Driving times and Activities in Cornwall?

[Cornwall2025]

How accurate are the driving times on Google Maps for Cornwall? We are going in late July so would this change the driving times that are on there at the moment?

I've booked accommodation just outside Saltash/Plymouth and I'm wondering whether the 1h 7m to Newquay and the 50 mins to the Eden Project (as claimed on Google maps) for day trips are going to be realistic or not? I've never been to that part of the country so IDK what the roads are like but around here (Peak District) the journey times are... optimistic sometimes.

I'm also interested in recommendations of things to do within fair driving distance of Saltash for two tinies (age 3 and 5)! Thanks!

The Eden Project is incredibly expensive, and Newquay isn't particularly nice. Roads do get very busy in the summer and some of them are very narrow and twisty. But there are loads of nice beaches near Saltash, ideal for a bucket and spade holiday with tinies. If the weather isn't good there are several interesting National Trust attractions nearby.

Newquay is shite (dons tin helmet). Its just...I dunno, a bit sad and shabby. It's like Skegness with surfing, and it reeks of weed. YMMV, of course. I really like Falmouth but its a long drive from Saltash. Looe is quite nice, and Dartmoor Zoo would be fun for tinies.

The Eden Project is expensive but its brilliant, as are the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Traffic in Cornwall is dire, especially (mainly) in the summer. The roads really struggle with the increase in traffic.

In the summer holidays you could be looking at a much longer drive to Newquay, with a considerable chunk of it sat in traffic on the roads into the town.

Wouldn't bother with Newquay, lots of much nicer small coastal villages around.

But yes, July is peak tourist season in Cornwall so def add journey time, especially into the tourist hot spots.

I agree eden project is hellish expensive, I've been on a locals pass but wouldn't have gone full price. Not sure how much small children would get from it, I think they're would need to be some organised activity on other than just the biome. Hot, walking up hill and plants probably won't inspire a 3yo.

You won't be far from pennywell. I've never been but looks good for kids

https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/
Cotehele (on a nice day the kids eould enjoy the parkland and gardens I expect)

Or Tavistock

anywhere on Dartmoor.
Around cadaver Bridge is very popular with families coming out from Plymouth as there is a car park, shallow bits of river for paddling and and ice cream van! No other facilities though. In July I'd advise aiming for hitting the popular areas on weekdays if you can.

Dartmoor zoo is just the other side of Plymouth.

Mount edgecombe has great grounds for walking around, doubt the kids would enjoy the house tour but there is lots of outside space.

Depending on your visit date then launceston agricultural show is on around the last Thursday of the month.
Smallish local 1 day show with animals etc (about 45 minutes).

Tamar trails is about 15miles away, has woods, cafe and toilets. Good if you have bikes
https://www.tamartrails.co.uk/kids/

And for low cost and low effort entertainment I've seen somewhere that they are revamping a couple play areas in saltash!

I am biased- but I'd be looking devon side rather than the tourist holes in Cornwall, they will be heaving in July and South Devon has beaches too!

Thanks all, this is what I need to hear! I wanted to potentially go to the zoo and aquarium at Newquay but since there's an aquarium at Plymouth I'm not sure I want a massive drive to go to another one!

Buckets and spades are definitely going to be the majority of our trip. The beaches around Looe looked plentiful. I saw the Lost Gardens of Heligan on the map, is it good for younger children? They like a play park in the middle of things.

Journeys in Cornwall will be considerably longer in July than the times showing now.

@Onlyvisiting what is must-see on the Devon side, do you think? I'm new to this whole part of the country! The furthest that way I've ever been is Wiltshire!

Just adding in parking is often a nightmare.

@Onlyvisiting Ooh thanks, Dartmoor Zoo sounds good. Animal experiences will definitely go down well, too!

And they're getting bikes for Christmas so the Tamar Trails are also a good shout.

That's what I was afraid of. 😬 Is it better at certain times of day e.g. early morning, do you know?

Don’t bother with Newquay - it’s crap

lovely beaches near you towards Kingsand way

could probably do a ferry or riverboat trip on the Tamar.

Antony and Cotehele both beautiful. Plymouth has the aquarium and cinema/theatre etc

Don't drive all the way to Newquay to go to the aquarium, you'll be disappointed (if you can find anywhere to park). It's tiny, Plymouth aquarium is way better. Newquay zoo is also very overpriced and small, Dartmoor zoo is better and I think actually cheaper.

Not really, tourists tend to head to the beach quite early (9/10) unless you get up really early. You could go by train though from saltash, change at par I think

Can also get the train to Eden project I think there may be a special bus from St Austell station

*edit. Should have been Cadover Bridge. Only cadavers might be some sheep bones with luck 🤣

It tends to be worst going in morning to about lunchtime and worst coming out late afternoon with all the day visitors. Early morning might be ok and some days it's not too bad but it may not be worth the potential hassle!

What are you looking for? Outdoorsy cheap stuff or more formal attractions, indoor places?

Ha! I did wonder if there was some sort of spooky history about a bridge that someone had plunged to their death from or something.

There are animals at pennywell that I linked above.
Butterfly and Otter sanctuary at Buckfastleigh, (about 30 odd minutes) and while you are there there is Buckfast Abbey for if you have day left.

There is also a steam train in Buckfastleigh,
sdr.hops.org.uk/tickets

A mix of things really. I was thinking 2-3 formal attractions across the week and the rest of the time probably just mooching around beaches, parks or woodland (if I'm envisioning the landscape correctly). We love the sea but I'm not so keen on clifftop walks with the little ones.

I’d keep to the lovely Devon beaches and plan in an early trip to get to the Eden Project. Bike trails are well worth it too, and National Trust properties. If you’re a member some beach car parking is then included in certain areas if I recall correctly.
The steam train from Dartmouth can also be fun if they like that kind of thing!

X post. Oh these are all perfect, thanks! Especially the steam train. We were going to visit the IoM this summer but called it off due to logistics and I'd promised DS a train adventure so that would be ideal.

Other than to agree the times you have seen are winter ones not those in July, nothing to add to the suggestions others have made. Hope you all have a lovely time.

Thanks everyone, glad I asked about all this. I would have driven us all around the bend trying to drive and park all over the place if I'd gone with what looked interesting on Google.

Avoid the coast path for sure then!
I'm not a beach person, but sure someone else can advise on best sandy beaches.
You will have lots of moorland, woodland and parks in easy reach.
(googlemaps Street View is good to get an idea of an area)
Especially if they enjoy their bikes and you arent only wanting sea side then lots of options. Mount edgecombe has loads of trails i know. You might be faster and more fun to get the ferry from plymouth too.