When you think about a trip to Cornwall, your first thoughts may be of a peaceful stroll by the beach with an ice cream in hand. While you’ll certainly find plenty of opportunities to relax by golden sands, there are also numerous activities and exciting places to visit for those that prefer a more active adventure.
To entice all the thrill seekers, we’ve compiled a list of our five favourite adrenaline-packed activities that you can find in Cornwall.
If you can’t wait to start the adventure, take a look at our luxury cottages in Cornwall to find the perfect place to stay and relax between each action-packed day.
Adrenalin Quarry
Based in Liskeard, Adrenalin Quarry has a diverse range of activities bound to get your adrenaline pumping!
When Adrenalin Quarry proudly states they’ve been ‘throwing people off cliffs since 2009’, that’s what they mean. Get a thrill from the main attraction, a 490m long zip wire that crosses the old flooded quarry.
If that’s not scary enough, you can also take a dramatic plunge from the quarry’s cliffs over the water in a giant swing, big enough to hold three people and reaching 170ft above the water.
Once you’ve exhausted all the cliff-jumping opportunities, you can also take to the Aquapark, a Wipeout-style inflatable playground filled with giant slides, trampolines and climbing walls. The 800m go-kart race track also offers endless fun as you compete for the top spot. For something a little different, you can also have a go at axe throwing, releasing your inner warrior.
Coasteering
With more than 400 miles of coastline, Cornwall gives you plenty of chances to have fun with coasteering.
This activity is all about exploring the coastline, scrambling over rocks, jumping from rocky heights and swimming in the waves below. Coasteering gives you the chance to get up close to sea cliffs, discovering the secrets of the coastline in a more exciting way than walking.
It’s important to be mindful that this activity is not without its risks, and you should always take part in this activity with the support of a dedicated business that provides guides, equipment and professional safety procedures.
There are various coasteering centres across Cornwall, including:
- Newquay Activity Centre
- Kernow Coasteering
- Cornish Rock Tors
- Lizard Adventure
- Cornish Wave Surf & Adventure
The Eden Project’s Skywire
While the Eden Project is most famous for its incredible biomes, seeing a giant rainforest packed inside a massive bubble in England isn’t the only exciting thing to do there.
For the uninitiated, the Eden project is not only home to some amazing greenery, but also boasts England’s longest and fastest zip wire.
Make your way 100m above the ground and strap into the special flight suit before zipping 660m through the air at 60mph.
For even more exhilarating experiences at the Eden Project, you’ll also find an aerial obstacle course, the giant swing, leap of faith and base jump – a dream turned reality for true adrenaline-junkies!
For a deeper dive into the Eden Project and everything it has to offer, take a look at our blog below:
Surfing
There’s no way we could write this list without mentioning surfing! This activity is often a main driving force behind many people’s trips to Cornwall, with people flocking to all of the glorious Cornish beaches for a chance to surf the waves.
With numerous surf schools located all around the coast, you certainly won’t be short on teachers and places to rent a board if you’re new to the experience. Fans of surfing will need no introduction to the beaches of Cornwall, as it is certainly one of the best spots in the UK to get out on a board.
Some great surf schools to help you get to grips with the sport include:
- Harlyn Surf School, Padstow
- Escape Surf School, Newquay
- Fistral Beach Surf School, Newquay
- Ticket to Ride Surf School, Perranporth
- Smart Surf School, Sennen Cove
Zorbing
Rolling downhill at great speeds in a giant inflatable ball will certainly help you see Cornwall from a new perspective.
With its expansive rolling hills and stunning scenery, Cornwall is the perfect spot for this action-packed activity, whether you’ve had a go before or have always wanted to try it.
This is a great activity to turn to when the sea and sky are too calm to catch some waves – come rain or shine, zorbing is a great all-weather activity for all the family.
There are several zorbing activity centres around the coast, including Cornwall Zorbing in Newquay and ZorBude in Bude.
Have we awoken the thrill-seeker within you? There are plenty of great adventures to be had all across Cornwall!
When you’ve had your fill of action and thrills, our Cornish cottages here at The Valley provide the perfect place for some much-needed relaxation and recovery.
Image Credit: Visit Cornwall