Things to do around Hendra (Cornwall) in October

[KenAdams]

We're travelling from the midlands so I'd like to do things we can't do there. Fun activities on the beach, Eden Project, seafood restaurants, anything specific to Cornwall or the coast really.

Anything else that's a must do around the Newquay area? We're staying at Hendra holiday park but we don't want to spend much time on the park as it will just be a base for us.

Hendra is a great holiday park but not that close to the beach. Has a fab pool with slides for wet weather days.

We use our NT cards and go to the gorgeous beaches of Holywell and Crantock just to the west of Newquay. The town itself has some great beaches but has seen better days. Nice to have a mooch round the surf shops though. Great spot for a cream tea is the NT cafe at Carnewas for Bedruthan Steps. Just stunning beach and towering rocks.

We love Eden and we're local so go several times a year. If you're going in school holidays it can be very busy. It's worth avoiding the holiday activities until 4.00 ish when a lot of people leave then you can enjoy in relative peace and quiet. Lost Gardens of Heligan are beautiful and well worth a visit.

Taking bikes or hiring them in Wadebridge and cycling the Camel trail to Padstow is lovely. Beautiful scenery. Saves the madness of parking in Padstow too. Wadebridge is about half an hour from Hendra.

Newquay has a zoo and sea life centre. There is also Dairyland nearby which is good for toddlers/preschoolers. Crealy (small theme/fun park) is also nearby and better for older kids. There is a new aqua park at the Retallack resort but it's not cheap (£15pp I think.) It has a Total Wipeout style inflatable obstacle course. NT Trerice is lovely and as TheScone mentions NT beaches Crantock and Holywell. Most of the north coast beaches are excellent.

Jamie Oliver has a restaurant 'Fifteen' at Watergate bay. Can't tell you how good it is as I've never been. Bedruthan Steps hotel is very family friendly and nice for meals even if you're not staying as a guest.

Eden will probably have Halloween type activities on.

How much driving about do you want to do? Do you want to head right down west?

Whipsiderry beach is fab for exploring. Some rock pools there too. Small caves, crabs, shells stones to find (my dcs love this) the beach is huge too so you can set up camp and not be interrupted.

Padstow is great for crabbing.

We've been quite a few times and we always end up on the beach and at padstow.

I can't think what it's called now but there's and extreme sports place too. You can go on the longest zip wire in Europe (if I remember rightly) and other 'extreme' sports.

How old are your DC?

And crealy too! You get to go back a second time for free with in 7 days too. So we went on our first and last day to break up the travelling a bit

A more adult trip - but Healey's Cyder Farm is good! We like the beach at Perranporth. But that could be busy if you are going in the school holidays.