Embrace the great outdoors on a Looe holiday
From reclining on the beach to an action-packed day out, there are plenty of things to do in Cornwall to suit every kind of holiday. Those who love the great outdoors in particular may be surprised at just how much there is to do in Looe when enjoying a holiday in Looe or Polperro; here we have taken a look at some of the best outdoor activities in the local area.
Fishing Cornwall
Based in Looe, Fishing Cornwall is the ultimate Cornish seaside adventure. The waters around Looe are fantastic for fishing and Fishing Cornwall provide everything you need to catch your very own conger eel, mackerel or even shark! As well as providing rod, tackle and bait, they will take you and your family out to fish in the best areas on their 33-foot boat, which has an on-board flushing toilet – a true luxury when it comes to fishing at sea. If you hook some mackerel, you can even take your catch home for a BBQ.
Is fishing isn’t your idea of fun at sea, Fishing Cornwall’s boat can also be chartered for dolphin watching, bird watching and coastal excursion, sure to be fun for all. They are also offering a generous 10% discount to all of our park guests, so what are you waiting for? Head to their website for more information.
Image Credit: Fishing Cornwall
Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
Looe bay has the perfect conditions for water-based outdoor activities, which makes kayaking and paddle boarding two of the best things to do in Looe. Active-8, a local holiday activity company, specialises in running activities that help people discover the great outdoors, and their kayaking and paddle boarding options are some of the most popular around.
It is important to note that participants must be confident and able to swim 50m, as falling into the sea is quite likely. Half day and full day options are both available, providing ample opportunity to explore the impressive coastline. Equipment is provided, as are changing and refreshment facilities, so all you need to do is book your kayak or paddle board adventure.
Just around the corner from the kayaking and paddle boarding that can be found at Looe Bay are the great canoe opportunities available with canoe and kayaking activity company Encounter Cornwall, starting from the River Fowey. This experienced water activity provider offers some of the best trips with options to suit every taste and ability – perfect if you are yet to adjust to your paddling arms!
Image Credit: Encounter Cornwall
Surfing and Coasteering
Adventure Bay are the one-stop shop for all sea lovers, providing surfing classes and coasteering packages for all ages at the beautiful Whitsand Bay. Their coasteering routes run at Rame Head, Whitsand Bay, Torbay and Newquay, so there is plenty of scenery to see during your Cornish holiday. This experience is perfect for families that take their holidays on the adrenaline-fuelled side and want to see and experience the coast like never before.
Offering both surf lessons and surf equipment hire there is something for every level of surfer; whether you want to refresh your skills or are a beginner to the sport, you will be in safe hands with Adventure Bay whose years’ of experience make them one to trust.
Image Credit: Adventure Bay
Cycling
Adventure Cornwall, whilst covering near enough every activity you could possibly want to fill your time during a holiday to Cornwall, the company also supply some great mountain biking and cycling opportunities. Due to the diverse nature of Cornwall’s landscape it makes it the perfect setting for off road cycling where avid cyclists can enjoy all manner of challenges along the way whilst soaking up the local wildlife and scenery.
Because of Cornwall’s varied rural landscape there are plenty of different cycle routes to take on in and around Looe. It can be quite hilly, making for a great workout, but with beaches, country pubs and woodland along the way the area is unrivalled.
See Some Monkeys
The Monkey Sanctuary is located in Looe and is perfect for a family day out as it gives visitors an insight into the monkeys that live at the sanctuary.
In all there are just under 40 monkeys living at the sanctuary and these include Capuchin Monkeys, Woolly Monkeys and Barbary Macaques. If that is not enough then the Monkey Sanctuary’s wildlife gardens, children’s activity room, gift shop and host of workshops should ensure for an action-packed day.
The Monkey Sanctuary also has a bat cave that is home to a colony of endangered horseshoe bats as well as a wildlife room that lets visitors see all the other types of plants, insects, birds, mammals and amphibians that call the sanctuary their home.
Golf
There are two great golf clubs near Looe – Looe Golf Club and Lostwithiel Golf Club. Both are more than happy to welcome visitors, making it easy to give each a try when staying in the area. Looe Golf Club boasts tremendous views, stretching as far as Dartmoor and the Tamar Estuary, which is ideal for golfers who enjoy the scenery as much as the game.
