12 Unmissable Places to Visit in Cornwall With Kids

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Pack your bags, load up the car and get ready to give the kids a fantastic holiday in Cornwall. You don’t need me to tell you to spend as much time as you possibly can in Cornwall’s picturesque and sandy beaches, but did you know that Cornwall is packed with unmissable family-friendly attractions? There are zoos, aquariums, castles, gardens, parks, and much more! We have selected 12 of the top unmissable places to visit in Cornwall with kids. Add a bit of magic to your holiday by including some (or even just one!) of these places in your itinerary.

1) Cornish Seal Sanctuary (Gweek)

High on our list of Cornwall’s unmissable places to visit with kids is the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Not many places in the country enable children to get up close to marine mammals and inspire future generations to protect the marine animals that live on our coasts.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates marine animals from our coasts who are in need of specialist care. Those that make a full recovery are released back into the wild. Meanwhile, those that require specialist care for life will find a new home at the sanctuary. The sanctuary hosts Cornwall’s Seal Hospital which rehabilitates about 70 grey seal pups per year. If there are any pups under the care of the hospital, visitors can see them and learn about their journey to recovery.

The children will love getting up close to the seals, sea lions, penguins and even farm animals. However, the sanctuary offers much more than just an opportunity to observe seals up close. There are scheduled feedings, a pirate play area, and 42 acres of land for you to enjoy woodland walks or even a picnic.

There is a long walk from the entrance to the seal pools. If you are travelling with babies or small children, be sure to take a pushchair or carrier with you.

2) Tintagel Castle (Tintagel)

A day out at Tintagel Castle is sure to ignite your children’s imagination. Explore the castle ruins and discover the legends of King Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table. Believed to be the birthplace of King Arthur, Tintagel Castle is filled with history, myth and mystery.

If you plan your visit to coincide with low tide you will be able to explore Tintagel Haven (the secluded beach beneath the castle). Search the rock pools, look for seals and find Merlin carved into the rocks.

Located high on Cornwall’s rugged coast, the views from the castle ruins are breathtaking. However, the rugged terrain can make visiting a little tricky for some families. If you are travelling with babies, leave the pushchair at home and take the baby carrier or sling instead. Travelling with a toddler? Be prepared to hold their hand near cliff edges and to carry them when the stairs or rugged terrain gets tricky for little legs.

3) The Lost Gardens of Heligan (St.Austell)

Get lost in these beautiful and truly unique gardens. In addition to a wonderful network of gardens to explore, you will also find the UK’s only outdoor jungle (with its very own rope bridge!), hidden sculptures, and one of the country’s best natural playgrounds. Once you are feeling tired and hungry from exploring Heligan’s 200 acres, enjoy a meal made with local produce, some of which is grown in Heligan itself.

There’s a lot of ground to cover, therefore if you are visiting with young children bring a pushchair with you. Although toddlers will love exploring the gardens and the fantastic playground, little legs get tired and may benefit from taking a little break in the pushchair.

How did the gardens get “lost” in the first place you may wonder? During World War I, Heligan’s workforce was deployed and many were killed during the war. The gardens declined and were taken over by brambles and ivy. In 1990 the gardens were re-awakened and became Europe’s largest garden restoration project.

4) Newquay Zoo (Newquay)

Over 1,000 jungle, savannah and even farm animals are waiting to greet you at Newquay Zoo. In the African Savannah, you will see herds of wildebeest and zebra. You won’t need to catch a plane to meet Madagascar’s parrots and crowned lemurs. Stroll over to the Gems of the Jungle enclosure where east Asian songbirds will free-fly above you. If you prefer creepy crawlies, the Tropical House has a selection of insects and snakes. Meanwhile, the Village Farm is home to familiar favourites including pigs, rabbits and ducks.

Once you have seen all of the animals there is still more to explore, get lost in the Cornish Dragon Maze, burn off some energy at the adventure playground or explore 13 acres of tropical gardens.

5) The Eden Project (Bodelva)

One of Cornwall’s family-friendly gems is The Eden Project. Ever wondered what it feels like to trek through a tropical rainforest? Experience the sights, smells and sounds of tropical habitats without leaving the country. The Eden Project has a Rainforest Biome, a Mediterranean Biome, a Western Australia Garden and plenty of outdoor garden space for little legs to run around in.

If you have a head for heights, you can enjoy amazing views from the Rainforest Canopy Walkway. The Cloud Bridge will enable you to feel the jungle’s humidity and the Rain Shack will shelter you from a tropical storm. There are also sculptures on display and seasonal displays.

If you are visiting on a chilly day, make sure that you are wearing layers. It will be warmer in the biomes than outside.

6) Lappa Valley (Newquay)

Hidden just outside Newquay is Lappa Valley, a family-friendly attraction with a fleet of steam engines, a boating lake, a crazy golf course, indoor and outdoor play areas, and woodland walks. An ideal day out in Cornwall for kids who love trains!

Lappa Valley’s railway lines run on the oldest railway track bed in Cornwall. Their fleet of steam engines will delight the train lovers in the family, each with their own story and history.  Some were even designed by leading railway engineers.

You will arrive at the attraction by steam train, therefore aim to arrive about 15 minutes early so that you can park, enter the park and board the train.

7) St Michael’s Mount (St. Ives)

St Michael’s Mount is one of the top unique things to do in Cornwall with kids. At high tide, the castle sits isolated on an island, at low tide a cobbled causeway appears connecting it to the mainland.

