There’s lots to see and do near Woodside…
We are certainly blessed with our position at Woodside Holiday lets – a great rural setting with trees and wildlife all around, the scenic moors set either side of us, however easily accessible and only twenty minutes from some great beaches. There really is something for everyone…
Tamar Trails Centre – www.tamartrails.co.uk (25 mins)
Eden Project, nr St Austell – www.edenproject.com (40 mins)
Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan – www.heligan.com (1 hour)
Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, nr Truro – www.thecornishcyderfarm.co.uk (1 hour)
National Marine Aquarium – Plymouth – www.national-aquarium.co.uk (2o mins)
Mount Edgcumbe Segway adventure – www.adventuresegway.co.uk (35mins)
Saltram House and Gardens (20 mins) – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram
Saltash Leisure Centre: Swimming, tennis, Badminton & spinning. (6 mins)
Adrenalin Quarry: Zip wires, giant swings, coasteering, exhilarating fun (17 mins)
Kartworld: Grand Prix racing starts here, from 7 years upwards (15 mins)
Cardinham Woods: Great for walks, cycling, paddling & bbq’s (35mins)
Donkey Park & Soft play: Great indoor play zone for younger children – (16 mins)
National Marine Aquarium: Plymouth hosts an impressive array of sea creatures (22 mins)
Plymouth Ski & Snow tubing: Fun in all weather, snow-tubing best in the rain! (13 mins)
Monkey Sanctuary: Picturesque setting and cute well looked after monkeys. (26 mins)
Porfell Wildlife Park: Meet Meerkats, Lemurs, Coati, Racoons & reptiles – (30 mins)
Dartmoor Zoological Park: – Sparkwell, We bought a Zoo fame. (23 mins)
Adrenaline Leisure – Plymouth – Amazing indoor fun trampoline park (15 mins)
Tamar Trails – Gunnislake, Exciting outdoor activities from high ropes to den building (20 mins)
South Coast
Freathy Beach, Whitsand: Gorgeous sandy beach, with a car park and ice-cream van at the top of the cliff and a fairly short but steep walk to the beach. Check the tides. (20 mins)
Tregantle Beach, Whitsand: Still sandy and lovely but more of a surfers stretch of beach as less accessible route. (20 mins)
Looe beach : Safe, sandy and popular as has cafés, shops and facilities close at hand. Great for families with small children. Other nearby beaches. (25 mins)
Seaton & Downderry: These connected beaches are popular with dog walkers and families as there is large carpark directly opposite the beach, plus a couple of cafés, pub and toilets. Lovely to walk along to the quieter end of Downderry (although be aware this is a nudist beach…) At low tide you can walk from Seaton to Looe. (20 mins)
Cawsand & Kingsand: Picturesque shingle and sand beaches, which are not very big, but clear waters to swim in, kayak or sail, some good pubs & cafés. In the summer it’s fun to get the passenger ferry from Cawsand to Plymouth Inexpensive and a fun 30mins adventure on the sea. (April-October) (30 mins)
Portwrinkle beach, Crafthole: More of a rugged shingle beach at one end, great for finding shells, walk along to the harbour where there is another slightly more sheltered sandy beach to swim rather thank surf. The Jolly Roger café is a well placed venue to stare out to sea and enjoy well earned refreshments. (2o mins)
Talland Bay beach: Although fairly small there is something appealing about the azure coloured sea along this stretch of coastline. Not brilliant for parking but there is are a couple of cafés, one of which was advertising Prosecco on the menu – SOLD ! (30 mins)
Devon Beaches
We don’t want to send you too far from Woodside holiday lets, but if you like exploring then here are a few of the closest Devon beaches on the South Coast.
Bovisand beach, Wembury: An (AONB) with two great sandy beaches with excellent rock pools for children to terrorise small creatures – I mean get close to nature.. Dogs are allowed all year at Bovisand beach and there car park is close although the path is steep. Other nearby beaches include: Jennycliff, Crownhill Bay and Wembury.(35 mins)
Bigbury-0n-Sea : Another outstanding sandy beach area whicht is great fun as bodyboarding, windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular and you can easily hire equipment and have a go! At low tide you can walk across to Burgh Island and walk around it then either enjoy refreshments in the local – The Pilchard Inn or if you are feeling flash, or have a special occasion, then the infamous hotel is the place to head. You can book a Sunday lunch or black tie evening meal, very romantic but that has a price.. If you miss the tide then hitch a ride with the unique ‘sea tractor’ – definitely an experience to remember! (44 mins)
North Coast of Cornwall
I won’t go into detail about these as there are further, but all have their own merits, the north coast is best known for its keen surfers, but there is lots of space in the sea to share with swimmers, apart from Polzeath in high summer!
