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

I’m currently staying at the Haven site at Hayle and the beaches are glorious, site well kept. You will need to drive every day as it’s a bit out of town. Haven’t used the site facilities (no kids and not social) but there is a Wetherspoon close by.

Kynance is rubbish with kids in my experince. Personally I wasn't that keen on it full stop. It's pretty but I didn't like being hemmed in.

Perranporth is great. Masses of space and some rock pools for little ones to paddle. And you're basically in the town for food, emergency sun block, etc.

we took DD when she was 4 and it was such a lovely trip, she absolutely loved the lost gardens of helligan and Lappa valley.
we also found a few nice beaches and took the train to st Ives.
my favourite place we went was st micheals mount, we walked across the causeway then after exploring the tide came in and we got the boat back, DD was amazed.

Prideaux manor in Padstow is very interesting. If you are in the lane outside at 2pm you can watch the deer being fed, the chap who looks after them is brilliantly knowledgeable and happy to chat, you may be able to help feed the deer too

If you are in the middle of Cornwall you should be able to get to most places but in high summer I suggest you leave early in the morning to avoid traffic. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest days so pick things close by.

Good beaches for young children are Perranporth, Polly Joke, Holywell and Rock on the North coast. There are some nice ones on the south coast on the Roseland Peninsular and Porthcurno.

Some great attractions are Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan. There are a few kiddie attractions for when the weather is not great like Kidzworld and Trethorne Launceston. Further down in West Cornwall St Michaels Mount is great as is St Ives although that can get very busy. Newquay has lots for families and some fantastic beaches.

I found Eden overrated but I adored the Lost Gardens of Heligan and have been back three times since my first visit when it was first opened and the changes over time have been fascinating.

St Michael's Mount is also a favourite along with the Minack.

Oh. Yes lappa valley is lovely for little ones

my now-adult DD went on holiday with some friends and Trebah was high on her list because of her childhood memory of the enormous gunnera. She was pleased to find that although she’s grown the plants were still impressively large!

For children and teens there are slip and slides dotted over Cornwall which are useful in all weathers.. also recommend the rogue theatre who do an outdoor theatre for families in tehidy woods near Camborne. I would also recommend buying any children very cheap wetsuits before you get there.. the amount of families trying to purchase warmer and waterproof clothes means there's very little left.. and for a reasonable price.

Oh and its also worth going to any very touristy attractions on a Friday or Saturday as change over day generally means they're quieter

Healeys cider farm, lost gardens of Heligan, Eden project, Padstow (include Camel Trail), St Ives (include Tate), Falmouth (include maritime museum), Fowey, Tintagel Castle, Pendennis Castle, Plymouth Aquarium, National Trusts (Trengwainton, Lanhydrock, Trelissick), Fistral or any other Newquay beach for surf lesson, Crantock Beach, Holywell beach, St Agnes, Lappa Valley. So much to do!! I can think of more if you need it.

I went during a storm
It was absolutely beautiful! We stayed away from the shore for obvious reasons 😆 absolutely enormous waves

Carbis Bay - near St Ives
Watergate Bay - surfing
are you NT members ?

Apologies if already mentioned but St Nectans glen is my favourite place to visit, it’s absolutely magical. Rainforest, waterfalls and a lovely walk round. Make sure you bring a towel so you can paddle in the stream below the waterfall.

Padstow is well worth a visit, and Rock across the water.
St Ives is lovely, but can get very busy in peak seasons - we usually go there if we're heading off that way in March/April.
St Michael's Mount is spectacular, we loved it there and there's a fab pub/hotel on the mainland with a view across the bay that we've eaten at several times.
Don't bother with Lands End, it's an absolute dump of a place. Most disappointing visit ever, we went to recreate a photo that my Nan had had taken in the 70s.
Looe/Talland area was disappointing, very run down and not nice beaches. The North coast is preferable.
We loved the Eden Project but preferred the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Breathtaking and unexpected.

Porthcurno Beach is beautiful and the nearby communications and cabling museum is a geek paradise. Also next door is the Minack Theatre, built into the cliff face.