It is really feeling like Spring in Cornwall – with flowers out along the hedgerows and the gardens at Treseren coming in to bloom with a riot of colour from the camellias and magnolias, to the sweep of yellow daffodils up the drive.
On a stunning blue sky day, what better way to enjoy the great outdoors than by exploring the countryside by bike. If you’re staying at Treseren, there are so many options for hiring bikes and some great cycle paths within easy reach for a great day out on holiday in Cornwall.
1. Cycling The Camel Trail
Probably one of the most scenic cycle paths in the UK. The Camel Trail occupies the old railway line connecting Wenford Bridge near Bodmin to Wadebridge and Padstow with 18 miles of virtually flat track, mostly traffic free. From woodlands and countryside to open outlooks of the stunning Camel Estuary to Rock, Padstow and out to sea, cycling the track reveals beautiful views and there’s plenty of great pit stops along the way.
For a day long adventure, hire a bike in Padstow (25 minute drive from Treseren) and set off on a round trip to Wadebridge or further on to Bodmin, with pit stops in Wadebridge where there are good cafes and amenities, plus some lovely parks. There are two bike hire options on the North Quay in Padstow – Padstow Cycle Hire and Trail Bike Hire. There there is also a large car park, but be sure to get there early in the summer months or school holidays to get your parking spot – and book your bikes ahead!
Both of these cycle hire shops stock tandems – so if you are staying at Treseren for your wedding and mini-moon, you can opt for a romantic bicycle made for two!
Another option is to start from Wadebridge, (Once again, a 25 minute drive from Treseren) where there are 2 or 3 cycle hire shops at the start of the trail and parking is a little easier.
This enables a shorter cycle of 5 – 6 miles in to Padstow – where fabulous restaurants, characterful harbour-side pubs and Rick Stein Fish and Chips are favourite choices.
Whether you start in Wadebridge or Padstow, go for a full on cycle or an amble to take in the view, this is pretty hard to beat as one of the best days out when you’re on holiday in Cornwall.
2. The Bike Trails, Lanhydrock
A favourite with our son, Max, and brilliant fun for little kids and older teenagers, the bike trails are accessible to all levels of cycling with colour coded trails taking you on woodland adventures.
Located a 30 minute drive from Treseren and with so much to do when you get there, it’s well worth the trip. If you are a National Trust member, it’s free to park and the cycle hire ranges from balance bikes for little kids to a range of good mountain bikes for teenagers and adults, all reasonably priced for a day or half day. Read more about the Lanhydrock trails here.
We had great fun last weekend on a blue sky day with a whole afternoon spent winding our way through the different paths – with Max taking on the bumps and jumps and me trying to keep up.
The great thing about this location is that there really is something for everyone. The new architect designed woodland cafe sits beautifully in the environment and with a brilliant organic play park alongside, it is a great place for cream tea and hot chocolate after your adventures, or even a nice place to relax for those who don’t fancy getting on their bike.
A short stroll down the hill will bring you to the main house; Lanhydrock is one of our favourite National Trust properties to visit. With guides in each room to help bring the past to life and plenty of history and interesting features, it’s well worth a look around.
3. Cardinham Woods
Another great woodland cycle trail, with different routes and scenic pathways for cyclists of all ages and abilities. An easy 30 minute drive from Treseren along the A30, with competitively priced cycle hire from Trailmunki who provide you with a map showing all the routes and places of interest:
With the award winning Woods cafe which serves stunning cakes and wonderful lunches, or a free to use BBQ area, this is a great spot to visit.
So even if you’re not a keen cyclist, we can recommend taking part in a bit of biking, with plenty of lovely cake and beautiful scenery to be enjoyed on route. Cycling adventures really can be some of the best days out in Cornwall for your holiday!
