Activity Holidays in Cornwall

Angling, Cycling, Golf, Horse Riding, Watersports & More

Cornwall's mix of coastline, moorland and countryside makes it one of England's best counties for an active break. Whether you're after a quiet day's fishing on a Bodmin Moor lake, a round of golf on a clifftop links course, or an afternoon surfing the Atlantic swell at Fistral, there's an activity to suit every visitor and every level of experience. Many of Cornwall's activity providers welcome complete beginners as readily as seasoned enthusiasts, with lessons, guided trips and equipment hire widely available.

Use the guides below to explore each activity in more depth - from angling and sea fishing, through cycling, flying, golf and horse riding, to guitar and music lessons, photography, wildlife watching, the county's sailing, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and water skiing scenes, and on to walking the South West Coast Path, Cornwall's museums and heritage sites, and children's activities and play centres for family days out. Each guide covers the best locations, practical information and local providers to help you plan your Cornwall activity holiday.

Choose an activity

Angling

Carp, coarse and fly fishing across Cornwall and Devon's rivers, lakes and reservoirs, with family fishing holidays and day-ticket venues throughout the county.

Explore Angling

Sea Fishing

Beach, rock and boat fishing around Cornwall's 400-mile coastline, plus rod licence information, tackle shops and fishing holiday accommodation.

Explore Sea Fishing

Cycling

The Camel Trail, the Mineral Tramways and a wide network of traffic-free trails across Cornwall and Devon, suitable for families and experienced riders alike.

Explore Cycling

Flying

Discover flying experiences including trial flights, pilot training and coastal sightseeing flights overlooking locations such as Land's End, St Michael's Mount, St Ives Bay and the North Cornwall coast.

Explore Flying

Golf

36 golf courses, clubs and driving ranges across Cornwall, from championship links at St Enodoc and St Mellion to relaxed pay-and-play courses.

Explore Golf

Guitar lessons and recording studios in Cornwall

Guitar Lessons & Recording Studios

Guitar tuition for all ages and abilities, plus professional recording studios across Cornwall and Plymouth, for anyone looking to learn, play or record.

Explore Guitar Lessons

Music lessons, schools and shops in Cornwall

Music Lessons, Schools & Shops

Piano, strings, brass, woodwind and drum tuition, plus instrument shops, across Cornwall and Plymouth for players of every age and ability.

Explore Music Lessons

Photography

The best coastal and heritage locations to shoot in Cornwall, from St Ives harbour to Botallack's clifftop engine houses, plus local tuition, workshops and camera shops.

Explore Photography

Wildlife

RSPB and Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserves, plus the best places to see grey seals, choughs, basking sharks, dolphins and more around the county.

Explore Wildlife

Horse Riding

Stables, trekking centres and riding schools across Cornwall, with bridleways and beach rides for all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced riders.

Explore Horse Riding

Sailing

Sheltered harbours and estuaries including Padstow, the Fal, and the Camel Estuary, offering dinghy sailing, cruising and sailing tuition for all levels.

Explore Sailing

Scuba Diving

Wrecks, reefs and marine life around Cornwall's coast, with dive schools and charter boats offering trips for qualified divers and beginners.

Explore Scuba Diving

Surfing

World-class Atlantic breaks at Fistral, Watergate Bay and beyond, with surf schools and board hire for beginners through to experienced surfers.

Explore Surfing

Windsurfing

Some of the country's best windsurfing spots, including Rock and Daymer Bay on the Camel Estuary, suited to beginners and experienced short-boarders alike.

Explore Windsurfing

Kite Surfing

Wave and flat-water kitesurfing from Watergate Bay to the Bluff at Hayle and Marazion, with schools, permit requirements and access rules for each spot.

Explore Kite Surfing

Wakeboarding and water skiing in Cornwall

Wakeboarding & Water Skiing

Boat-towed wakeboarding and water skiing on the Camel and Fal estuaries, plus a cable wake park near Falmouth, for complete beginners through to experienced riders.

Explore Wakeboarding & Water Skiing

South West Coast Path

25 practical walking legs from Bude to Plymouth, with distances, times, difficulty ratings, parking and recommended bases for exploring on foot.

Explore the Coast Path

Museums

Mining, maritime, artistic and social history across the county, from Geevor Tin Mine to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.

Explore Museums

Children's Activities

Indoor play, soft play, adventure parks and family attractions across the county, from Camel Creek to Paradise Park's JungleBarn, for family days out of all kinds.

Explore Children's Activities

Frequently asked questions

Cornwall offers a wide range of activity holidays, including angling and sea fishing, cycling, flying, golf, horse riding, guitar and music lessons, photography, sailing, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, walking the South West Coast Path, museums, wildlife watching and children's activities, thanks to its varied coastline, moorland and countryside.

Angling generally refers to coarse and fly fishing on Cornwall's rivers, lakes and reservoirs, while sea fishing covers beach, rock and boat fishing around the county's 400-mile coastline. Cornwall Online covers both, with separate guides for each.

Yes. Cornwall's Atlantic-facing north coast is one of the best surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations in the UK, while the sheltered estuaries and harbours of the south coast are popular for sailing, scuba diving and boat-towed wakeboarding and water skiing.

No. Most activities on this page, from surfing and kitesurfing to sailing, diving and horse riding, offer taster sessions and beginner lessons through qualified local schools and instructors. A few pursuits, such as certain wreck-diving sites or kitesurfing at spots like the Bluff in Hayle, do require prior qualifications or insurance, and this is noted on the relevant guide.

It depends on the activity. Watersports such as surfing and sailing generally run from spring through autumn, with some (like diving and lake-based windsurfing) available year-round. Cycling, golf, angling, horse riding and walking the Coast Path can all be enjoyed throughout the year, though summer offers the longest daylight hours and warmest conditions.

Yes, many providers cater specifically for families, including junior surf and sailing lessons, beginner-friendly cycle trails, pony trekking suitable for young children, indoor play centres, adventure parks and multi-activity days. Age and ability requirements vary by provider, so it's worth checking directly before booking.

Generally not. Most activity providers in Cornwall offer equipment hire and provide everything needed for lessons, from wetsuits and boards to bicycles, fishing tackle and riding gear. Bringing your own kit is usually optional rather than required.

Page last updated: August 2026.