Callestock Blog

Picture the scene - you're just back from your short break in Cornwall.

Friend: "How was your holiday?"

You: "Yeah it was okay - weather was nice."

Or.....

You: "Amazing - we rode the longest and fastest zip wire in England, learned how to make traditional Cornish pasties at a cookery school by the sea, watched seals playing in the wild and enjoyed a Nordic Spa experience."

We know your holiday is precious, and Cornwall is rich with opportunities to create lasting memories that will make your friends green with envy.

Here are a few ideas to get you started if you're planning a break away in Cornwall, whether you're looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure or a leisure boat trip looking out for wildlife.

9 Couples' Experience Days in Cornwall

9. Nordic Spa Experience

For something a little bit different, this Nordic Spa occupies an impressive rooftop location on the outskirts of Wadebridge.  It's a well known fact that hot and cold bathing is extremely beneficial and is great for your well-being and self-care. Why not combine this little adventure with the bike ride along the Camel Trail, or simply follow it up with a relaxing lunch in one of the many eateries on offer in the lovely old market town of Wadebridge.

8. Helford Kayak Trip

This kayak adventure lasts approximately 2 hours where you'll paddle along the peaceful waters of the Helford River and on a sunny day take a dip from one of the secluded beaches. Along the route you'll see:

• Trebah Gardens, where hundreds of soldiers departed for the D-Day landings
• Falmouth Bay, one of the largest natural harbours in the world
• and Frenchman's Creek, made famous by Daphne Du Maurier's book of the same name.
  

The serene and calm waters of the pretty creeks are amazing and you may be lucky enough to spot kingfishers, seals, egrets and herons as you relax and enjoy this incredible adventure.

To book catch-up with the team at Koru Kayaking and paddle your way along the shores of this stunning Cornish estuary!

7. Vodka Tour

Why not got back to the classroom and learn all about Cornish Vodka!

If this is the tipple of your choice, then you'll love it!  They also have Gin workshops and it's all produced from plough to bottle at a family farm in mid-Cornwall.

Gin and Vodka have never been so popular, and seeing how it's made is something you'll never forget - unless you get carried away at the tasting, then you may forget... But you can exercise restraint - taste the flavours, meet the makers and see the distillery in action on a guided distillery tour, available most weekends and mid-week. Book online via their website.

6. Cycle the Camel Trail

At 18 miles long, this largely traffic-free trail provides an unusual and fascinating way to see some of Cornwall's most beautiful countryside. Following the path of a disused railway line, the Camel Trail runs from the centre of the county to the rugged north coast.

There are three main sections:

Padstow to Wadebridge - 5.5 Miles

Wadebridge to Bodmin - 5.75 Miles

Bodmin to Wenford Bridge on Bodmin Moor - 6.25 Miles

We normally park at Wadebridge and cycle the short 5 mile hop to the town of Padstow, where there are loads of places to eat, sit and watch the world go by in the bustling working harbour.

The shops in Padstow and Wadebridge are also worth a look, selling the usual gifts as well as unique artwork, and locally produced food and drink. The trail is relatively flat with far-reaching views across the estuary and the Cornish countryside.

5. Ride one of the most exciting zip wires

Not for the feint-hearted, the SkyWire at the Eden project in mid-Cornwall offers loads of crazy activities to try - one of the highlights is the Skywire, stretching half a mile across the iconic landscape of the Eden Biomes, 100m in the air and reaching speeds of 60mph.

There's nothing like a heart-stopping 60mph cruise through the air to bring a couple together.... Learn more and book your tickets online at the Hangloose Adventure website.

4. Practise pasty-crimping

They're easy to prepare, taste delicious, and contain the finest ingredients to keep you full for longer. The Cornish pasty was a staple of the miners' daily diet in the 17th and 18th Centuries, providing a wholesome meal that kept them nourished until they resurfaced at the end of a gruelling day down the shafts searching for tin. One of the pasty's key features was its crimped crust, which gave the miners a means of holding the pasty with dirty hands without contaminating their food.

The traditional Cornish pasty still features a crimped crust today. Learn how to master the crimp, and what goes into making the perfect Cornish pasty, at a half-day cookery lesson just five minutes from us here at Callestock.

Learn more at the Philleigh Way Cookery School near Truro.

3. Stand-up Paddle-Boarding

It looks so simple - stand up on your board and gently glide through the water, using the paddle to steer. But stand-up paddle-boarding isn't as easy as it looks! But it is fun.

Let the instructors at Loe Beach Watersports show you how to master this new sport and you'll feel right at home on the tranquil waters of the calm creek.  We may even be offering this activity here at the farm this year, on Ben and Jess's quiet and tranquil lake. (All safety equipment will be provided)

2. Waterskiing

Hold on tight and brace yourself for an amazing ride!

Waterskiing is such fun, particularly in the beautiful waters just off Cornwall. Let the experts at Camel Ski School show you the ropes with a short lesson, ideal for beginners or experienced watersports enthusiasts.

1. Forage for your Food

Foraging for food is novel, but jumping straight in without knowledge is risky. Join the experts at Fat Hen for a wander through nature, discovering what's safe to eat, the laws on food foraging, and all about sustainable foraging.

Enjoy a good stomp along the stunning Cornish coastpath foraging for goodies, then head back to the Gunards Head Pub where you'll tuck into a 4 course lunch deisnged by the head chef using foraged ingredients from Caroline.

Learn more and book your tickets online at Fat Hen.

Bonus:

There are a couple of extra experiences to check out while staying at Callestock in Cornwall - join Liz for a guided visit to see the calves at Little Callestock Farm, she will also take you to see the beautiful herd as they tuck into stubble turnips in the open meadow.  You can also get up close and personal with the cows in the milking parlour, Nick and Ben are more than happy to show you what goes on at milking time.

The calves are always excited to welcome visitors, and the mums are also happy to show off their new babies. Simply speak to Liz when you arrive and we'll agree a day and time.

And one last thing, Ben and Jess's lake is such a peaceful and tranquil spot to visit.  Take a picnic and stroll down of an evening and just immerse youselves in this beautifully unique corner of our farm. We know you're going to love it!  There's wildlife in abundance and you may even be lucky and spot our elusive Kingfisher.