Any tips for nice activities in West Cornwall?

[FatherTed]

We're going to be in St. Keverne near Helston in Cornwall next week. Anyone got suggestions for a good entertainment for DK1 (2yo) and DK2 (7mo) around that area (for wet and dry days)?

We've already been told that Coverack and Mousel Bay are really good beaches, but after this weekend, we reckon we ought to plan for when it's wet!

[wheelybug]

We were in Porthleven in September with dd when she was 20 months.

Trying to remember what we did - there's the seal sanctuary which is quite fun although VERY expensive for the short time you are there.

There's a national trust garden near falmouth with a little maze which was quite fun glendurgan .

Other than that I don't think we did anything particularly child related - beaches, St Michael's mount, lands end (had to be done but tacky), falmouth.

[FatherTed]

Thanks - the seal sanctury looks like a great wet-day activity as I imagine getting a bit wet is all part of the fun!

[scorpio1]

for wet days

won't take you very long from helston by car either

i live about 20 mins away from helston BTW

[FatherTed]

Bumpity bump.

[FatherTed]

Still looking for ideas!

[Ellbell]

Several places have already been mentioned (Seal Sanctuary, Cheney Mill, etc.). I'd particularly recommend Cheney Mill. My kids would practically move in there if they could!

Flambards is fun (apparently - haven't been myself for about, ahem, 25 years , but my parents took my dds at Easter and they enjoyed it).

Trevarno is a garden which has a really nice adventure playground for the kids.

Land's End is really tacky.

Cornish Cyder Farm is quite good fun (and free). 2-y-o might like tractor rides.

It's a bit further away, but we've also enjoyed Lappa Valley Steam Railway. You get the train and then there are really nice play areas and things at the other end.

The maritime museum in Falmouth is good, although your dcs are probably a bit young for it really (though some exhibits appeal to all ages).

You can get the boat from Truro to Falmouth.

A nice beach for small kids is in Hayle. If you go up past the church (Phillack) and keep going and park at the end of the road (near The Bluff pub), the beach there has lots of little shallow pools (except at high tide) which are safe for los to paddle in.

Buy local paper (e.g. The Cornishman or The West Briton) for tide times, and things on while you're there.

Also in Hayle is Paradise Park. (Mostly birds, but some animals, also train ride and play equipment. I think that it now has an indoor soft-play area too.)

Tehidy Woods are nice for a walk.

Ummmm.... running out of ideas now. Will re-post if I think of anything else. You'll have a great time, anyway.

[FatherTed]

EllBell - you are so kind - that looks like ample for a week (taking into account some "down-time"). I like the idea of the going dabbling in rock pools so we'll def. go to Hayle beach.

[Ellbell]

Not rock pools... sandy pools (better... nice for paddling - also warmer).

Kynance Cove is also beautiful (NT, so you have to pay to park, but lovely) and near where you'll be staying.

Pasty shop on Lizard Point is famous!

St Ives is nice for a wander around, and you can also go down onto the beach while you're there.

So much to do... you'll have to go back for a 2nd visit!

[FatherTed]

Now we're back.

The beach at Poldhu was wonderful - it has a long stretch of sandy beach, sand pools, loos and a little unobtrusive shop/cafe.

Roskilly's open farm (where they make the ice-cream ) near St. Keverne was excellent. It was free, had some lovely woodland walks and cow-milking at 4.30 each day as well as the best food we had on the holiday (all freshly home made - yummy).

Paradise Park has everything you need to keep kids entertained for the whole day ("carrot time" for the goats, llamas etc., kids can chuck fish at the penguins and play in the "play barn inside).

Not very impressed with the Cyder Farm - it's free, but it looks like they need to develop it a fair bit before it can keep you entertained for the whole day.

Tehidy was OK, but they really need to do something about the dog-poo everywhere (WHY do dog owners think it's acceptable to let them do that?).

Oh, and having seen the traffic jams coming the other way on the bank holiday weekend, we are never, ever going to drive to Cornwall near half-term or bank holidays. I cannot imagine what the people sitting in the 5-mile tailback on the A38 were feeling like last Friday...

[FatherTed]

Oh yes, and Trevarno was lovely and they do jolly good cream teas!