Redgate Smithy B&B
~ Other Activities ~
Cycling              Riding & Hacking              Fishing              River & Sea
Sailing              Square Rig              Hot Air Ballooning

~ Square Rig ~

with

Square Sail
of Charlestown

(pictures copyright
of Square Sail)

Square rig sailing out of Fowey Harbour!

The Phoenix (a two masted brig, above), the Earl of Pembroke (a three masted barque, above), and the Kaskelot (a three masted barque) are all based at Charlestown, and sail on specific dates out of either Charlestown or Fowey Harbour, dependent on their film and festival commitments. Cruises are for three hours, and boarding is by ship's boats, with refreshment (tea/coffee) provided on board. See much more on the Phoenix pages on the Redgate Smithy PhotoFile Cornwall website.

Land's End to John O'Groats (or anything a bit shorter!)

We have had cyclists doing the Land's End to John O'Groats ride stay with us, and welcome anyone doing this trip, in either direction! But even if you are planning a shorter bike ride, either locally or if you are touring on bikes (or even by car and bike), you can rest your pedals here in comfort!

We have good facilities for cyclists, and for storing your bikes safely and securely in our garage. 

The Camel Trail

The Camel Trail is a 17 mile recreational route available for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. It is flat, as it follows mostly an old railway track bed, and is suitable for disabled access. Bike hire is available from Bridge Bike Hire at Wadebridge. This is an excellent place to base your experience of what is probably the most beautiful section of the Camel Trail - between Wadebridge and Padstow.

~

(pictures copyright of the
Bridge Bike Hire website)
~

Open all year,
and there is a wide
choice of cycle styles
available.

(Link to the Bridge Bike Hire website, or telephone 01208 813050).

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Lower Tokenbury welcomes anyone staying on holiday and who wishes to enjoy the Cornish countryside and moorland from horseback. Experienced adults and first time riders all catered for.

For those interested in moorland riding and hacking, or tuition for the inexperienced, horse riding on the moors can be arranged through the Sunrising Riding Centre at Henwood.

Siblyback Lake is only about a mile and a half away, and makes for a good circuit walk, or for the water spirited and fishing minded, there is excellent trout fishing! Fishing is for stocked Rainbow Trout, and is fly fishing only, either from the bank or fishing from a boat, March to October, with day permits available.

For the more adventurous, there is of course sea fishing on the coast, from places such as Looe, Polperro and Fowey. Why not try your hand at mackerel fishing, or for the very adventurous, there is even the possibility of shark fishing available from Looe!

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There are a good number of river, harbour and sea cruises available from the Town Quay in Fowey, and these include: Harbour Cruises on the lower reaches of the river (approximately 45 minutes); Trips to Lerryn and Lostwithiel, dependant on the tides (with stops for refreshment); Short sea cruises round the coast to Lantic Bay or Polperro; and full day sea cruises to Mevagissey, Charlestown and Polkerris. A regular ferry to and from Mevagissey also runs in season, and takes approximately 45 minutes each way.

River trips in stable open cockpit kayak canoes or motor boats along the beautiful River Fowey to Lerryn or Golant, dependant on the tides.

Total beginners are welcome, and the expeditions are suitable for everyone. Expeditions start and end in Fowey, with full safety boat cover, and all safety equipment is supplied.

Alternatively, there are also rowing boats and skiffs, plus canoes and kayaks, that can be hired by the hour or day at Siblybake Lake. As for all water activities here, there are very good facilities and refreshments.

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Sail on a beautiful gaff-rigged boat called "Tessa" on the River Tamar! Let the wind and tide take you through an undisturbed Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and enjoy silent stretches of river, meandering between farms and country estates. Sail beneath Brunel's famous railway bridge, or past historic quays and limekilns. "Tessa" is copied from a nineteenth century Mevagissey Tosher. Toshers were typical of the nineteenth century fishing boats that worked out of the many small Cornish harbours.

Siblyback Lake is only about a mile and a half away, and at the lake provides for excellent sailing facilities, for experienced and beginner alike. A consistently good sailing wind is promised across Siblyback Lake, being up on the moor! Tuition from qualified instructors is available, and you can either self-launch your own boat, or there are dinghies for hire either by the hour or by the day. All safety equipment is included, plus there is safety boat cover, a boat storage area, very good changing facilities and loos, and just when you need it, there are hot and cold snacks and refreshments available from the tea shop and cafe.

Siblyback Lake also has excellent windsurfing sailing breezes! Tuition is available, and you can either use your own board, or there are windsurfers for hire by the hour or by the day. Same facilities as for sailing!

If you have ever fancied the idea of hot air ballooning, then it is possible to take a flight locally over the eastern edge of Bodmin Moor with Virgin Balloon Flights, that will give you glorious views out over the whole of south east Cornwall. The flights will likely be from somewhere north of Liskeard, usually meeting at St.Ive, and of course dependent on weather and conditions!

For more photographs of the hot air balloon preparation and launching, which you will be invited to join in with, see more on our Hot Air Balloon pages on the Redgate Smithy PhotoFile Cornwall website. At the end of the flight (wherever that is!) you will be presented with a glass of champagne and a certificate, before being driven back to your meeting point.

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