What's nearby at Deerpark, Cornwall
Nearby sites & attractions
Attractions and activities you'll find near Deerpark, Cornwall
Walking and hiking
On your Cornwall walking holiday, spot rare wildlife and flourishing botanical wonders and discover a history that takes in prehistoric standing stones to 19th century silver and tin mining.
Walking and hiking at Deerpark
Cornwall cycling trails
Cycling in Cornwall is a rewarding experience, with a gently undulating landscape that is beautiful and not too challenging. From the family-friendly off-road Camel Trail across the heart of east Cornwall to the country lanes of the Caradon Trail, cycling is a great way to explore the local area.
Pre-bookable third party activities near Deerpark
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Go Ape Tree Top Adventure from £18
Go Ape Tree Top Challenge from £31.50
Eden Project tickets from £11
Bodmin Jail self-guided tour from £12.50
Family days out
Cornwall has no shortage of great things to do together as a family. Go wild at Newquay Zoo, where you can see over 130 of the world’s rarest and most exciting creatures, from big cats to creepy crawlies. Or meet the monkeys at The Monkey Sanctuary, just 11 miles from Deerpark. Pick up the pace with a hair-raising race round the purpose-built 800m track at Kartworld near Liskeard. There’s also a child-friendly circuit for the little ones. And don’t miss the Eden Project, where, as well as the magnificent gardens, there are lots of exciting attractions.
History and heritage
Cornwall’s rich history is told in in the many museums of the county. With a coast as long as Cornwall’s, you won’t be surprised to find Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing, a tiny treasure trove of maritime enterprise. Cornwall’s mining heritage is brought to life at Wheal Martyn in St. Austell, a working china clay mine, and Stuart House in Liskeard tells of life in medieval Cornwall. The county has fought some big battles too and, if military history is your thing, Cornwall’s Regimental Museum is a must.
Pubs and restaurants
Lunch or dinner at the Plough Inn at Duloe will be one of the highlights of your holiday. This traditional Cornish pub has fabulous menus using seasonal and local produce, great views and a warm welcome; and it’s just 10 minutes from Deerpark. For a wider choice of restaurants and pubs, head down to the coast at Looe and Polperro where, of course, you can also enjoy fish and chips.
Coast and beaches
Boasting quaint fishing harbours and family-friendly beaches, south-east Cornwall is the perfect holiday destination. Polperro, just 15 minutes from Deerpark, is a picturesque harbour village; and nearby Looe will reward you with a fine, sandy beach and a clutch of excellent restaurants. Family- friendly beaches nearby include Whitsand Bay, a perfect three mile stretch of sand and surf; Lantic Bay, a hidden jewel with pristine white sand; and Seaton, a quiet shingle beach. All three are dog-friendly and close enough to visit for an hour or a day.
Lucy Stephenson
Operations Manager, Deerpark
My favourite 'secret spot' is definitely Lantic Bay, it's beautiful, but small and quiet, and relatively unknown.
Outdoor adventures
Outdoor adventures can be as simple as exploring Cardinham Woods, where ancient woodland gives way to beautiful views and perfect picnic spots. Cornwall is also one of the best places in the country for birdwatching, being home to 450 different bird species, including, at Deerpark, woodpeckers, marsh tits, owls and buzzards. For more energetic adventures, Go Ape is nearby, with 10% off for Forest Holidays guests who want to swing from the trees. Out on the water, Siblyback Lake, near Liskeard, offers windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, wakeboarding and trout fishing.
Rainy day activities
Don’t let the rain stop play. Go on a tour around Cornwall's only underground slate mine, Carnglaze Caverns. Learn about the history of slate mining, see the underground lake and, above ground, shelter beneath the trees on the woodland walk. Also great when the weather isn’t, is the Eden Project, where you enter another world beneath the huge biomes. For a darker experience, Bodmin Jail, an old Civil and Naval prison and now a museum over 6 levels, offers a fascinating insight into crime and punishment in Cornwall over the centuries.
The Eden Project
One of the most successful tourist attractions in Britain and home to over a million plants from around the world, the Eden Project guarantees an absorbing, educational and fun day out. Enter the exotic worlds beneath the biomes, test your nerve on The Drop - a free fall three-storey drop on to a giant air-bag; or reach speeds of up to 60mph on SkyWire - the longest zip wire in England, among many other absorbing and thrilling attractions. Book discounted tickets for your visit to the Eden Project through your Forest Holidays online account and they will be ready for you when you check in at Deerpark.
Wildlife & nature
At Deerpark you'll find some of the most unique wildlife in the UK
A carpet of bluebells
There are over 250 species within Deerpark, which vary from season-to-season. Spring is a glorious time of year which sees bluebells, wood sorrel, dogs mercury, violet, primrose, and yellow carpets of opposite leaved golden saxifrage appear along the watercourses.
The bright and beautiful kingfisher
At Deerpark there are a variety of animals that call the forest their home. Look for the bright blue and orange plumage of the kingfisher. Watch as they stay close to the water's edge, ready to dive in and catch their lunch in their long, dagger-like bills.
Stuart Moir
General Manager, Deerpark
One of our favourite things to do when it's raining is visit the Eden Project. We are members and visit as often as we can, they have ever-changing activities for the family.
Poldark country
If you loved the book or the TV series of Poldark, you will love the real-life locations. The dramatic headland around St. Agnes Head is known as Poldark Country, which was at the heart of Cornwall’s tin mining industry and was the inspiration for the Poldark books. Nearby Bodmin Moor features in many of the scenes from the latest TV series and, half an hour down the coast from Deerpark, visit Charlestown, the beautifully preserved Georgian port which featured as Truro.
Book your break
Whatever the weather, there's so much fun to be had in beautiful Cornwall and our cabins at Deerpark provide the perfect base for your exploration.