Family-friendly fun for your Easter Cornish stay-cation
Fancy a last-min Easter escape to Cornwall? Of course you do! Here’s nine fun things to keep you busy, and places to stay nearby that still have availability.
WHAT TO DO: Walk the Causeway to St Michael’s Mount
Follow in the footsteps of giants and pilgrims and head to St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island with a castle perched on the top, where the causeway literally appears before your eyes as the tide drops away; a magical fairytale in action, beguiling both adults and children to begin the intrepid journey across the bricks to the rugged outcrop across the bay… (or, hop on a motor boat if the tide hasn’t quite matched up to your visit!). Castle re-opens 24 March, free to National Trust members.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: Paardeberg, Marazion
Pratically on the beach at Marazion sits Paardeberg. Overlooking the iconic Mount’s Bay and Marazion Nature Reserve, this impressive, three-bedroom, period townhouse, set over several floors, offering lots of space for all generations to unwind.
Last min availability: 30 March – 13 April 2024, 20% discount via Aspects Holidays
WHAT TO DO: Waterski on the Camel Estuary
Camel Ski School is the UK’s largest waterski centre offering wakeboarding, paddle boarding, wake surfing, kayaking, inflatable rides and of course waterskiing – all on the beautiful Camel Estuary, based at Rock. Whatever your level (I’d never been on waterskis before) there’s something for you and the whole family.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: Fiddlesticks, Rock
A tranquil countryside experience just moments from the hustle and bustle of the Rock Road, sleeping 8 across 4 bedrooms. The vast open plan kitchen and dining area provides a stylish setting for holiday meals and entertaining. Enjoy your morning coffee at the large breakfast bar. In the evening, dine together around the statement wooden table and enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool. Dog friendly.
Last min availability: 17 March – 14 April
WHAT TO DO: Lido, lunch and spa
Una Lido is a relaxed and family friendly space in which to spend your days. Re-opening for the season on 24 March, you’ll find the best of the lido lifestyle: laid-back tunes, snazzy poolside cocktails and informal dining. And of course, there’s the lido itself: the heated outdoor pool, where you can float, unwind, and soak in the beautiful natural light.
Come along during the day for an energising swim, followed by a lounge and leisurely lunch, or hit up a Sunday Session for a roast with music.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: Una St Ives
You won’t have to walk far as you can hire one of the resort’s 29 lodges – a blend of one, two, three and four bed properties with solar panels, sedum roofs and cedar cladding as well as lamb’s wool insulation and triple glazed windows – a main Atrium building with a spa, leisure club and award-winning Una Kitchen. Includes leisure club access. Dog friendly.
Last min availability: 23 March to 14 April. Rates start from just £840 based upon two adults sharing a one-bedroom Una Lodge for four nights. This Easter break includes unlimited use of Una’s Lido, leisure and spa facilities: pools, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.
WHAT TO DO: Walk the coast path
Any part of the south-west coast path round Cornwall’s coasts is beautiful, and there’s no denying the dramatic nature of the north coast cliffs, crashing waves, rolling Atlantic surf and wheeling sea birds. Head to the calmer, more sheltered south coast and you will find creekside walks, hidden yacht harbours, beautiful ancient pubs and ancient woodlands meeting the waters edge.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: Lawithick Barn, Mylor Bridge
Just around the coast path from Mylor (above) and opposite Falmouth, stay at Lawithick Barn; this fabulous waterfront property has spectacular views. Just 200 yards from Mylor Yacht Harbour and a perfect base for exploring the waterways of the Fal Estuary
Last min availability: 29 March – 12 April
WHAT TO DO: Take a water safari
The best way to see wildlife is from the water, and we like the coast just off Polzeath and Rock – Wavehunters, who know all the secret places and where the dolphins are likely to be, are the charter of choice for Muddy – they run exhilarating and magical wildlife spotting and sightseeing trips and charters from Rock (as well as Port Isaac). Sit at the front of the boat for the fastest seat, and if you choose private hire, you can swim off the boat too when conditions are right.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: Gunyah, Polzeath
Gunyah enjoys a stunning position over Polzeath beach, Pentire Point and the sea beyond. Sleeping 6 across 3 bedrooms, this open-plan self-catering holiday home also has private parking for up to 3 cars, plus a private hot tub.
For a little adult time too, get the kids booked into beach school, Wild Warriors, which runs a holiday club, wild activities and a beach creche for the little ones.
Guests and homeowners at The Point Holidays can enjoy perks on the facilities at The Point and become part of The Point community. With a gym, heated indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi, golf course and option to add classes, tennis and padel tennis, there’s plenty to keep everyone occupied. As an added bonus, no need to drive or park once you’ve arrived as every property is both within walking distance of The Point and also from the beach and SW coast path.
