Winnards Lodge

Winnards Lodge enjoys a wonderful inland location on a small exclusive resort in Winnards Perch, just a few miles from the beautiful north Cornwall beaches and the popular seaside resorts of Padstow, Newquay and Mawgan Porth. Aside from the wonderful entertainment at the resort, this area of Cornwall has much to offer from its blissful beaches, to gorgeous towns and villages, beautiful cycle and hiking paths, boat trips, watersports and plenty of superb gardens.

Padstow is a charming working fishing port, surrounded by heavenly sandy beaches at the head of the Camel River. It is the starting point of the Camel Cycle Trail, a good base for watersports and a foodie destination with Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant and Paul Ainesworth at No.6 sitting at the top of the list of renowned wonders. Seven blissful golden beaches are accessible in less than a five minute drive and the location is perfect for exploring the stunning South West Coast Path. You can enjoy a fun filled day on the beach with rock pooling, body boarding, surfing and castle building, explore the Cornish countryside, visit the Padstow Museum, take a white-knuckle speedboat or rib ride to enjoy the rugged coastal scenery or take the ferry over to Rock. The picturesque port is full of character and historical interest. You can take a boat trip from the harbour to looking for seals, dolphins, puffins and basking sharks, to fish or just to mess about on the water and enjoy the sunshine. Overlooking Padstow, you will find the fine Elizabethan country house, Prideaux Place. It was built in 1592 and has been passed down through the generations to the current owners, Peter and Elisabeth Prideaux-Brune. It boasts formal gardens and a deer park. There is a Poldark connection with Padstow. Fans of north Cornwall will recognise Levlizzick, the cliffs and the spectacular views across the Camel Estuary and Tregirls Beach on the drama series. The Padstow Museum is home to an interesting collection of memorabilia giving an insight into the history of Padstow over the past two centuries. You will learn the story of the famous ‘Obby’ Oss, the ancient ritual played out in the town every May Day. The event revolves around the two Obby Osses (hobby horses) which resemble a one-man pantomime horse. The idea is that they are in search of maidens and are followed by a team of morris dancing types, dressed in white and playing accordions and banging drums. It dates back to pre-Christian times.

North Cornwall’s Coastal Path is alive with flora, fauna, views and myths and legends from its past. There is a gorgeous walk from Constantine Bay to Porthcothan via a natural pool at Treyarnon Beach with views of tiny islands, headlands and cute little coves. The walk from Rock via Daymer Bay to Polzeath is also wonderful.

There are over forty wonderful gardens to visit in Cornwall. The wondrous Eden Project, known as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, is within easy reach with its massive tropical biomes where you can trek through the world’s largest indoor rainforest and immerse yourselves in the calm fragrance of the Mediterannean biome. There are also extensive gardens, contemporary art displays, performances and storytelling to keep you entertained. At Christmas there is a fantastic ice skating rink. It is an inspirational place. The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a world of heritage, romance and adventure.

Wadebridge enjoys a fascinating history, originating from 1313 when a market and two fairs were granted to Wade. Its fifteenth century bridge across the River Camel is stunning with seventeen arches along its three hundred and twenty foot length. The bridge was built by the Reverend Lovibond in 1460 with legend saying that the wealthy landowners who paid for it made their money from wool. Cycles can be hired to explore the Camel Trail and the surrounding countryside. Wadebridge’s leisure centre offers swimming, squash, weights, a solarium and more. Wadesbridge is on the Camel Trail. In June every year, Wadebridge is the site of the magnificent Royal Cornwall Show, one of the largest agricultural shows held in the country.

St Enodoc, the last resting place of the former poet laureate Sir John Bedjeman, is also famous for its golf course. The area is a golfing haven with the renowned courses of Trevose, Point at Polzeath, Merlin Golf Club and Newquay Golf Club also close by. At St Enodoc, The Church Course is ranked among the top one hundred golf courses in the world. There are excellent practice facilities, great golf tuition and some of the most spectactular coastal fairways you could play on.

Harlyn and Constantine Bays are wonderful and the surfing paradise of Polzeath is within easy reach. Constantine Bay is gorgeous with one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall and boasting a sweeping arc of gently shelving golden sand. The west-facing beach also offers delightful rock pools for children. The bay is separated from its neighbour, Booby’s Bay to the north by a thin rocky point and is bordered by a large rocky reef to the south. Watergate Bay, close to Padrock Retreat, is a huge stretch of golden sand backed by high cliffs. Mawgan Porth is the perfect family beach with lots of rock pools, caves and a large stream. Porthcothan, Daymer Bay and Polzeath are all wonderful.

The buzzy seaside resort of Newquay has been voted ‘One of the Nation’s Favourite Seaside Towns’ in the prestigious Which Holiday Survey and won Gold for ‘Best Seaside Towns for Families’ by Days Out with the Kids. The beaches and surf are renowned and the tourist entertainment is amazing. It is home to some of the world’s best watersports competitions with the Boardmasters Festival and surfing championships held in the resort. There are some wonderful spas in Newquay for relaxation, not to mention the fantastic restaurants to choose from. Children love Newquay Zoo, Lappa Valley, Pirate’s Quest, Oasis Fun Pools and the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre.

On the south coast, the Fowey Estuary is stunning with boat trips galore. You can visit many of the villages on either side of the estuary. The pretty town of Fowey is on one side of the Fowey River with Polruan on the other. It is a bustling small port with commercial and leisure boats. During the Second World War, Fowey was the centre for air-sea rescue and one of the places from which the D-Day invasions were launched. St Catherine’s Point is on the Fowey side of the harbour entrance where it functioned as a lighthouse in medieval times. St Catherine’s Castle below was built during the reign of Henry VIII to defend the harbour entrance. It is accessible when walking from the pretty Readymoney Cove. Fowey has a fascinating history. On Fore Street you will find the Old House of Foye, a medieval house built in 1430. It is now a shop but the walls, beamed interior and fireplace are pretty much the same. During the summer, Fowey Town Hall opens as a museum and small aquarium. Fowey is a delight with craft shops, galleries and cosy restaurants lining the narrow streets. Daphne du Maurier is the most famous former resident of the town. She is celebrated with the Du Maurier Festival each May and at the Literacy Centre next to the church.

Read more about Cornwall

When it comes to natural good looks, Cornwall sets the bar for UK holiday destinations. From long stretches of sand to the jaw-dropping scenery, this coastal county makes a fabulous retreat for anyone looking to escape the city scene. But most importantly, you quickly realise that you don’t have to fly around the world to seek adventures. With forests, castles and beaches for days, Cornwall is the ultimate staycation - perfect for all ages.

In recent years, Cornwall has come on leaps and bounds and found a newfound style. That being said, discover our range of beautiful large holiday homes in Cornwall to start planning your next holiday!

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