Cornwall - Interesting places/attractions to visit (open to anything)

[Bananachews]

Hi everyone. My 5 year old has pointed to Cornwall on our family scratch map for our 2027 family holiday which I am over the moon about. We have always wanted to go to Cornwall and never have so we want to make the most of our time there.

At the moment we are probably looking to stay at one of the Haven sites, however after driving 7/8 hours to get to Cornwall in the first place we are more than happy to drive around to visit the most exciting places, we don’t want the haven sites to restrict us as we aren’t sure when we will be able to go back due to the length of travel. Not sure how long we will be there for either (we are at very early stages of planning, but most likely 7 days due to the travel time).

The only place I want to go to for definite is the Eden Project, and our son wants a nice beach (which I’m presuming is everywhere). Maybe somewhere he could have a surfing lesson? We also have a baby who will be approaching 2 by the time we visit. My husband loves Cider and a quick google said there was a brewery tour somewhere?

I would love if you could tell me your favourite places to go. Happy to hear both family friendly suggestions and adults only as we potentially may be going with grandparents who may want to split off by themselves and/or take the kids on their own at times as well. I have done a quick google but it’s so overwhelming I thought it would be a good idea to get some opinions from people who have been or live there as a starting point.

We genuinely are open to anything - caves, beaches, walking, zoos and aquariums, wandering around towns and shops, brewery tours etc.

Thanks

Re the brewery tour - that should have said ‘nearby the Haven sites’

There’s a seal sanctuary in Greek

Gweek that should be

St Michael’s mount is nice. Ferry can take you over and I think you can walk back at low tide.

My uncle had a house in Sennen, lands end but that’s right at the end of the county

Great uncle I mean.

Tintagel. There are a few tin mines in Penzance, they’re nice to look around. Lost Gardens of Helligan.

I personally like Portminster (St Ives) and Perranporth. The beach at Sennen from recollection is rocky and dangerous. Would not swim there.

Minack theatre. It is a long way west though and the wiggly Cornish roads are slow. They do some fab family shows in summer. Squashbox theatre (one bloke) usually does summer. He's brilliant.

Geevor mine is really interesting

The Healey's cyder farm (where rattler is made) is a nice place - they do tours, a tractor ride through the orchard, and have a nice cafe/restaurant and have a few farm animals to look at.

Don’t want to put you off but it can rain in August too. Like a lot. So I was told. But that could’ve put me off from going then.

The Lizard. Glendurgan Gardens. Penrose.

I wouldn't plan on zig zagging around Cornwall in August. Pick an area and then plan trips no further than an hour. Cornwall looks relatively small and easy to travel around but the volume of tourists and teeny roads will have you stuck in your car for hours!!!
As a starting point I would choose North or South Coast.
Heligan is my favourite tourist spot.

Healeys cyder farm is fab for kids,tractor ride round the orchard,farm animals to look at and very child friendly restaurant and outdoor areas and they do a more adult tour too.its very near perranporth which has a haven Perran sands,and other great holiday parks you could consider close by are trevornick or monkey tree,both brilliant.perranporth or holy well are very child friendly and would have surf lessons.cornwall is brilliant.newquay is also brilliant beaches,surf lessons,shops etc,youl have a great holiday wherever you choose it's brilliant.

The Minack theatre is breathtaking. It's open air and on the cliffs looking out to sea.

They always do an amazing children's performance which would suit both of your children's ages. The performer is usually Craig from Squash box who is very good.

There are lots if lovely beaches also open air pools at Penzance, Bude and Hayle.

You can also do wildlife sea trips to sea seals and dolphins.

Cornwall is quite vast so I would pick your site then destinations within an hour of it.

If you picked the haven site in Perranporth-

Healeys cyder farm
Perranporth beach
Newquay for surf lessons
Big FT Rockpool Adventures (also newquay)
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Eden Project
Newquay zoo and Blue reef aquarium- lovely but small
Wheal Martyn

Haven site in Hayle-

Paradise Park
Geevor tin mine
Minack theatre
Glendurgan Gardens
Gweek seal sanctuary
Tate gallery St Ives
St Michael's Mount
Jubilee Pool Penzance

The lizard is nice.

So many gorgeous beaches!
Our favourite things to do in Cornwall include Carnglaze Caverns, Looe glass bottom boat ride, Tintagel Castle, everything about Fowey including the beach and walk up to Catherine’s Castle, Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Michael’s Mount, Bodmin Jail, Jamaica Inn

Oh that sounds lovely! Thank you

I’ve just had a google of that! That’s going on my provisional list, looks lovely. Thank you

Thank you, I will keep that in mind. I would like to avoid any injuries if possible lol

Is there another time of year that’s better? We could potentially look to go in May if not?

Thank you for the tip. Just before writing this post I did a google from one of the Haven sites to Lands End and it said 40 minutes which I was really surprised at, thought it would have taken much longer. However, after reading your comment it makes complete sense. I’m not set on Haven 100% so if we end up finding a few places in a different area I will look for accommodation elsewhere.

We’ve been to Sennen a few times. First few times it was lovely. Last time it was horrific! Even just paddling up to my ankles I got knocked over by a wave (and I’m very fat so no mean fest) and had to be helped up by the lifeguards 🙈 never again

Thanks so much! It was Healeys that came up so I will add that to my list now you’ve said it good as well. I will have a look at those holiday parks as well. I only said Haven as we’ve recently come back from one and my eldest loved it, but definitely open for other suggestions. It’s just so overwhelming when you start looking as there is so much to do and everywhere you look at, looks amazing so it’s hard to choose a location to stay in!