Last min availability: 7 nights from 29th March 2024 with 15% discount via The Point Holidays
WHAT TO DO: Eat at North Street Kitchen, Fowey
North Street Kitchen is hipster heaven, serving small plates and fish inspired dishes as well as natural wines and beers by the glass. In previous years it was the little sister to Fitzroy, but for 2024 NSK is now owned and run by Fitzroy’s ex-head chef Ethan Friskney-Brhyer and his wife Hazel, and Easter Weekend is opening weekend. Those in the know arrive by boat – there’s a quay just outside where you can moor up, or stay nearby and just amble down the road and enjoy the pretty town of Fowey.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: No 3 Marners Rock, Fowey
Marners Rock are three beautiful self-catering apartments in the harbour town of Fowey, a town steeped in history in an area of outstanding natural beauty on Cornwall’s south coast. Family owned and run and provide the highest level of luxury accommodation to be found in the town, with stylish interiors, beds that were handcrafted by a local carpenter and a compelling collection of artwork and antiques throughout the apartments. They were created to be a home from home for guests, with four legged friends also very welcome.
Marners Rock No 3 sleeps 6 – uber stylish and located at the end of Esplanade about half a mile from the centre of Fowey overlooking the mouth of the estuary, just a short meander to Readymoney Beach, where Daphne du Maurier lived in Readymoney House during WWII and which inspired many of her best known works. The main room of this lovely apartment is the large open plan kitchen and living room from which you can enjoy from every angle of the beautiful views out over the river and out to sea. In summer guests relax on the private terrace and in winter keep cosily warm inside to watch the weather rolling in, and seafarers come and go. Underfloor heating keeps the chill off in winter, with a gas fire and a huge L shaped sofa for hunkering down as the nights draw in.
Last min availability: 23 March – 4 April
WHAT TO DO: Cycle the Camel Trail
Hire bikes at Padstow and get pedalling along this old railway line heading towards Wadebridge (or, carry on all the way to Bodmin and up to Wenford Bridge) – it’s largely flat, so pretty easy going, and the views of the river are awesome. Sadly the Atlantic Coast Express (in a converted goods wagon) half way between Padstow and Wadebridge is for sale, so you’ll need to head right the way to Wadebridge and hit up Fat Pepper Co, or the Salt Box, or one of the many cafés for sustenance – or pack something in your saddle bag and use the many benches for a lovely picnic.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: The Grain Store, Padstow
This contemporary property is right on the water at Padstow with the most amazing harbour views which are visible from the living area and the master bedroom – you’ll also find a further two bedrooms, open plan living, fully fitted kitchen plus dining room table and the property even comes with it’s own parking space, which is handy. No dogs, children 8+ only.
Last min availability: 16 March – 19 April
WHAT TO DO: Visit a spectacular ancient waterfall
On the coast near Tintagel you’ll find St Nectan’s Glen. In the ancient woodland, the most noteable feature is St Nectan’s Kieve, a spectacular sixty foot waterfall through a hole in the rocks – if you dare, bring your bathing suit for a quick dip! You’ll need sturdy footwear as the paths can be a bit muddy, but it’s well worth it.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: Bossiney Cabin, Ocean Cove, Bossiney
On offer for holiday rentals and sleeping six, Bossiney Cabin is a self-catering property at Ocean Cove. With a raised outdoor terrace with beautiful sea views, and a Yurt outside with sitting area and play space, Bossiney Cabin makes the most of this stunning location with outstanding and dramatic coastal views.
All visitors have access to the recently refurbished indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, and lounge, which are otherwise owners-only (not open to the public) and the site is dog-friendly.
Last min availability: 5 – 12 April
WHAT TO DO: Take surf lessons
Fun for the whole family! Suitable for anyone from complete beginners, although you should know how to swim, get your surf on at Kings Surf in Mawgan Porth. They boast a 95% success rate for standing up in your first lesson, plus include all sorts of board safety and tidal knowledge, so you can be confident practising on your own.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: The Park Cornwall, Mawgan Porth
Just moments from the rolling surf and sandy beach of Mawgan Porth is The Park Cornwall. Everything you could need for a fun filled Cornish holiday is handily nearby. The Kitchen by The Beach is the onsite restaurant, and the indoor poor open daily.
From dog-friendly luxury lodges and cottages, to family friendly park cabins and yurts, all the accommodation is set in 27 acres of tranquil gardens with the beach beyond. Many of the holiday homes include a private hot tub, and with the swimming pools, outdoor play areas, sauna, steam room and facilities including laundry, soft play and even a pool bar, there is literally no need to step off site – unless you want to.
Last min availability: From 23 March
All dates correct at time of publication but please contact and check directly
