If you are anything like me, it gets to the school Summer holidays and my brain freezes. What shall we do? What would make a great day out for the family? And more importantly, how much will it all cost?
To get ahead of the game (only a week to go as I write) I thought I’d put together one of my many lists. This one lists all the big days out that I can think of in Cornwall. I’ve summarised what there is to do there and how much it should cost you.
The Minack Theatre is one of my favourite places to visit. It is carved into the cliffs overlooking Porthcurno & Pedn Vounder Beach and has the most stunning and dramatic views you can get. We always visit every Summer to go to the wonderful storytelling sessions and the occasional show. We usually combine our visit with a trip to the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, a play on Porthcurno Beach and then a walk up the cliffs to The Minack.
We have been to performances in the blazing sunshine - take sunhats, sunscreen and lots of drinks! And we have been to performances in the wind and rain - they only cancel performances in extreme weather, so take rain coats, layers and something waterproof to sit on if the weather forecast looks poor.
Opening Times
The Minack theatre opens daily from 9:30am and closes to visitors at 11:30am for matinees and 6:30pm for evening performances. If you are just coming to visit for a look around, you do need to check the website to see whether or not there is a performance during the day.
The cafe closes at 5pm
Admission Prices (not tickets for a performance)
Adults: £10.00
Under 15s: £5.00
Under 11’s: 0.50p
Under 2’s go free
You need to pre-book a specific time slot.
Ask for a re-admission voucher at the end of your visit which lets you come back to visit all year round!
Admission is free if you have a show ticket for that day.
Ticket prices for the shows do vary, so you will need to check their website for properly accurate details. The last show we went to we paid £25 per adult ticket and £12.50 for the children each.
Dog Friendly
The Minack is dog friendly EXCEPT during performances as dogs can bark and ruin the event. Guide dogs are allowed at all times.
Visit The Minack Theatre Website
St Michael's Mount have made some changes to how they are allowing visitors onto the island this Summer. It used to be you could walk over the causeway and visit the cafe and shop without having to have tickets. Dogs used to be welcome in these areas too. Not anymore!
Between 1st April to 30th September, you can only access the island with tickets.
Between October and March access to the harbour and village is free for everyone during opening hours.
Opening Times
St Michael's Mount is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm, Sunday - Friday each week until 31st October. Please do note that this means St Michael’s Mount is CLOSED every Saturday.
It is still FREE to walk across to St Michael’s Mount at low tide but if you don't have tickets for The Island you will almost be frog-marched off! However, do note that the island doesn't own the causeway and it is still a right of way. You can walk it and rockpool there for free.
If you need to get the boat, it costs £2 each way for adults, and £1 for children.
Admission Prices
Adults: £14 for the castle, £10 for the gardens or £24 for both
Children: £7 for the castle, £6 for the gardens or £13 for both
Family Ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children): £35 for the castle, £26 for the garden or £61 for both
Children under 5 go free.
National Trust Members get FREE entry
Dog Un-Friendly
Again the rules have changed!!
They have decided that dogs* and any other pets are not permitted to visit the island between 1st April and 30th September inclusive. Guide dogs are an exception to the rule.
Also do be aware that Marazion beach has a dog ban from 1 July to 31 August between 10 am and 6 pm and is dog-friendly outside of these hours and between 1 September and 30 June when dogs are permitted on the beach.
Visit St Michael’s Mount Website
When I first visited Land’s End as an adult I was a bit surprised. I was expecting it to be just a great view and a signpost. Either my memory is really bad or it really has changed since I was a child. There is a pretty big entertainment complex there now. There is lots to see, do, eat and buy, but I’m not convinced why it is there at beautiful Land’s End – it does slightly confuse me. However, I do have to say my children really enjoyed some of the entertainment bits. My son hated the 4D film experience, but that was because he found it really scary. Both of them loved the Shawn The Sheep experience and Greeb Farm.
The bits I like!
And the entertainment…
Opening Times
The main Land’s End attractions are open from 10am until 4pm.
Admission Prices
The way Land's End works is you pay for parking, then you pay for entry into each attraction.
Car Parking
If you arrive after 9am July - September it costs £7.50 to park. It does vary a bit with times and prices so you need to check - and book it online before you go.
If you have a local's pass it is free to park.
Attraction Prices
This has changed this year and you can book each attraction individually.
The Experience Ticket (all 4 attractions) – Adult £15 Child £10
Aardman presents: A Grand Experience – Adult £5.50 Child £4.50
Jolly Roger 4D – Adult £5.50 Child £4.50
Arthur’s Quest – Adult £5.00 Child £4.00
Greeb Farm – Adult £5.00 Child £4.00
There are often special offers at visitors centres and in magazines, so it is worth keeping a look out for them.
People with local's passes get 50% off all attraction prices.
Partially Dog Friendly
Dogs are allowed basically anywhere outside. They are not allowed inside the attractions or eating areas.
The Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay is the big blue building on Towan Beach promenade. It is a lovely place to visit for a few hours – we like to combine it with a nice play on the Towan beach and a shopping trip to Newquay.
The aquarium is quite small but has lots of exotic species, sharks and turtles, coral reef display and feeding sessions.
