Sunday 15 January 2012

Easter Fun in Cornwall for Families 2012


EASTER EGG TRAIL AT ANTONY HOUSE

6th, 8th and 9th April
Follow the clues around the garden to complete the trail and earn your chocolate treat. We did this last year and had a great time, please see post http://merlinfarm.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html
Price: All Tickets £2 (per trail)
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-antony

EASTER GARDEN TRAIL AT LANHYDROCK HOUSE
31 March - 15 April   
Find all the clues to win an Easter themed prize
Price: All Tickets £2. 10:00am to 5:00pm
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lanhydrock/

EASTER TRAIL AT TREBAH GARDENS

24th March - 15th April
A sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop. One of the Great Gardens of Cornwall and rated among the 80 finest gardens in the world.
Normal admission applies plus £2 per trail to include a special prize.
http://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/

EASTER FAMILY FUN TRAILS AT PENDENNIS & TINTAGEL CASTLES
31 March - 15 April
Can you crack our clues to complete this ‘egg-citing’ trail? Find the missing eggs around the grounds to be rewarded with a yummy Easter prize. Also take part in our egg-tra special craft activities, for all the family. Normal admission prices apply 10am -5pm (4pm Sat)
 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle/
 and http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/tintagel-castle/

TIME TRAVELLERS GO... SECRETS & SPIES  
9-13 April
Calling all super sleuths, secret agents, and investigators! Sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in disguising yourself and cracking codes and clues.
Normal admission prices + £1 per child for the spying activities 11am - 5pm
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle/

We'll add more events as soon as we find out about them !

MERLIN FARM STILL HAS AVAILABILITY FOR THE EASTER HOLIDAYS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR PRICES AND AVAILABILITY HTTP://WWW.MERLINFARM.CO.UK




Saturday 14 January 2012

10 things to do this Feb Half Term in Cornwall !

When guests come to stay at Merlin Farm, we like to give some pointers so that they get to see and visit the best places in Cornwall. Here are just a few, perfect for a fresh February stay......(some are weather permitting, obviously !)


1. Take a walk along the North Cornwall Coastline. Walk direct from Merlin Farm to Mawgan Porth Beach, then choose which direction you want to walk: to Watergate Bay (call i
n to the Beach Hut cafe for an Extreme Hot Chocolate !) or Bedruthan Steps (where you'll find Carnewas Tea Rooms where in our opinion serve the best Cream Teas in Cornwall !)


2. Hire a bike and cyle the Camel Trail. Or you can walk. Follow the beautiful Camel Estuary from Wadebridge to Padstow. Reward yourself with a proper Cornish Pasty from the Chough Bakery (award winning pasties !) and some fudge (white chocolate coated Baileys fudge is my favourite !)


3. Ice Skating at the Eden Project. The Eden Project in itself is a must see attraction in Cornwall, and their Ice Skating Rink is open until the end of Half Term (we rccommend you book your slots online to avoid disappointment).


4. Get on a Train and visit St Ives for the day. You can drive straight there, but personally we prefer to get the Train and enjoy the sights leading up to St Ives. We suggest parking at Lelant (free parking at station). There are some lovely places to eat and drink (Porthminster Cafe), lovely shops and the Tate Gallery.


5. Visit Lanhydrock House. You can drive to this National Trust House near Bodmin, or to make more of an adventure of it by parking at Bodmin Parkway Railway Station and walking along the old Coach lane (about 30-40 mins).


6. Horse Riding. Take a Beach Ride on Perranporth: Reen Manor Riding Stables, Perranporth, TR6 0AJ, 01872 573064 or a Ponk Trek along the Ganel Estuary in Newquay: Trenance Riding Stables, Trenance Lane, Newquay TR7 2HU, 01637 872 699.


7. Visit Newquay Zoo. Get closer to over 130 species at award winning Newquay Zoo! Feed a Lemur Experience and Penguin encounters. See the penguins relaxing in their pool, visit the creepiest crawlies in the atmospheric tropical house, watch the big cats get their lunch and learn more about conservation. Animal encounters and exciting keeper talks as well as activity trails, face painting, children’s play area and Dragon maze offer plenty to keep people of all abilities and ages occupied – a perfect day out for the whole family!


8. Go to the Movies. Newquay Cinema (or Wadebridge) is always a good back up plan for rainy days ! For whats on visit http://wtwcinemas.co.uk/nqytim.htm


9. Visit St Michaels Mount. Walk along Marazion Beach at Mounts Bay and across the causeway at lowtide to this iconic National Trust Island.


10. Visit Fowey. We love this place for its charming tiny Cornish streets, Readymoney Cove, St Catherines Fort and the passenger Ferry across to Mevagissey.


Merlin Farm is perfectly located centrally in Cornwall making everywhere in the County accessable within a day drip  !

Check availability at Merlin Farm Holiday Cottages now http://merlinfarm.co.uk/rates.htm