Household holidays aren’t all the time low cost, even should you keep within the UK. However even one of the vital widespread components of the nation for household holidays, you’ll find loads of free issues to do in Cornwall with youngsters.
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Whether or not you’re heading to the coast or exploring inland, Cornwall is considered one of my favorite locations to vacation – and even higher, you’ll find a string of locations to go to in Cornwall without cost, all throughout the county.
From the Camel Valley to Falmouth and Penzance, listed here are my prime issues to do in Cornwall with youngsters which received’t price a penny.
Try my full information to Cornwall with youngsters, in addition to my downloadable e book model of the information
Hit the seashore
You may’t go to Cornwall and never go to the seashore. Properly, you may however you shouldn’t. I like the wilder north coast however there are lovely stretches of sand alongside the south as nicely, whether or not you’re making sandcastles and paddling with toddlers or bringing your individual surfboards and heading into the waves.
Whichever coast you’re staying on, you’ll be near an amazing family-friendly seashore in Cornwall, however I’ve picked out a couple of of the very best.
In North Cornwall, head to the extensive open sands of Crantock Seashore, backed by dunes, and beforehand voted Britain’s greatest seashore.
Each Fistral Seashore and Polzeath Seashore are nice for surfers, together with younger freshmen, however there’s lots to maintain households completely satisfied even should you’re not selecting up a board.
Or take pleasure in a whopping three miles of sand at Perranporth seashore, or your decide of seven totally different coves at The Seven Bays, linked by coastal paths so it’s potential to slot in a few seashores right into a single day.
In the event you’re staying round St Ives, there’s a alternative of beautiful seashores in and across the city – Porthmeor seashore is considered one of my favourites however there’s Porthminster and Porthgwidden and close by Carbis Bay as nicely.
Porthcurno seashore is well one of the vital uncommon with the Minack Theatre perched excessive above it and a few wonderful turquoise water.
Or Whitesands Bay, not removed from Sennen Cove, essentially the most westerly level in England, has some great white sands (because the identify suggests!) with extra of these unimaginable turquoise waters.
Praa Sands is one other good possibility should you’re mixing points of interest and seaside, not removed from Penzance, St Michael’s Mount, and the Lizard Peninsula, with 1.5 miles of seashore and water that’s shallow sufficient even for little ones.
On the south coast, Kynance Cove has been voted the very best on this planet, well-known for its rock stacks, wildlife and caves in addition to the possibility to paddle.
Falmouth has its personal alternative of seashores too. Gyllyngvase (aka Gylly) Seashore is simply 10 minutes from the city centre, with rock swimming pools in addition to watersports and loads of area to make sandcastles.
Or should you’re staying round Looe, East Looe seashore has extra calm, shallow water for youthful youngsters in addition to rockpools too.
However that’s solely a style of among the greatest, with round 400 seashores in Cornwall to attempt.
Try my submit on among the greatest seashores in Cornwall for extra concepts, together with dog-friendly seashores in Cornwall
Bude Sea Pool
In the event you’re not a fan of swimming within the sea, the ocean pool at Summerleaze Seashore is unbelievable for households, with some shallow water – plus Bude Sea Pool can be free!
It’s open year-round, though most households will need to keep on with the summer season months when the water temperature reaches round 18C, and also you’re advisable to swim at low tide.
Do keep in mind there are restricted amenities right here as nicely – it’s higher for assured swimmers and older youngsters fairly than toddlers.
Go rockpooling
It’s not all about buckets and spades both – the shoreline has some nice rock swimming pools to analyze, with crabs and lobsters among the many winkles and anemones and heading out to see into the swimming pools is all the time among the many most enjoyable issues to do without cost in Cornwall.
Hold an eye fixed out for lengthy skinny pipefish, clear prawns and cushion stars – coin-sized sea stars (or starfish) which regularly conceal amongst the weeds. In the event you do transfer stones, all the time exchange them, and don’t contact the creatures.
Treyarnon Bay between Newquay and Padstow has some massive shallow rocks swimming pools, which is a superb child-friendly possibility in order for you concepts of free issues to do close to Newquay, whereas additional up the coast, Greenaway Seashore close to Polzeath is ideal for older youngsters.
On the south coast, there are some nice rockpooling choices close to Falmouth, together with Fort Seashore and Hannafore Seashore close to Looe. The Cornwall Wildlife Belief additionally runs rockpool safaris and rockpool rambles all year long, in addition to seashore clear ups.
Try these tips about rockpooling from the Pure Historical past Museum, with recommendation on the whole lot you want in addition to how to not harm the marine life
The Camel path
The disused railway line is now a nice cycle monitor or strolling route taking you thru the Camel Valley, from Padstow on the coast previous beautiful little villages (and to the world’s winery if in case you have a few cents to spend).
There’s round 18 miles to discover in order for you a correct journey however for a better time out in Cornwall with toddlers, attempt the 5 mile part from Wadebridge to Padstow, or enterprise additional on to Bodmin for a 12 mile stretch of the route.
