Top 10 Family Days Out in Cornwall

When it comes to summer holidays with kids, Cornwall is an ideal spot to head for. There’s just so much to do there! Take a look at our top ten family days out in Cornwall – and then get your wetsuits and walking shoes at the ready! …

1. Dive Right In With Water Activities At Swanpool Beach.

Nothing makes a summer holiday feel summery quicker than some excellent beach activities! So we say head down to Swanpool beach near Falmouth where you and the family can try out kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, paddle boarding, windsurfing, coasteering and of course surfing! Prices range from £10 per hour up to £30 for a full day.

2. Look Out For The Lighthouse Keeper On The Lizard.

The Lizard Lighthouse Heritage Centre offers a brilliant family day out that promises to keep your kids amused for hours. They can climb to the top of the lighthouse, sound the giant foghorn and track real ships out at sea from the tower. Afterwards they’ll be sure to enjoy a good run around and the nearby coastal trail around Lizard Point makes a great spot for this. Views are stunning and everyone will return home feeling that the cobwebs have been blown away! Entry to the lighthouse, including a tour is £6 for adults and £3 for kids.

3. Explore The Sub-tropical Gardens At Trebah.

Don’t miss Trebah Gardens, found on the magical Helford Passage, which amongst other great secrets has a fantastic trail for children leading you through a jungle like canopy, to a gorgeous private beach. Entry is worth every penny at £8.50 for adults and £2.50 for children.

4. Visit The National Maritime Museum In Falmouth.

It’s always good to have some wet weather activities up your sleeve – just in case – and the National Maritime Museum couldn’t be better. Activities include being able to climb on board a 70ft Sea King Helicopter, play with radio-controlled yachts and learn all about Britain’s Maritime History. Entry is £9.50 for adults, £6.50 for children with under 5’s going free.

5. Explore Heartlands – A New Cultural Playground In Pool.

The National Lottery and Cornwall Council have ploughed huge sums of money into developing this site in West Cornwall, to make a fantastic hub for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. Kids will have fun in the Adventure Playground and adults and children will all enjoy the Diaspora Botanical Gardens. The Red River Café offers a fantastic selection of hearty food for great lunches and there are a handful of shops to explore too. What’s better entry to Heartlands is free and it makes a great stop off after a visit to one of the North coasts fabulous beaches.

6. Take A Ride On The Lappa Valley Steam Railway.

Young children will find this traditional steam railway truly irresistible. There’s also crazy golf, a maze and a boating lake so be sure to plan to spend at least a whole afternoon to there… Entry is £11.95 for an adult, £9.95 for child.

7. Discover the Legend of King Arthur at Tintagel Castle

This epic 13^th Century ruin sitting on the cliff edge at Tintagel is guaranteed to capture the imagination of children large and small! Make sure you visit nearby Merlin’s cave too. £5.50 for adults, £3.30 for children with under 5’s going free.

8. Have a go at Surfing in Polzeath

There couldn’t be a better place to do it, with gentle waves rolling in all year round and full life guard supervision all summer, hire your boards on the beach and jump into the surf at Polzeath! This is a great way to tire out older kids and teenagers and you’re guaranteed to have heaps of fun as well! Surfboard hire prices start at £3 for an hour.

9. Cycle from Coast to Coast

Take the gentle 15mile trail from Portreath (on the north coast) to Devoran (on the south) and the kids can boast that you’ve cycled from one side of England to the other! There are plenty of great pit stops along the way – like the Bike Barn and the Bissoe’s Bike Chain Café.

10. Explore Cardinham Woods near Bodmin

This wonderful mixed woodland is a favourite with dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists and also offers many great trails, which are easily accessed by little legs and buggies. A visit to the woods café will provide you with delicious refreshments and an adventure pack to keep the kids amused as you meander through this stunning woodland without a care in the world.

There’s just so much to see and do in Cornwall that we’re sure the whole family will be thrilled with a summer holiday there. There’s also a whole range of accommodation options to suit from self-catering in Polzeath, to hotels in St Ives, to B&B’s in Falmouth. And if you fancy a break that’s that extra bit special and gives you and your family the ultimate getaway take a look at luxury self-catering holiday cottages in Cornwall online. Have fun!

Photo:  Regina_Hoer