It’s January and a bit bleak. So we’re thinking of things we can look forward to this year. Inspired by A Cornish Mum, here are 10 places we’d like to visit/re visit.

Golitha falls
According to the date on this photo, we last went to Golitha falls in August 2014 (usual August weather judging by the waterproofs). It’s a beautiful place with a bubbling stream flowing over rocky ground creating lots of small waterfalls.

The Potager, Constantine
Ok, so this is not really a walk but it is a great little place that you need to visit. On the site of an old nursery that had become ‘the plantsman’s paradise that time forgot’, Dan and Peter have created a beautiful and productive potager garden. Wander through the tranquil garden, play badminton or boules on the lawn, visit the chickens, hang in the hammocks, play table tennis in the old glasshouse and then enjoy a wholesome, tasty lunch in the recently refurbished glass house. The food is organic, vegetarian and as local as possible, much of it from the garden. Arwen and the team are always happy to make up a small plate of things for children and it’s worth getting there before 12 for the best vegetarian breakfast you might ever eat! There are games on the tables, a few children’s toys and on cold days, the warmth of a woodburning stove to lure you in. In fact whenever we visit we feel a warm welcome, as if someone is sharing something they love with us. Kick back, relax, stay all day and pop back to the glass house for coffee and slice of cake before you leave.
An annual pass to the garden is around £5 and well worth it. You will be back. See you there!

Great Molunan and St Anthony’s head
There’s something of the famous five about this beach. Bring the ham sandwiches and ginger beer and have a jolly splendid time. Accessed via a short clamber down the rocks assisted by a rope it’s a small beach popular with those pottering about in boats. There are rocks to climb, pools to explore and a cave. We watched the tall ships leave Falmouth from here in 2015 and we aim to get there again this year. St Anthony’s head offers lots of interest with it’s armaments and light house (the one that featured in Fraggle Rock, you remember Fraggle Rock, right? Here’s a reminder).

Camping at Porth Joke
Another of our favourite beaches, it’s on the North Coast and so a great place to play in the waves. There’s a stream that opens up to the sea here and the kids love to play in it. There’s a national trust campsite near the beach and every year we say we will stay there. Maybe this year.

Devichoys Woods
Not far from us, this is a nearby afternoon out. One of Cornwall’s ancient woodlands, we love to imagine the people that have walked through here before us. There is a small stream and fungi to look out for.

Dartmoor, Wild Camping
So this is a bit of an ambition. We’d love to get out camping under the stars on Dartmoor and explore an area that’s new to us.

Cheesewring, Bodmin Moor
So called because it resembles an old ‘cheese press’, the cheesewring is a rocky outcrop of granite slabs caused by weathering. We’ve seen it from afar, we nearly made it there on a previous trip when the kids were smaller, and their legs were shorter and couldn’t quite carry them there. So we will try again, hopefully this year.

Pendennis Head
A circular walk around the headland with views across the sea and over to St Mawes castle. I love the idea of these two castles facing each other on opposite sides of the river. We’ve not done this walk before, a new one to try for this year.

Porthcurno, more camping!
Eldest has been with us to Porthcurno but youngest hasn’t. It’s a fantastic beach, you could almost be on a tropical island when the sun is shining. The sand is the fine, white sort, there are high cliffs on either side and the sea is clear and blue. We’d like to combine this with a bit of camping, no excuse needed to pack up the tent. Well, perhaps we will wait for a little sunshine.

Exploring Exmoor with friends. And camping!
I’m really excited about this one, a late spring camping trip to Exmoor to meet old friends. We love camping and I think it’s a great way for families to get together. The kids can roam and the adults can catch up. That’s the idea anyway. I’ll let you know how it turns out!