Easter Fun!

The Rame Peninsula is the perfect place to spend an Easter Break in Cornwall.  There are beaches, coastal walks with breath-taking views and lots of family entertainments planned.  Here are three of our favourites right on Blue Monkey’s doorstep:

Easter at Eden

From the 6^th to 25^th of April the Eden Project is running a very special Easter event.  There are indoor and outdoor games and activities for families to try (phew no need to worry about the rain!).  Have fun herding farmyard animals into their pens, win some golden eggs and learn about growing crops with the Eden farmers.

Top Tip: Free with Eden Admission

Plymouth Easter Egg Hunt

Plymouth is full of exciting things to see and do and there’s always something happening to entertain all ages.  If you are planning an Easter break in Cornwall, your children will be delighted to hear that they can join the free chocolate mini egg hunt in Plymouth City Centre.  Follow a map to find the giant eggs and claim your eggs!

Top Tip: The best way to get to Plymouth is to take the ferry from Cawsand Beach to Barbican Landing Stage and spot dolphins on the way.

Mount Edgcumbe House

Five minutes from Blue Monkey is the ancestral home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe.  Full of history, art and three 16^th century tapestries, the house is well worth a visit and opens for the season from 1^st April to the end of September, Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 4.30pm.

If you don’t want to visit the house, the country park is free of charge and open every day from 8am to 8pm. This is a fun day out for the family, with Adventure Segway, Golf, cycles, archery and many more things to do and explore.

Top Tip: Dogs on leads are welcome.  Family Ticket price: £12.50

April Offer

6th to 13th April is still available and we are offering 15% off listed Price
Please enter code APR at checkout on our secure online payment page here.

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Autumn

…is an exciting time of year in Cornwall.  The windy weather creates opportunities for all kinds of exhilarating fun!  The crowds are gone, the sea is still warm, the summer is Indian and we have some great Autumn surf break offers to add a little spice to your life.

Whitsand Bay

Ten Minutes from Blue Monkey are the beautiful sands of Whistand Bay.  This is a great place to learn to surf with lessons from Adventure Bay surf schoolwho offer private lessons, group lessons, beginners, improvers, family, kids parties and 3 session courses.  You can also have your efforts captured on video to broadcast to the world and help you improve your technique.  An Autumn surf break is about the sea and if the board is not for you, Adventure Bay will take you coasteering in a kayak around the coves and beaches of the Rame Peninsula.  Once you’ve learned where to go, you can take advantage of Blue Monkey’s free kayaks and explore to your heart’s content.

Top Tip: Check the surfer’s Bible, Magic Seaweed, for surfing conditions.  Search for Whitsand Bay.

Cawsand Beach

Five minute’s walk from Blue Monkey is Cawsand Beach – an ideal place to start your own coasteering adventure in our free kayaks.  If you’re not ready to strike out on your own, then Cawsand Kayak and SUP Hire will take you around the beautiful sheltered local waters.  Lately we’ve been hearing that Paddle Boards are all the rage and Cawsand Beach is the perfect spot to get your balance as the bay is sheltered by the peninsula and the surf won’t knock you over.  You can hire a paddle board from SUP Rental.
 
Top Tip: This area is ideal for an Autumn surf break as you can hire everything you need including wet suits for just £3 from Cawsand Beach.  Email Annabel to organise for you at enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com.

Kitesurfing

Pasty Adventures Kitesurf Coaching Holidays

1h 28m from Blue Monkey you’ll find Gwithian Beach where you can spend a breath-taking day with the Pasty Adventures Kitesurf School.  Run by a former British champion, you will be in good hands here with all the latest equipment which Pasty replace every 6 months.  A mixture of surfing, flying and sailing, Kitesurfing will make you so excited and happy that you won’t even realise you’re doing a honing and toning full body workout – a good reason to feel great about taking an Autumn surf break!

Top tip: You can also kite surf at Whitsand Bay, only 10 minutes from Blue Monkey.

Watch Kite Surfing at Gwithian bay here.

Available Dates and Offers

8th November 2018 to 19th December 2018: 25% off online listed prices.  Please email Annabel for this special offer on enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

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Summer’s over – hooray!  That means it’s time to take an Autumn break in Cornwall.  No crowds, lower prices, and still plenty to do and see.  Dogs are delighted – they’re allowed off lead from the 1^st October on the beaches around Blue Monkey, so you can all go for a bracing coastal walk, followed by supper in one of the many fabulous dog friendly pubs or restaurants.  As Halloween and Bonfire night approach the events calendar hots up with a fortnight of magical activities at The Eden Project.  Here are three recommendations for an unmissable Autumn Break in Cornwall:

POLPERRO

A day trip to Polperro, 30 minutes down the coast from Blue Monkey, is a must for the creative soul.  Situated in an area of ‘outstanding natural beauty’, the unspoilt harbour, is brimming with artists and you can admire their work in the many local galleries and browse through quirky independent shops.  Polperro is famous for its seafood restaurants serving fresh fish caught by the local fishermen.