Legend says that a giant once walked across this causeway. Can you be as brave as Jack the Giant Killer, a young man from Marazion, and lay a trap for Cormoran (the giant that lived on the Mount)? On your way up to the castle, search for the giant’s heart where the giant fell to his death.  

The kids will love learning about Cormoran, exploring the castle, seeing the small harbour village that is still inhabited today, and discovering the unique flowers that flourish in the gardens as a result of the mild microclimate.  In the castle, visitors can see a piece of Napoleon’s coat worn at the Battle of Waterloo, a mummified cat from Egypt, and a sofa where Queen Victoria sat.

If you have a preference for either walking across the causeway or taking a boat, be sure to check the tides so that you can schedule your visit accordingly. If you are travelling with babies or young children and are planning on walking across the walkway at low tide, take a baby carrier or sling with you and leave the pushchair at home. The damp and cobbled path makes pushing a pushchair difficult and uncomfortable.

8) Pendennis Castle (Falmouth)

Cornwall is rich in Tudor history, ready for the kids to explore. Dive into Tudor history and explore a mighty fortress built by Henry VIII, which has defended the country since the Tutor period all the way up to World War II. The exhibits at Pendennis Castle make history come to life and will ignite your children’s imagination.

The Castle has a wide selection Tudor, Napoleonic, Victorian and 20th-century guns for your family to discover. The interactive installation in the Tudor Keep will let the children experience the castle under attack. Before you book your tickets, don’t forget to check the events page on the Castle’s website for the schedule of live-action events (such as knights tournaments) so that you don’t miss out.

The castle was strategically built on a headland for its clear views of the coastline, climb the spiral staircase for breath-taking views of the Cornish coast.

9) Dairyland Farm Park (Newquay)

Have a fun day out at Dairyland Farm Park. The children will love meeting their favourite farm animals up close including sheep, goats, cows, donkeys, alpacas and llamas, chickens, rabbits, pigs and ducks.

Every farm needs a tractor and Dairyland Farm Park is no exception. Discover vintage tractors in the Tractor Shed or take a tractor ride.  Those who are feeling brave and adventurous will love the Pony Rides, the creepy crawlies in the Bug Zone, and zipping down the Flying Foxes.  

In addition to the animals and activities, the farm also has wildlife trails for the kids to burn off energy. If you visit on a rainy or cloudy day there are plenty of indoor play areas.

10) Bodmin Jail (Bodmin)

If you are travelling to Cornwall with big kids who enjoy ghost stories, grim history and a good fright, then don’t miss visiting the immersive attraction at Bodmin Jail with your tweens and teens.

Built in 1778, on the order of Henry VIII, Bodmin Jail was famous for hosting public hangings until 1862.  Today, the jail is supposedly haunted and has been transformed into a visitor attraction that shares Bodmin Jail’s rich history. In 2021, after significant investment and re-development, the ‘Dark Walk’ was launched. It uses theatrical and cinematic effects to bring history to life.

Although children younger than 8-years-old can enter Bodmin Jail, due to the realistic effects and dark stories, it is at the parents’ discretion whether they take part. Bodmin Jail has fast track options at sensitive points. Speak to staff upon arrival if you think this would make the experience more enjoyable for your family.

11) Greevor Tin Mine (Penzance)

Add a unique activity to your Cornwall itinerary and give the kids an opportunity to learn what life was like for minors. Cornwall has a rich history of tin and copper mining which can still be seen dotted across the landscape. Cornwall was the world’s main supplier of copper in the early 19^th Century. Discover this rich heritage and history at Greevor Tin Mine, the largest preserved mining site in the UK.

Families exploring the Greevor Tin Mine will learn about the Cornish tin and copper mining industry through hands-on interactive experiences. Try your hand at panning for gems and keep what you find! At the Hard Rock Museum there is a collection of minerals, rocks and mining tools. Listen to the minors’ stories in their own words through the Greevor Voices exhibit, which includes rare footage taken underground. A small part of the vast underground network is open for you to explore. Go underground experience the mine’s atmosphere for yourself.

Some parts of the site are not pushchair accessible. If you are travelling with young children be sure to take the baby carrier with you.  To visit the underground exhibits, children need to be able to walk on their own (and not be carried).

12) Land’s End Landmark (Sennen)

The last (but by no means least!) location on our list of unmissable places to take the kids in Cornwall is Land’s End.

Land’s End is the most westerly point in mainland England. Stand on the edge of the country and look into the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.

More than just a car park and cliffs, Land’s End has a complex filled with family-friendly activities. Plan for at least a morning, there are cliff-top walks, restaurants, and shops. The pay-as-you-go attractions include Arthur’s Quest, 4D Film Jolly Roger, Aardman Grand Experience and Greeb Farm.

Don’t miss an opportunity to take in the breathtaking views. Two sections of the Coastal Footpath intersect at Land’s End, so bring your walking shoes.

Our top 12 unmissable places to visit in Cornwall with kids were selected for their uniqueness and the educational experiences they will give your children. Adding one or two of these activities to your itinerary will add excitement to your visit to Cornwall.

Cornwall’s weather can be a little unstable. Even during the summer months, you may have a bright sunny day followed by a cloudy or rainy day. Keep a list of your top favourite unmissable activities from this list and pull them out on a cloudy day. The kids will love visiting zoos, aquariums, castles, gardens, and parks are great for cloudy days when the weather is a bit too chilly for the kids to enjoy the beach.