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Top 5 'free' days out

Writer's picture: Graham and Jane JonesGraham and Jane Jones

Updated: Oct 14, 2023

Up first for our 5 for days out is Looe. Before you leave the farm go to the ‘borrow box’ where you will find crabbing lines, buckets and spades you can borrow for the day.

Take a walk along the river banks, visit Nelson the seal, watch the boats coming and go and sit on the harbour wall crabbing. Then spend the afternoon on the sandy beach making sandcastles and enjoy a dip in the sea or at least a paddle!

Looe has lots of little lanes and shops to wonder around but if you want coffee and cake or lunch, one of our favourite stops is The Look Out, on the quayside.


The second is Charlestown.

Used as a film set for several dramas including Poldark, Alice in Wonderland, Taboo and Dr Who. Visit the harbour with the moored sail boats and artefacts from filming. Discover why the harbour was built and the remains of the past trade.

There are plenty of places to enjoy lunch, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

When the tide is out enjoy the beach and the views across the bay.

An optional extra is a visit to the Shipwreck Treasure Museum on the harbour side. Great for a wet day!



The third of our top 5 ‘free’ days out is the Camel Valley. There are several places you can park and join the Camel trail, a walking and cycling path along the route of a disused rail line. The trail starts in Bodmin, goes through Wadebridge and arrives at Padstow. Bikes can be hired including e-bikes or bring your own on holiday and store in our guest storage on site. The trail follows a scenic route with lovely views of the Camel Estuary. On arriving at Padstow enjoy the harbour, the narrow streets with shops and cafes and enjoy a pasty for lunch. The harbour is also home to the National Lobster Hatchery, Rick Steins Fish and Chips and restaurants and boat and fishing trips. Leave the harbour on the far side along the SW Coast Path, enjoy the lovely views and you will come to the sandy beach at St George’s Cove. Return to the cottage for a well earned rest, time in the hot tub and maybe a BBQ.



Fourth is Fowey. The best way to arrive at Fowey (in our opinion) is on the ferry from Bodinnick. It reveals wonderful views of Fowey and the river with the boats filling the estuary.

This was the home of Daphne du Maurier the author of many novels including Jamaica Inn, Rebecca and The Birds. Her family holiday house that became her home being adjacent to the ferry launch.

Fowey has many independent shops, cafes, pubs and very good restaurants along its narrow roads to enjoy.

A walk through the town along the estuary leads to Readymoney Cove. A sheltered cove with a sandy beach and cafe, below St Catherine’s Castle on the headland above. Don’t forget we have items for the beach in the ‘Borrow Box’ that you can take along.

St Catherine’s Castle is a small fortification with an impressive location over looking the mouth of the River Fowey, which you can walk to by continuing on the coast path. It can be found on the English Heritage website.

And I f you still have time and energy … there is a return boat trip from Fowey to Mevagissey that runs during the warmer months.


The last of our top 5 ‘free’ days out is the South West Coast Path between Looe and Polperro. The start point for this walk is Hannafore, West Looe. Park the car on the road along the sea front and walk through the gate at the end of the road.

The path takes you past the ruins of St. Micheal’s Chapel of Lammana perched on the hill with fabulous views across to Looe Island. The chapel and Looe Island were previously the subject of the TV programme Time Team. From the path you can walk down to several lovely quiet coves and beaches. There are wonderful views along the way across Looe Bay across to Rame Head. The path decends down to Talland Bay where you will find a lovely little cafe, beach and toilets! A good spot to take a break. From Talland Bay the path rises until you reach a war memorial a good spot to stop and take in the views. As you descend down into Polperro there are lovely views of the village and harbour. There are several lovely places to stop for lunch before your return walk including the pub The Three Pilchards. Sit up on the terrace for a view of the village. Alternatively take a picnic and enjoy while sitting on the harbour wall or the beach (if the tide is out!). Take the return walk to Looe or it is possible to get a returning bus. For a shorter version of this walk start at Talland Bay and walk to Polperro.

We hope you enjoy and love SE Cornwall as much as we do!



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