Explore the forest, and beyond at Deerpark
Forest Rangers
An entire forest at your feet. Let us show you around...
Our Forest Rangers are experts in helping you have fun in the great outdoors. They know the forests like the back of their hand and will help you to understand and connect with the forest. With experiences that are designed to show you the very best of our location, whichever activity you choose, you'll have an unforgettable experience.
Make sure you book in advance as our experiences are popular! Just choose your activity in my account.
Guided Woodland Walk
Suitable for families, groups and couples
With an entire forest waiting to be explored, it’s hard knowing where to start! Join our Forest Rangers for a guided tour, taking in some unforgettable views whilst learning a thing or two about the wildlife who call our forests home.
Mini Forest Rangers
Suitable for families and 5-11 year olds
Become a mini bird detective! Spread your wings and get ready to discover the world of bird spotting and migration. Through exciting games, crafts and immersive activities – put our feathered friends into the spotlight with help from your Forest Ranger.
Little Wild Ones
Suitable for families and pre-schoolers
When imaginations run wild, a love for nature begins to grow. And there’s no better playground than the forest! Your Forest Ranger will guide your tiny explorers through woodland activities and imaginative play – bringing stories to life as they find their first Forest Feeling.
Forest Survival
Suitable for families, groups and couples
It’s the simple things in life — like how to light a fire and build a woodland shelter. Learn it all with your Forest Ranger, then it’s time to relax around the campfire, toast some marshmallows and enjoy a well-deserved cuppa from freshly foraged herbs.
Nature by Night
Available September to March, suitable for all
Evenings in the forest just got even more extraordinary. Join a guided walk as you uncover the world of biofluorescence, using UV light to unveil a whole new world of wonders.
Outdoor adventures
Throw yourself into adventure and enjoy the very best of the outdoors on these incredible local experiences...
- Pond and Stream Dipping | from £8.00pp
- Archery | from £20pp
Forest Spa
Unwind with a spa experience like no other, surrounded by the forest and a natural soundtrack outside. Switch off with soothing treatments designed for couples' time, group relaxation, or simply some time just for you.
You'll need to pre-book our in-cabin spa treatments to make sure we can get everything in place for your stay.
Book your spa experience
You'll need to pre-book our in-cabin spa treatments to make sure we can get everything in place for your stay.
Book your spa experience
Bike hire
Looking to explore more of the forest? Venture out for the day on our bikes and discover acres of woodland, or go at your own pace with full break bike hire. There’ll be a helmet and bike lock for you too, so you can keep your bike just outside your cabin door:
Our cycling options:
- Adult bike hire | £18 per day or from £32 per break
- Child bike hire | £15 per day or from £28 per break
- Child seat | from £10
- Tag along | from £20
- Trailer | from £30
Just pre-book in my account, or ask at the Forest Retreat while you're here.
Elvis Owl Nature Trail
Get hands-on in the forest with this brand-new, self-led Forest Nature Trail.
Explore the incredible wildlife around you, get stuck into activities and learn amazing things about nature.
Use your discovery pack and follow our five stepping stones to nature while you get to know your forest friends. See, hear and touch nature all around you... and have an incredible adventure in the forest.
Quiz nights
Come along to our Forest Quiz every Wednesday and Saturday! Grab a drink, choose your team name and put your knowledge to the test for a chance to win. It’s free and everyone’s welcome - with special rounds for kids! Join us in the Forest Retreat from 6.30pm.
Good to know...
You can reserve a table for the quiz by booking in for dinner at the Forest Retreat. Pre-order our Quiz Night specials in my account, or speak to our team while you're here.
Pottery painting
Head to the Forest Retreat and discover your creative side. Choose from a selection of our favourite woodland animals and experiment with spongy foam clay or paint a masterpiece to take away the same day.
Small Bisque - foam or paint | £6.95
Medium Bisque - foam or paint | £10.95
Large Bisque - foam or paint | £13.95
Rainy days
On rainy days, look out for TV messages for any indoor activities we're running. We also have plenty of board games in the Forest Retreat so why not pop in, pick up a game and grab a drink.
Build a Forest Friend
Looking for something to keep little hands busy indoors?
Head to the Forest Retreat, where mini explorers can build their own Forest Friend to join them on their adventures when they’re back outside. You can pre-book yours so they’re ready and waiting for when you arrive.
Local recommendations Deerpark
Pubs and restaurants
Take your pick from our top pubs and restaurants close to the forest to get a taste of the local.
Cafe Fleur
Cafe Fleur is a lovely home from home cafe, a 20-minute drive away in Looe, close to the harbour.
Himalayan Spice Liskeard
Himalayan Spice Liskeard offers award-winning Nepalese cuisine, a 20-minute drive away.
Lanhydrock Hotel, Bodmin
Take a 20-minute drive to Lanhydrock Hotel and enjoy simply the best Sunday roast!
