When we think of Cornwall, we usually think of peace and relaxation. The beautiful beaches around the coastline are perfect for unwinding during the summer months, while the open wilderness of Bodmin Moor is a place to escape the crowds. Artists find tranquillity to inspire their works on this Southwest tip of the United Kingdom.You probably think there’s nothing more exciting in this county than the surfing beach in Newquay? Think again! Cornwall is one of the best places in the country for the futuristic combat experience of laser tag.

With indoor and outdoor arenas, a variety of types of kit, and game modes to suit every taste, there’s something for everyone in Cornwall - and your laser tag experience might turn out cheaper than you expected.

Where are the best places to play laser tag in Cornwall?

• Delabole: if you want a combination of the wide game area of outdoor laser tag with the excitement of purpose built environments, you’ll find it in Delabole. Charge through woodland, take cover in forts, or use rivers and ravines to your tactical advantage to surprise your opponents and gun them into submission!

• Penryn: for those who prefer an indoor laser tag experience, you won’t find a more innovative space than in Penryn. Dark corridors, clouds of artificial smoke and bright spotlights are the background to your laser battle. There are also Virtual Reality elements available for a true cutting edge laser experience.

• Newquay: one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cornwall, Newquay has a whole range of fun activities. Not as well known as surfing, but just as exhilarating, is outdoor laser tag. Whereas more traditional combat sports such as paintball can leave unsightly bruises, there’s no danger of ruining your beach body when you go surfing the following day with this activity.

• Falmouth: the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth documents the history of seafaring, including Naval missions and battles. In the nearby countryside, you can experience battle simulation of a different kind - modern, terrestrial and much more exciting than in a museum! This is an outdoor laser tag experience for the 21st century.

• St Ives: at the limits of the British isles, the land narrows to a peninsular beyond St Ives. If you make the journey out to this remote corner of the country, you’ll be rewarded with a game of laser tag to remember. Located on an old farm, you might even catch glimpses of the sea during the game, if you’re not too busy chasing down your enemies!

• Truro: the only city in Cornwall, Truro is located in the centre of the Cornish peninsula. This gives it a mild climate year round, making it ideal for a game of outdoor paintball. And you don’t have to worry about climate change either, as laser tag in Truro takes place in arenas constructed from all natural materials. Declare war on the opposing team, not on the planet.

• St Austell: outside the town of St Austell you’ll find the largest Wildlife Trust Reserve in Cornwall with a project of rewilding the landscape. It’s a good place for you and your friends to go wild too - with a laser tag adventure in the picturesque landscape on the edge of the reserve.

• Redruth: calling all video game fans! It’s time to get off the sofa and live out your fantasies for real. Outdoor laser tag in Redruth will let you put the skills you learnt on the playstation into practice in real life, including different game types like team deathmatches, capture the flag, and even zombie mode! While these are perfect for kids, there’s an extra element for adults who take their gaming seriously - the equipment in Redruth has an electric shock system, meaning that if you get hit you pay for it!

• Wherever you want! The thrill of laser tag can come to you in Cornwall. There’s a mobile team who can set up a game arena in an area of your choice, provided it meets size and safety requirements. You can get the advantage over your opponents by playing laser tag in a place that you know like the back of your hand - your back garden for example.

What kinds of games are available?

It doesn’t matter if you want a short, sharp burst of fun, or an extended mission - when it comes to laser tag in Cornwall you can choose whatever suits you. Indoor laser tag usually takes place in smaller arenas, and for that reason the games are kept shorter, usually around 20 minutes. Games in the great outdoors range from 30 minute skirmishes to 3 hour campaigns which give you a chance to hone your aim and explore the sprawling play zone.

You can make bookings for laser tag experiences on an individual basis, but we think that this combat sport is best enjoyed with your people. Whether it’s friends, family, or workmates, bring them down to Cornwall for team building activity. Or join different teams and engage in some not-so-friendly competition.

Requirements to do this activity

Laser tag is a very safe sport. This makes it stand out when compared to other combat sports such as paintball, when getting hit can really hurt. In laser tag, infrared sensors detect a hit without the need for projectiles, so there’s no danger of injury. Children as young as 7 years old can play in Cornwall, although some centres require 8 as a minimum age based on the equipment that they use.

Talking about equipment, the key item in laser tag is a gun. This shoots infrared signals, and also has sensors to receive the signals of your opponents’ guns. Some centres also give you a vest or headband to increase the hit area on each player. Indoor laser tag is usually played with the lights down low so we recommend dark clothes to conceal yourself in the shadows. In one of the many outdoor games available in Cornwall, you’ll be given camouflage overalls to help you blend in. Remember to wear the correct shoes, indoor and outdoor, to allow you to run, jump and take cover in the arena.

If that’s not enough information to prepare you for an experience, we don’t know what to tell you. But we know how to help you make it happen! All you have to do is make a booking.