The kids can join in too, as Looe Golf Club offers Junior Golf Lessons with equipment included for around £2 on Sunday afternoons. The course was designed by Harry Vardon, six-time winner of The Open Championship, giving it a truly professional seal of approval.
Lostwithiel Golf Club is around half an hour from Looe, making it an ideal alternative when looking further afield for a round. As well as having all the fairways, bunkers and target greens needed for a great game, Lostwithiel also has a 10-bay floodlit driving range which is excellent for practicing your shots.
Image Credit: Looe Golf Club
Horse Riding
Polmartin Riding is near Liskeard and is a BHS approved horse riding centre, making it the best place in Looe to take those first steps towards learning to ride. They have around 60 acres of unspoilt land located just 7 miles from Looe at their disposal, allowing riders to enjoy the peace, quiet and fresh air of the Cornish countryside.
Lessons are available for a range of abilities for people over the age of five, with half day and full day holiday club options available alongside private and group lessons that are charged at an hourly rate. Polmartin has a lesson option to suit most people, so why not don the hat and boots and introduce the family to horses when on holiday in Looe?
Image Credit: Polmartin Riding
Cavern and Woodland Tours
Some may argue that cavern tours are not outdoor activities, but Carnglaze Caverns is set in 6.5 acres of ancient woodland on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor and offers visitors a whole host of activities outside.
The Carnglaze Caverns’ main attraction is its three hand-created caverns that are of cathedral proportions. Tours of the caverns take people 150 metres into the valleys hillside and 60 metres below ground.
As well as tours in the amazing caves, visitors can go on woodland walks through Quarry Wood and wander through Terrace Garden. The variety of walks offer visitors panoramic views of St Neot village, great views of a waterfall and a fun trail for families that goes past limited edition bronze faeries, mushrooms and dragons.
The Carnglaze Caverns are just a 30-minute drive away from Looe and are a popular attraction for holidaymakers throughout the year.
Image Credit: Peter Levers (Carnglaze Caverns)
Zip Wire
One of the best zip wires in the entire UK can be found near Looe, which will be perfect for adventure lovers looking for high octane things to do in Cornwall! Adrenalin Quarry, near Liskeard, is the only zip wire facility in the UK where pre-booking is not necessary, so is an ideal attraction to visit on the spur of the moment. At 490m long and 50m high, incredible speeds of up to 40mph can be reached on the zip wire, and the nearby lake provides some beautiful surroundings to set it all off.
Other activities at Adrenalin Quarry include a giant swing and quarry coasteering, both of which are sure to get the adrenalin pumping. Family tickets are available for both the zip line and the giant swing, so get the whole family involved for a fun day out with a stay in our caravan holiday homes.
Go-Karting
For a more adrenaline fuelled experience during your Cornish holidays, nothing is better than Kartworld go-karting near Liskeard. Offering motorsport thrills that are guaranteed to keep any petrol head happy, Kartworld has both an 800 metre full size track and a smaller 100 metre infant track so the whole family can come along and battle it out on the racetrack.
For Formula 1 lovers, go-karting is as close as it gets to the real thing and is where the likes of Hamilton and Button began, so don the helmet and leathers and let Cornwall provide the ultimate in exhilarating sport.
Image Credit: Kartworld
Shark Angling
Of all the things to do in Cornwall, shark angling could well be the most adventurous! The Looe Shark Angling Club runs a number of different fishing expeditions, including mackerel trips and conger trips, with all rods and tackle provided. The boats are fully licensed and insured, so you will have complete peace of mind when venturing out into the Cornish waters – this will no doubt be reassuring, especially when it comes to the eight-hour shark angling trips!
Shark fishing requires specialist knowledge, making it more expensive than other kinds of fishing. It generally costs around £300-£360 for a full charter for up to 6 anglers, which is around £50 or £60 per person. Hot drinks and bait is provided, and as it is a long day, it is recommended that anglers bring along a packed lunch and warm clothing. If catching a shark doesn’t appeal, boats can also be hired for shark and dolphin spotting at a safe distance.
Visit an outdoor Model Village
A great family day out doesn’t come much better than a visit to the Polperro Model Village and Land of Legend in Polperro.
Visitors can explore the miniature village version of Polperro and learn more about famous Cornish myths and legends at the Land of Legend display.
This outdoor attraction not only welcomes children, but people of all ages too, and is just a 10-minute drive away from Looe.