Why Cornwall Is The Perfect Destination For Adventure Enthusiasts
Whilst Cornwall is best known for relaxing holidays on the beach, exploring quaint little fishing villages and overindulging in cream teas and pasties, it’s also a perfect destination for anyone seeking fun and memorable adventure activities.
My name is Matt, I run Kernow Coasteering in west Cornwall. I spend much of my time exploring the county’s coastline as well as guiding people on adventures along its rocky shores and steep cliffs. I’m going to give you the low down on the choice of adventure activities available in the county and if I’ve done my job, you’ll be armed with plenty of ideas to fill your days on your next visit to Cornwall.
With 400 miles of coastline, it’s no surprise that activities in Cornwall gravitate towards the sea, whether that’s surfing the Atlantic rollers on a pristine sandy beach, or exploring its more remote and rockier corners. As you will see, there’s also plenty to get up to away from the coast, giving plenty of variety and some great options to have in the bag when the great British weather inevitably does its thing.
Coasteering: Exploring the Coast at Sea Level
I'm not going to hide my personal bias towards coasteering. There's a reason I chose to do it as my job – it is, in my opinion, simply the most fun you can have at the coast. Coasteering allows you to explore steep, rocky parts of the coast that you often can’t access in any other way. It gives an authentic feeling of exploration and combines wild swimming, scrambling, and of course (optional) cliff jumping to add an extra thrill.
But don’t think that coasteering is only for the super-adventurous. Coasteering is a hugely flexible activity: as long as you have basic fitness and some swimming ability, you’ll find the session tailored towards your aspirations and abilities. What’s more, you don’t need any previous experience to start enjoying the activity straight away, compared to some other activities featured herein (such as surfing) that can have a steeper learning curve.
With no shortage of cliffs, coasteering can be enjoyed at various places around Cornwall’s coastline. Coasteering was introduced to Cornwall in the surf resort of Newquay and it remains the ‘epicentre’, with the largest number of providers (if not necessarily the best terrain). Other hot spots include west Cornwall, where we operate, as well as spots further up the coast, such as near Port Isaac and Tintagel.
Try it with a local provider:
Surfing: From Beginner Lessons to Hanging Ten
For many, no trip to Cornwall is complete without trying one’s hand at surfing. All along the county’s north coast, regular swells from the Atlantic provide almost uninterrupted waves. The south coast, by contrast, is generally calmer and surf culture is less developed. However, on the north coast, there aren’t many easily accessible beaches where it is not possible to rent a surfboard, or take lessons.
If you haven’t tried it – what are you waiting for? It’s hugely enjoyable and falling off is all part of the fun! But if you get the bug and decide to master the art, you’ll have to put in hundreds of hours and many repeat trips to Cornwall (could be worse, eh?) before you’ll be out back trading waves
