In close proximity:
The Pentewan Valley Cycle Trial - this links up with the national cycle trial, linking St. Austell to Pentewan and Heligan Gardens. It runs along a picturesque valley, where cycles can be hired by the hour, flat and easy going for beginners and experts alike. It runs along a river right into Pentewan itself, where there is an excellent beach, a few local shops and a St. Austell Ales pub (for connoisseurs of real ale). Pentewan is also the home of a sailing club, which specialises in small dinghy's.

Heligan Gardens - a place not to be missed by garden lovers, these lost gardens were re-found some years ago, and are constantly being added to and refurbished, using plans going back a great many years. This was the first cornish works undertaken by Tim Smit of Eden Project fame.

Mevagissey - An old cornish fishing port, a lovely place to view the sea, and get a whif of fish in the air, mind the very narrow roads, it does get congested, but is well worth the visit and saviour cornish fish and chips, or for the more gourmetically minded, there are several really good fish restaurants. Also a model railway and an aquarium. Cliff walks are a must to blow away the stress of an upcountry lifestyle.

A little further afield
The Eden Project - world reknowned domes, and a place not to be missed. Constantly changing and improving, most people go back time and time again.

St. Austell - this old market town, although not at present presenting a great deal in the way of character, is in actual fact larger than Truro (the capital of Cornwall), and is currently going complete regeneration.. a place to visit and view the changes over the coming years, as it creaps ahead at it's own cornish pace.

Fowey - Once the haven of smugglers and larger tall ships, now one of the major china clay ports, offers beautiful views and many wonderful gift shops. In the area of Daphne Du Murier and mentioned in several of her books. Cruise ships have just started to call on this old port, and it hosts the Royal Fowey Yacht Club, great for those with a bigger boat!