Rainy days

Yes, it even rains in Lostwithiel sometimes. Panic not, there's still plenty to do. Follow our guide below or check out the 101 Things To Do on a Rainy Day in Cornwall website.

Check the forecast

Cornwall is a collection of micro-climates so if it's raining where you are it's often good weather not far away. If it's looking gloomy on the south coast check the forecast and web-cams for the north coast. The Fowey estuary can often escape rain which is falling on Bodmin moor or even in St Austell.

The weather can change quickly (particularly if it's windy) so don't write the day off if you wake up to good old Cornish mizzle. Even if the rain does set in for the day, you can still make the most of it.

Getting out

Without being terribly stoic and British, the truth is that it's (almost) always better than it looks. Once you get outside the rain is (usually) less hard than it looked from indoors. As long as you're equipped with proper waterproofs, wellies or good walking boots, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much fun it can be! And there are plenty of benefits to be had...

• Waterfall walks - waterfalls and rapids are much more impressive after some rain. In the upper reaches of the Fowey river you'll find beautiful woodland walks with waterfalls and rapids at Golitha Falls with the added benefit of Inkies Smoke House BBQ.
  
  Obviously (but we'll say it anyway) if there has been very heavy rain and the river looks dangerously full, keep away from the banks and watch your step on slippy and muddy rocks.
   
• Sheltered woodland walks - if it's wet and windy, walking in a sheltered woodland can be more pleasant (although maybe less exhilerating) than an exposed coastal or moorland walk. The south coast of Cornwall is very different in character to the north coast, with more sheltered coves and ancient woodland. There are woodland walks in Lostwithiel along the Fowey valley, at Lerryn around the creeks and the Hall walk in Fowey. 
   
• Deserted beaches - most people will steer clear of the coast so if you brave the rain you'll have beautiful beaches pretty much to yourself. It might not be weather for sunbathing but there's always rockpooling and beach-combing. Polridmouth and Lansallos beaches have woodland walks down to sheltered coves.
   
• Walk with a purpose - the prospect of a hearty meal or a warming drink can be enough of an incentive to get out and about. Cardinham woods has walks of different lengths and difficulty, plus mountain bike trails, after which you can enjoy delicious homemade food at Woods cafe. The South West coast path website has a list of pub or tearoom walks. 
  
  

Places to visit

• Eden Project - many people think of the Eden Project as an indoor attraction so it's often busier in wet weather than on sunny days. However there is a lot to explore outside, so you'll get the most out of your visit if you're prepared to walk around the site and explore the parts that most people won't reach. Visit website
   
• Lanhydrock House - just 5 miles away from Lostwithiel is a magnificent late Victorian country house. It's a huge place with over 50 rooms open to the public, with everything on show from the impressive gallery featuring 17th century plasterwork ceiling to the restored kitchen and servants quarters. There are also extensive formal gardens and woodland to explore if there is a break in the weather. Visit website
   
• Fowey Aquarium - 7 miles away you can take a peak at marine life from the Cornish coast in fresh sea water tanks. Mostly fish are obtained from local fishermen and anglers. Touch pool for children. Visit Fowey Aquarium website
   
• Carnglaze Caverns - 9 miles away you can take self-guided underground tours of three cathedral-sized caverns and a blue/green subterranean lake, plus woodland walks. Shows and concerts are regularly held in the Rum Store. Visit website
   
• Bodmin attractions: visit Cornwall Regimental Museum, the finest military museum in the South West or the spooky and macabre Bodmin Jail which closed in 1927. There's also a Bodmin town museum and the Bodmin and Wenford railway, Cornwall's only full size railway still operated by steam locomotives.

What's on & window shopping

There are regular indoor car boot sales, flea markets, auctions, festivals or fairs happening in Lostwithiel so see what's on locally before you decide how to spend your day. Lostwithiel is the perfect place to spend a day browsing in the many antique shops and boutiques, or lingering over lunch or a coffee.

While you're on Fore Street, don't forget to visit the Lostwithiel Museum which has an extensive collection of records and exhibits given by local people, and St Bart's church.

Sports and leisure centres

• Lostwithiel Community Centre - sports hall plus regular events and activities. Visit page
• St Bart's Church Hall - large hall with regular clubs and classes.
• Bodmin Leisure Centre (4 miles) - 6 lane heated indoors swimming pool, squash courts and indoor tennis courts, and soft play area for 4 years and under. Visit website
• Fowey Sports Hub (7 miles) - indoor facilities include squash courts and a sports hall with badminton courts. Visit website
• Liskeard Lux park (12 miles) - 25m swimming pool with pool inflatable, junior splash and toddler sessions plus sports hall and squash courts. Visit website
• Kidzworld (7 miles) - play centre which is mostly under cover. Visit website
• Ozzell Bowl (9 miles) - 10 pin bowling alley plus soft play area and arcade games. Visit website
• Lakeview Holiday Resort (8 miles) - 15m heated indoor swimming pool open to non-members. Spa, steam room, solarium and gymn also available. Visit website

Spas

If it's cold and dreary outside, get a warm glow in a steam room or soak in a hot tub at a nearby spa.

• Trenython Manor Hotel & Spa (5 miles) - indoor swimming pool, spa bath, cedar clad sauna and steam room open 7 days a week from 7am until 9pm. Trenython Leisure Club is open to non-residents on day passes. Visit website
• Fowey Hall (7 miles) - a range of spa treatments available daily. Visit website
• Lakeview Holiday Resort (8 miles) - 15m heated indoor swimming pool open to non-members. Spa, steam room, solarium and gymn also available. Visit website
• The Cornwall Hotel Spa (9 miles) - day passes available for The Clearing Spa with treatments, infinity swimming pool, sauna and aroma steam-room. Visit website

Cinemas & Theatre

Lostwithiel's own film society, Lost In Film, shows two films a month throughout most of the year, with a summer break in July and August. The programme includes the best of recent cinema and films are shown in St Bart's Church Hal on Church Lane in Lostwithiel. Find out what's showing next on Lost In Film's website.

Other local towns have community cinemas which show films about once a month:

• Looe Cinema by the Sea
• Liskeard Liskerrett Centre

These are the main cinemas in Cornwall:

• Capitol Cinema in Bodmin
• White River Cinema in St Austell
• Regal Cinema in Wadebridge
• Plaza Cinema in Truro
• Lighthouse Cinema in Newquay
• Phoenix Cinema in Falmouth
• Flora Cinema in Helston
• Savoy Cinema in Penzance
• Regal Cinema in Redruth
• Royal Cinema in St Ives