Are you searching for fun family days out in Cornwall? Well look no further, we’ve got it covered in our top 5 child friendly attractions in Cornwall. Cornwall is a great family location with plenty of activities for both old and young. This is why it is such a popular destination for holidays and holiday home ownership, with there being something different to do every time you visit. In this post, we have chosen a selection of our favorite family days out that between them cater for all weather conditions.
1. Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek
Located in Gweek, which is just a 20-minute drive from Mullion Cove, the Cornish seal sanctuary is set in 42 acres of stunning Cornish scenery around the Helford estuary. Half the world’s population of grey seals live on and around the British coast, and their numbers have doubled since the 1960s.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to meet the adorable whiskered residents, and hear the touching tales behind their rescues. Visitors are also able to get up close to the other residents, which include comical penguins, mischievous otters, and noisy sea lions. You are also free to explore the remarkable woodland or test your bravery by finding out how it feels to touch starfish, crab and other creatures living in the interactive rock pool.
2. Dairyland Farm World
Located a short 7-minute drive from Piran Meadows, Newquay, Dairyland is a fantastic adventure park to suit all ages. Visitors can experience everything from petting and feeding the farm animals to tractor and pony rides, cow milking, nature trails and much more. Dairyland also offers great activities under cover for when the weather is not so good, including the Bull Pen – a massive indoor play centre, as well as the Milking Parlour and the Farm Museum, where visitors can explore Cornish farm life throughout the ages. There is also a Kitchen Café, which offers a great range of good value food and drink.
3. the Eden Project
Set in a reclaimed Kaolanite pit 5km from St Austell, the Eden project showcases artificial biomes containing a diverse collection of plants that imitate the key biomes around the world. The rainforest biome is especially interesting as it exhibits an extremely rich diverse plant ecosystem, which you can observe from a raised viewing platform. The inflated plastic structures themselves are a stunning architectural feat, and are well worth visiting.
Also for those who are interested in their James Bond trivia, the site was used as a set in the filming of Die Another Day. Overall the Eden Project is a great educational trip for the whole family highlighting the relationship between people and plants. Kids can enjoy specially designed play areas as well as follow exciting trails around the site, with shortcuts, hideaways, steppingstones and sandpits. There are also, at various points during the year, special events for kids to get involved with, including den building in the summer, ice skating in the winter, and rock climbing. It has both indoor and outdoor gardens, so it can cater for visitors whatever the weather. The food there is also good quality, ethically sourced and reasonably priced.
4. Newquay Zoo
Less than 10 minutes from Piran Meadows, Newquay Zoo offers exotic fun for all the family. Kids can get up close to over 130 of the world’s rare and exciting creatures, and they can spectate as some of the most lethal cats on the planet devour their lunch. There is also an opportunity to learn more about conservation, as Newquay Zoo is home to some severely endangered species including the delightful Red Pandas, Owston’s Civets and Black Wildebeest.
Keeper talks and animal feeding sessions occur regularly throughout the day, and offer an educational insight into how all varieties of majestic animals go about their daily lives. On top of this, Newquay Zoo’s Animal Experiences give you the chance to meet and feed some of their most popular residents including both cheeky Lemurs and chummy Penguins. Finally if you still have energy after all that, Newquay Zoo has a variety of activity trails, face painting, a dragon maze as well as a children’s play area to keep the kids occupied!
5. Crealy Adventure Park
Recently awarded the Best Family Attraction in Cornwall by readers of Primary Times for three consecutive years, Crealy Adventure Park is a popular choice for visitors with young ones. Located in 111 acres of Cornish countryside, the Adventure Park is a haven of family-friendly rides, giant play areas as well as a sanctuary for hundreds of cute friendly animals. Boasting a rich variety of crazy rides, novel attractions as well as indoor entertainment for those inevitable days when the sun isn’t shining, Cornwall’s Crealy is highly recommended as a Children’s playground destination. Look out for Swampy and Dina, the park’s resident characters!
Piran Meadows offers the ideal place to base yourself in Cornwall, enjoy your getaway, your way, with your family