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Looking for a Romantic Break?

Have a look at the exclusive Blue Monkey in Cornwall.

Romance is in the air!  Here at Blue Monkey we’re looking forward to Valentines Day but this year we have to stay closed.  To celebrate online, here are my suggestions for a romantic break at Blue Monkey Cornwall.   This ancient clock tower was erected to commemorate the coronation of King George V and is a great place to gaze out to sea from.  Kingsand and Cawsand are steeped in history – particularly of pirates and smuggling (so romantic!).

There is something so romantic about watching the Sunset.  A romantic break should always include a sunset!  There are many beautiful walks along the coast and local countryside that afford you a fantastic view of the sunset.  A couple of my favourites:

Moon Gazing on a Romantic Break

Gaze at the moon over the sea.  There is nothing more romantic than a moonlit night.  Choose a weekend when the moon is full for your romantic break.  If you are a serious star gazer there are many recommended ‘dark sites’ near Blue Monkey.  Try Kit Hill, near Callington, a recommended ‘dark site’ 45 minutes drive from Blue Monkey.

Romantic Beach

Paddle in the sea together at one of the local beaches.  Stay until sunset and roast marshmallows around a fire.  The seaside is the best place for a romantic break!

Romance on the Ferry!

Take the ferry across to Plymouth and spot the dolphins on the way.  The local ferry runs from Easter to the end of October from Cawsand Beach to a landing stage at the Barbican.

Top Tip: £5 per adult and dogs, prams and bicycles are allowed on board.

Romantic Walk

Penlee Point is a wonderfully romantic walk with breath-taking views at the end of the Rame Peninsula.

And of course Cornwall is a wonderful place to get married so if your romantic break at Blue Monkey Cornwall inspires you, we have some wonderful wedding venues within 10 minutes drive and you can read more about them here.

Let us know about your favourite romantic memory on our Facebook page.

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The Rame Peninsula Micro Climate

Christmas at Blue Monkey is truly relaxing.  The twin fishing villages of Kingsand and Cawsand seem undisturbed by the chaos of modern life and even have their own mild micro climate, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind by the sea.  Here is how I would spend a seaside Christmas on the Rame Peninsula…

The Coastal Path to Mount Edgcumbe

A magical walk along the West Coastal Path, with strange shaped trees and fabulous views.  You and your dog will feel very well exercised by the end of this 5 mile walk, so make sure you take a bottle of water with you.  Along the walk you will come across eighteenth century follies, seats and fountains to lead you to the fabulous Mount Edgcumbe House and Gardens where you can collapse in the cafe and have a cup of tea.  You will go back home feeling that you have captured the very essence of Christmas on the Rame Peninsula.

Beautiful Local Beaches

Beaches-Rame-Peninsula

There are many beaches within a stone’s throw from Blue Monkey and you only need to step outside the house to hear the sea, and walk a few yards to the end of Garrett Street to see it.  There are many more secret beaches like this one, along the shoreline of the Plymouth Sound.  Dogs are allowed to run around off their leads on the beaches from the beginning of October – that’s why dogs love to spend Christmas on the Rame Peninsula!

Watching the Boats

Situated just across the water from the naval base at Plymouth, there are always lots of fascinating boats to watch sailing around the peninsula.  If you’re feeling brave and the water is warm enough, we have 2 paddle boards and 2 kayaks FREE for our guests to use.

 

 

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October is the perfect month for a relaxing break in Cornwall.  The weather is still warm enough to enjoy long walks along the beautiful coastal paths near Blue Monkey and dogs are allowed off their leads on the beach.  There is also lots of fun to be had!  Here are four exciting reasons to take an October break in Cornwall.

Oktober Fest, Plymouth

5th October 2019: have some fun at the Oktoberfest Beer festival held at Plymouth City Guildhall, celebrating German beers and sausage meat with varieties of special sausages for the enthusiastic connoisseurs PLUS there are vegan options.  Gamers Ahoy!!  Yes it’s true – there’s a games area where you can take part in traditional German games, arcades where you can muscle up against other enthusiasts… and all this is accompanied by special guest Oompah bands from Germany, Belgium and Holland.

Top Tip: Tickets from £10.45 and you can book a table for 8 for £95.40 for the evening here

Plymouth 5K and 10K Marathon

Sunday 6 October: Ever run a marathon?  It’s been said that you gain just as many health benefits from watching a sport as you do from taking part so here is your chance!  The Plymouth 10K and 5K marathons begin from the centre of Plymouth on Princess Street and run out of the city towards the embankment over the river Plym.  Getting fit for winter is a great reason to take an October break in Cornwall!

Top Tip: Get a feel for it via this video.

