Embrace The Outdoors in Cornwall This February Half Term

February half term is just around the corner and we know it can be a tricky week to keep the kids busy because it’s still winter and it’s freezing cold. But, we’re encouraging you to embrace the outdoors no matter what the weather is doing. As the saying goes, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing” so grab the wellies and your waterproofs to make the most of life on the Cornish coast.

Here are our top things to do in Cornwall this February Half Term.

Go On Clay Trail Adventures

At West Carclaze Garden Village, we’re surrounded by Clay Trails – remnants of Cornwall’s industrial past where hundreds of tonnes of material were excavated and taken to Par Harbour. In 2005, the miles of trails were opened up to the public and now you can explore the unique landscape that includes chimney stacks, historical buildings, clay tips (the largest one is called The Sky Tip) and stunning turquoise lakes. There are nine official routes you can take or you can choose your own. One of our favourites is a circular walk from our village that takes you past beautiful Pentruff and Baal lake. Or, go slightly further afield and start at Wheal Martyn Museum where the kids can learn about the history of the clay pits before setting off to find the footpaths so they can see everything they have just learnt about in real life.

Walking or cycling the Clay Trails is a lovely way to spend time together as a family so pack a picnic, pull on your walking boots or set off on bikes this February Half Term.

Bird Watching

We have a brand new bird hide at West Carclaze Garden Village so you can spend days watching the visitors of Norman Lake come and go. Set up camp with chairs, snacks and binoculars to settle in to spot the different types of birds and watch their behaviours. Make sure you tag us in your photos, we love to see all the different birds that call our village home.

Explore Historic Harbours

On the south coast, we’re surrounded by some of the county’s best and most picturesque harbours. Each one has its own unique charm and story to tell. These are our must-visit harbours this February Half Term –

Charlestown – grab a hot chocolate and head for the beach where you can skim pebbles and scavenge for sea glass. The Pier House is now fully renovated and is a lovely spot to soak in the views and enjoy a delicious family lunch out.

Mevagissey – Still a working harbour, this is a great place to take the kids crabbing. After hours of fun, finish the day with a fish and chip supper. Perch on the harbour wall, taking in the sights and sounds as the fishing boats come and go – watch out for the pesky seagulls, they’re very partial to a chip or three.

Polperro –  A smuggler’s paradise with winding streets, hidden coves, and breathtaking sea views. This village doesn’t allow cars so it’s safe for the kids to run around and explore the harbour. The Smuggling Museum is a real highlight where children’s imaginations can run wild. Make sure you walk up the coast path to capture the view looking back across the village, we promise you won’t regret it (and it will help to wear the kids out).

Say Hello To Seals

February is one of the months you’re most likely to see seals on the beaches of Cornwall as they come in to rest from stormy seas. A very well known spot is Mutton Cove near Godrevy where they can quite often be seen all year round. Polly Joke just outside of Newquay is also a great place to see seals playing in their natural habitat – whenever you’re visiting the seals, be sure to keep the noise down so they are not disturbed. If walking the coast path to find seals is too much for little legs, The Seal Sanctuary in Gweek is a great place to get up close to rescued seals and see how they rehabilitate them ready to release back into the wild.

Wildlife Spotting

You might not think February is a good month for spotting wildlife but it’s excellent! From dolphins and porpoises to choughs and recently even whales! Head to the north coast where you’re most likely to see dolphins and go on a hunt to find the basking whale that’s been seen swimming off the shore for the last few weeks.

Cornwall’s iconic bird, the chough, is easy to spot thanks to their black crowns and red legs and beaks. Often seen in locations with cliffs, one of the best places to go is The Lizard Peninsula.

Coast Path Walks and Beautiful Beaches

We’re surrounded by so many beautiful beaches, it’s impossible to list them all but nothing beats having an empty beach all to yourself. Pack fishing nets to go rock pooling, brave the sea, go for a surf or even find a sea pool for a swim. One of our favourite sea pool spots is Chapel Pool in Polperro – it’s a great pool to wild swim with smaller children.

After a day of exploring Cornwall, nothing beats coming home and settling on the sofa in front of a good movie. If the kids still need something to do, our Cornish Wildlife Colouring Book is a way of keeping them busy whilst they learn about their natural surroundings. Download Here.

Happy February Half Term-ing!

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