Fistral beach, Newquay – famous – best surfers beach for all levels. (1 hour).
Port Isaac beach, – small, quaint, best known for the Doc Martin tv series and the Fisherman’s Friends singers ( 1 hour 5 mins)
Constantine Beach, Padstow – Stunning sandy expansive of beach with sand dunes to play in, great shallow pools for small children. (1 hour 4 mins)
Daymer Bay, Rock at Trebetherick : Not rocky at all – but keen in the watersports department – sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, canoeing and rowing, great sandy scenic beach and highly rated. (1 hour 5 mins)
You don’t need to spend out to enjoy your stay at Woodside holiday lets in Cornwall as your surroundings provide some excellent sources of entertainment.
Crabbing or ‘Crabbin’ (as the locals say it) – this is a popular pastime, whereby you find place some raw bacon on a crab line, borrow a bucket and head to either Saltash passage, (under the Tamar bridge) and compete to see how many you and your family and friends can catch in an hour. Looe sells crab lines and buckets in abundance, all crabs are then released, not eaten.
Situated either side of you at Woodside are Bodmin Moor – with its Minions and neolithic monument and lots of space (44 mins) or north east of your location the wild and wonderful expanse that is Dartmoor. Stunning views, giant granite tors, wide opens spaces to explore by either foot, bike, car or horse.
Mount Edgcumbe House & Country Park, Cremyll, PL10 1HZ, – In half an hour you can drive to Mount Edgcumbe and enjoy a fantastic walk around the grounds and historic gardens for free, take a picnic and find a scenic spot under an ancient tree, on the beach or amongst the Camelias (in spring time). (33 mins)
Cardinham Woods, Bodmin: Another wonderful walking location, with a great easy walk circuit around for younger persons. For older sporty types there are excellent off-road mountain bike routes, a playground and BBQ area set up by the river, which is always popular. There is a café for those in need of a luxury caffeine hit or cake fix (but you have to pay for these!) (36 mins)
If you have your own bike or can borrow one then the Camel Trails are safe, easy and relatively flat. The 18 mile multipurpose route stretches from Padstow to Wentford Bridge via Wadebridge and Bodmin. You can park for free at the Borough Arms car park and then either walk / ride left or right along the trail..(42 mins)
Adrenalin Quarry, Menheniot : An ever increasing range of exhilarating crazing things to do! A 490m zip wire, giant swing, coasteering and now axe throwing! (17 mins)
Siblyback – Watersports & Segway: wide range of watersports – wake boarding, sailing, windsurfing, plus land based activities for all ages. (32 mins)
Swimming: In the Sea (obviously) – wild swimming, or nearby China Fleet (7 mins) St Mellion Country club, or the Saltash Leisure Centre, which is closest and open to all. (5 mins)
Indoor Climbing at The Barn Milton Abbot, near Tavistock. (34 mins) There is also a Climbing wall and olympic swimming pool at the refurbished Life Centre in Plymouth. (17 mins). Plymouth has just opened its own Clip N Climb centre only 15 mins away.
Horse riding: Polmartin Riding school, located in a great peaceful setting, suitable for all ages and levels of experience. (30 mins)
SkyWire at Eden: Fly 660m at 50mph over the Biomes at the Eden project! There are many other interesting things to see and do at Eden. (43 mins)
Canoe Trips and Kayak Hire: On River Fowey Estuary, ranging from 3 hour trips to whole day trips. Tuition is available, guided trips or just hire options. (45 mins)
Cycle Trails
Haldon Forest (near Exeter) has an excellent selection of outdoor excursions; Cycling for all levels of experience also at Haldon is ‘Go Ape’ – tree surfing and zip wires, excitement for over 10 year olds. (44 mins from Woodside).
