Monday 12 April 2010

Cornwall: A Review

Like a huge number of other folk, the Marczak family went South West for their Easter holidays and, in amoungst the vast quantities of Sauvignon and Sensations, there was the wonders of Cornwall to explore. If you have a family of younguns, you may find this review of interest.

We stayed at The Olde House, in Chapel Amble. This family-run enterprise comprises countless farmhouse cottages, a pool, snooker table, tennis courts, ball-pit "play barn" and "Pet's Corner", as well as all the sights and smells you'd expect from a working farm.

We stayed at Smeathers Farmhouse, positioned five minutes drive down a windy road - cycle at your peril - and completely cut off from the main road leading into the village of Chapel Amble. The village itself has a Post Office, an excellent pub called The Maltsters Arms, and a few houses. All in all, this was getting away from it on a grand scale.

The Farmhouse easily slept the 6 of us, with bunk beds to spare. There were plenty of bits in the kitchen, and the cream tea welcome was a lovely touch.

Being so cut off, it was easy to let the kids run riot outside, although the ceilings seemed to be paper thin, so they couldn't get away with much at bed time.

Out and about, we went to a few places.

St Kew golf club - Perfect for beginners and hackers alike, not especially challenging, but short enough to get a full round in without it upsetting the other half.

Hustyns Leisure Club and Spa - very nice, so I'm told, though not the easiest place to find without really good directions.

Lappa Valley Steam Railway - down near Newquay, this is hidden away, and is heaven for kids who like trains. Multiple mini train rides, crazy golf, boating lake, maze, playground, slide. Excellent fun for young children.

Blue Reef Aquarium - In Newquay town centre, tightly packed little aquarium with octopus feeding, a turtle, sharks, a walk through tunnel, jellyfish, starfish and, most crucially, steps for little kids to take around with them if they need help seeing over the top. Good value for money, and very helpful staff.

Dairyland - the twee name made me sh-udder a bit (sorry), but inside it is a properly old school farm play area. Petting areas, slides, tractor rides, pony rides, chickens roaming free, sand pits, climbing apparatus, this was a day trip in itself.

What surprised me was how close everything seemed to be. Having not been to Cornwall since I was tiny, I was expecting long hauls to all the attractions, but it wasn't like that at all. With some fun trips to Padstow and Polzeath thrown in for good measure, I really appreciated the variety available, particularly for infant school aged kids.

We are all set to book next year. Now where's that holiday form?

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