The Plough Inn
The Plough Inn is a Taste of the West Gold award winner, just 11 minutes away from your cabin.
The Sardine Factory, Looe
Try this fantastic seafood restaurant. After all, you're near the sea! It's just a 20-minute drive to Looe.
Places to visit
Historic gardens, caverns and quarries, all just a short drive away. Head out beyond the forest and discover what this area of Cornwall has to offer.
Adrenalin Quarry
Try adventure activities at Adrenalin Quarry. A 20-minute drive.
Bodmin Jail
Follow the footsteps of the condemned in a self-guided tour round one of Cornwall's leading visitor attractions. You can buy your tickets for Bodmin Jail with us! Just login to your account or speak to our team in the forest.
Carnglaze Caverns
At Carnglaze Caverns, explore part of Cornwall’s mining heritage and take a walk in eight acres of ancient oak woodland on the Woodland Walk & Enchanted Dell, then explore the caverns of the underground slate mine.
A 16-minute drive.
Eden Project
The world-famous Eden Project is just 16 miles from your cabin. Wander the largest rainforest in captivity and see stunning plants, exhibitions, concerts and year-round events. You can buy your tickets for Eden Project with us! Just login to your account or speak to our team in the forest.
Lanhydrock House & Gardens
Just a 23-minute drive frim Deerpark is Lanhydrock House & Gardens, with countryside trails the River Fowey running through.
The Monkey Sanctuary & Treetop Café
Spend an afternoon at Wild Futures' The Monkey Sanctuary & Treetop Café. A 30-minute drive.
Walking trails
Duloe Stone circle | 10.5km
A circular walk to the Duloe Stone circle takes in forest tracks, ruined mine stacks and the ‘thankful village’ of Herodsfoot – all came back from both world wars. After the village, the views spread out before you as you head to Duloe and the 4,500-year-old stone circle. Stop at the Plough for refreshments before returning. You can make an easy day of this walk and it will give you a real sense of the history of the area.
Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve | 1.6km or 9.7km
Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve is a beauty spot where the River Fowey cascades through an ancient wooded valley. Golitha Falls Walk boasts a carpet of bluebells in the spring, rare butterflies in the summer or vivid golds and coppers of autumn. A 1.6km circular route runs around the falls and a longer 9.7km route takes in the pre-historic chieftain’s tomb at Trethevy Quoit, the Holy Well at St. Cleer and King’s Doniert’s Stone – a memorial to the last king of Cornwall.
Par to Polperro | 22.3km
Looe and Polperro, near to Deerpark, are on the 1,014km of Southwest Coast path. For seasoned walkers to enjoy, Par to Polperro is a challenging 22km of towering cliffs and hidden coves.
Polperro to Portwrinkle | 20.4km
Polperro to Portwrinkle is another route on the South West Coast path. It's a strenuous but varied walk with rewarding views. If you want something less challenging, there are a selection shorter and circular walks in Cornwall, which capture the drama and history of this stunning coastline.
Stannon Moor | 6.4km
At wild Bodmin Moor, enjoy the 6.4km circular walk to Stannon Moor, passing Bronze Age stone circles and taking in panoramic views. Other famous landmarks to spot on the moors are the Minions and the Cheesewring and, the highest point on Bodmin Moor, Brown Willy.
Cycling trails
Seaton Valley | 4.9km
The 4.9km loop around Seaton Valley Countryside Park takes you along a river, down to the coast and through a nature reserve that’s home to otters, kingfishers, dormice and butterflies. Great for all the family.
The Bodmin Beast | 12km
The Bodmin Beast in Cardinham Woods is a 12km Blue (moderate) mountain biking trail with technical climbs and thrilling descents. The snaking single track trail also features tight corners, rollers and tabletops.
The Camel Trail | 28.9km
For the ultimate day out, follow The Camel Trail through Bodmin Moors to Padstow then relax with the tastiest fish and chips around.
The Caradon Trail | 27.4km
The Caradon Trail is a longer distance route for experienced riders. See ancient standing stones, industrial heritage landmarks, waterfalls, woods and river valleys.
Dog-walking trails
Bring your furry friend on an adventure and explore one of the many forest trails, where acres of woodland and country roads make a great spot for a scamper.
Seaton beach
Seaton beach is less than a 30-minute journey from our cabins. It's just a few miles outside of Looe and offers a mixture of grey pebbles and coarse sand. Boarded between flat rocks that reveal a number of rock pools in low tide, your dog will love exploring every nook and cranny.
At low tide you can walk along the shore as far as Downderry beach, with the option to walk along the promenade in high tide. There's plenty of parking, toilets, a shop, café and improved disability acces, making it a popular destination amongst families. A real crowd pleaser!
Talland Bay beach
Talland Bay beach i just a 15-minute drive from our cabins. A small beach, it's situated between Looe and Polperro, making it an ideal destination for a day trip. There are two main beaches in Talland Bay, but we recommend the west side. Paws will love exploring the many rock pools on offer and splashing around in the sea.