Queen Adelaide’s Grotto

Dog owners often choose to take an October break in Cornwall because from the end of September, dogs are allowed off the lead on the beaches around Kingsand and Cawsand.  One walk that I highly recommend is up the south West Coastal Path to Penlee Point.  The area is steeped in history, and one of the attractions that I feel doesn’t get the attention it deserves is Penlee grotto, dedicated to Princess Adelaide after she visited in 1827, four years before she was crowned Queen consort.  Housed in a cave below Penlee Point, the fabulous views from the grotto made it an excellent look out post and it also bears some interesting historic wall art.

Whacker Quay

Another fabulous walk for you and your dog to enjoy is along the Lynher Estuary to Whacker Quay.  Railway enthusiasts! You will pass the remains of an old railway, with turntables, an engine house and old sidings.  The quay is also a popular bird watching site where you can see waders and duck, egrets and spoonbills, especially in migration season as they stop to refuel along the river.  If you’re feeling energetic, grab the kayaks and paddle boards from Blue Monkey and explore the many secret side creeks around the river.

Top Tip: if kayaking, make sure to plan around the small tidal window.  We also have two paddle boards for our guests to use at Blue Monkey – here is one of our guests in action!!

Availability

4 to 11 October 2019: £499 for 7 nights
We are offering 10% off Available Dates in November and December 2019
Christmas is still FREE!  Book NOW to avoid disappointment
21st to 28th December £2,250

Book Securely Online Here and NOW to avoid disappointment!
If you are taking advantage of 4 to 11 October discount, please enter code OCT at checkout.

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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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Here at Blue Monkey…

…we’re excited to see that the sun is beginning to shine and the daffodils are already carpeting the forests!  So if you’re feeling the need for a fortifying breath of sea air, why not take a March mini break in Cornwall?  Life is beginning again down here as castles dust off their cobwebs, pigs are racing and even the birds are up to something…

The Devon Bird of Prey Centre

Just over an hour’s drive from Blue Monkey you can book in for an experience day and learn to fly a falcon!  You can try a 1-hour taster session, book a day with a falconer and learn how to fly the birds yourself, or you can just spectate.

Berry Pomeroy Castle

Just over the border in Devon, this castle was built in the 1560s and was intended to be a huge and wonderful place – Devon’s answer to Longleat.  But the project was never completed, and it is now a famously haunted romantic old ruin.  Definitely worth adding to your mini break in Cornwall schedule!

Pig Racing at Pennywell Farm

Pennywell Farm has opened up its gates for the Spring, and as horse racing doesn’t start until Easter, the pigs have decided to take the limelight with their own special Races.  This is a day out for families and the farm runs activities, free rides and different displays every half hour.  The farm is a very healthy way to entertain your children on a mini break in Cornwall.

Staring out to Sea

They say the best things in life are free… and maybe the best thing to do on a mini break in Cornwall is just to sit and enjoy the wonderful views of the Rame Peninsula.

Availability

Please check out our availability page here or email us at 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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“KAYAKING is one of the biggest rushes you can have on the water, letting you play in lakes, river rapids, waterfalls and even the sea. It’s also a great way to get up close to nature and check out the world around you from a brand new point of view, paddling silently through remote areas that most people will never get to visit.

Kayaking in Cornwall should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. It’s one of the UK’s most beautiful counties, known for its craggy rugged coastline, crystal clear blue water and plenty of awesome wildlife to see. Dolphins and seals are commonly spotted all over Cornwall.

If you are a beginner kayaker, there are plenty of spots to visit. From the calm, placid waters of the south to the windswept north coast, you won’t struggle to find some of the best places to go kayaking in the UK.”

(Kayak blogger Mpora)

Cawsand Beach

Two minutes walk from Blue Monkey is Cawsand beach where Mat will give Kayak lessons to absolute beginners and you can also book him to guide you around the coast.

Top Tip: Kayaking will exhaust your children – ensuring parents of a good night’s rest!!!

Portwrinkle

For the more adventurous, this Cornish Angler likes to fish from his Kayak! He recommends Portwrinkle, a former fishing village and harbour at the centre of Whitsand Bay. You can kayak close in or explore the reefs further out. Launch your kayak from within the tiny harbour, or Hoodny Cove to the west of it or Finnygook Beach to the East when there is low swell. Beware the strong tides that can flow across Whitsand Bay on Spring Tides.

Top Tip: Many species of fish can be caught from your kayak including Makerel, Plaice and Bass when in season.

Millbrook

The River Tamar marks the border between Devon and Cornwall with green rolling hills on either side. Start your paddle at Cotehele Quay, part of a National Trust property and head up past the Cotehele estate, Danesfield House and underneath the famous Calstock viaduct. You’ll pass Okel Tor Quay and Gawton Quay which were once key parts of the copper mining industry. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, kingfishers and peregrine falcons.

Top Tip: Blue Monkey has 2 Kayaks for our guests to use, free of charge. We provide life jackets and ask that you take full responsibility for your party’s safety whilst using the kayaks.

Thanks to Mpora where you will find many other articles on Kayaking in Cornwall.

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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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