Cornwall is a stretch of land that lies right where the island of Great Britain dips one toe into the Celtic Sea, and the other into the English Channel. A Celtic nation with a distinct sense of identity, Cornwall is only about a 4 hours' drive away from London. But don't be fooled into thinking there aren't that many
things to do in Cornwall just because it's the UK's most south-western point, though. There's more to Cornwall than the surfing, the wrestling, the pasty or the pilot gig rowing. In fact, we could think of at least five things to do in Cornwall that you've probably never thought possible.
So, if you're caravanning in Cornwall, make your way to Exeter on the M5, and then head over to Tamar Valley, the imaginary boundary that marks your entry into a county with only one city, Truro. As we make our way through to Bodelva, where our first attraction awaits, notice a village called Minions in Bodmin Moor. You'd be excused for thinking it could have something to do with the Universal Studios film. It did, in fact, make the
BBC news website when the 'Welcome to Minions' road sign featuring 'real minion' characters started drawing so much attention that the local council had to take it down. While you're here, why not look into
geocaching activities in Cornwall? Who knows, you could even find a hidden minion figure somewhere.
Moving on to the first of our places to visit in Cornwall, we reach Bodelva on the A391 some 20 miles from Minions. It's here that the Eden Project towers over what was once a vast meteorite crater. Motorhomes and campervans are welcomed here, and that's why EP was the first on our list of things to do in Cornwall, since caravan and camping parks can wait. The
Eden Project is a feat of human ingenuity and resilience. It's a rainforest, a Mediterranean biome, and an English garden, all into one. It boasts England's longest zip wire, a perfume garden, seed sculptures, a rainforest canopy walkway, and much more. Best of all, every drop of water and breath of fresh air are brought to you by computer-operated processes perfectly timed so that you feel as though you're living in a bubble.
When you've had your fill of nature reinvented, head over to the
Heartlands, a cultural playground, a World Heritage Site and one of the more eclectic places to visit in Cornwall. It's two hours away by car from the Eden Project, but it also has a 'heaven-on-Earth' type of appeal, as its name suggests. The Diaspora Botanical gardens tells the story of Cornish migrants, their contributions and what they've gained from travelling, using colourful flowers. The World Heritage Site Exhibitions are immersive, interactive and revealing portrayals of life in Cornwall's mining past. An amphitheatre, galleries, workshops, art studios, playgrounds and cafés in a plethora of architectural styles and with myriads of events taking place every week are what makes this site stand out.
One of the last must-see places to visit in Cornwall, we feel, is the
Adventure 001 site in Halsetown. The helipad is only about a mile away from the camping site, so what better chance to seize an 'Extended Cornish Coastline & Lands End Tour' trip. See the Cornish west coast in all its splendour, from Celtic Sea to English Channel and back.
The following day, drive north along the west coast to Newquay, and make a pit-stop at
Fistral Beach. If you're not the surfing type, don't worry; it's not high on many visitor's list of things to do in Cornwall, either. But there's plenty of beach for everyone, even if you're not likely to see too many people swimming in the cold Celtic waters.
