Attractions
Canoe & Paddle Board Hire - from Gweek
Hire a Canoe or Paddle Board from down the hill in Gweek Boatyard and experience the peace, nature and wildlife when on the water. The Helford river estuary encompasses 50 miles of secluded shores and tranquil waters with 7 creeks to explore. It is a rare and cherished whilst place of tranquility in a busy world.
Drew Pilley runs a company called Immerse Outdoors which will get you on the water and other activities besides, so give him a call to find out more 07976 465614 (or go via website) . Due to the tidal variations, timings of trips from Gweek are variable. Booking in advance is necessary.
Other activities like bushcraft, kayaking, archery, earth oven making, wood crafts, outdoor learning courses andfire skills are also possible.
https://www.immerseoutdoors.co.uk/
Gweek's Black Swan Pub - with Lunch and Dinners
Walk down the hill and you can be fed and watered easily at Gweek'ssubstantial pub.
There are two beer garden areas, and large area inside which also squeezes in a pool table.
Their opening hour’s are currently Monday and Tuesday 12am - 9:30pm and Wednesday to Sunday 12am-11pm. It would be sensible to book a table ahead when eating there as sometimes it gets fully booked. Their phone number is : 01326 330477
On Wednesday evenings you can sometimes witness the silver band practising opposite the pub.
Local Walks from Gweek Campsite
https://footpathmap.co.uk/map/?zoom=14.815483773434536&lng=-5.22944&lat=50.09691
If you just want to short wander, we have an acre of woodland and a few acres of camping and growing land to stretch your legs around.
Fortunately the Public Footpath goes alongside our top field,so you can stroll a little further easily by crossing the stile. Take a left and get a glimpse of the Helford river from 200m along bridleway track.
For a more charming stroll, take a 5 minute walk down the road to the Gweek village center and then wander around. Perhaps take a rucksack to stock up at the local convenience shop and Post Office - which also has a coffee machine, warm pasties and Ice cream! Its especially nice on the village Green at at high tide. There are many different kinds of boats in dry dock at the boatyard which you can see if you head for their cafe.
For longer walks without getting in the car, there are a few loops which can be walked directly from the Campsite which involve a portion of the circuit being walked on the road. See coloured pathways and roads on photos of map or on footpath map weblinkor the Councils' own map click here
A 5km walk from Gweek to try might be: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/7315764/Gweek-Arthurs-Table
There is no direct footpath to the Coastal Paths from Gweek unfortunately, so best to use transport first tovisit any of the numerous and beautiful coastal walks and beaches close by.
Flambards Theme Park
Theme park for thrill rides, Victorian Village and exhibitions, plus children's indoor play area.
https://www.flambards.co.uk/
The Boatyard Cafe - in Gweek
Walk down to a great little Cafe with stimulating environment of fascinating boatyard scenes all around. There is an outside sitting area and a cosy comfortable inside space with free WiFi. Dogs are very welcome.
Their friendly staff seem to be able to cater for everything from breakfasts, lunches, hot and cold drinks, plant based milk alternatives, alcohol, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets.
Parking can be tight in boatyard, so near village green is another option and walk round.
https://theboatyardcafe.co.uk/
Potager Garden Cafe
his is a popular and fairly large nice Cafe set in old large converted glass houses with captivating beautiful vegetation decorating the place. The food is of high quality food with an emphasis towards vegetarian and an environmentally responsible ethos underpinning the business.The do breakfasts and lunches or just grab a drink and snack. The venue is set in lovely grounds and has a flair of the artistic. Workshops and events are also run from here occasionally.
It is best to bookbeforehand as may be sold out
https://www.potagergarden.org/
The Seal Sanctuary (in Gweek) - in Cornwall's Top 20 Attractions!
ou can WALK down to the Seal Sanctuary from the Campsite! Experience the wonderful marine animals up close and personal and learn all about their individual stories and watch them in action if you visit at feeding time or join a daily talk.
There are other animals there too and a Cafe. Your tickets are valid for 12 months so spread the visit over 2 days is an option at no extra cost or pop back just for the cafe.
The Sanctuary is now run by the Sea Trust charity and rescues and rehabilitates grey seal pups from around the Cornish coastline. It rehabilitates over 70 seal pups a year and provides a permanent home to some seals - (like Babyface who is now 44 yrs old). Becoming entangled with marine pollution can be an issue for seals, so to help understand that better, try their laccy band challenge for fun:https:// sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org/en/about-us/the-laccy-band-challenge/
Elsewhere, the Sea Trust set up the world's first Beluga Whale Sanctuary- a near threatened species.
https://sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org/en/
Cast Cafe - Helston
With a public Car Park right next to the cafe,Cast Cafe is convenient and a good location for a coffee, cake, breakfast, lunch, or a glass of beer or wine. They even put on the occasional event. Cast celebrates simple, honest, well-made food, using the best locally and responsibly sourced, seasonal ingredients, using seasonal ingredients from the best sustainable and ethical producers where possible.
