LOCAL ACTIVITIES
WATER BASED ACTIVITIES
FishPass
For easy access to fantastic fishing in unrivalled surroundings, we recommend downloading the very user-friendly FISHPASS app. It lists enviable beats you’d not ordinarily be able to access across both Cornwall and Devon. Filter your search or have them all: wild brown trout, sea trout, salmon, grayling and coarse fishing.
Newquay Coasteering
Take the plunge and go on an adrenaline-fuelled adventure with Freddie and his team just 40 minutes away on the wild and expansive north coast. They’ll take you on cliff jumps, navigate you through dark smugglers’ caves, whirlpools and rock traverses for around 2.5hrs. Safety equipment and wetsuit provided. Swimmers aged 8+.
Prices from: £48pp
Aquapark at Adrenalin Quarry
If you’re looking for something one notch down from coasteering, Aquapark, situated in an old flooded quarry 30mins away, is your answer. Climb, jump, slide & bounce your way through their huge inflatable playground. Get wet on extreme trampolines, swings and monkey bars for a full 45 mins from £20pp. Open-water swimming is also available all year round and with Karting, Zip Wire, Giant Swing, Axe Throwing a shot walk away, why not make a day of it?!
Fowey Boat Hire
“There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats…" and we know the perfect place. Morris will set you up on one or two of his small self-drive family dayboats on the Fowey Estuary for up to 7 people. With his incredible local knowledge he’ll create an itinerary for you based on the tides that day. Explore little creeks, drift past Daphne du Maurier’s house, watch the Fowey Regatta in style, or moor up for an evening drink watching the sun set. He can even supply a couple of rods so you can try your luck at a bass or mackerel…
Prices from £65 for 4 hours
Wavehunters Chartered Boat Trips and Safaris
Offering an incredible chartered safari experience off the north coast of Cornwall with durations ranging from 1hr to a full day, shared or private. Expect to see rugged coastlines, puffins, dolphins, seals and occasionally even whales. You can choose between a 10ft rib or a 10ft catamaran, both seating 12. For the longer trip, bring a picnic and your swimmers, your guide will take you to deserted beaches where you can bathe in the shallow waters.
George’s Surf School
An unrivalled surf school 30mins away offering private classes for up to 6 people. The instructors are young, fun and highly experienced. The exceptional coaches have been carefully selected for their ability to help build confidence in a beginner or stretch someone more advanced. We recommend those new to surfing book Polzeath Beach for your lesson as the waves are gentle and rolling and it is a long, gradual beach. George’s has an arrangement with Bustymoos on Polzeath who are able to supply you with any kit you might require.
Instagram: @georgessurfschool
Cornwall Swimming Horses
Tick something off your bucket list, and between May and September ride bareback across the beach and swim with horses in the sea. This 2-3 hour experience is tailored entirely to you and your ability, whether you’re a novice, advanced, or a family wanting to experience it together. It is well worth the hour drive. Tie it in with a visit to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, book a table for lunch at Argoe or explore St Michael’s Mount.
See also Horse Riding.
Walks
If you are looking for a local, secure dog walking field, see Dog Walking / Sitters.
To organise a private guided hike with the fabulous Laura, see Wyld Grace Private Hikes.
Boconnion land is tenanted out to a sheep farmer and other guests may be staying on the Estate, therefore sadly we have to ask you to stay within the curtilage of your property. However with the Camel Trail and Bodmin Moor on our doorstep and there are lots of fabulous local walks to explore:
A Walk from your Doorstep
Walk back up the main drive, turning right at the top (unless you’re staying at Lower Hill, in which case walk down out of your drive and immediately turn right). Walk down the lane towards Clerkenwater turning right just after the entrance to the Lower Hill drive (What3Words:twist.hills.skips) where you can take a public right of way over a (bridged) ford and up to the start of Copshorn Road where you will find a small car parking area and a network of footpaths, some connecting you to The Camel Trail. (What3Words: feel.maple.aura). A few other local walking spots are Shell, Levethan and Cardinham Wood
Restormel Castle
Restormel Castle is a striking 13th-century circular fortress that reached its greatest splendor under Edward the Black Prince set on a peaceful hilltop overlooking the River Fowey. Visitors can explore its remarkably preserved ruins, enjoy panoramic countryside views, and soak up centuries of Cornish history followed by the best cream tea in the land at The Duchy Nursery
Lanhydrock
Lanhydrock is a short 10 minute drive from Boconnion. Gain free access to its extensive wooded grounds and riverside paths, or pay to access the imposing late-Victorian house and gardens, renowned for its beautifully preserved interiors and collection of magnolias and swathes of bluebells in Spring.
Bodmin Moor
To take in some wild Cornish scenery, it’s well worth the 40min drive to Roughtor (pronounced Rowtor). Park in the Roughtor Car Park and scramble over the huge granite boulders to the top of Cornwall’s second highest peak with far reaching views, known for spotting the mesmerising sight of a starling murmuration. Extend the walk and incorporate Cornwall’s highest tor, Brown Willy, standing at 420m with its many Bronze-age cairns.
For those with stamina, there’s also the brilliant 17 mile Cornish Skyline Loop which begins and ends at Jamaica Inn. The inn is famous for it’s portrayal in Daphne du Maurier’s gothic novel. Reward yourself with a quiet pint by the fire in the Smugglers’ Bar, or visit the Du Maurier Collection or Smuggles’ Museum.
The Camel Trail
For an even, level buggy, wheelchair and bicycle-friendly walk it’s a short 5 minute drive to Hellandbridge car park. Amble beside the River Camel along the infamous Camel Trail through areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, west towards Wadebridge and on to Padstow stopping off at The Blisland en route, or east towards Wenfordbridge where the unbeatable Snail’s Pace Cafe beckons.
See also Cycling.
Treasure Trails
Cornish company Treasure Trails offers amazing self-guided adventures across the whole of the UK with a whopping 64 trails in Cornwall alone. Most are walked, a few by bike or by car. A brilliant way to discover the area, participants must solve a series of clues on local landmarks to discover a mystery's solution or a treasure's location. Each trail provides a fun, imaginative way for families and groups to explore a location from a new perspective. For all ages and abilities for £12.99.
iWalk Cornwall App
A brilliant app to plan is the free iWalk Cornwall with the ‘Dunmere, Penhargard and Bodmin Jail’ route going straight past the entrance to Boconnion. Maps can be purchased for £3.99 each and downloaded to your phone so that they work even with no mobile network coverage, but if you don’t want to purchase the map,click on ‘Walks Shop’, ‘Maps of Walks’, select a walk that interests you and all the information will be provided including an OS map of the route, length, gradient, pubs etc.
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In the meantime, please contact Henny for specific enquiries or recommendations.