Cardinham Woods – Picturesque setting for an off-road cycling, lovely dog walking trails, BBQ areas alongside the river, outdoor playground, and friendly café. (35mins).
Other cycle area suggestions:
- The Camel Trail (Padstow to Wadebridge or Wadebridge to Bodmin, or Bodmin to Wenfordbridge)
- Goss Moor Trail
- The Mineral Tramways
- Wheal Peevor Mine Site
GOLF
St. Mellion – A fabulous golf resort less than 5 miles from Woodside featuring 2 championship 18 hole golf courses including the famous Jack Nicklaus Signature course. St. Mellion also features an indoor swimming pool, leisure and spa complex.
The China Fleet Country Club – Located only 2.5 miles from Woodside. A superb 18 hole parkland golf course located amongst 180 acres of stunning Cornish Countryside along the River Tamar. China Fleet also features an indoor swimming pool, leisure and spa complex, tennis courts and squash courts
Trethorne Golf Club – Located in Launceston, approximately 20 miles from Woodside. The 18 holes are set in a spectacular parkland setting with far reaching views of the rolling Cornish countryside and distant views of rural Cornwall.
Pubs Nearby
There are so many wonderful local public houses that I’m only going to list the nearby ones:
The Cardinals Hatt – Botus Flemming, Saltash (2mins)
The Rod & Line – Tideford, Cornwall (8 min)
The Weary Friar – Pillaton, near Saltash, PL12 6QS (10 mins)
Eliot Arms – St Germans, Saltash, PL12 5NR (12mins)
The Finnygook Inn – Crafthole, Torpoint, PL11 3BQ (18 mins)
The Crooked Inn – Saltash (4 mins)
Local Cafés
The nearest town to Woodside lets is Saltash and there Fore Street has numerous cafés, coffee shops and ice-cream establishments, a few other suggestions:
Just Be: 3 Old Ferry Road, Saltash, PL12 4EH – (6 mins)
Seaton Beach Café: Looe Hill, Seaton, PL11 3JQ – (20mins)
The Stables Café – Mount EdgcumbeCountry Park, PL10 1HZ – (33 mins)
Black Rock Beach Café & Bistro: Millendreath, – (26 mins)
Restaurants within 30mins of Woodside Lets
Hayloft Restaurant: Menheniot, Liskeard, PL14 3pJ – Well established and loved with a traditional menu plus the option for real Italian pizzas to take away, – the chef is Vito Dell Anno – authentic Italian! (15 mins)
The Plough: Duloe, Liskeard, PL14 4PN – Friendly atmosphere, interesting menu, delicious food and heavily promoting the use of local produce and support of real ales. (27 mins)
Langmans Restaurant: Callington, PL17 7RE – A 2 AA Rosette restaurant, with apparently a 7 course taster menu , with complimenting wines to die for.. (12 mins)
Tapenades: Liskeard, PL14 4AA – Definitely a special occasion venue with quality traditional dishes served. Open only from Thursday – Sunday evenings. (20 mins)
The Springer Spaniel: Treburley, Launceston, PL15 9NS – Fine dining, rustic style, in a pub setting, but well worth a visit. Anton Piotrowski, Masterchef winner is the owner and has maintained an excellent reputation. (22 mins)
The Blue Plate: – Downderry, PL11 3LD – Located just up from the beach this well run and extremely welcoming restaurant prides itself on sourcing local produce, with its ‘catch of the day’, there is also a great delicatessen stocked with delicious tempting produce. (25 mins)
Royal William Yard: Plymouth, Devon. PL1 3QQ – A variety of cuisines to chose from: Wagamma, Prezzo, Las Iguanas, River Cottage, Le Bistrot Pierre, Le Vignoble, Seco Lounge and Royal William Bakery. (24 mins)
Food Shopping
You may have noticed Waitrose just before your arrival at Woodside Holiday Lets, it really is the closest Supermarket, about 2 minutes drive. Just behind Waitrose lurks a BM Store and a further minute away is Lidl Supermarket (Gilston Road, Saltash PL12 6TW).
If you prefer to source you food locally there is a fantastic butcher at Tideford – Paul Bray & Son, (8 mins drive) they also sell fairly decent hot or cold meat or cheese pasties which are perfect for a day out.