This beautiful beach has a small car park, toilets, shop and café. There's limited parking at peak times.
Walks in Liskeard
Liskeard, the nearest town to Deerpark, is a short 20-minute drive away. From here, you can take lots of trails with the tails, from hills and mills to under the viaduct.
Go Ape
Take a trip through the trees, full of adventure! Save 10% on your Go Ape experience when you stay with us, including on Saturdays.
Look out for our emails with offers and activities to book before your stay – they'll include your unique discount code. Go Ape Haldon is an hour and a half's drive away, where you can experience:
- Go Ape Tree Top Challenge | from £36
- Go Ape Tree Top Adventure | from £21
Activities nearby
Explore beyond Deerpark and make the most of Cornwall's tourist spots, sights and activities.
- Eden Project Tickets | from £11
- Bodmin Jail - Self Guided Tour | from £12.50
- Encounter Cornwall Kayak/ SUP hire, training and guided tours ( in Golant) | from £22
Good to know
You can buy your tickets for Eden Project and Bodmin Jail at the Forest Retreat, and get a 10% discount.
Wildlife experiences
Get close to the wildlife
Meet some of our forest friends up close with incredible experiences near to the forest. Why not try...
- Porfell Wildlife Park and Sanctuary | from £9.50 (free to under 3 years) | open end of March to end of October
- Screech Owl Sanctury and Animal Park | from £16 entry (animal encounters from £20) | open July to November
- Looe Sea Safari for dolphins, seals and blue fin tuna spotting | from £12
You can pre-book these activities with us! Just visit my account or speak to the team at the Forest Retreat when you're here.
You can pre-book these activities with us! Just visit my account or speak to the team at the Forest Retreat when you're here.
Wildlife and trees
Wildlife at Deerpark
What can you spot?
Red Fox
Scan the horizon and you may catch sight of a bushy tail belonging to a red fox. Stay with us in winter and see how the red fox becomes fluffier by growing extra fur to keep warm.
Tawny Owl
In winter the hooting of the nocturnal tawny owl fills the air, with their striking gingery-brown feathers standing out against the frosty forest backdrop. Watch as they hunt for mice and ‘talk’ to each other during the courting season.
Jay
Listen for the distinctive ‘screeching’ of the Eurasian jay, a colourful bird that’s a member of the crow family. Eurasian jays can hide up to 5000 acorns in preparation for winter.
Kingfisher
Near water? Look for the bright blue and orange plumage of the kingfisher. Watch as they stay close to the water's edge, ready to dive in and catch their lunch in their long, dagger-like bills.
Want to learn more about the wildlife here? Book onto a Forest Ranger experience and discover all the secrets of the forest!
Trees at Deerpark
Trees you'll find in the forest
Goat willow and Grey willow
Soft, silvery and found in damp woodland, the grey willow is where you'll find lots of caterpillars. They feed on its leaves and its fuzzy catkins feed pollinators early in the season. The goat willow is very similar to the goat willow, but its catkins look more like cat's paws, which is why it's also known as the 'pussy willow'.
Alder
Alder's natural habitat is moist ground near rivers, ponds and lakes and it thrives in damp, cool areas such as marshes, wet woodland and streams where its roots help to prevent soil erosion. It can grow in drier locations and in mixed woodland too. The wet conditions found in alder woodland are ideal for a number of mosses, lichens and fungi, and provide food for many caterpillars and insects.
Douglas Fir
Douglas fir is a much-loved tree in the UK, despite being a native American tree brought here in the 1800s. It’s a valuable timber source and provides homes for the likes of red squirrels and pine martens, especially in Scotland. It thrives in high rainfall areas, more in western UK areas and can live for more than a thousand years. Living so long, they provide lots of deadwood cavities that birds and bats can shelter in. They also make perfect nesting sites for larger birds of prey, such as buzzards, sparrowhawks and hobbies.
Supporting the forest
We’re more than just a holiday
Nestled within inspiring natural spaces, we offer a unique way to experience and enjoy the UK’s forests, helping you experience and reconnect with nature.
We look after the land we love for us all, protecting wildlife and helping to preserve the forest for the future. By putting nature centre-stage, we give you the best of the outdoors. A sense of freedom and a unique experience, where you feel connected to the forest and to each other. Because you don’t just visit the forest, you really feel it.
And once you’ve found that Forest Feeling, you’ll never let it go.
Let's look after what we love
Help to care for the wildlife around you in small, but important ways. You'll find it's as good for you as it is for nature!
Give nature a helping hand by....
- Creating habitat piles using old logs and branches
- Picking up any litter you see – the forest and wildlife will thank you for it
- Turning off the lights when they’re not in use to reduce energy use
- Using the bins provided to separate your waste and recycle properly