There are additionally locations to park alongside the path (and bike rent, together with youngsters bikes should you haven’t packed your individual.)
Lanhydrock cycle trails
The paths across the Nationwide Belief property of Lanhydrock are free (should you carry your individual bikes) with totally different issue ranges, together with ones appropriate for trailers and tagalongs.
The inexperienced path is best for youthful youngsters, solely a mile and a half lengthy and appropriate for trailers and tagalongs – good should you simply desire a half hour cycle earlier than hitting the journey playground.
There are additionally 4 totally different blue trails (average issue) for a bit extra of a check, whereas older youngsters and youths will love the purple path and the abilities space, to spice up your confidence and practise among the trickier off-road path abilities you’ll want.
In the event you’re a Nationwide Belief member, you may cease in at Lanhydrock with out spending an additional penny – in addition to the opposite Nationwide Belief properties in Cornwall.
Stroll the coast
The South West Coast Path stretches for 300 miles round this a part of the UK – greater than sufficient to search out a couple of good free locations to go to in Cornwall, from dramatic cliffs to conventional fishing villages and wandering previous some extra of these great seashores.
In the event you’re unsure the place to begin, the web site allows you to refine your search by issue and theme, in addition to location, so should you’re searching for a simple, household strolling route, it’ll present you the very best locations to amble.
How a couple of seashore stroll at Crantock, a stroll to Pendennis Fort and even heading from Penzance to Marazion, to not point out plenty of choices which can be lower than a mile lengthy.
In the event you’re already an English Heritage member, you may cease in at Pendennis citadel with out an additional cost – or any of the opposite English Heritage properties in Cornwall.
You may also stroll from Sennen Cove to Lands Finish (or from the village of Sennen itself) to see the views right here – though it’s price realizing you need to pay to have a photograph taken with the well-known signpost. Lizard Level is essentially the most southerly level of mainland Britain (although Lands Finish is furthest from John O’Groats) and there’s an amazing path across the cliffs right here too.
Cardinham Woods
Residence to the Forestry Fee’s family-friendly actions, such among the exercise trails impressed by Julia Donaldsonbooks, there are additionally 4 strolling trails to discover at Cardinham Woods together with three cycle trails.
In the event you’re visiting Cornwall with a child or toddler, one of many strolling trails is buggy pleasant, plus there’s a play space and cafe.
There’s a cost for parking until you’re a discovery cross holder, at £4 for 2 hours or £7 for the entire day (paybyphone is accessible should you didn’t carry cash).
Not 100% free, admittedly however nonetheless nice should you’re searching for low cost days out in Cornwall.
See the mines at Botallack
Earlier than tourism, Cornwall’s wealth got here from mining, and the coast and countryside remains to be plagued by the stays of those mines.
And when you can’t go down into Botallack mine not like these at Geevor close by (paid!), it’s an amazing place to study a little bit extra about this aspect of Cornish historical past in addition to having fun with the dramatic clifftop surroundings.
The mine’s tunnels prolong half a mile beneath the ocean, and it’s thought that round 20,000 tonnes of copper have been mined, together with tin and (unexpectedly) arsenic.
In the present day, you may nonetheless see the Crownds engine home, which pumped water out of the shafts, and which has been used for filming of the TV sequence Poldark. The previous mine workplace has extra info and homes the customer centre and cafe.
Sadly you may not study extra about Cornwall’s mining heritage at Heartlands, which was probably the greatest free days out in Cornwall with youngsters, closed in 2024
Mount Edgcumbe Nation Park
The previous house of Earls, the home and formal gardens do price to enter, however there’s 865 acres of nation park with loads of walks to discover.
Attempt the tree path or the panorama stroll which takes you to among the greatest viewpoints across the grounds.
In the event you don’t fancy following a selected route, you may merely wander by the river and spot wild deer too.
Uncover Merlin’s cave
Tintagel’s beautiful setting and legendary historical past makes it considered one of my favorite locations to go to in Cornwall, however you needn’t fork out for the citadel ruins to get a style of King Arthur.
Head all the way down to the seashore (at low tide) and you may discover Merlin’s cave – there’s scrambling concerned, so this one is best with older youngsters than infants or toddlers.
Examine the tide tables earlier than you go, as you may’t get in whereas the tide is in. And do pack a torch…
Stroll to St Michael’s Mount
You’ll want a powerful will and a good price range to not discover the entire of St Michael’s Mount, however should you’re decided to not spend any cash, the stroll throughout the causeway (verify the tides!) is unbelievable as you attain this island neighborhood.
In the event you go to between October 1 and April 30, entry to the harbour and village is free for everybody throughout opening hours, however there’s normally a cost at different instances (until you’re a Nationwide Belief member).
You may wander across the village and picture what life is like for the 30 islanders who nonetheless name it house – be part of one of many free guided excursions to find extra of the historical past in addition to the households who reside on the Mount.
Bodmin Moor
The wildest a part of Cornwall, Bodmin Moor is a captivating place to roam, with Bronze Age and Neolithic cairns and stone circles and its personal retailer of ghost tales and legends, in addition to as soon as being a hang-out of smugglers.
