The Best Outdoor Activities in Cornwall
(And the One That Gives You the Whole Day)
Cornwall is an outdoor playground. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a nature lover, a water baby or someone who just wants to breathe some fresh sea air and feel alive, there is something here that will deliver. It's one of the reasons people come back year after year — and why so many end up never wanting to leave.
If you're planning a trip and wondering how to fill your days, here's a look at some of the best outdoor activities Cornwall has to offer, and one that we think deserves a little more credit than it usually gets.
Surfing
Cornwall is the home of British surfing, and Newquay is its undisputed capital. Whether you're a complete beginner booking your first lesson at one of the many surf schools on Fistral Beach, Harlyn, and Polzeath, or an experienced surfer chasing the best break, the north Cornwall coast delivers. Lessons typically last an hour or two and are genuinely great fun — but be warned, once you've caught your first wave, it's hard to stop thinking about it.
Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding has taken Cornwall by storm over the last few years, and it's easy to see why. The calmer estuaries, harbours and bays offer perfect conditions for beginners, while more adventurous paddlers can explore the coastline at their own pace. Guided tours and lessons are widely available throughout the season.
Sailing and Windsurfing
The Camel Estuary, the waters around Fowey, Falmouth and the Helford River are all world-class sailing destinations. Whether you're booking a taster session, joining a club day or already an experienced sailor, Cornwall's waters are extraordinary. Windsurfing is equally well catered for, with tuition available at several spots along the north coast.
Walking the Coast Path
The South West Coast Path runs for 630 miles in total, with a substantial stretch winding along the Cornish coastline. The sections around Tintagel, Padstow, Newquay and the Lizard Peninsula are among the most dramatic in the country. Walking here isn't just exercise — it's genuinely spectacular, and much of it is completely free.
Cycling the Camel Trail — The One That Gives You the Whole Day
Here's the thing about surf lessons, paddleboarding sessions and sailing tasters — they're brilliant, and we'd encourage you to try them. But most run for an hour, maybe two. And then you're done, and the day stretches out ahead of you.
Cycling the Camel Trail is different.
The trail runs for 18 miles following the Camel Estuary through some of the most beautiful countryside in Cornwall. The most populare sectionbeing between Wadebridge and Padstow but also travelling up towards Bodmin and Wenfordbridge. It's completely flat and the section between Bridge Bike Hire in Wadebridge and Padstow is entirely traffic-free, which means it works for absolutely everyone — from toddlers in trailers to grandparents on comfort bikes. There's no skill level required, no lesson needed and no time pressure. You set your own pace, stop where you like, explore as much or as little as you want, and make a proper day of it.
At Bridge Bike Hire — the original Camel Trail bike hire, established in Wadebridge since 1983 — we have bikes for every age and ability. From children's bikes and tandems to a full range of accessibility bikes including our wheelchair bike and recumbent Ice Trikes, we genuinely mean it when we say there's something for everyone. And as the only hire company with direct, traffic-free access to the trail, you're on your way the moment you're ready.
Cycle into Padstow for lunch, stop for a picnic by the estuary, let the kids splash around at the water's edge and take your time getting back. It's a full day out, not an hour's activity — and it's exceptional value for a family.
The Honest Answer?
Do all of it. Cornwall deserves more than one visit and more than one kind of adventure. But if you're looking for the outdoor activity that gives you the best value for time and money, keeps all ages happy, requires no experience and delivers scenery that stays with you long after you've gone home — the Camel Trail is hard to beat.
Book Your Bikes
We're open every day of the year, 9am–5pm (9am–4.30pm in winter), and no advance booking is needed for most hire. Give us a call if you're planning a larger group or have any questions about accessibility options — we love a chat.