This is the perfect place for a romantic walk as the coast either side of the harbour will blow both your mind and the cobwebs away.   If you’re feeling energetic, take the 5-mile path from Polperro to Looe – the spectacular views along this coast will be a highlight of your Autumn break in Cornwall.

THE LOOE VALLEY LINE

Talking of Looe… if you’re feeling less like walking but you’d still like to admire the views then catching a train along the Looe Valley Line may suit you better.  See the final stretch here.

If you’re taking an Autumn break in Cornwall then this is not to be missed.  Along the route from Liskeard to Looe you will travel through woodland valleys opening up to the estuary where the river meets the sea.  At low tide you’ll see all sorts of beautiful birds wading through the water: Herons, Oystercatchers and Curlews.

Top Tips: The train runs regularly throughout the day, dogs are welcome and a ticket costs just £4.60.

THE EDEN PROJECT

The Eden Project at St Austell is Cornwall’s most famous landmark, built to study the environment and conservation to find new ways to provide a cleaner and greener future for the world.  The bubble shaped biomes are the world’s largest greenhouses, each housing a miniature ecosystem that supports the appropriate climate for the wildlife living within it.  Younger children will be excited to explore a steamy rainforest biome with a tree top walkway winding through a jungle canopy.  Over the half term fortnight there will also be strange Halloween creatures wandering the biomes, pumpkin displays, and ice skating at the Little Monsters Halloween Ball.

Older children will enjoy England’s longest zip wire, a giant gravity swing, a 12m bungee drop and a 25m free-fall jump into an airbag (over 18s only).  Do something you’ll never forget on your Autumn break in Cornwall!

Top Tips: Dogs are allowed on the site but not inside the Biomes.

AUTUMN AVAILABILITY

We still have a few gaps to fill over the coming weeks:

29th September to 4th October
8th to 11th October

14th to 20th October
27th October to 1st November

Please email Annabel for a quote: enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com
Or book securely online here

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As the Summer lingers and brings a few more days of gentle heat, you may be surprised to know that the sea in Cornwall is at its warmest in September and October. The heat it has absorbed from the Summer sun is retained, which makes it a great time of year for kayaking (Blue Monkey has 2 free kayaks for our guests to use), mackerel fishing and swimming.  It’s also the perfect time of year for playing golf – not too hot, not too cold, and a great way to spend the day taking in the last of the summer sun.  There are so many local activities to be enjoyed at this time of year around Blue Monkey – this week I’lm looking at the fantastic golf courses in Cornwall – here are three with fabulous cliff top views.

Whitsand Bay

Golf is one of the most popular local activities chosen by our guests.  Whitsand Bay golf course is only 10 minutes drive from Blue Monkey with fantastic views of the beach and the Rame Peninsula.  Of all the Golf courses in Cornwall, Whitsand bay’s 18 hole course is said to be one of the most breath-taking in the UK.  Set on a cliff top overlooking the beach with panoramic views of the west country, the terrain will suit both newcomers to the game as well as those with a low handicap.  Relax afterwards in the welcoming clubhouse that is open 7 days a week.

Follow this link to view the Green Fees.

St Mellion

Nineteen miles inland (38 mins drive) from Blue Monkey is the famous PGA St Mellion golf course with 2 courses to choose from: one of the most challenging Golf courses in Cornwall.

The Niklaus Course

This is one of the finest and most famous golf courses in Cornwall and even in Europe: the place to come if you really want to test your game.  No easy holes but the elevated tees give you great views to help you navigate this exciting and challenging course that takes you across rivers and through valleys of trees.  Many tournaments have been fought here and you will be following in the footsteps of many a famous champion.

The Kernow Course

The Kernow Course is laid out on top of a hill but don’t let that put you off – it’s not onerously hilly to play, making it an easier going and wonderful complement to the Nicklaus Course, with its wide fairways, large greens and spectacular views.  Originally designed by J Hamilton Stutt, it is one of the finest Golf courses in Cornwall and the South West and has hosted many International golf tournaments.

