Shropshire Star

Cornwall visit ideal for family fun and thrill seekers

It was hardly the Cannonball Run, or indeed Wacky Races, but last summer my folks and I travelled independently to the same destination by way of an experiment of sorts, writes Paul Naylor.

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I wanted to see which would be the best mode of transport to reach our holiday accommodation in Newquay, Cornwall, booked through Daish's Holidays.

For more than 30 years, Daish's has provided great value holidays on the south coast, all including return coach travel, dinner, bed and breakfast, friendly staff, good home cooking and live entertainment, all with optional excursions.

Alternatively, you can self-drive to your destination, giving you the option to use your car to explore the area as you please. I chose to self-drive, not wishing to submit my children – or indeed myself – to countless verses of 'we're all going on a summer holiday' onboard the coach with my parents. Bless them.

So, we made our way to Daish's Barrowfield Hotel, situated just off the seafront in Cornwall's largest resort.

Where the hotel really shines is through its staff. They are all extremely helpful and obviously committed to making your stay a pleasurable experience. The appropriately named manager Richard Cornish is incredibly hands-on and his enthusiasm has obviously rubbed off on his staff.

As you would expect, although I set off later than my mother and father, I arrived first – factoring in the pick-up points and stops made by the coach driver.

Don't get me wrong, the coach option is excellent – particularly for older travellers, non-drivers or those who do not enjoy driving long distances. My dad fits into two of those categories and mum all three (they'll really thank me for that).

Meet your favourite furry friends at Newquay Zoo, situated close to Barrowfield Hotel

Booked in for a five-night break, this proved a great way to spend a short holiday in one of Cornwall's best loved resorts.

So with little time to lose we made our way to Newquay Zoo, home to a wide array of animals, set in 13 acres of established sub-tropical gardens. Many of your favourites are ever present. My children particularly enjoyed the monkeys, lions and meerkats.

Best of all, pay once and you can return any time again in the same week. With the zoo being so close to our hotel we made sure we took this option up a few days later.

Not far from the zoo, we came across a boating lake with pedaloes. It had been years since I'd had a go and my two children, Rachel and Matthew, were insistent. So, it was time for another race. Matthew and me versus Rachel and poor nana, leaving granddad to read his newspaper in the shade of a tree.

Newquay has some great beaches. Tolcarne Beach is one of many serving the area, with perhaps Fistral Beach being its most famous. However, we stumbled upon a real gem. Lusty Glaze is a fantastic cove, nestled between towering cliffs creating its own micro climate, sheltered from most wind directions. Here you will find a real wonderland for thrill seekers, with surfing lessons, cliff activities, jet skis and more, including coasteering – a thrilling activity combining climbing, scrambling, sea swimming and cliff jumping.

Have you got what it takes to zip wire across Lusty Glaze cove, Newquay?

Matthew was happy playing tennis with me but Rachel, aged 12, had her sights set on launching herself from the cliff-top zip wire. Booked in for her adrenalin rush, Rachel made her way for the training brief and the exhilarating 750ft long zip wire which spans two cliffs, suspended 120ft above the beach.

Again in a race, this time with a girl about her age, Rach plunged screaming across the bay. Stopping off above the drop zone, midway on the beach, the expert staff helped the two girls make their descent by abseiling down pre-packed line. All very James Bond.

Needless to say, Rachel loved it.

Most activities are open to children and adults from the age of eight upwards. The zip line has a minimum weight requirement of six stone and children as young as five years old can join the Junior Baywatch sessions.

With the added benefit of the car, we made our way to Padstow. This pretty harbour town is a must and the nearby beach also enjoyable. For those with a passion for seafood, it is the home of Rick Stein's famous restaurant and lobster hatchery.

For a vast expanse of sand and coastal town with plenty to offer, visit the resort of Perranporth and its three-mile beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. Just six miles from Newquay, it makes for a great day out.

Fact file:

  • The 81-room Barrowfield Hotel is ideally situated just 200 yards from the seafront and the magnificent Tolcarne Beach, close to the town centre and zoo.

  • A big draw is the indoor heated pool. Entertainment in the bar area is also a plus. The rooms are adequate, with an ongoing commitment to refurbish on a rotational basis, meaning some are a little more ‘lived in’ than others, but nonetheless they are clean.

  • Meals are fine with a limited choice changing each day and options for children too.

  • Daish’s has another three hotels located in Torquay, Bournemouth and Isle of Wight.

  • For details on offers and availability see www.daishs.com

  • Daish’s provides many pick-up points throughout the area to transport you to your destination. For those off the beaten track, a taxi service is provided to link you with the coach route at no extra charge.

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