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When looking for adrenaline-fueled activity holidays Cornwall might not come immediately to mind.
For me at least, I’d always associated Cornwall with quaint harbour towns, long walks along the coast, afternoons laying on the beach and maybe the odd bit of surfing. A beautiful place of course, but with a much slower pace of life.
Turns out, when it comes to outdoor adventure activities and extreme sports Cornwall has it all!
On my latest trip to England’s southwest coast, I made sure to make the most of plenty of the adventure activities Cornwall has to offer. So to help you adrenaline junkies enjoy your next visit too, here are 7 outdoor activities in Cornwall which are sure to get your heart racing…
England’s longest and fastest zip line over the Eden Project
You probably already know that Cornwall is home to the Eden Project, England’s most impressive botanical garden housed in two tropical biomes inside of a reclaimed china clay pit, but did you know that the Eden Project is also where you’ll find some of Cornwall’s best adventure activities?
Most excitingly is the SkyWire, England’s longest and fastest zip wire, which covers 660 metres and travels at speeds of up to 60mph right over the top of the Eden Projects’ biomes.
As well as the zipline, the adventure park also has several other activities including a 360-degree swing, aerial trekking and high ropes, a 33ft base jump plus more.
Hangloose Adventure’s adrenaline activity centre at the Eden Project is without a doubt one of the best days out in Cornwall for adults and children looking for adventure in an extremely unique location.
Book: Hangloose Adventures.
Where? St Austell, South Cornwall.
How much? £33 for 20 minutes, £38 for 30 minutes.
Quadbiking at the ATV Centre
Another of my personal favourite outdoor activities Cornwall has to offer is quad biking.
Suitable for people of all ages and abilities, Cornwall’s ATV Centre has 3 different tracks, one small one for practice laps and two much longer ones. In fact, their 1.2km track is the largest Quad track in the country and is full of winding corners and jumps to take as slow or fast as you feel comfortable with.
Once you arrive at the centre, you’ll get kitted up in safety equipment and taken out to the small tuition track to get to grips with the bike. When the instructor thinks you’re ready you’ll be sent to the main tracks and your time begins.
Book: ATV Centre.
Where? Truro, South Cornwall.
How much? £33 for 20 minutes, £38 for 30 minutes.
Caving with Cornwall Underground Adventures
Explore Cornwall’s abandoned tin mines near the old mining district of St Just on a caving adventure with Cornwall Underground Adventures.
Their Underground Adventurer trip takes you on an adrenalin-filled adventure through a maze of underground tunnels, which includes traversing through gaping chasms and flooded passages, abseiling down mine shafts, mine climbing and more.
Or for those who would like to explore the mines but without the more physical element, you can also opt for their Underground Explorer trip which is an easier walk through some of the underground mines.
Book: Cornwall Underground Adventures.
Where? St Just, West Cornwall.
How much? £50 per person for 3-4 hours (Adventurer), £40pp for 2-3 hours (Explorer).
Coasteering down the Cornwall coastline with Kernow
With its dramatic coastline made up of jagged cliffs and charming coves sculpted by the turbulent seas of the Atlantic, it’s no wonder that Cornwall is one of the best places in the UK for coasteering.
Climb, swim and jump your way along the Cornish coastline with Kernow Coasteering who run adrenaline-fueled adventures all around Land’s End peninsula in West Cornwall. You’ll traverse the rocky coastline, jump off cliffs and swim in the region’s beautiful blue waters with the assistance of a professional guide.
Book: Kernow Coasteering.
Where? HQ in Penzance but activity happens all over West Cornwall.
How much? £40 per person for 3 hours.
Get Wet & Wild at the Adrenalin Quarry
The Adrenaline Quarry is a hub of outdoor adventure activities in Cornwall, with a giant aquapark, wild swimming, zip wire, giant swing, axe throwing and go-karting, all in one spot.
While the Adrenaline Quarry has every type of extreme activity thrill-seekers could possibly want, don’t forget to let your inner child out to play and take a climb and bounce around the huge inflatable playground, with extreme trampolines, monkey bars and swings galore.
Book: Adrenalin Quarry.
Where? Liskeard, South East Cornwall.
How much? Aquapark £15 per person, Axe throwing £12.50, Zip £12.50, Swing £15, Go-karting £30 for 30 mins. Discounts for multiple bookings.
Take a SUP tour with SUP in a Bag
While stand up paddleboarding (SUP) may be a little lower in intensity than the other activities on this list, it’s still one of the most popular outdoor adventures in Cornwall and a must-try at least once!
SUP in a Bag runs beginners tours in locations all around Cornwall’s stunning coastline. For more experienced SUP users, the ‘like a Local’ tours can be tailored with wildlife safaris, trips to a waterside pub or relaxing evening sunset trips.
Book: SUP in a Bag.
Where? Multiple locations in North and West Cornwall.
How much? £45 for a 2.5 hour guided tour.
Head on a Jet Ski Safari with Waverunner Safaris
And finally, for one more burst of adrenaline on your Cornwall adventure holiday, ride the waves on a jet ski safari.
Waverunner Safaris run a number of jet ski lessons and tours in Lusty Glaze in Newquay and Carlyon Bay in St Austell. For absolute beginners or more nervous riders, you can take a taster session with an instructor on the back to teach you the ropes, whilst more confident riders can opt for the longer safaris which last up to 90 minutes and take you out to spot the likes of dolphins, sunfish and seals.
Book: Waverunner Safaris.
Where? Newquay and St Austell.
How much? From £65 for 50 minutes, £120 for 90 minutes.
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Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.
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