Staddon Heights Golf Club

Situated on the outskirts of Plymouth, 30 miles from Blue Monkey.  Staddon Heights is another cliff top golf club, with fabulous views of the Devon and Cornwall coastline, Plymouth Sound, the City of Plymouth and inland over the Dartmoor and Bodmin hills.

This is not the most challenging of Golf courses in Cornwall but there are plenty of interesting holes, stunning scenery and a great clubhouse with a cosy bar and restaurant to unwind in – another of our guests’ favourite activities!

We still have a few gaps at this perfect time of year for a round or two of golf at one of these fabulous courses, and we have some great discounts to Tee Off the Autumn:

29th September to 4th October 5 nights for £659
8th to 11th October 3 nights for £599
14th to 20th October 6 nights for £699

If you are interested in a Golfing break in Cornwall, Blue Monkey is ideally situated  in Kingsand to access all the above courses and our Concierge service is on hand to organise it for you.  Please email Annabel at enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com if you are interested in any of the above dates.  Check out other available dates and book securely online here.

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We’ve compiled just three of the best pram friendly walks in Cornwall, that are near to us at Blue Monkey Cornwall:

1. MOUNT EDGCUMBE HOUSE AND GARDENS

The waterside perimeter of the estate provides an uplifting  pram friendly walk, with spectacular views across Plymouth Sound and a host of eighteenth century follies, fountains, seats and shelters for you and your pram to rest along the path.  The route travels through the parkland and woodland of the historic family seat of the Earls of Edgcumbe, who built the house at the heart of the estate in the mid-sixteenth century.

The house, gardens, tea-room, restaurant and shop are open to the public during the summer season but the South West Coast Path, passing through the estate, is open throughout the year.  A pram friendly walk for all seasons!

Top Tip: An especially inspiring walk in early spring, when the National Camellia Collection is in full bloom, and in autumn, when the leaves in the woodland start to turn.

2. PLYMOUTH WATERFRONT WALKWAY

A gentle walk, mainly on pavement, this pram friendly walk is a breeze!  Walk around the Hoe, the Barbican and Mount Batten breakwater and enjoy the seaside views.  This unique section of the South West Coast Path is an entertaining and enlightening journey with plenty to learn along the route about the city’s history and heritage.

Top Tip: you will find toilets and a car park at Admiral’s Hard (postcode for sat navs PL1 3RJ) and refreshments dotted along the path.

3. PLYMBRIDGE WOODS

This pram friendly walk is also a must for cyclists as it follows the route of an old Great Western Railway track.  Leave Plymouth behind, push your way through glorious oak woods and emerge into peaceful open countryside.  Breathe!!  This exciting and pram friendly trail leads you past dramatic industrial remains, over towering quarry faces, and across breathtaking viaducts. 

Top Tip: Take your bird book!  In season these woods are famous for spotting nesting wild peregrines.

Are you looking for accommodation in Cornwall that caters for babies and young children? At Blue Monkey we have everything you will need to make your trip stress free! Find out more about our baby friendly holiday cottage in Cornwall.

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Kingsand in Cornwall is a really special place. Here at Blue Monkey we just love our local area, and we wanted to tell you why! So here goes:

1: The Local Beaches

The small pebbly beaches of Kingsand and Cawsand are typical of an old fishing village.  Kingsand Beach has rock pools for your children to explore with their shrimping nets and Cawsand beach has canoes and kayaks for the more adventures to hire during the summer.  There are three pubs near the beaches:

• The Devenport on The Cleave,
• The Rising Sun on The Green; and
• The Halfway House Inn on Fore Street
• The Cross Keys Inn, The Square, Cawsand

…and three cafes within five minutes walk:

• the Old BoatStore cafe on the cleave
• The Old Bakery on Garrett street; and
• The Shop in the Square

Top Tip: You can supervise older children playing on Kingsand beach whilst you relax at The Devonport. 

The villages of Kingsand and Cawsand are typically Cornish but not commercialised. 

2: The Coastal Path

Turn right out of the front door of Blue Monkey and you can follow the coastal path along the Rame Peninsula all the way to Pen Leigh Point and beyond!  Penn Leigh is Cornish for stone-slab headland and the point is a coastal headland southeast of the village of Rame in Southeast Cornwall at the entrance to Plymouth Sound.  Rame Head is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. 

Top Tip: Pack yourself a picnic and enjoy the amazing views over lunch.

