The best buggy-friendly walks in Cornwall

From woodland trails to easy coastal strolls

With the flowers in bloom, the sun warming up and blue skies aplenty, weekends call for walks in the fresh air. While Cornwall has plenty of picturesque walking routes, we’ve rounded up eight of the best for young families – with no steps, stiles or steep hills in sight.

What’s more, these routes also welcome dogs, so the whole family can enjoy an afternoon exploring some of Cornwall’s prettiest places.

Cardinham Woods

1.7 miles (Lady Vale) | Approx. 30 minutes | Easy | See more details here.

Not far from Lanhydrock in North Cornwall, Cardinham Woods is a beautiful, forested valley. With circular trails, a large grassy picnic area and a playground, an afternoon at Cardinham Woods is a great day out for the whole family. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Lady Vale walk, where four-legged friends can play in the stream and babies can doze in their prams.

Youngsters will love exploring the Zog Activity Trail - pick up an adventure pack from the Ranger’s Hut on site before setting off to discover the the wanders that await in the forest.

We recommend: packing a picnic and enjoying an al fresco lunch in the sunshine. On days where the sun’s not shining, head into Woods Café for a delicious slice of homemade cake and pots of tea.

Coulson Park, Lostwithiel

2 miles there and back | 40 minutes | Easy | See more details here.

Begin by parking on Quay Street; a small car park that runs along the River Fowey in Lostwithiel. From here, you can join the flat path that meanders underneath the railway bridge and into Coulson Park. Loved for its accessibility and river views, it makes a lovely gentle stroll with a pram or a pushchair. Depending on the tide, you may see ducks taking to the water or kayaks gliding past on their way over to Fowey. There's a playground for little ones to enjoy or you can continue along the gravel track as it weaves past picnic spots and moored boats.

Eventually, you'll reach Shirehall Moor Nature Reserve which is where keen bird watchers and fishermen enjoy whiling away the hours with the occasional toot of a passing train keeping them company. Turn around here and amble back along the same route you've just followed - depending on your plans for the day, you can continue your walk into the town of Lostwithiel where delis, bakeries and an ice cream shop promise to fill hungry bellies. 

We recommend: stopping by the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery for a cream tea and wandering around the potting sheds.
 

Camel Trail

5.5 miles (Wadebridge to Padstow) | Approx. 1 hour, 50 minutes | Easy | See more details here.

Running alongside the Camel Estuary, this easy walk is well-loved amongst locals. Welcoming dogs and cyclists too, the Camel Trail is very accessible for prams and pushchairs. Start in Wadebridge and enjoy a gentle walk along the sparkling river. Low tide reveals beautiful stretches of golden sand – spot herons and oystercatchers searching for their lunch or watch kayakers paddle past at high tide.

For a shorter route, join the trail in Bodmin and walk beneath the trees to Grogley Halt. An old railway station, it makes a good place to stop for a flask of tea before heading back along the sheltered track.  

We recommend: heading to Padstow for a harbourside lunch. Pick up pasties from Chough Bakery or indulge in a scoop of Roskilly’s ice cream.

Tehidy Woods

Varied trail lengths | 20 minutes - 1 hour, 30 minutes, depending on the route | Easy | See more details here.

Not far from St Ives, Tehidy Woods offers a haven of tranquillity away from the hubbub of the town. The largest area of woodland in West Cornwall, Tehidy Woods is easily accessible and perfect for warm afternoons. Little ones can watch the swans and ducks from their buggies as you stroll around the lakes.

If you have four-legged friends with you, follow the North Cliffs route – a longer walk taking you around the Rose Garden and through the leafy woodlands.

We recommend: visiting in the early spring to see the bluebells in bloom around the woodland.

Rock to Daymer Bay

1.5 miles each way | Approx. 30 minutes each way | Moderate | See more details here.

When in Cornwall, a day on the beach is a must. If you have a sturdier three-wheeler buggy, a walk along the dunes towards Daymer Bay makes an enjoyable afternoon out. With soft sand, glistening waters and flat grassland, the route is great for children to explore. Arriving at Daymer Bay, let youngsters dip their toes in the shallows before using buckets and spades to make sandcastles – or simply roll out a blanket and watch the waves roll in.

We recommend: picking up dinner from Rock Fish and Chips on your way home – the perfect way to refuel.

Swanpool to Gyllyngvase Beach

1.2 miles there and back | Under 30 minutes there and back | Easy | See more details here.

