Newquay Orchard

Head inland from Porth and you'll stumble on Newquay Orchard - a proper working fruit farm that feels like a step back in time. The appeal here is straightforward: you're wandering through rows of apple and pear trees, picking your own if you visit during season, and getting a real sense of how Cornish farming actually works rather than the polished version you might find elsewhere.

It's the kind of place families with younger children absolutely thrive at. There's something about letting kids loose to find their own fruit that beats any theme park queue. Adults who remember orchards from their own childhood will find it properly nostalgic. If you're after a sedate woodland stroll or dramatic views, you'll be disappointed - this is functional farmland, not a beauty spot.

The orchard sits within easy reach of the major holiday parks ringing the coast. Parkdean Resorts Crantock Beach Holiday Park is barely two miles away, making this an ideal half-morning detour when you've had enough of the beach. Trevornick and White Acres are similarly close enough for a quick outing without loading up the car for an expedition.

Contact them ahead to confirm what's actually open and whether picking is available - details are thin on the ground. You'll want to allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if the kids are properly engaged. Go during fruit season, obviously, or you're just looking at trees.