Badgers Sett Blog

Sea, Sand & Bucket Loads of Smiles during a Cornish Summer !

Summer is just around the corner & Cornwall is gearing up for an exciting fun filled time during the next few Months. Here at Badgers we are incredibly fortunate to be located just 6 miles from the A30 & the A38 enabling guests staying in our charming & spacious holiday cottages to access the very best of attractions & beaches on the North & South Coasts of Cornwall.

We have some all-time favourites here at Badgers which we return to again and again & have no hesitation in recommending to guests whether it's relaxing on one of our iconic beaches, exploring some of our stunning gardens or spending an adrenalin filled few hours at one of the many attractions that our lovely County has to offer - take a look at the list below to find out more:

Via Ferrata - Cornwall

From the ages of 8 to adult, Via Ferrata located within a stunning quarry between Helston, Falmouth & Penryn is the place to head for if you fancy experiencing a pure adrenalin rush whilst testing your nerve to the enth degree within a safe & supervised environment!

Zip lines are a plenty here, crisscrossing high above this stunning quarry, it's possible to travel from one to another seamlessly by traversing the cliff edge & launching yourself onto the zip wires to experience a thrill seeking challenge on this exhilarating, motivational journey! Everyone goes through the Training Zone beforehand, staffed by fully qualified instructors, enabling them to zip line safely whilst practicing on smaller wires within the Zone before embarking on to 'Zip Line Experience'.

Adventure seekers from 8 years upwards are clipped onto a safety cable within the 'Adventure Zone' before begining to scale the quarry wall, whilst preparing themselves for the next mission of crossing a 70 metre long single strand of wire bridge - definitely not for the faint hearted!

Adrenalin fuelled junkies from 10 years to adult can challenge themselves even further by embarking on the 'Full Classic Route', ascending cliffs to heights of up to 20 meters above the water filled quarry to experience their ultimate eureka moment of launching themselves onto a zip line from the cliff edge to begin hurtling above the quarry at lightning speed on the adventure of a lifetime! You will definitely be back for more ...

Not ready to take on the zip wire experience just yet? No problem .... as there are several wild play areas & adventure parks in which the under 10's can run off all that excess steam! Not forgetting the onsite dog friendly Cornish Barista cafe serving up all things delicious & locally sourced, including vegan options, there is definitely something to suit all ages & tastes here - Why not sit back & treat yourself to a craft coffee with homemade cake on the side? You can bag a table in the outside seating area which overlooks the quarry (best to book in advance of your visit as this area is very popular) to take in the stunning views or check out friends & family taking part in the Via Ferrata experience - you never know, you might be inspired to have a go yourself next time around!

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Plan your visit to Via Ferrata - Cornwall

Via Ferrata - Cornwall, Image Credit: Via Ferrata

Tate St Ives

During your visit to Tate St Ivesyou will discover iconic works of abstract art produced by 20th Century artists who resided & worked within the town during this time. Renowned artwork from artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Alfred Wallis, Sandra Blow & Patrick Heron are featured within the building, which continually hosts exhibitions on International & British modern & contemporary artwork alongside displays from the Tate collection

There is a well stocked cafe, the perfect retreat for relaxing over a coffee or glass of wine, lunches & afternoon teas are also available with dishes being made on site & sourced from local produce wherever possible. The views from here are superb, over the old town of St Ives & beyond out to the Atlantic Ocean.

A trip to the onsite shop is not to be missed, incorporating an exclusive range of items where inspiration has often been taken from surrounding landscapes & local artists. There is also a fantastic selection of art related books in which to browse & perhaps indulge yourself with a purchase!

The gallery has an enviable position overlooking Porthmeor Beach in St Ives with fantastic views out over the Atlantic Ocean.

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Plan your visit to Tate St Ives

Tate St Ives Exterior - Image Credit: Visit Cornwall

Mevagissey

Everyone needs a bit of Mevagissey in their lives when spending a few days in Cornwall! This beautiful old double harbour village dating back to 1400, with its maze of cobbled, narrow streets exudes everything that is typically Cornish. There are shops a plenty with something to satisfy all tastes from bucket a spade must haves to individual designer boutiques ... all well worth a peek & perhaps a sneaky purchase during your visit.

Cafes, pubs & restaurants are an integral part of the vibrant scene, serving up delicious pasties or cream teas for the traditional & not so small snack!, proper Cornish fresh fish & chip takeaways abound. For that full blown dining experience restaurants & pubs located around the village & alongside the harbour frontage serve a huge variety of dishes. Delicious fresh fish from the harbour is always a popular choice for both locals & visitors alike.