A short and easy-going walk along the coast, follow the signposts from Swanpool to Gylly Beach. Great for prams and pushchairs, the route is smooth and takes about half an hour to complete. Admire the sparkling ocean as you stroll past the pretty pastel-coloured beach huts. If you have older children with you, they’ll love exploring the beaches for treasures or seeking out little fish in the rock pools.

We recommend: enjoying an al fresco lunch at the Gylly Beach Café – take a seat on the outside terrace and order a few small plates for everyone to tuck into.

Penrose to Porthleven

6 miles there and back | Approx. 2 hours | Moderate | See more details here.

An easy-to-moderate walk along the coast, this route is the perfect way to take in the sea views before stopping for lunch in Porthleven. The short walk around the estate and lake at Penrose is great for less hardy city-style buggies. For those with sturdy prams suitable for all terrains, continue onto the coast path towards Loe Bar. Follow the route along the headland and through the small lanes until you see the beach on your left. You'll soon spot the iconic clock tower before arriving into Porthleven’s pretty harbour, where plenty of foodie delights await.

We recommend: picking up cinnamon buns and cups of tea from Nauti But Ice to enjoy on your walk back.

Goss Moor Trail

7 miles | Over 2 hours | Easy | See more details here.

Not too far from Newquay, the Goss Moor trail is a circular walk through the pretty countryside. Seven miles in length, it’s ideal for buggies as it's nearly completely flat. Spot grazing ponies and sprightly spring lambs in the fields as you wander the trail. It's also a great place to let dogs stretch their legs and enjoy a weekend walk with the whole family.

We recommend: making a pit stop at the Screech Owl Sanctuary to meet the birds and animals. Enjoy watching the flying shows, or let youngsters blow off some steam in the play area.

Coverack to Terence Coventry Sculpture Park

1.2 miles | Approx. 40 minutes | Easy | See more details here.

For those visiting Coverack, this short stroll is the perfect way to take in the scenery surrounding this beautiful little village. Beginning in St Keverne Parish car park, wander along the beachfront and up along the harbour before reaching the South West Coast Path just beyond Lambeage Hall. The route then stretches along the headland, where views over the ocean promise to leave you and baby feeling refreshed.

Continue along the gentle route before turning right onto a public footpath which weaves past a caravan park. Before long you’ll be greeted by the incredible steel sculptures of Terence Coventry Sculpture Park. An animal kingdom in sculpture form, the two fields provide an enchanting escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Let little ones explore the wildflower meadows before rejoining the coastal path for the short stroll back into Coverack.

We recommend: making a day trip out of your visit to Coverack. Pick up smoked mackerel sandwiches from the village stores and find a spot on the sand for lunch in the sunshine.

Penzance to Mousehole

7 miles there and back | Over 2 hours | Easy | See more details here.

Starting from Penzance station, join the coast path at the harbour and continue along Western Promenade Avenue where you can enjoy beautiful views over the sparkling ocean. Without any steep inclines, the walk is great for an afternoon stroll with a buggy or a pushchair. If you have older children in tow, they’ll love scooting alongside once you've left the hub of the town. Passing through Newlyn Harbour, spot St Michael’s Mount in the distance and continue along the path until you arrive into Mousehole. If you don't feel like embarking on the whole walk, simply park in Newlyn and join the trail there. 

We recommend: wandering around the idyllic fishing village of Mousehole and dipping into the independent shops in search of holiday keepsakes.
 

Where to stay

From left to right: The Lookout in Mawgan Porth, The Nook in Rock, Rosemain in Rock, Fair Skies in Harlyn Bay, The Paddock in Trebarwith Strand and Treyarnon View in Treyarnon. 

With plenty of outdoor space, beautiful interiors and close proximity to sandy beaches and woodland walks, these six properties are perfect for holidaying with babies and toddlers. Enjoy dreamy views over Mawgan Porth Beach from The Lookout, spend sunny mornings in the grassy garden of The Nook (suitable for infants under two), and gather the whole family together for a countryside getaway to Rosemain. For larger groups, indulge in a Seven Bays getaway with a week spent at Fair Skies, explore the very best of the rugged north coast from The Paddock or retreat to Treyarnon View, where heavenly interiors promise to soothe the soul. 

Take a look at the full list of our baby and toddler-friendly holiday homes and begin planning your next Cornish getaway. Or call our Property Advisors on 01208 895 570.

Image credits: Coverack images via Unsplash. All images are our own.