Poldark success has sparked a happy glamper boom in Cornwall

Glamping, adventure parks, surfing, railway attractions there’s much more to Cornwall than just Poldark.

Sunday nights have got an awful lot steamier thanks to Poldark and its heart-throb new star Aidan Turner.

And Cornwall’s tourist bosses have been all of a-flutter, too, as viewers are flocking to book breaks to see the stunningly locations captured on screen.

This most tucked-away corner of England can be the picture-perfect spot for a get-away-from-it-all family break.

The last safari tent I stayed in was with my then new wife in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.

Seven years and three sons later we’re in Trevella Park, a picturesque campsite in Crantock, near Newquay.

And we’re indulging in a bit of ‘glamping’ a form of camping involving facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.

Instead of hunting ‘big game’, we’re looking for a week of fun and games with the kids.

Neither my wife nor I have been to Cornwall or, indeed, glamping before, so it’s an adventure for us too.

The safari tents are split into separate living and sleeping areas, accommodating all five of us. Pleasingly, they have wooden floors, proper beds, a futon, a microwave, a toaster, a fridge and even a TV.

But there’s no running water so we have to make frequent trips to the (thankfully clean and well-maintained) communal blocks.

My vision of campsites requiring Bear Grylls-style survival skills is quickly shattered.

At Trevella, it’s about being close to some of Cornwall’s top family attractions. Of course, there’s a beach just a few minutes’ drive away.

Crantock is a beautiful bay with a huge expanse of sand and a river that’s great for paddling. We visit several times, mainly late in the day when parking is a little easier and the sun isn’t too harsh.

Our first proper excursion is to Dairyland Farm World, a working farm with various attractions predominately aimed at young kids. Despite its Disney-esque name, it isn’t too commercialised.

We arrive just in time for a ‘pat-a-pet’ session with a rabbit, but throughout the day, young visitors are also able to try milking and bottle-feeding cows. Small bags of food for goats and birds are available for 70p each.

The following day, we head to Cornwall’s Crealy Great Adventure Park, where lots of activities are suitable for young children.

We spend nearly two hours in Swampy and Dina Land, where my eldest son loves the collection of mini fair rides.

Of the water rides, he prefers coming down a huge slide in a dinghy with his mum to the log flume with his dad, but the entire family enjoys seeing me get soaked.

Being so unusual, we feel the Eden Project is a must-visit while in Cornwall, even if our kids are too young to appreciate the biological aspects of the biomes. Nevertheless, there’s still fun to be had here for youngsters, with natural play areas scattered around the grounds and an educational centre.

Next is an early morning start at the Crantock Bay Surf School. Sadly, my own boys are too young to try it, but I see kids as young as eight surfing confidently after just one or two lessons.

This middle-aged lump of a man isn’t quite as accomplished, although I do manage to stand on the board for a split second just long enough, I think, to legitimately say: “I’ve been surfing in Cornwall.”

On our final day, we discover Lappa Valley Steam Railway. It’s a small adventure park that’s ideal for toddlers and young children.

The top draw is the woodland railway circuit with its miniature petrol-driven locomotive. Just overlook the fact it looks a bit like it’s been built with the spare parts from a Mini Metro and fitted with chairs from the local village hall.

A safari in Cornwall may be a world apart from the Maasai Mara, but as far as our kids are concerned, it’s every bit as thrilling.

Warren was a guest of Trevella Park, where a seven-night glamping holiday from July 31 starts from £692, for a family of up to six staying in a safari tent. Ranger Adventures are provided free of charge during school holiday periods. Visit trevella.co.uk or call 01637 830 308 for more information.

Report by Warren Chrismas