Cornwall

[Mum233]

Hello
We are due to go to Cornwall next week to stay in a caravan.
Due to an unexpected bill and the price of fuel we will not have anywhere near the money I thought we’d have.
So can anyone recommend some free or very cheap things to do around penzance with two children (5 and 6). Thank you!

Walk the coastal path. It's absolutely beautiful between Penzance & Lands End.

Marazion beach is a few miles away and fantastic for kids, there is a playground by the beach as well. Beware you now need to pay just to set foot on St Michael's Mount so - don't bother with that.

Go to Marazion and see St Michael's Mount. You can walk around outside for free, you only need to pay to go into the castle or gardens. You can see the mt from Penzance.

The beach, pack a picnic, best days out and the sea is warmer when it rains

well. Beware you now need to pay just to set foot on St Michael's Mount

Oh no! Well, that's just completely nullified my post, sorry, OP!

A walk along the beach with the mt in view is still beautiful though.

You don't pay if your national trust members

There are a few free entry English Heritage sites you can visit. I would recommended this one:

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carn-euny-ancient-village/

Porthleven, just a few miles up the road is nice for a little wander around. A couple of pubs and even just benches overlooking the harbour.

I was going to suggest a walk from Porthleven to the Loe Bar, but the walk would be quite challenging for young children, I think?

Praa sands is a nice beach nearby and Falmouth isn't too far for a wander around either.

@GeronimosDisco

You don't pay if your national trust members

Yep, this is true although you still need to pre-book even if it's free for NT members, because of them managing numbers of people on there.

Fingers crossed the weather will be ok & you can enjoy the beach etc which keeps costs down. Do the kids have wetsuits?

Could you pick up some simple craft kits in case of bad weather. The works, poundshop, home bargains etc have loads of Easter themed ones at the moment.

Paddling. Rockpooling. Building sandcastles. Bury some "treasure" in the sand for them to find. Take a picnic with you. Check the tides and walk the causeway to St Michaels Mount, I think you need to pay to go on the island but the causeway is free. Look round the boats in the harbour. Buy a couple of cheap kids wetsuits so they can splash in the sea and larger pools.
Morrab Gardens is free it's a nature and wildlife area.
Find some pebbles and paint them.
Hope the weather is OK for you

We walked round Marazion beach and over to St Michaels Mount last week. It was fine, we walked around the harbour and the tea room/ gift shop before walking back again. We couldn't go further as we had our dogs, but we didn't pay anything to do so.

It's a lovely walk and beach. Highly recommend.

I would also suggest taking a jigsaw or two and some packs of cards just in case it rains. Then you don't have to worry about spending money on indoor attractions.

Sent you a dm with some ideas op!!

Definitely take some games, cards and books/audio books (library for free) and download a couple of films for the journey and in case of terrible weather. Otherwise just lots of free beach fun and picnics. If you had a couple of wetsuits that might help keep warm and dry.

We're going to Cornwall on Friday and it's going to piss it down next week 😭. It pissed it down over October half term there too 😭. Bring coats!

@Rockbird

We're going to Cornwall on Friday and it's going to piss it down next week 😭. It pissed it down over October half term there too 😭. Bring coats!

That was the same for us last year! We went in august and it pretty much rained everyday, went again in October and even though it was actually warmer than our week in august, the weather was still crap. We're going again for one of the weeks over Easter and I'll definitely be packing rain coats and Dobble!

If you’re actually in Penzance and your kids have a scooters / bikes, can you bring those? The promenade is wide and super long, it’s fabulous to scoot and ride all the way up and down.

Train to St Ives - not free, but not expensive. It's a lovely journey and a nice day out with little kids.

If it's running at this time of year, the open top bus which runs between Penzance and St Ives is a good way to get around and see different bits of the coast.

I would also recommend the train to St Ives. It is glorious. Take a picnic with you to have on the beach. We went last week and spent £4 on two coffees for the whole day!

I've just booked us a week in Cornwall completely on a whim.. never been 🙈 not bothered about the weather as we will get out whatever! Looking for tips / ideas of places to visit.

Geocaching?
Also a vote for burying “treasure “ in the sand as pp said. One of the things my grandchildren enjoyed most.
A pier!! A tub of 2p pieces each they’ll be happy for a while.

Jubilee heated outdoor pool? Not free, but close by so no travel expenses
jubileepool.co.uk/

Have you got Clubcard vouchers? You can change them for 3x value for some attractions