Opening Times
10am until 5pm daily. Last admission is at 4pm.
Admission Prices
It is cheaper to book tickets online beforehand!
Adult: £12.75
Child: £9.75
Under 3’s are free
Seniors & Students: £9.95 or £8.96 if you book online
Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children): £43.00
You can get annual passes – check their website for details. You can use Tesco vouchers.
Not Dog Friendly
You can’t take your dog to The Blue Reef Aquarium.
Visit The Blue Reef Aquarium WebsiteNewquay Zoo is a lovely zoo to visit. It isn’t the biggest or grandest zoo you have ever seen, but it is beautifully laid out and really well run. The keepers are so engaging and enthusiastic about their animals, they really help to make you love even the littlest of animals there.
Opening Times
10am until 5pm daily. Last admission is at 4pm.
Admission Prices
Adult: £14.85
Child: £11.15
Under 3’s are free
Saver ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £46.75
You can get annual passes – check their website for details
Not Dog Friendly
You can’t take your dog to Newquay Zoo unless it is an assitance dog.
Dairyland Farm World is a lovely kids’ adventure park offering pony & tractor rides, animal feeding, games and lots of play areas. They also have a massive indoor play area called the Bull Pen if it is raining.
Opening Times
Dairyland Farm World is open daily from 10am until 5pm. Times in the Winter vary, so check the website for details.
Admission Prices
Adult: £15.95
Child (over 80cm): £13.95
Child: (under 80cm): Free
Concessions: £9.25
Family Of 4: £46.00
You get unlimited weekly entry on full paying admission tickets. Family tickets and annual tickets are also available and off peak tickets are a bit cheaper.
Not Dog Friendly
As this is a farm with lots of free ranging animals it is not dog friendly.
View Dairyland Farm World Website
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is always on our Summer holidays bucket list. It is primarily a sanctuary for injured seal pups, with a seal hospital and rehabilitation areas. They rescue about 60 seals a year, most of which are released back into the wild, once they have recouperated. It is really educational, and the older my kids get, the more inspired they are by it.
Opening Times
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is open 7 days a week, 10am until 5pm. Last admission is at 4pm.
Admission Prices
Please do note that is is significantly cheaper to book online before you go!
Adult: £16.50
Child: £13.50
Under 3’s go free
Family of 4: £52.00
Dog Friendly
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is dog friendly! There are a few areas where you can’t take dogs, such as the seal hospital, the safari bus and inside the cafe. But the rest of the park is dog friendly (on a lead please). There are plenty of water bowls around the site and even doggy treats at the reception.
Visit The Cornish Seal Sanctuary Website
A day trip on the Scillonian to the Isles Of Scilly is a wonderful way to spend the day.
Prices do vary according to the day of the week and which month you are booking in, but they do go as low as £50 day return for a family of four. On a Wednesday in August it is £17.50 return per adult - you would need to check for specific dates and times, but it works out at pretty good value!
The Scillonian leaves Penzance harbour at 9:15am and lands on St Mary's at 12noon. You disembark and get until 4:30pm to visit the island. The boat leaves St Mary's at 4:30pm and gets back to Penzance around 7:15pm.
Some days the boat leaves later and comes back earlier, so again you would need to check times in order to give yourself a nice amount of time on St Mary's.
You can go for a longer period of time over to The Scillies, but prices do go up a fair bit. You can also get the helicopter or plane over too.
Car Parking
You can't take your car on the Scillonian, so you need to park it somewhere in Penzance. The Scillionian company do offer a park and ride service from Trereife House, but you should be able to get parking at Penzance Harbour council car park much cheaper for the day.
Visit The Scillonian Website >>
Flambards is a big amusement park near Helston. There is lots of entertainment for all ages, including some high-adrenaline thrill rides down to the indoor soft play for the younger ones and some sensible attractions such as Britain In The Blitz for the more grown up ones amongst us.
Opening Times
Ride & Attraction Days (usually school hols) 10am to 5pm with last admission at 4pm
Indoor Attraction Only Days 10am to 4pm with last admission at 3pm
Firework Spectacular Days – last admission is at 6pm
Admission Prices
It is cheaper to book online but you do need to do this at least a day in advance.
Rides + Attractions
Adult: £19.95
Child 95cm to 15 years: £14.95
Under 95cm go free
Indoor Attraction Days
Adult: £9.95
Child 95cm to 15 years: £6.95
Under 95cm go free
Visit The Flambards Experience Website
Geevor Tin Mine is the largest preserved tin mine in the country. You can go underground to explore the mine and get interactive in the museum with things like panning for gold! There are often lots of other activities that the kids can get involved with. It is all great educational fun!
Geevor sits in the most beautiful spot and is actually an Area Of Outstanding Beauty.
Opening Times
Geevor is CLOSED on Fridays and Saturdays
Open Sundays to Thursdays 9am to 4pm
Admission Prices
Adult: £17.70
Child: £9.90
Under 4’s go free
Family Ticket (2+3): £54.75
Pay once using gift aid and you will get free admission for a year.
Partially Dog Friendly
Dogs are welcome on site but are not allowed in the underground, shop and cafe.
