Local Attractions
The South West is brimming with exciting and educational day trips and activities.
Things to do in the South West
From delicious restaurants and botanical gardens to theme parks and surf tuition, fill your next holiday with an action-packed itinerary of unique experiences.
Active-8
Active-8 is a small charity seeking to empower young people with disabilities, improving their confidence and aspirations. From kayaking to paintballing, there are so many fun activities on offer.
Visit site
Alexa Poppe Wedding & Event Photography
An award-winning reportage/documentary style photographer. Alexa is based in Cornwall, but she's also happy to cover Devon and the rest of the UK as well as destination weddings.
Visit site
Babbacombe Theatre
Situated on the English Riviera’s beautiful Babbacombe Downs in Torquay, this theatre is undoubtedly one of the most popular in the South West.
Visit site
Camel Ski School
Covering the Rock and Padstow areas of North Cornwall, join qualified instructors out on the water for wakesurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiiing, inflatable rides, kayaking, SUP and boat charters.
Visit Site
Devon Cycle Hire
With other 100 bikes to choose from, explore the stunning views of Dartmoor from bicycle on your next escape. Choose between mountain or hybrid bikes, each with ranging buggies, tandems and sizes to suit the whole family.
Visit siteExplore by Bike
The only cycle hire provider in Bodmin for the Camel Trail! Explore by Bike offer their customers a personal, conscientious service, as indicated by their excellent review ratings on Tripadvisor.
Visit site
Flambards
Helston’s theme park is packed with activities for the thrill-seekers. Brave the sky-high rides, let off some steam in the undercover play area or discover the Victorian museum and fossils.
Visit site
Food from Cornwall
Providing a comprehensive guide to Cornish food and drink, Food from Cornwall are home to a wealth of news, recipes and information about local events in the South West.
Visit site
Go by Cycle
Specialists in bike hire, Go by Cycle will deliver your hired bikes to your door, taking the hassle out of organising a bike ride. Whether you’re a couple or an extended family, there’s a bike hire service for everyone.
Visit site
Harlyn Dive School
Offering scuba training, boat charters and guided dives, take to the Cornish waters with an adrenaline-fuelled experience with Harlyn Dive School.
Visit site
Harlyn Surf School
Choose between stand-up paddle boarding, coasteering, kayaking or surfing with Harlyn Surf School, there’s nowhere better to learn to surf than the golden sands of Harlyn Beach.
Visit site
The Japanese Garden
Situated in St Mawgan, The Japanese Garden is a haven of tranquillity. A combination of natural and man-made objects come together for the finished product of a peaceful, serene garden.
Visit site
Kernow Coasteering
Explore Cornwall's rugged cliffs and hidden coves with a Kernow Coasteering adventure. Offering tours in and around Penzance, St Ives, and Praa Sands, choose from beginner or advanced coasteering and experience excellent coaching in a safe, thrilling environment.
Visit Site
King Surf
Embark on fun, professional and safe surf lessons from professional and experienced instructors. From taster sessions to weeklong progression courses, this Mawgan Porth school caters to all abilities.
Visit site
Lanhydrock House and Garden
Explore this National Trust favourite, home to a family manor and incredible landscapes. With cycle trails, café and gift shop also within the grounds, you’ll never be stuck for things to do at Lanhydrock.
Visit site
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
What was once a garden of ruins is now a south Cornwall favourite. Heligan is loved amongst locals and visitors alike for its botanical gardens, endless walking routes and family-friendly events.
Visit site
Newquay Activity Centre
Offering surf lessons, coasteering, kayaking and paddleboarding, Newquay Activity Centre is great for thrill-seeking adventures.
Visit site
Milky Way
Home to over 110,000 square feet of indoor fun and outdoor activities, this adventure park promises an exciting day out come rain or shine. Ride the railway, meet the birds of prey and spectate the science show.
Visit site
Minack Theatre
The world famous open-air theatre is a must-visit. Carved into the granite cliffs of Porthcurno, enjoy panoramic views across coast and countryside as you enjoy a unique outdoor theatre experience.
Visit site
Monkey Sanctuary
Looe’s Monkey Sanctuary is filled with 40 monkeys, each with a unique character and distinct personality. Contribute to the protection of primates and habitats worldwide with the entrance fee that goes straight to charity.
Visit site
Newquay Zoo
With over 130 species of animals, Newquay Zoo is a haven for animal-lovers. Meet the meerkats and watch penguins and monkeys devour their lunches, sure to entertain the little ones.
Visit site
Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary
Home to rare red pandas and red squirrels, Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for animal-lovers. With otter and penguin feeding to see each day and an indoors play area, it’s the perfect family day out.
Visit site
Penlee House
Built in 1865 as an elegant Victorian home, Penlee House now stands as a first-class gallery and museum set within picturesque gardens and grounds.
Visit site
South Devon Railway
The South Devon Railways runs steam trains along the breathtaking valley of the River Dart, a wonderful piece of Devonshire’s rich heritage.
Visit site
Trebah Gardens
A beautiful sub-tropical paradise with stunning coastal backdrops, explore over four miles of coastal footpath under canopies bursting with exotic blooms. Immerse yourself in colour and follow the path down to the beach.
Visit site
Treloy Golf Club
Based near Newquay, Treloy Golf Club has bright and sculptured greens, making it the perfect venue for a spot of golf. With spectacular rural views surrounding the course, enjoy the Cornish countryside as you play.
Visit site
Wild Food Foraging
Learn a new skill with a foraging adventure in Cornwall. Pick wild foods from coast and hedgerow, with full transparency about the contents of your dinner plate later that evening.
Visit site
Encounter Cornwall
Based on the Fowey Estuary, Encounter Cornwall is an award-winning canoeing centre and stand up paddling school. They offer kayak trips, SUP lessons and tours, and much more.
Visit site
Newton Abbot Racecourse
Whether you’re a racing regular or looking to experience the thrill of a day at the races for the first time, you’ll love the racing at Newton Abbot Racecourse. With 18 fixtures to choose from between March and October including weekdays, evening and weekend fixtures, there’s a raceday for everyone this year.
Visit Site
Pennywell Farm
Pennywell Farm is a multi-award winning family attraction in Buckfastleigh, South Devon. Home to the Pennywell Miniature Pig, they're a fun-filled family day out with a new activity every half an hour.
Visit Site
Dartmoor Zoo
Dartmoor Zoo boasts 33 acres of woodland, celebrating a wide range of exotic and native animals, including the biggest variety of Big Cats in the South West of England. Now a conservation charity, you can enjoy making a massive difference whilst making incredible memories.
Visit Site“The Vargo Family, Surrey | Trustpilot - Stayed at PentyakSimply unmatched. Certainly in UK, possibly on earth. Perfect Stays is quite possibly the best of its kind…ever. Yes the houses are breathtakingly stunning. Yes the locations bring tears to any hardened five star traveller… but the staff is simply the best. NOTHING but complete praise for them. Lindsay is another level. She became part of my staff before, during and after our stay at Pentyak and nothing was too much trouble. She followed up with me and knew what I needed before I knew. Not something one can say often in these parts. Well done Perfect Stays. Very well done.
”