See their website for sample menus, opening times, events, etc:https://castcafe.uk/ or call 01326 569267
Gweek Classic Boatyard - Viewing
What a fascinating subculture you can find at the Classic Boatyard! In a way this boatyard and it's activity is actually the hub of Gweek.The boatyard offers all the services you would expect a traditional boatyard to offer the leisure boater as well as facilities to cater for classic and modern boats alike. There is a well-stocked chandlery onsite, boats and engines for sale.
https://www.gweekquay.co.uk/
Stroll down to the Cafe here and admire the range of vesselsas well as the activity and supporting businesses which facilitate the boating scene.
Canoeing or Paddle boarding is also possible from here. Ask at the site office or book aheadvia https://www.immerseoutdoors.co.uk/
Beach Clean Volunteering via Gweek's "Clean Ocean Sailing
Gweek Campsite supports the Gweek based charitable organisation Clean Ocean Sailing (COS). There may be opportunities to get involved with marine plastic recovery missions or beach clean ups during your stay with us. Have a look at the link below and see what they are doing.
https://www.cleanoceansailing.com/
COS aims to clean our coasts and oceans sustainably under sail, and raising awareness about ocean plastics. We sail, paddle and go overland to remote, inaccessible places to clean up our coast by collecting plastic from the shores and sorting, recording, reusing and recycling it, and now we want you to join us.By volunteering, you can make a real difference to wildlife and the environment, make new friends, learn new skills and make the world a better place.
Gweek Campsite has taken a pledge with Plastic Free Helford River and Surfers Against Sewage to tackle single use plastic. Our wish is to eradicate it from the campsite and advocate that you do it too, not just when staying with us but all the time.
https://plasticfree.org.uk/get-involved/find-your-community/
@plasticfreehelfordriver
https://www.sas.org.uk/news/100-plastic-free-communities/
Meanwhile, we encourage you to take a pledge and do your own beach cleans as and when you visit the many stunningly beautiful beaches all around us, and help protect the fragile wildlife. Once you start seeing plastic on the beaches it will become second nature to pick it up. We have a dedicated bag you can buy from us for £3 which goes towards fundingClean Ocean Sailing. We have a dedicated bin in which to put the plastic you collect from the beach. This waste will be sailed up to Exeter and made into Kayaks.
Gweek Village Stores
A friendly convenience store, well stocked with a farm shop feel which stocks a range of most things - whether you are after a pint of milk, a birthday gift or an organic plant - and a few extra frills besides such as:
1. Ice creams on a hot day - to enjoy sitting on village Green benches staggered opposite shop perhaps.
2. Hot drinks and pasties snacks (and a seating area in big tent behind shop).
3. Fresh local veg and freezer fresh food.
4. Long opening times and 7 days/week
https://www.google.com/search?q=gweek%20shop&oq=gweek%20shop&aqs=chrome..69i57j…
Coastal Walk from Mullion Cove Harbour
A wonderfully wild and ragged feeling piece of Coast path - only about 15 minutes drive from Gweek Campsite. The harbour is distinctive and special in its own right and in tourist times a cafe is open there too.Head south along coast for a less populated, sometimes remote stretch with dramatic views and a feeling of getting away.
Parking is about 400m back inland from Mullion Cove Harbour.
Peppercorn Cafe
Good quality food,cute cafe within walking distance of coastal path
https://www.thepeppercorncafe.co.uk/
Cycling - Maintenance, Bike Hire & Route Planner websites
Bike Maintenance:
Basic level maintenance facilities and bike parking are available onsite at Gweek Campsite ...(just ask). Otherwise there are some bike business in Helston see links below:
https://www.thebikefairy.co.uk/
https://www.lakesidecycles.co.uk/
https://www.giant-helston.co.uk/gb
Local bike hire options:
Shipyard cycles in Porthleven:07462 411664 .
Lizard bike hire:07951 934 604 (they also bring/collect bikes to campsite for a fee£).
Lakeside Cycles in Helston:https://lakesidecycles.co.uk/
For a Useful cycle route planner, see these websites:
https://www.komoot.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/
https://www.cyclinguk.org/journey-planner
https://experience.cyclinguk.org/cornwall
Coastal Walk from Kennack Sand
Kennack Sands has good parking right next to beach and is just under 20 minutes drive - which has lifeguards on duty sometimes. The cafe isvery good selling food, drinks and ice-creamand open about 3/4 of the year (but only outside seating).
Best walk is to head off East along the beach - although other direction past caravan park is possible
Indian Restaurants - which deliver to Campsite
e more authentic Indian Restaurant & Takeaway is on 3 Wendron street, Helston, Tel: 01326 560560
They will deliver to Gweek Campsite (usually - unless extremely busy). Also they normally can accept payment over the phone .
The other Indian which will deliver to Gweek Campsite only accepts cash on delivery - this is the Anglo Asia at 2, the Parade, Helston, Tel: 01326 562881
Poldhu Beach - Walks, Nearest Surfing beach and Cafe open all year
Picture Postcard Poldhu Beach is 15 minutes drive away, has a car park, toilets and outdoor cafe open all year. Its the closest Surfing beach.
Walking South one passes the Marconi center - where the experiments across the Atlantic which gave rise to the mobile phone first happened.
Northwards one soon gets to a beautiful Gunwalloe Church Cove and a the National Trust cafe which does a very tasty Vegan Pasty.