3. The Plymouth Ferry

After a lovely walk from Kingsand through Mount Edgecombe, across the ferry at Cremyll and a walk into the city centre via the lovely Barbican, it is an absolute treat to catch this long serving ferry service and cross Plymouth sound back to the beach at Cawsand, step off the boat and be back at your accommodation, or nearest pub in 2 minutes.

Top Tip: The fare is very reasonable for the half hour trip, the view superb and if you’re lucky you may encounter dolphins.  (NJC, Trip Advisor)

Are you visiting this area and looking for accommodation in Kingsand, Cornwall? Blue Monkey Cornwall is luxury self catering accommodation perfect for your families next holiday in Cornwall. Find out more about our Kingsand accommodation or check out our availability here.

The post Top Three Reasons We Love Kingsand first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

We know that many couples would like to get married in Cornwall, with it’s beautiful scenery and romantic history, so I’ve compiled a list of 3 of the best wedding venues within 10 minutes of Blue monkey.

Mount Edgcumbe House

Mount Edgcumbe House is one of the most beautiful venues the South West has to offer. With over 600 years of history, set in stunning grounds overlooking Plymouth Sound, this venue is the thing that dreams are made of. 

The House has three licensed rooms for civil ceremonies, accommodating from 2 to 120 guests plus the outdoor option of the elegant Summer House overlooking the delightful Earls Garden. 

With 2 stunning venues in the park for your reception, you are spoilt for choice. 

The historic Orangery overlooking the Italian Garden can seat up to 120 guests for a sumptuous reception before dancing the night away in this delightful setting. 

The second option is combining the new with the old; a state of the art marquee nestled in the exclusive Earls Garden gives you the modern comfort of a reinforced glass structure with the private gardens for your guests to enjoy throughout the evening. 

Whitsand Bay Fort

Whitsand Bay Fort delivers a distinctive and versatile venue with stunning scenery and luxury accommodation. Set in a 19th Century Napoleonic Coastal Fort, we are a designated English Heritage Ancient Monument with far reaching beautiful coastal and rural views.

From the elegantly classic to the stylish contemporary, the fort works together with you to design a day that is unique. You can nestle away inside the Napoleonic Vaulted chambers, simply oozing with original character and charm. Or extend into the Vaults Suite with its fusion of contemporary lines and traditional architecture. Our seating capacity allows for 20-150 guests, so you can bring your nearest and dearest or extended family and friends to the celebrations. 

Menu options include: a formal 1-5 course wedding breakfast, hot or cold buffet, hog roast or BBQ with a choice of arrival and toast drinks, as well as an extensive Wine menu. If you’re looking for something a little different, the in-house Chef can tailor make a menu for your special day. 

Polhawn Fort

A cliff-top fort in the South West of England standing tall among sweeping lawns. A secluded beach, Polhawn Cove, sits below, with exclusive access. Stunning sea views lie beyond, as if straight from the pages of a magical romantic novel.

You can tie the knot in the grandest splendour inside the Fort or go for a more bohemian vibe out in the Summerhouse, with its endless coastal views. You’ll get your dream wedding, however you roll.

Polhawn Fort is on the south coast of Cornwall, just around the corner from Plymouth and within really easy reach of Devon and the West Country. Choose a whole weekend or a midweek break, it’s your call. Either way, the place is all yours for the duration.

If you would like to book Blue Monkey for you or your wedding party then please book here online.

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Blue Monkey Family Friendly Cottages –  5-star holiday accommodation on the Rame Peninsula, Cornwall.

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Here we take a brief look at four popular, family friendly places to visit which are situated within a 40 minute drive of the critically acclaimed Blue Monkey 5 star self-catering holiday accommodation.

Cottages by the Sea Rame Peninsula – Click here to find more about our child and dog friendly holiday accommodation in South East Cornwall.

Carnglaze Caverns – Underground caves have a magical appeal for all ages; the imposing natural caverns leave a lasting impression on visitors, while the extraordinary underground lake and dramatic stalactites that hang from the ceiling like icicles, add to the excitement.

Open all year round, Carnglaze Caverns, near St Neot, is a 40 minute drive from Cawsand and offers a spectacular day out, whatever the weather. Expect a fascinating guided tour, which takes you 6 metres below ground level to the slate mine and ends in a breathtaking view of the crystal-clear underground lake.

If you are planning a visit to Carnglaze Caverns, a top tip is to wrap up well and bring good walking shoes or trainers. Afterwards, you can warm up with a picturesque amble through the woodland. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor areas but not in the caves, so pets can come too!

