on 18/06/2019
When people think of Cornwall, they think of the beach, and whilst we are graced with endless sandy shores, there are also plenty of other days out to be had! Here are some of our top choices for days out with the family that don’t include sand...
No. 1 – Lanhydrock, Bodmin
Lanhydrock is a National Trust spot, and hosts a beautiful estate and endless garden. The house itself is a beautiful country mansion to roam, and there are strict routes to follow. The gardens and surrounding land you can explore at your own pace with complete freedom. There are easy routes to follow around the flower gardens and bluebell patch, and there are longer routes through woodland areas. Definitely a beautiful day out in the sunshine. If you forget to bring lunch, there is a café/tea room on site.
No. 2 – Paradise Park, Helston
Paradise Park is not only a great day of adventure, but there is also lots of learning to be done as you explore – even about Cornwall’s Heritage, not just the animals and critters. Paradise Park is well known for its beautiful variety of birds, but there are also other creatures to spot along the way – such as otters, red pandas, butterflies and many more. A fun and colourful day out! There is also an indoor play area.
No. 3 – Newquay Zoo, Newquay
Newquay Zoo has an array of exhibits and an abundance of wildlife for you to adventure around. Great for all ages, you can explore at your own pace, following a map or signed markers. Take a peek into other areas around the world via the exhibits such as the Tropical House and Gems of the Jungle. There are play areas to enjoy whilst you take a break from admiring the animals. You can also book experience days – such as a penguin experience, or a junior zoo keeper experience.
No. 4 – Seal Sanctuary, Gweek
A fun day out, and a great cause to support, you can visit Cornwall’s very own Seal Sanctuary. Here they rescue pups and adult seals from around Cornwall’s coast. They do their very best to care for the seals before releasing them back into the wild. The Seal Sanctuary also hold an array of family friendly events, such as beach clean ups and conservation clubs.
We would like to thank all of the people that came to our first public seal release of the season. We didn't anticipate the amount of people that would come to support us to see the seals return to the wild. We are happy to confirm that all the pups went out quickly and enjoyed the waves! Our team stayed an hour after the release to ensure they were safe.
No. 5 – Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
An amazing space to explore, the open-air Minack Theatre has views that all the family will enjoy. Built by hand, and directly into the cliff face, it is an absolutely amazing spot to visit, there is so much history in every step – and seat! It is a working theatre, so it’s always best to check timings ahead if you want to explore freely, or you can also book tickets via their website and see a performance. The Minack Theatre also host youth productions, which are performed by their very own theatre group. If you have younger children in tow, there are some fun puppet shows with songs that the young ones will know and love.
No. 6 – Carnglaze Caverns, Liskeard
An exciting underground adventure, you can explore three caverns in a day. This former slate mine is a great option for rainy days, or a good way to avoid the hot weather, the lowest cavern even hides a crystal-clear lake. A great learning experience too, as you can learn all about slate mining on self-guided tours around the caverns. Above ground you can adventure around 6.5 acres of garden and woodland with magical paths to follow, perfect for picnics and enjoying a walk amongst Cornwall’s beautiful natural landscape.
No . 7 – Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay
Situated right on the beach in Newquay, this aquarium is a great day out no matter the weather, and a perfect little alternative to wandering along the beach itself. Though a little smaller than its sister in Plymouth, it has some great exhibits, including a fabulous turtle tank with a rescue turtle. You can experience a rockpool encounter, and learn all about their conservation projects, maybe even peek into their sea-life nursery!
No. 8 – Hidden Valley Discovery Park, Launceston
A fabulous hidden gem tucked away in Cornwall, there are many secret gardens to uncover – some of which are only reached by a single stone bridge. There is also a forbidden mansion to explore, with secret passageways and hidden doors, and one incredible ceiling to walk across. You can either leisurely explore the trails and gardens, or attempt the puzzles and challenges laid out by ‘Moriarty’. Or an even more laid back day, there is a train that will take you on a scenic ride of the park.
No. 9 – Eden Project, Bodmin
With beautiful gardens that change with the seasons, there are many areas to explore both outdoors and in. The two infamous biomes are an amazing place to adventure, with learning points along the way, you can experience the tropics of the rainforest of the warmth of the Mediterranean in a day. There is also an indoor learning centre, where the Eden Project hosts themed exhibits that do change over time, such as ‘time and space’ and ‘oceans in miniature’ – you’ll find an array of interactive displays here too.
No. 10 – St Michael’s Mount, Marazion
Said to have once been home to a giant, St Michael’s Mount is a really interesting day out. There is so much folklore and so many tales surrounding the island that you’ll be mesmerised as you explore. It is also said that the archangel Michael once appeared on the banks of the island and rescued sailors from peril. There are even tails of mermaids to uncover! You’ll be able to make your own stories as you adventure through the island’s beautiful lower gardens before winding your way along the stone staircase around the island – where you’ll find the castle. Twinned with Mont St Michel in Normandy, it really is a magical spot to explore.
No. 11 – National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
A fabulous marine conservation, research, and education charity – the national lobster hatchery is a great family day out. You can learn about sustainability, conservation, and marine life through interactive displays, whilst experiencing young lobsters and lobster hatchlings up close. There are also some other crustaceans to enjoy.
No. 12 – Hangloose Adventures, Par
For the more adventurous families, there are an array of activities to choose from at this adventure park. There is a giant 20m swing to experience, and Hangloose is also home to England’s longest and fasted zip wire – starting at 97 metres high. There are amazing panoramic views to be seen too, with endless countryside to admire. You can even finish the day by experiencing extra thrills such as jumping from 12m or 33m towers… onto giant air bags. A great thrill-seeking day out.
There are so many non-beachy days out to choose from, and almost all of these locations host seasonal events – especially during the holidays. There is always plenty to see, do, and experience in Cornwall.
