Poldark inspired days out that kids will love too
By Pentewan Sands on the August 19th, 2019 in Holidays, Family, Cornwall, Activities
Grab your tricorn hat and join Captain Ross Poldark on a swoon-worthy adventure around Cornwall. Expect beautiful scenery, masses of new experiences and crazily good family fun. This is a slice of Poldark that even the littlest members of the clan will enjoy!
Visit a real-life film set
Right on our doorstep, Charlestown with its Grade II Listed harbour and 17th Century Tall Ships spends its days as a real-life film set. As you wander past the characterful cottages and around the historic harbour you’ll instantly feel like you’ve cast as an extra while kids will have fun spotting the various houses and buildings that feature in the series as Charlestown doubles as Truro. Delve into the Shipwreck and Heritage Centre to undercover the area’s smuggling past then head out onto the towering coast path for a bird’s eye view of the heritage-rich beauty spot.
Head to Holywell
With a sweep of golden sand and gigantic sand dunes it’s easy to see why location managers fell head-over-heels for Holywell Bay near Newquay…so much so that it pops up in almost every episode! Visit at low tide to walk the width of the beach and explore the caves aka Morwenna and Drake, stare wistfully out to the iconic Gull Rock or challenge the kids to races up and down the sand dunes.
Go directly to jail
A dose of bravery might be required for this one as Bodmin Jail is more than a little creepy…and for good reason; it housed prisoners for nearly 150 years until 1927 and is home to the only working execution pit in the UK. Eeek! Ross awaited his fate in the dank cells here for a bevy of charges covering everything from inciting a riot to theft and wrecking. Follow in his footsteps and wander through the depths of the jail discovering tales of courage, despair and sheer terror…oh, and as one of the UK’s most haunted venues you’d better keep an eye out for ghostly goings on!
Go underground
The series’ namesake Poldark Mine enjoyed a star billing in the underground sequences in both the current and original TV productions - but this mine isn’t just a film set, it’s the real McCoy. As the only complete mine in Cornwall that’s open to the public for underground guided tours, and with a 18th Century heyday, Poldark experiences don’t get much more authentic than this. It offers a hands-on history lesson that will keep the whole family spellbind.
Cycle the Mineral Tramways Mining Trail
Families flock to the Mineral Tramways network of multi-use trails for its easy going, mostly off-road credentials. Covering 37.5 miles in total, many of the six trails on the network closely follow the tramway and railway routes once used to transport ore and vital supplies to and from the tin and copper mines. Take your pick of routes and on two wheels spot physical evidence of how the region was shaped by mining. Great for all ages with plenty of cycle hire and ice-creams stops enroute.
Be inspired by Perranporth
Take the kids to where it all began; Perranporth beach with its incredible three mile expanse of golden sand and legendary surf. Join the action in the sea then strike out along the South West Coast Path and race to hunt down the memorial bench and plaque which marks the spot where Winston Graham’s writing chalet once stood. Young minds will be inspired to hear that it was here that Winston Graham first penned Poldark and drew inspiration for his characters and much-loved plots.
Poldark loves Cornwall
Love Cornwall? You’re in good company, while filming the Poldark cast fell head over heels for it too…
"Cornwall is such an important character in this show and a beautiful landscape. I am definitely going to have to go back of my own accord and holiday there as it is home to some of the most beautiful places I have ever been,” says Harry Richardson aka Drake Carne.
Eleanor Tomlinson who plays Demelza Poldark was sad to say goodbye to Cornwall when filming wrapped at the end of series five: “I will really miss Cornwall, it has been a huge part of this show, it is the heartbeat of Poldark and getting to go there every year for a few weeks has been incredible. It is so beautiful and I will miss it dearly.”
All this family fun is just for starters! At Pentewan Sands you can take your pick of family-friendly things to do and ways to stay. Discover family holidays here.