Three bedrooms with Smart TVs: 1 x king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin, and WC, 2 x twin (one of the single beds in the twin room, is only suitable for people 5’10 and under) . Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, and WC. Cloakroom with basin and WC. Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area, and sitting area with wood burning stove
This Cornish village rests some three miles south-east of Newquay, named after the surrounding area of moorland and playing host to a local shop, a couple of pubs, a garden centre and the railway station, which operates local services every couple of hours between Par and Newquay. You can also access Newquay by car, via the A392, and discover its endless supply of rolling surf, three wonderful beaches, each offering something different, and a variety of family-friendly attractions. Spend a day at the zoo or sea life centre with the kids and try out some of its finest restaurants and bars for light refreshments or a spot of lunch. The South West Coast Path is a must, attracting tourists from all over, home to an abundance of wildlife and spectacular landscape scenery, as well as picturesque beaches and hidden coves. You also have the chocolate-box fishing village of Padstow with its thriving harbour and traditional Cornish amenities, while the city of Truro has museums, its beautiful cathedral, and cobbled streets. The Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan and the towns and villages of Fowey, Polperro and Mevigissey are also worth visiting. This is the ideal base for exploring the heart of Cornwall.
With its sweeping beaches, rugged moorlands, hidden woodlands, and rolling countryside estates, Cornwall is a superb destination if you want to spend some time bird watching on holiday.
One of the best spots is Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve, managed by the RSPB. This rich wetland habitat attracts a variety of birdlife, including teals, wigeons, and goosanders. While winter offers the highest numbers, spring and early summer also bring migrant waders such as oystercatchers, dunlins, and whimbrels to the tidal pools and marshes.
Marazion Marsh, also managed by the RSPB and overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount near Penzance, boasts Cornwall’s largest reedbed. It’s a haven for species like chiffchaffs, Cetti’s warblers, little egrets, and grey herons. Bitterns are regularly recorded here, and birds of prey, including sparrowhawks and buzzards, are often spotted too.
For a variety of songbirds and raptors, head to the Rame Peninsula near Cawsand. This beautiful area of tidal creeks, sandy beaches, and peaceful farmland attracts goldcrests, firecrests, warblers, and buntings. You may also glimpse birds of prey such as hobbies, merlins, peregrine falcons, and, if you’re lucky, the rare hen harrier.
At Stithians Lake, a large reservoir, breeding birds like little grebes, coots, and moorhens are common. Waders such as greenshanks, ruffs, and curlew sandpipers can also be seen foraging along the muddy banks.
Not far from St Ives, St Ives Island, actually a headland between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, is a top spot for seabird watching, especially in autumn. Huge flocks of skuas, terns, gannets, fulmars, and auks pass by, alongside waders like purple sandpipers, whimbrels, and turnstones.
Finally, no trip to Cornwall would be complete without exploring Bodmin Moor. This dramatic granite moorland, scattered with ancient ruins and rich in wildlife, is especially rewarding in spring and summer, when skylarks, stonechats, wheatears, and sedge warblers arrive to breed. In autumn and winter, the moor plays host to thousands of golden plovers, along with snipes and the more elusive jack snipe.
