Par Camping

It's a 20-minute walk (or a few minutes' drive) down to Carlyon Bay, the closest bathing spot on Cornwall's southern coast, where as well as swimming or paddling you can pick up the South West Coast Path for ambles down to the pretty village of Charlestown or the quiet shingle shores of Spit beach. A trip to the Eden Project (five minutes' drive) is another absolute must – and once you've finished touring each of its spectacular ecosystems, more plant-themed days out await in such spots as the landscaped green grounds of Tregrehan Garden (20 minutes' walk) or the lush landscapes of Luxulyan Valley Woods (10 minutes' drive). Being in such a central Cornish location opens up trips further afield too – follow the coast down to the pretty town of Fowey (a quarter of an hour) and its wildlife haven estuary, head out to the rugged Lizard Peninsula (an hour) or make your way to Falmouth (45 minutes) or Plymouth (an hour) for a spot of shopping.