Family Activities UK
With today`s tough financial climate, more and more people are opting to take `holidays at home` and exploring what the UK has to offer instead. One area that has increased hugely in popularity is the county of Cornwall.
Bordered by the River Tamar and Devon to the east, the English Channel to the south and The Celtic Sea to the west and north, Cornwall has a longer coastline than any other county. Between coastlines there are large areas of countryside, many designated as `Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty`, with Bodmin Moor being the best known of these.
Cornwall is also home to `Land`s End`, the starting point for the farthest travelling distance across the UK (south west to north east) culminating at John O` Groats in Caithness, Scotland; a total distance of 874 miles. This route is often used by walkers, runners and cyclists to raise money for charity.
One of the most popular destinations for the younger generation is the town of Newquay. Already long-established as the surfing centre of Britain, a whole new type of resort has grown around the surfing community. Newquay is now equally well known for its beach cafes, themed bars and live music venues. Nightclubs are very popular and are regularly visited by Radio 1 presenters and international DJs.
Although some parts of Cornwall have become commercialised, the county is still largely characterised by its quaint villages and traditional towns. In many, the inhabitants still speak in the traditional Celtic language and there are many relics of ancient villages, stone circles and stone-age burial grounds to explore.
Throughout Cornwall there is a huge variety of activities on offer to suit all tastes and ages. Virtually every water sport imaginable, including surfing to professional level, can be experienced and land-based activities vary from a gentle stroll along the coastal paths to the extreme sport of `coasteering`, which combines a mixture of climbing, caving and abseiling along the rockier parts of the coastline.
For families with young children, there are safe, clean sandy beaches, some offering a range of supervised activities and complete with beach front shops and cafes. There are also an excellent choice of both fun and educational places to visit ranging from theme parks and animal centres through to discovery trails and the world famous Eden Project.
Cornwall is an ideal choice of holiday destination for almost anyone, with a diverse range of activities on offer. Whilst younger people may opt for the hectic nightlife and a cheap hotel in the lively town of Newquay, families or couples may prefer to rent one of the quieter cottages in Cornwall, giving them not only home comforts, but also a perfect base from which to explore this attractive part of the UK.