Opening Times
10am to 4:30pm
Admission Prices
Free with English Heritage Membership
Adult: £17.60
Child: £10.60
Family of 5: £45.80
Under 5's go free
Visit The Tintagel Castle Website >>
Lappa Valley is great for those train enthusiasts among you (like my son!). When you arrive you catch a train into the park where there is lots of family friendly things to entertain you.
Opening Times
Lappa Valley opens at 10am and the ticket office closes at 4:30pm. Please arrive with at least 20 minutes spare to allow time to park, purchase tickets and board the train.
Admission Prices
Adult: £14.95
Child: £12.95
Under 3’s go free
Dogs: £1
Family tickets are also available.
Dog Friendly
Dogs are allowed at Lappa Valley providing they are well behaved and kept on a lead. They charge £1 per dog. Assistance dogs go free.
Camel Creek is a family attraction with rides, soft play, animals, cinema, food, drink and lots of play area. We haven't visited it before but we are hoping to go this Summer. It sounds like it offers a proper good day out with children.
Opening Times
Usual opening times are 10am to 5:30pm - please check website as these may vary.
Admission Prices
Over 105cm: £23.95
92cm - 105cm: £18.95
Under 92cm: free
Family of 4: £87.00
Other tickets and special offers are often available.
Annual passes are available.
Dog Unfriendly
No dogs allowed, expect guide and assistance dogs.
There aren’t many castles in Cornwall but Pendennis Castle is a good one. It was built for Henry VIII as a coastal fortress and is quite impressive. It is owned by English Heritage.
Opening Times
10am to 5pm daily
Admission Prices
Free to English Heritage members
Adult: £13.40
Child: £8.00
Under 5’s are free
Family of 5: £34.80
Visit Pendennis Castle Website
I love the National Maritime Museum, it is such a fabulous museum. It encompasses all the amazing things about the sea that everyone must love if they love being in Cornwall. It honestly is my best day out – you MUST visit it if you love the sea.
Opening Times
Open daily 10am to 5pm
Admission Prices
Adult: £15.50
Child: £7.75
Under 5’s go free
Pay once get in all year
Not Dog Friendly
Accessibility dogs are allowed in the museum. All other dogs are not allowed. However, a “dog bed” is set up outside the museum in a sheltered and protected location near the entrance with a dog bed, lead tie up and water bowl.
Visit The National Maritime Museum Website
We haven't visited Bodmin Jail, but I know lots of friends who have been. We are putting off going until my youngest is a bit older. We know he will find it too scary at the moment!
Opening Times
Opening times do slightly vary but in general it is 9:30am to 8:30pm
Admission Prices
Self-Guided Tickets
Adult: £15.00
Child (5-15): £12.50
Under 5s go free
Family of 4: £52.50
Guided Tours start at £20 per adult
Paranormal Tours and Events start at £25 per adult
Dog Unfriendly
Dogs aren't allowed in Bodmin Jail for their own well being!
Visit The Bodmin Jail Website >>
The Lost Gardens Of Heligan is such an inspiring and uplifting place to visit. We rarely go because it is a fair drive from St Ives, but when we do visit we always wish we lived closer!
Opening Times
10am to 6pm with last entry at 4:30pm
Admission Prices
Adult: £22.50
Child (5-17 years): £9.50
Under 5's go free
Family of 5: £58.00
Dog Friendly
Dogs with well-behaved owners are welcome to the Gardens all year round!
Visit The Lost Gardens Of Heligan Website >>
The Eden Project is a good drive from us in St Ives, but we always go several times a year. It is a full on day out and we find it both inspirational and quite tiring! It does involve lots of walking, lots of learning and lots of fun too.
Opening Times
Open times do vary throughout the year. In general though gates open at 10am (you can get there at 9am to park though) and close at 8pm in the Summer and 6pm in the Winter.
Admission Prices
It is cheaper to book online before you go. If you buy online you can use the ticket again all year round. You do need to buy online at least ONE DAY in advance though.
Adult: £37.50
Child: £12.00
Children 0-4 are free
Discounts and different passes are also available at certain times of the year.
Partially Dog Friendly
Dogs are allowed in the outside gardens. They are not allowed inside the biomes. Assistance dogs are allowed in all area.
Visit The Eden Project Website
Paradise Park is a wildlife park in Hayle. It is a great combination of amazing birds and smaller animals alongside play areas, a little train and a very good indoor soft play facility.
Animals
Opening Times
Summer hours are 10am to 5:30pm 7 days a week.
Winter hours are shorter and some days may close - check website for details.
Prices
You can book for the park (animals and outdoor play areas) only, or for the park and jungle barn soft play. Prices do vary with saver tickets, concessions and return tickets.
Adult full entry: £17.95
Child full entry (ages 3-16): £14.50
Under 3s go free.
Other Info
Parking
There is plenty of free parking onsite.
Visit the Paradise Park website >>
It will give you so many ideas of things you can do on your next visit to our lovely town!
If you love St Ives you will love playing our game!
Soft play can be a lifesaver on a rainy day with kids in Cornwall.
Play The Game & Visit Your Favourite Places In St Ives
