Cycling

Cornish Cycle Hire - will deliver bikes to you at Botelet

The Camel Trail - a fantastic, virtually flat cycle route along a disused railway line between Wenford Bridge (near to Bodmin) and Padstow. The whole trail is 18 miles, although you can hop on and off at various points. The Wenford Bridge to Wadebridge stretch is the quietest, and the Snail’s Pace Café makes a great pit stop if you’re cycling this section. Wadebridge to Padstow is a lovely stretch taking you alongside the estuary to the picturesque fishing town of Padstow (gets busy peak summer). Lots of cycle hire options including Bridge Bike Hire in Wadebridge and Explore by Bike in Bodmin.

Cardinham Woods (20 mins from Botelet) - great trails through the woods, a couple of miles of gentle cycling alongside the river, and lots of more adventurous routes through the forests. There is a small wooden playground and Woods Café near the car park.

Lanhydrock (15 mins from Botelet) - bike hire and a variety of cycle trails through the woods, starting with a ‘skills area’ great for younger kids and older alike - then easy, moderate and difficult trails to choose from. Park Café next to great wooden playground at the cycle hub - take the chance to walk in the parklands or visit the historic National Trust house while you are there.

Siblyback Lake (20 mins from Botelet) - located at the edge of Bodmin Moor, the lake is a lovely place for a flat cycle round the perimeter on a flat 3 mile path. Bring your own bikes, you can also hire a mobility scooter from here, best to book it in advance. Café and playground at starting point. You can also hire kayaks, boats and windsurfers - no swimming in the lake.

See details of more cycle routes across Cornwall - www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/countryside/cycle-routes-and-trails/

In & on the water

Surfing - The North Coast of Cornwall has the best surfing beaches, with the Atlantic swell and some long sandy stretches that are perfect for surfing and body boarding. Our favourites within easy reach of Botelet are Polzeath (45 mins) and Watergate Bay (40 mins). There are lots of surf hire (including wetsuits) and surf school options at each beach including Surf’s Up (Polzeath) and Extreme Academy (Watergate Bay).

Kayaking / Canoeing / Stand Up Paddleboarding - one of our best local spots is the Fowey estuary, a beautiful area to explore with stunning scenery and wildlife. For fantastic knowledgeable guided tours try Encounter Cornwall based in Golant (they also do independent hire), or we also recommend a river trip on kayak or SUP from Lostwithiel the market down of Lostwithiel from where you can meander down the river to St Winnow or Fowey through River Joyz. You will need to check regarding suitable tide times for your trip.

Watersports - Polkerris (near Fowey) is a great place to hire dinghies, SUPs, kayaks, canoes, windsurfers either independently or with lessons - as well as a lovely sandy beach for playing and swimming.

Swimming pools - our all-time favourite is the Jubilee Pool lido at Penzance - art deco, cut into the rocks on the shoreline - but a 1.5 hour drive from Botelet so worth tying in with a day trip. Closer to us there are public swimming pools in Liskeard and Bodmin - and for young children the smaller pool at Lake View (outside Bodmin) is open to the public and very warm with a small toddler section.

Sea Fishing (Looe) - the ultimate fresh fish experience, try mackerel fishing with local fisherman and RNLI operations manager Dave, or a trip up the river looking out for wildlife such as herons, swans, egrets and kingfishers, trips normally last for two hours - contact Dave on 07770 267 155.

For a full day’s fishing adventure, Sowenna Fishing offer the chance to spot wildlife such as seals, dolphin, porpoises, whales and basking sharks along with catching deep sea species of fish such as sharks (which are tagged, recorded and returned to the sea), pollock and ling. Contact Dan on 07738 057 115.

See separate section for details of our favourite local beaches.

Horse riding

Polmartin Riding Stables (5 mins drive) - just a mile down the lanes from Botelet, hack out on the hills or have a lesson in the school.

Little Margate Equestrian (20 mins) - a lovely, family- and child-friendly stables with lots of holiday activities and fun days. Just beside Cardinham woods.

Theatre / Music / Dance

Sterts Theatre (25 mins from Botelet) - a 400-seat amphitheatre nestling on the grassy side of Bodmin Moor, in the open air yet protected from rain by a massive canopy. Check out the theatre, music and dance performances, bring a cushion and blanket. Book a meal at the café before watching a show.

Minack Theatre (1.5 hours from Botelet) - an incredible venue, perched on the cliffs high above the Atlantic. Outdoor theatre at its very best - they run a series of performances through the summer months. Well worth tying in to a day visit to West Cornwall.

Check out local companies Kneehigh and Miracle Theatre for outdoor seasonal performances in some fantastic venues across Cornwall - and Carn to Cove has great listings for interesting local drama, music and dance events.

Other activities

Adrenalin Quarry (20 mins from Botelet) - Aquapark, zip wire, karting, inflatable playground - there are options for age 3+, check website for age suitability for each activity.

It wouldn’t be right to write an Activities section without mentioning the Eden Project or Lost Gardens of Heligan. See our page on Historic Houses & Gardens for these, plus lots of other places of interest. Note that the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project host a year-round programme of activities and events, and from October to February there is an indoor ice skating rink at Eden - so do check out their website for more information.

Climbing Wall (Looe) - set on the estuary in Looe in the Heritage Centre, suitable for age 4+, relatively small so you may like to book your slot ahead.

Camel Valley Vineyard (near Wadebridge) - Take a tour (April to October) and sample some fantastic wines in a stunning setting.

Film

Cinemas - in Bodmin (20 mins), Wadebridge (35 mins), St Austell (30 mins), Newquay (40 mins) and Truro (45 mins). We recommend The Regal in Wadebridge.

Film Clubs - in Lostwithiel, Looe and Liskeard.