WYNDHAM TRENYTHON: Discover Cornwall

If you want to enjoy some of the region’s amazing walking and hiking trails, you’re staying in the perfect location. Cornwall boasts 300 miles of rugged coastline – the longest anywhere in Britain – encapsulating dramatic cliffs and wide sandy bays to the north, and dozens of charming harbours and well-hidden smugglers’ coves to the south. Additionally, the contrasting countryside settings of the Fal and Fowey river estuaries have long-held appeal for walkers and hikers keen to experience the great Cornish outdoors.

Within an hour’s drive of Wyndham Trenython Manor, there are no fewer than 39 golf courses, most of which welcome visiting players. The closest to the resort (8 miles away) is St Austell Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-72 parkland course set in lovely, rolling countryside. There is also a 9-hole pitch & putt course there which, at 1,150 yards and with wonderful country and sea views, provides enough of a challenge. On the north coast near Rock – a 45-minute drive away from the resort – is the lovely St. Enodoc Golf Club. With its James Braid designed course, it is often voted among the top links courses in the UK. Players will enjoy testing their skills on the Church Course, or may prefer to take a more relaxing approach on the shorter, and possibly easier, Hollywell track. Just a little closer is St. Kew Golf Club which, although only a 9-hole course, actually has 18 different tees playing to the nine holes offering players of every level an ideal golfing ‘fix’ while on holiday. No serious golfer visiting Cornwall can possibly avoid teeing-off at the stunning St. Mellion Golf Club, near Saltash. Designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus – often described as his personal masterpiece – this is without doubt the best place to play golf in Cornwall and is always ranked among England’s top five courses.

Spread over 200 acres – and a well-deserved winner of the Silver Award for Large Attraction in the Cornwall Tourism awards – the Lost Gardens of Heligan is an absorbing family destination featuring a wealth of fun-filled activities and a string of gorgeous gardens to captivate the interest of all ages. Split into several themes – the Northern Gardens, Wider Estate, Horsemoor Hide and Jungle – the gardens had been created by generations of the Tremayne family in the 19thcentury. They were beautifully restored in the 1990s having fallen into neglect following the First World War. Northern Gardens Restored to its original glory, this section encompasses The Vegetable Garden, Walled Flower Garden and Melon Yard to provide an interesting insight into traditional crop growing and exotic glasshouse fruit production. Horsemoor Hide The go-to place for a deeper investigation into the wildlife of Heligan, with the gardens and estate actively managed to encourage various species. Also home to the ‘x-ray studio’ which beams live images of a variety of wildlife, such as bats, owls and other birds. Wider Estate Comprises ancient pastures, woodland and wetland, as well as ponds and lakes spread over 100 acres. Within the ancient woodlands, a sheltered path features woodland sculptures and bat boxes. The ‘Lost Valley’ is carpeted with bluebells in spring and has two lakes where otters and wintering Kingfishers may be spotted. Jungle Set in a steep-sided valley, it was here that Victorian plant hunters brought back and cultivated an exotic range of plants from around the world. The valley setting helps create a micro-climate for the plants – they say it’s at least five degrees warmer than the Northern Gardens – and a series of raised boardwalks take you through towering plants and ponds. When in the Jungle, kids will love the 100ft long, scary rope bridge, stretching over towering ferns and giant gunnera. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are located just over 12 miles from Wyndham Trenython Manor.

With amazing views across the Fowey estuary, the circular Hall Walk is an increasingly popular section of the coastal route. After a crossing on the Bodinnick Ferry from Fowey, the walk follows the medieval route to Penleath Point where the Q memorial overlooks Fowey. Continuing along woodland footpaths and crossing Pont Pill, the route ends in Polruan with another ferry crossing back to Fowey. If you prefer a view of granite tors and undulating moorland, then walking across Bodmin Moor is a fine alternative. There are a number of walks available for both the intrepid hiker and the casual stroller. The National Trust owns most of the land upon which the official Cornwall Coastal Path is located. Those sections closest to Wyndham Trenython Manor offer dramatic views as the reward for what can be quite challenging walking. From Fowey, the coastal footpath heads west towards St Austell Bay; you can join it via the start point at Readymoney Cove. On the opposite side of the river, near Polruan, the path takes an easterly heading and passes close to the lovely harbour villages of Polperro and Looe – both great places to stop off for a tasty pub lunch.

Evoking tales of the bygone days, medieval Tintagel Castle is inextricably linked with the legend of King Arthur and other ancient mysteries. The adventure starts with your first glimpse of the dramatic castle ruins, set high on North Cornwall’s coast on a rugged outcrop which boasts breath-taking sea views. A programme of castle events is held with fighting knights, medieval jousts and narrations of The Tales of King Arthur, bringing the legend to life. To reach the castle you must walk from the mainland over a narrow strip of land, a short journey filled with anticipation of what lies ahead and one that offers rewarding sights that on the clearest days extend to Lundy Island. Be warned, you need a certain degree of fitness and sufficient mobility to mount 100 steps and tackle uneven surfaces. A combination of a coastal walk, exploration of the castle ruins and visiting the wizard’s Merlin’s Cave will sure work up an appetite for traditional Cornish treats, such as locally-sourced crab sandwiches, fish and chips, homemade cakes or cream teas. Tintagel Castle can be reached in less than an hour from Wyndham Trenython Manor.