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Things to Do and See

	Great reasons to visit South East Cornwall soon: During July, there are some great festivals and shows taking place across South East Cornwall.....some of them in the grounds of wonderful country estates like Boconnoc and Port Eliot. There's a varied programme of open air theatre on Bodmin Moor at Sterts, fantastic family days out at vintage steam fairs and agricultural shows, steeped in the traditions of the Cornish farming community. There's open air concerts in parks and at the Eden Project, regattas on the water and carnivals in the towns. More details below: Sterts Open Air Theatre - on Bodmin Moor throughout the Summer Fowey - Wind in the Willows River Cruises 4-5th July Saltash Regatta Sat 11th July Liskeard & District Agricultural Show - a bit like the Royal Cornwall Show (only on a smaller scale) 24-26th July - Port Eliot Literary Festival - St.Germans 24-26th Boconnoc Steam Fair - Lostwithiel Check the Weather Forecast for Looe Check the South East Cornwall Calendar of Events

LOOE - Visitors return to the historic port of Looe year after year because it offers something special to so many visitors of all ages. Quaint streets, safe sandy beaches, rock pools, deep-sea/shark or fly fishing, diving, sailing, boating, golf, and much more. Or the simple things in life - the pleasure of eating a Cornish pasty, catching crabs on the quay-side or watching the returning fishing fleet unload their catch.

And for those who like to explore further afield, Polraen is an ideal touring base within easy reach of the Eden Project (35 mins by car), historic houses and gardens such as The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Lanhydrock and Cotehele and the long sandy beaches at Whitsand Bay.

The 5 minute journey from our location at Sandplace into Looe on the Looe Valley Line is one of the great highlights about staying at Polraen as you can spot the hotel (a bit like the Railway Children!) and see wildlife and birds from the train as it skirts the river bank just above the water line into Looe. Few country houses offer such convenient access to Looe without the need to use a car.

Looe has acquired world wide fame as the centre for shark angling in Britain. Boats may be chartered for this and mackerel and bottom fishing. Martin has had much success bass fishing and is an experienced fly fisherman so he can share a few stories and tips on good locations for both saltwater and fly fishing in the area. We can also help you uncover the fascinating world along the Looe shoreline as we are active volunteers within the Voluntary Marine Conservation Area for Looe, managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. They organise wonderful rock shore rambles, snorkelling safaris and events to help visitors understand the importance of the marine heritage that sits along the Looe shore line and we have had the privilege to be involved in seal surveys, beach clean ups and audits of the rocky shoreline. You can also take a trip to St George's island - a nature reserve managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust located just off the Looe coastline.

A range of boat and canoe trips is available in both the Looe and Fowey River estuaries from up river, or to points along the coastline. And now there is a wide range of first class Holiday Activities in Cornwall which you can book and pay for online in advance of your visit, via the services of Active-8 - a local company which arranges and books activities often at the same price as direct booking. They cater for Families, singles, couples & groups and for beginners to experts alike. From Coasteering in Cornwall to Canoeing to Horse riding and Helicopter flights, they have something for everyone!

WALKING IN SOUTH EAST CORNWALL
The Looe-Polperro walk on the South West Coast Path, and then beyond to Polruan and Fowey, is arguably one of the most beautiful stretches on the southern coastline. Arrive in Polperro in time for a pint at The Three pilchards or Blue Peter before strolling around the quaint harbour. For contrast, drive inland to Bodmin and Dartmoor.
AND IN THE LOOE VALLEY- Enjoy the lovely environment of the Looe Valley on a range of walks accessible from the Looe Valley Line train, featured in the 'Trails from the Track' Pack (which we provide for free) published by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. There is also a bird spotting guide so you can plan a great day out without the car direct from the doorstep at Polraen!! And for some light refreshment on your travels, follow the Looe Valley Line Rail Ale Trail, featuring 9 distinctive pubs/inns serving real ale situated within walking distance of the Looe Valley Line stations. In September, we have the annual Looe Valley Walking Festival with a varied programme of great walks and events featuring train rides on the Looe Valley Line. For further details on Looe Valley and other branch line services, contact the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership (01752) 233094 or click here LOOE VALLEY WALKS.

THE EDEN PROJECT(only 35 minutes by car from Polraen) - is on everyone's 'must-do' list. A spectacular and visionary project bringing together the gardens of the world under one roof and helping us all to understand the importance of our environment. 
       
MORE GARDENS
We are fortunate here in Cornwall to be blessed with the kind of mild maritime climate in which even tropical species can thrive and the abundance of flora and fauna in the hedgerows and countryside will surprise you at any time of year. You must visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan, but there's a wealth of others further west such as Trebah Garden Trust, Trelissick, Trerice, Trevarno, Trewidden, Trewithen .... you get the picture! For opening times and prices of the Eden Project; also 50+ major and smaller gardens in Cornwall click here (Please note you are leaving Polraen Country House - these links will open in a new window - just close it to return here.)

HISTORIC HOUSES
Lanhydrock is amazing! A jewel in the National Trust's crown, capturing upstairs/downstairs Victorian life as if time stood still. Then Cotehele overlooking the Tamar is genteel and calming while a drive along Whitsand Bay brings you to Mt Edgcumbe, set in a deer park with formal gardens that command a fantastic view across Plymouth Sound. (All within 30 minutes drive from Polraen.)

GREAT FOR KIDS
With 2 young children of our own, a few places stand out for both educational and entertainment value. Morwellham Quay (approx 30 minute drive) was once the largest copper mine in Queen Victoria's empire. Set in the beautiful Tamar Valley, the area has recently been awarded World Heritage Site status, to recognise the contribution made to the world by the mining industry. 'At the bottom of every mine in the world, there's a Cornish man'. Schedule a full family day out to really enjoy this unique riverside village which has been rediscovered and restored as a living outdoor museum. Dress up in Victorian clothes, see demonstrations of rope making, visit the cooper's and blacksmiths workshop, play Victorian games in the school yard, and travel into the depths of the copper mine to appreciate the working conditions. Porfell Animal Land (approx 15 minute drive) is especially great for toddlers and young children, with a wide range of exotic species from lemurs to zebras, from snakes to meerkats, and lots of hands on experience feeding the very tame deer and birdlife. Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium (approx 35 minute drive) is 'Britain's Biggest and Europe's deepest' with a walk through tunnel where you can get a close up view of the sharks - impressive at feeding time! And if you prefer your steam trains full size, then the Bodmin-Wenford Steam Railway (approx 25 minutes) should satisfy the steam train enthusiasts.

GOLF
Bindown golf club 18 holes - only 2 miles from Polraen.
(Within 40 minutes drive: there are golf & country clubs at St Mellion, Lanhydrock and Lostwithiel.)
For more ideas and information on places to visit, click here to view The Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions website.
(Please note you are leaving Polraen Country House - these links will open in a new window - just close it to return here.) 

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