For a much less spooky possibility, you may go geocaching on the moor in addition to following a part of the Copper Path, a 60-mile strolling route.
Look out for the granite rock formations together with the Cheesewring, climb among the tors (hills topped with rocks) and for youths who love tales of King Arthur, don’t miss a go to to Dozmary Pool the place the Woman of the Lake supposedly gave Excalibur to Merlin.
In the event you do need to discover out extra about Cornwall’s smuggling historical past, together with how Bodmin Moor was on the coronary heart of it, head to Jamaica Inn which has a small smuggling museum inside – not free nevertheless it’s just a few kilos per individual, so enjoyable with older youngsters (or followers of Daphne Du Maurier’s novel Jamaica Inn).
As a enjoyable bonus, you can even go to the village of Minions when you’re at Bodmin Moor – not named for the little yellow characters from Despicable Me, however the village has positively embraced them!
Golitha Falls
The Golitha Falls Nature Reserve is one other magical spot that’s a part of Bodmin Moor, with footpaths main by the valley alongside the riverside.
One path is buggy-friendly, however older youngsters will love stepping stones and clambering over tree trunks on the way in which to the falls. Don’t neglect to be careful for the piskies which reside there…
There’s free parking and also you’ll typically discover a trailer promoting BBQ meals, though should you do carry your individual provisions, it’s one so as to add to the checklist of fully free days out in Cornwall.
Falmouth Artwork Gallery
This gallery has received an award for its family-friendliness, with choices for all ages together with craft classes, child portray and sensory play – splendid without cost actions in Cornwall with youthful youngsters.
There are additionally commonly altering exhibitions, together with ones which can attraction to youngsters, equivalent to Alice in Wonderland.
However no matter else is on, you’ll discover greater than 1,700 artworks within the assortment to find, so it’s additionally one to recollect should you want concepts of free issues to do in Cornwall on a wet day.
Museum of Cornish Life, Helston
An incredible possibility for a free days out in Cornwall with youngsters if it’s raining, the Museum of Cornish Life is a enjoyable method to study extra concerning the county’s historical past.
You’ll discover all types of objects on show as an instance totally different sides of Cornish tradition, in addition to a giant social historical past assortment, shows on inventor Henry Trengrouse, to not point out the whole lot from farming to toys to gardening to musical devices.
There are exercise sheets and dressing up for households in addition to occasional exercise trails.
There are extra free museums to go to in Cornwall with youngsters, together with the Tintagel Toy Museum and little Penryn Museum. The Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro can be free for youths, however adults to need to pay – though it’s nonetheless an inexpensive time out at £7.50 for an annual cross.
Flicka Basis Donkey Sanctuary
In case your youngsters love animals, they’ll be in heaven at Flicka Basis Donkey Sanctuary simply outdoors Falmouth, house to greater than 100 rescued donkeys (and some ponies).
It’s free to enter and go searching, though donations are welcome to assist take care of the donkeys – plus there’s a really tempting cafe to go to as nicely.
In the course of the summer season, they’ll be out within the paddocks with paths to take you previous, whereas through the winter months you may go to them of their barn. The sanctuary isn’t open day-after-day, so do verify earlier than you go to.
Spot camels
It’s not simply the Camel valley that you could discover, there’s even a herd of the humped beasts to search out at Cornish Camels.
Residence to Bactrian camels in addition to cows and sheep, comply with the free farm path that permits you to wander previous and camel spot.
The Camel Centre is definitely a marriage venue, however has vacation lodging as nicely, and you may park to discover Goonhilly Downs Nature Reserve in addition to eyeing up the animals.
Attempt some cider
Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm is a superb place to go to should you’re excited about how among the county’s conventional food and drinks is made – and there’s lots for youths.
You may look some areas round without cost, together with an opportunity to see the animals and spot the six new tanks which every maintain an enormous 100,000 litres of freshly pressed apple juice simply ready to be fermented. Look out for the cider tanks too, together with with an enormous rattle snake on.
In the event you do need the complete expertise, there are family-friendly guided excursions to study extra, though these are paid – solely beneath fives are free.
The store itself is free to enter… however realistically, you’ll need to take house among the jam and cider!
Have an ice cream
Visiting Roskilly’s Ice Cream Farm is one other on the checklist of the issues to do in Cornwall without cost – you may wander across the farm to fulfill the animals, watch cows being milked, take pleasure in some beautiful walks and see the ice cream (plus yoghurt and fudge) being made. And take a look at a couple of samples.
Though if do you escape with out shopping for a single ice cream, I salute you! Even with a cone all spherical, a go to right here nonetheless qualifies while you’re after low cost issues to do in Cornwall.
For much more concepts of the place to go to throughout a household vacation to Cornwall and issues to do with youngsters in Cornwall, take a look at my final information to Cornwall with youngsters, plus my prime issues to do in Cornwall with youngsters and issues to do in Cornwall within the rain
*First printed 2016. Up to date 2024*
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