There is nothing nicer than succumbing to a delicious Cornish ice cream - herein lies the quandary .... which make to you go for? What flavour ? Do you have a tub or a cone with a flake? Personally for me it's a crunchy cone with 2 scoops and 1 flake all the way! I am them happily occupied munching my way around both the delightful ancient working harbours, watching the activity of boat trips and fishing boats returning with their haul for the day. A word of warning though, watch out for the pesky seagulls who are constantly circling & will be homing in on your every move & are very capable of swooping down to steal your recently purchased treat from right under your nose, do not be distracted & guard your food with your very lives!

The Lost Gardens of Heligan & golden sandy beaches of Gorran & Pentawan are both close by & lovely places to visit after spending some time in Mevagissey.

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Plan your visit to Mevagissey

Mevagissey Harbour - Image Credit: Badgers Sett Holiday Cottages

St Michaels Mount

If you are planning to spend a day or two in West Cornwall during your stay in our beautiful county, be sure to visit St Michaels Mount near Penzance. Steeped in history and accessible by boat or walking across the causeway during low tide there is something for everyone to discover & enjoy here.

Uncover secrets from the past as you travel through ancient hallways & corridors within castle (which has been home to the St Aubyn family since the mid 1600s) & stroll through the island's medieval church of St Michael & All Angels, (built in 1135) taking in the historic atmosphere of legends from the past. On your journey through history you will discover the fables of Archangel Michael, patron saint of fishermen who protected the island from certain peril & Jack the Giant Slayer from Marazion who managed to banish the curse of Cormoron the giant from the town!

During your visit take time out to stroll through the stunning garden terraces (which were designed for St John S Aubyn in 1878). Unwind, relax & admire the view as you take in the delightful scents and sights of lavender, Aloes & many other plants as you journey through this historic & tranquil haven.

Follow in the path of previous & current royalty by finding their actual footsteps cast in bronze & set among cobbles within the harbour - The kids will enjoy this challenge too!

After all the above exploring, why not treat yourself to memento from the Mount shop, where there is a great choice of local chocolates, exquisite handmade jewellery, toys in which to indulge the little ones, plus a fantastic array of plants within the garden shop.

However you plan your day be sure to include a visit to the Island Cafe where dependant on the time, you can indulge in hearty breakfasts, tasty lunches or delectable Cornish cream teas. Even better on a sunny day head for an outside table to take in exquisite ocean views whilst satisfying those hunger pangs! There is a large selection of delicious food to choose from where you will be sure to find something to satisfy even the most discerning of tastes!

For a sheer indulgence, Afternoon Tea in the Harbour Loft on the island must be experienced perhaps to celebrate a special occasion or just to reward yourselves after a busy day exploring .... (advanced reservations are advised)

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Plan your Visit to St Michaels Mount

St Michaels Mount - Image Credit: Matt Jessop, Visit Cornwall

Polzeath Beach

One of our favourites! Polzeath beach is full of those good old Cornish holiday vibes .. The wide stretch of sugar soft, honey coloured sand to squidge your toes into - great for those empire builders of sand castles too! With rock pools a plenty abutting the bottom of the cliffs the tinies will adore splashing in the warm sea water & catching the odd cheeky crab to show to mum & dad!

Surfing is a big deal here with the waves being regular & slow rolling, ideal for beginner & intermediate surfing dudes to practice & then strut their moves!

Polzeath village is a mecca for shops selling everything needed for a day on the beach, you will be spoilt for choice if it's cool summer clothes you are after (oh so tempting even if you're not)!. Various eateries abound, from stylish pubs seving surf & turf to huts selling delicious pizza by the side of the beach!

The beach has been awarded the coveted Blue Flag award for 2024 which is issued when a commitment to standards relating to water quality, safety of the beach & the environment has been set. There are lifeguards patrolling the beach from 4th May to 24th September between 10am & 6pm daily & Parking is super easy with several car parks to choose from whatever time of day you arrive.

All in all, a fantastic day out for everyone whether it's buckets & spades for the kids, a bit of R&R & catching those sunshine rays or practising those surfing moves for all those dudes out there!

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Plan your visit to Polzeath Beach

Polzeath Beach. - Image Credit: Visit Cornwall

Date of Post: 10 June 2024