post on Instagram
Lappa Valley in Newquay is home to a range of vintage steam trains! Ride around the valley, explore the play areas, and enjoy a lazy trip on the boating lake pedalo swan. There’s so much to do for little ones, making this a memorable day out in Newquay!
18. Taste a traditional Cornish ice cream
View this post on Instagram
Hendra Holiday Park is now home to Valenti’s ice cream parlour, serving up locally made Cornish ice cream – and there’s a flavour for every day of your holiday, plus much more to try next time you’re here!
19. Fly high on a zipwire over the Eden Project!
View this post on Instagram
The Eden Project at St Austell is one of the UK’s most iconic tourist destinations, and one of the best things to do in Cornwall, so why not experience it in the most unique way? Hangloose Eden, based at the Eden Project, is home to a variety of thrilling activities, including the Climb, the Skytrek high wire trail, and of course, the incredible Skywire!
20. Go on a Pirate Hunt Adventure around Hendra Holiday Park!
Every Thursday morning at 10am, you can join in with our popular Pirate Hunt adventure! Follow your trusty captain around the site and follow the clues to find the hidden treasure! Look out for pesky pirates hiding around every corner, and don’t be afraid to get wet as they lead you past the outdoor pool! Arggh!
