Linear Park

A former railway line turned nature trail - that's Linear Park in a nutshell. The path follows the old track bed between Charlestown and Wheal Jane, giving you a dead-straight walk through proper Cornish countryside with none of the strenuous climbing you get on coastal paths round here.

It's genuinely brilliant for families. Kids don't tire as quickly on flat ground, and there's enough woodland, wildflower banks, and the occasional glimpse of old mining heritage to keep them engaged. The whole thing takes about an hour at an easy pace, maybe ninety minutes if you stop to nose around the overgrown engine houses tucked into the hedgerows. Dog walkers love it too - off-road and traffic-free the whole way.

Historically minded types will get a kick out of spotting the industrial leftovers: this was tin and copper country, and the landscape still bears the scars of that era in the most appealing way. Nothing dramatic, but quietly atmospheric.

The beauty of Linear Park is how it slots into a wider holiday. You're barely twenty minutes' drive from Heligan Caravan and Camping Park or Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, both of which sit on the coast, so you can combine this gentle inland stroll with beach days without faffing about. The Meadows Campsite is even closer at 3.3 miles, making it a proper no-brainer for a quick morning walk before heading elsewhere.

Free to use, no gates, no hassle. Turn up whenever you fancy.