Blog Archive

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Counting down to a fabulous Cornish Summer

The holiday season has well & truly arrived in Cornwall for 2023, the days are longer and even the sun is shining, what more can we ask for! We love this time of year for getting out into the gardens at Badgers & mowing the lawns whilst planting new colourful displays of shrubs & flowers for our many guests to enjoy throughout the Summer. Visitors are starting to make their way down to our beautiful county full of anticipation in the knowledge they will enjoy a well deserved break relaxing away from it all !

Our beaches are looking groomed and golden, with tiny hideaway coves just waiting to be discovered & enjoyed by those many squidgy toes! Our country lanes and coastal paths are bursting into colourful life, perfect for those country rambles after lazy lunches with family & friends. Precious memories are made priceless in years to come !

Take a peek at our list below for suggestions of places to visit during your stay:

Tamar Valley Donkey Park & Sanctuary

Enjoy a fun day out with the family on a visit to this friendly local Donkey Sanctuary. The kids will love the chance to get close to the farm animals whilst feeding sheep, pigs, rabbits & guinea pigs to name just a few! Donkeys are the star of the show here .. you can help to feed & groom them during your visit & will be given the opportunity to take them out for a stroll. There will also be the chance to adopt your very favourite donkey & receive regular updates on its progress.

There is an outdoor adventure playground for sunny days & no worries if there is a bit of the pesky wet stuff during your visit as there is also a covered play barn to keep you dry & warm whilst having still having lots of fun! The mini tractor rides are a great way for the kids to hone up on their driving skills too !

A visit to the onsite Holly's Cafe will ensure those hunger pangs are kept at bay serving a huge array of yummy hot & cold food, plus delicious Cornish Cream teas - remember though '#JamFirst'!

Before you leave be sure to visit the onsite Donkey Bazaar gift shop & perhaps (if they have been good) .. treat the kids to a trinket as a reminder of your visit to this lovely Cornish Donkey Sanctuary.

Plan your visit to The Tamar Valley Donkey Park & Sanctuary

Mini & Lilly - Tamar Valley Donkey Park: Image Credit: Old D Tamar Valley Donkey Park

Siblyback Lake - South West Lakes

We are incredibly lucky here at Badgers to have South West Lake's picturesque Siblyback Lake almost on our doorstep, literally a 3 mile ramble, cycle or drive through our lovely local lanes. This beautiful site is located on the edge of Bodmin Moor with something for everyone in the family to enjoy. There is a fantastic children's play area which overlooks the lake, a great spot for picnics & those inevitable ball games!

The 3 mile circular route around the lake is flat, scenic & perfect for running, cycling & strolling with great access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Look out for the wide array of insects and birdlife during your walk, the Canada Geese and Ducks are especially amusing to watch as they carry out their antics on the water!

After all this activity you will be in need of some delicious refuelling which can be found at the extremely popular on site café Olive & Co, located near the play area with amazing far reaching views. Their renowned coffee is freshly brewed and with homemade cakes to die for plus plenty for the little un's to choose from, to it's well worth a stop for refulling after all your recent activity!

Plan your visit to Siblyback Lake

SW Lakes, Siblyback Lake, Image Credit: Badgers Sett Holiday Cottages

Glorious Whitsand Bay

The tranquil south coast of Cornwall is one of the jewels in our lovely county's crown. Beaches are often quieter here, with a more laid back holiday vibe. Whitsand Bay is not to be missed, simply stunning with rolling acres of soft golden sand and a fairly well kept secret (so far) .... A three mile stretch (as the crow flies) .. from Rame Head to Portwinkle, the beach can be accessed via fairly steep steps carving their way through abundant leafy vegetation en-route, the stunning prize at the end of this journey though is oh so worthwhile!

Crabbing in the many rock pools, strolling along kicking up sprays of water as you go, surfing on the waves or simply enjoy relaxing family time devouring a delicious picnic whilst you chill out on the beach .. The possibilities are endless for a sun soaked day filled with fun for everyone in this gorgeous piece of paradise.

Plan your visit to Whitsand Bay

Whitsand Bay - Image Credit: Badgers Sett Holiday Cottages

The Cheesewring & Minions Village

Minions village is a three mile stretch from Badger's front gate, perfect for an easy ramble or cycle ride, passing through some of our beautiful country lanes on your way.

The village is the highest in the whole of Cornwall and is a designated World Heritage area, scattered with ancient copper mine relics (at the peak of their use between 1840 to 1890). The Cheesewring & The Hurlers Stone Circle, ancient rocks dating back millions of years can be accessed directly from Minions Village. The reward at the end of this walk, which involves a fairly energetic climb towards the final part, are the fantastic views which on clear days reach over Cornwall through to Devon!

Minions village has a shop and tea rooms where one of the best Cream Teas in Cornwall can be sampled! alongside teas, coffees and variety of delicious cakes & sandwiches, a well-deserved treat after all your previous efforts !

Plan your visit to Minions Village & The Cheesewring

The Cheesewring, Image Credit: Badgers Sett Holiday Cottages

Pencarrow House & Gardens

This privately owned estate is a great choice for all ages to visit. Located between Wadebridge & Bodmin, with a mile long driveway passing through an iron age hill fort (definitely worth exploring) up to the house & gardens. The gardens are spectacular, with 50 acres of woodland and parkland. There is an impressive Victorian rock garden, formal gardens and an ice house to explore, along with a large lake which looks stunning & stocked with beautiful plants plus a variety of birdlife using this water oasis as a home.

Guided tours can be taken through parts of this Georgian mansion which has a total of 50 rooms. The Molesworth-St Albyn family, the current owners, live in the property & you can sense a real piece of family history being brought to life as you wander round the collection of priceless paintings, porcelain and furniture.

Rhododendrons, camellias and bluebells are especially a sight to behold & it's well worth a visit timed to view these beautiful plants when they are in full bloom within the gardens.

Children will enjoy playing with the toys provided for them within the pretty Wendy house located near to the tea rooms & why not pop in to the onsite gift shop to perhaps spoil them with a treat as a reminder of this outing during their stay in Cornwall !

A visit to the tea room is definitely recommended whilst you are there & is the perfect pit stop to sample something delicious and home made from the menu before continuing to explore this lovely estate.

Plan your visit to Pencarrow House & Gardens

Pencarrow House & Gardens, Image Credit: Badgers Sett Holiday Cottages

Posted:21 April 2023