Mount Edgcumbe – Take a ten minute drive from Blue Monkey to Cremyll, and you’ll discover one of the most popular historical tourist destinations in the region (open April to end of September).

Here you can find out about the interesting and turbulent history of the 16th century house and grounds. The nearby waters have seen hundreds of maritime events over the centuries (including ships lost in battle) and the house itself was destroyed by fire due to enemy action in WW2. Fortunately, Mount Edgcumbe was restored to an 18th century style, which is in keeping with some of the Edgcumbe family treasures.

If you are visiting as a family, there’s a gift shop to browse in and plenty of places to eat within the grounds. After lunch, teas or snacks, the youngest (and oldest members) of your family will love the thrills of Adventure Segway. Or why not try your hand at Disc Golf – a 13 hole Frisbee course? Dogs are welcome in the park, although they must be on a lead in the formal gardens.

Monkey Sanctuary – Monkeys are fun and fascinating to watch, so your children are bound to find a day out at the Monkey Sanctuary, Looe, 30 minutes from Cawsand, an irresistible offer.

The sanctuary opens April until November 2, 11 – 4.30 pm (last admission 4 pm). If you are staying at Blue Monkey family friendly cottages again, within the year, a top tip is to keep your ticket as you can re-enter the sanctuary for free (open season only).

See rescued monkeys from the UK and pet trades, spectacular gardens, a bat cave and wildlife room with birds, plants, insects and amphibians. For the youngest children, a play area offers hours of fun, and the Tree Top Cafe is a great place to refuel!

Port Eliot – The Grade 1 listed Port Eliot House and Gardens is just a 20 minute drive from Cawsand and is a great attraction for youngsters who love to explore old houses or burn off steam outdoors.

The house and gardens are open from March to the end of July (closed Fridays) and you can either bring your own picnic to dine in gorgeous surroundings, or eat at the tearoom. Port Eliot is dog friendly and there’s a regular fundraising Dog Festival to enjoy – the next one is on May 9th 2015.

If your looking for family friendly cottages near Rame Pensinsula call us on 07845 468 487 or alternatively you can book our 5 star holiday accommodation online.

The post Family Attractions to Visit in and Around the Rame Peninsula first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

While some of these attractions are up to an hour’s drive from the cottage, they are well worth a visit for an alternative day out. Some are very much family oriented, while there are also a few mentioned below that are dog friendly too.

Eden Project – This popular, award winning attraction for families, just a 50 minute drive from Blue Monkey, is a fantastic experience for all ages. Explore the vast domes (called Biomes), including the Mediterranean Biome and the largest enclosed tropical rainforest in the world, take a walk through the superb gardens or marvel at the world class sculptures.

If you are visiting as a family, other highlights include an educational area which has hands on exhibits, an ice rink (winter only), and a rainforest walkway where you can amble along the tree tops. While there’s entertainment and storytelling laid on throughout the year for young children, the older and more adventurous can experience the country’s longest zip-wire.

Food is superb on site, but you can also bring your own picnic. Dogs are allowed (lead only), although only in the outdoor areas.

Mount Edgcumbe – This stunning house (mentioned in our previous blog on family attractions) is not only well known for its history, but also for its gardens as it is set amidst more than 800 acres of country parkland.

The garden attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year, and this year beat off stiff competition to win the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Best Public Park in Britain Award’. Most of the gardens are free to visit, including the National Camilla Collections and you can also bring along your four legged friend, as dogs are permitted!

The Lost Gardens of Heligan – Take an hour’s drive from our luxury holiday cottage to St Austell and you will discover one of the country’s most visited Botanical gardens. While green fingered enthusiasts can admire the subtropical plants, budding chefs will be fascinated with the Victorian vegetable garden where the food grown is used in the café.

The Lost Gardens are probably more geared to older children, rather than younger ones, although it does have interesting child and dog friendly walks and gardens, including the woodland walk and the jungle path to explore.

Colliford Lake Park – For a calm sanctuary, head to Colliford Lake Park, a hidden jewel in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Bodmin, a 50 minute drive from the cottage.

It has nearly 60 acres of woodland, wetland and moorland to amble in and it is perfect for kids too as there are plenty of outdoor adventure rides and attractions. Among them is a drop slide, pedaloes, carts, an indoor play area and an animal kingdom, where young visitors can feed goats or take a donkey and cart ride. At Blue Monkey cottages, you’ll never be short of things to do.

Are you looking for accommodation in Cornwall.  Blue Monkey is a dog friendly and family friendly luxury holiday cottage! Find out more about our luxury holiday cottage in Cornwall

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