WHAT TO DO

Things to do while you are visiting the West Coast of Cornwall

Whether you like a nice quiet holiday or one with a little more excitement, there are some great things to do whilst on holiday in North Cornwall.
Here is just a range of activiities that many of our visiters enjoy.

Walking

There are many fine walks to be had around Delamere and the surrounding area. The coastal paths are a particular favourite of many of our visitors as it takes just over 30 minutes (depending on your pace) to get from Delamere to the coast at Tregardock, and from there you can either head south towards the wonderful seaside town of Port Isaac or North along the rugged coast to Tintagel and it’s famous castle ruins.

Delamere is a member of walkingworld.com which lists many fine walks around the immediate area of Delamere.
There is also a very fine walk that begins and ends in the grounds of Delamere.

Cycling & Mountain Biking

One of the great attractions of North Cornwall is the Camel Trail which winds it’s way for 11 miles along a disused railway line next to the River Camel. The towns of Bodmin, Wadebridge, and Padstow are visited along the way and in between is some of the most spectacular scenery in Cornwall.

The trail is a fairly flat, designated route for cyclists so is an ideal route for children just learnng their way on a bike. Bike’s can be pre-hired in Wadebridge and Padstow for around £10 per day for an adult and £6 for children (including helmet). You can also hire bikes at Bodmin.

Surfing

North Cornwall offers some of the best surfing beaches in England. Within a few miles of Delamere are the popular surfing hotspots of Trebarwith and Polzeath and even closer is the little known surfers paradise of Tregardock which is known only to a select few. Click on the map below for the route to Tregardock. It takes about 30 minutes to walk there but you can also park your car in the country lane next to Tregardock Farm and then walk down to the beach in 10 minutes.

Music

There are many live music venues in North Cornwall, particularly through the summer months. North Cornwall also plays host to many music festivals all through the year. Here is a selection of the most polular one’s;

St Endellion Music Festivals

This festival takes place at Easter and in the summer every year in the Collegiate Church of St Endelienta. The Dates for 2009 are 5th-12th April and 26th July-7th August.

The Bude Jazz Festival

This festival is now in it’s 22nd year and takes place from the 29th August to the 5th September 2009

Golf

If you would like to take in a round of golf on your holiday there are plenty of courses available nearby. The nearest to Delamere is the course at Bowood Park which is just a few miles away. The St Enodoc Golf Club at Rock is one of the country’s Top 50 courses and probably the best links course in the West of England. It overlooks the Camel Estuary and the location on the high sand dunes is ideal for golf combined with stunning sea views.

Delabole Slate Quarry

A Must See When Visiting Cornwall – Come and visit the oldest working slate quarry in England. One of the most important Industrial Heritage sites in Britain today.

Delabole Slate Quarry has been in operation for around 1000 years and over 10 million tonnes of slate has been quarried since it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Records show the manor of Deliou under the ownership of William the Conqueror’s brother-in-law, Count de Mortaine, the 1st Earl of Cornwall. The Normans would have required the slate for their castle and estate building program across the south of England.

Join a tour and see world renowned Delabole roofing slate split by hand just as it has been for centuries. The quarry is now almost 500 feet deep and over 1.5 miles around. Once the largest man-made hole in Europe, it is an amazing sight to see. So if you come to Cornwall, be sure not to miss it.