Another close by food establishment is Tamar View Fruiterers – a mere stone’s throw from your holiday home in Carkeel, is a well laid out complex with Tamar fruit, vegetables and general store, a garden centre, aquatics shop and a café. (open 9am-5pm).
Tamar Valley Meats can be found next door at Tamar View 9-4.30 Tuesday to Sunday. Superb butchers championing locally produced meat.
Nearest City for Shopping : Plymouth (20 mins)
If you feel the need for some retail therapy, away from all the fresh air and nature around you at Woodside then Plymouth is a short 20 minute drive across the bridge into Devon. There are all the usual high street shops, although many of them have now gathered in the Drake’s Circus Shopping Centre. More interesting arts & crafts type shops and numerous eating and drinking places are located in the more aesthetically pleasing Barbican area with it’s original cobbled streets and narrow alleys, far more atmosphere than the shopping centre and great to walk up to Plymouth Hoe for a fantastic view of the sound and a selection of ice-creams and amusements.
Tavistock Town (30 mins)
Great for a more relaxed shop, with a few independent interesting places, if you like a bustling market town experience ensure to go on the Pannier market days.
Truro City – (1 hour)
This cathedral city has an excellent array of mainstream shops, but more importantly many independent, unique boutiques, making the city definitely worth a visit. It hosts an impressive cathedral, great reasonably priced theatre and music productions at Hall for Cornwall and top quality places to eat out.
Annual events in Cornwall
Visit www.visitcornwall.com for the latest dates due to Corona Virus many events have been postponed or cancelled.
Dog Friendly
Dog friendly attractions such as:
Trebah gardens
Cornish Cyder Farm
Eden Project
Tintagel Castle
Most pubs are welcoming to well behaved pets.
Restaurants/Pubs:
The Crooked Inn – T 01752 848177 SN PL12 4RZ W www.crooked-inn.co.uk/
The Rod & Line – T 01752 851323 SN PL12 5HW W www.facebook.com/pages/Rod-And-Line
The Eliot Arms – T 01503 232733 SN PL12 5NR W www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/pub/saltash/eliot-arms
The Rifle Volunteer Inn – T 01822 833038 SN PL18 9HL W www.theriflevolunteer.co.uk
The Springer Spaniel T 01579 370424 SN PL15 9NS W www.thespringerspaniel.org.uk
The Inn on the Shore T 01503 250027 SN PL11 3JY W www.inn-on-the-shore.co.uk/
The Blue Plate – https://www.blueplatecornwall.com 01503 250308
Waves Bar, Seaton – T 01503 250065 SN PL11 3JD W www.wavesbar.co.uk
The Smugglers Inn, Seaton – T 01503 250056 SN: PL11 3JD Web: http://thesmugglersinn-seaton.weebly.com/
The Crows Nest Inn, Crows Nest, Liskeard – T 01579 345930 SN PL14 5JQ W http://www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/pub/liskeard/crows-nest-inn
The Edgecumbe Arms, Torpoint T 01752 822294 SN PL10 1HX W www.edgcumbearms.co.uk
The Cheesewring Hotel, Minions – T 01579 362321 SN PL14 5LE W http://cheesewringhotel.co.uk/
The Rising Sun, Kingsand – T 01752 822 840 SN PL10 1NH W – none: check latest reviews on Trip Adivisor
The Devonport Inn, Kingsand – T 01752 822869 SN PL10 1NF W www.devonportinn.com/
The Whitchurch Inn, Tavistock – T 01822 612181 SN PL19 9ED W www.whitchurchinn.co.uk/
The Old Plough House Inn, Duloe – T 01503 262556 SN PL14 4PN W www.ploughduloe.co.uk
The Ship Inn, East Looe, T 01503 263124
Peter Tavy Inn, Tavistock – T 01822 810 348 SN PL19 9NN W www.s210409887.websitehome.co.uk
The Mary Tavy Inn, T 01822 810326 SN PL19 90PN W www.themarytavyinn.com
The Three Pilchards, Polperro – T01503 272233 SN PL13 2QZ W www.threepilchardspolperro.co.uk/
The Blue Peter Inn, Polperro T 01503 272743 SN PL13 2QZ W www.thebluepeter.co.uk