Entertain the kids
Cornwall is a great location for family holidays. There is much to keep adults interested while providing enjoyment for children at the same time. Read on for information on child’s activities in and around the Flushing and Falmouth area.
The Eden Project
location: St Austell, PL24 2SG
Eleven years ago this place was a barren, exhausted china clay pit. Now its massive Biomes (one of which is the biggest greenhouse in the world) and millions of plants bear witness to what can be achieved by a can-do attitude and the tenacity of the human spirit.
Eden is as potent a symbol of hope for the future as you could find anywhere on earth. That's the big stuff…simple pleasures await you here too: imaginative children's play areas, impromptu storytelling, workshops for all ages, a wide choice of delicious food, a shop full of amazing stuff from all over the world – and just sniffing the flowers of course!
www.edenproject.comFalmouth Maritime Museum
location: Falmouth, TR11 3QY
The Falmouth National Martime Museum makes a fun and affordable day out for all of the family, housed on Falmouth harbour-side the museum has something for everyone from seafaring enthusiasts to families. There are a large selection of exhibits covering a range of nautical subjects including 'The Curiousity Shop' showing all things weird and wonderful, and 'The Survival Zone' telling amazing stories of survival. There are also fun and educational workshops for kids with lots of opportunities for kids to interact as well as nautical themed play areas.
www.nmmc.co.ukSt Michael's Mount
location: Marazion, TR17 0EF
Stroll across the causeway where a legendary giant once walked. Follow the footsteps of pilgrims. Boat hop to an island where modern life meets layers of history. Discover a medieval castle, a sub-tropical paradise and a close-knit island community. Delve into the history of a fortress, a priory, a harbour and a home. Stray from the mainland on foot or by boat and get up close to the beguiling beauty of the castle-topped isle standing proud in Mount’s Bay. Come ashore for a family outing, a tour of the castle or a garden visit.
www.stmichaelsmount.co.ukNational Seal Sanctuary
location: Gweek, TR12 6UG
The Sanctuary started in the winter of 1958 when a baby seal, only a few hours old, was washed up on the beach at St Agnes. Ken Jones lived with his wife just one hundred yards from the beach, he picked up the pup and took it back to his small garden. For many years he ran a rescue centre for seals and oiled birds. News of his work spread, and he received more and more calls about injured seals. Today the Sanctuary has nursery pools, convalescence, and resident pools, and a specially designed hospital. The hospital over the years has been extended to include isolation pools, as well as treatment and preparation areas.
www.sealsanctuary.co.ukLost Gardens of Heligan
location: Nr St Ewe, PL26 6EN
Heligan was recently dubbed 'The Nation's Favourite Garden' by BBC Gardeners' World viewers after the award-winning restoration of its productive gardens, but this is just one of many features that make this a fantastic year-round destination.
The 22-acre 'jungle' was created as a horticultural playground to indulge the passion for sub-tropical plants that swept the country over a hundred years ago. Now some of the most lush vegetation in the country can be found in this steep-sided valley garden, including the largest collection of tree ferns in Europe, thickets of bamboo and a banana plantation.
www.heligan.comThe Minack Theatre
location: Porthcurno, TR19 6JU
The Minack Open Air Theatre in one of the most beautiful settings one can find anywhere in the World. Perched high on the Cliffs , with the stunning blue sea of the Atlantic Ocean, and the wonderful coastal vista of Porthcurno Bay with Logan Rock as a backdrop. Many visitors arrive at the Minack imagining it was built by invading Romans, but the real truth is even more remarkable. From 1931 until she died in 1983 the Minack Theatre was planned, built and financed by one determined woman. This is a ‘must visit’ for everyone!
www.minack.comCrealy Adventure Park
location: Wadebridge, PL27 7RA
Crealy offers maximum fun, inside and out, with fantastic rides, animal encounters and parkland. An award winning family attraction and an unforgettable day packed with magic, fun, adventure and relaxation for the whole family; go wild on the Thunder Falls Log Flume, Raging Rivers Water Slide, Viking Warrior Pirate Ship, and in the huge indoor play areas. Ride, feed, or cuddle the animals in 'Animal Realm'. Relax and unwind around the lake. Enjoy the Sunflower Maze, plus great restaurants and cafés and a fantastic gift shop.
www.crealy.co.ukFalmouth Surf School
location: Falmouth, TR11 4QU
Surfing is every bit as much fun as it looks and the true Cornish experience is not complete without riding the waves! Falmouth Surf School offers you the day of a lifetime with truly ‘no worries’. They provide the experience, expertise and enthusiasm to ensure that you and your family have the time of your lives, safe in the knowledge that our fully qualified and expert staff will get you cruising on clean Atlantic waves and feeling the rush that only surfing can bring! Falmouth Surf School provide transport to wherever the best waves are and all equipment including wetsuits and boards. Your first surf can change your life forever. It’s hard to believe anything this fun can be healthy!
www.falmouthsurfschool.co.ukPadstow Lobster Hatchery
location: South Quay, Padstow PL28 8BL
The main attraction has to be seeing the young lobsters growing up ready to be released, but there is also a resident giant lobster, 'Dai the Claw' and Edible and Spider Crabs. The hatchery displays a wealth of information about lobsters, the fishery and marine conservation, as well as activities for all ages. Staff are always on hand to answer your questions and make sure you get the most from your visit, and there is a gift shop area with sea-life related goods and a range of books about marine life and Cornwall.
www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.ukFlushing Beach
location: Flushing, TR11 5TZ
Flushing even has it's own beach! The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle and there is a small area of grass suitable for picnics. Like the other small river beaches nearby it is rarely crowded. There are fantastic walks around the headland to Mylor Yacht Harbour. The beach is perfect for picnics, playing with the kids, or just relaxing. During Flushing regatta week it plays host to the famous sandcastle building competition. Access is easy and the beach is dog friendly all year.
www.visitcornwall.com/flushing-beachShips & Castles Leisure Pool
location: Falmouth, TR11 4NG
One of Falmouth's premier attractions, the Leisure Pool at Ships & Castles provides daily fun for all the family throughout the year for visitors and residents alike. With lots of exciting features including a wave machine which brings the thrill of the ocean in-doors and a river ride which sweeps you along at an exciting speed. These features are activated about every 20 minutes during fun sessions only.The 70 metre flume is the longest in the region and is a surefire hit with children and adults. There is a shallow beach area for little ones to play away from the main area; introducing them to the excitement of the pool at their own pace.
www.shipsandcastles.co.ukSwanpool Beach
location: Falmouth, TR11 5BG
Swanpool Beach is another very sheltered beach offering quite safe bathing. The golden sand is littered here and there with rocks. All the usual amenities are close at hand and due to its proximity to Falmouth, Swanpool is often quite crowded, especially in summer. Behind the beach lies the Swan Pool that gave the beach its name. There are excellent views across Falmouth Bay and a couple of other good beaches close by - namely Maenporth to the south and Gyllyngvase to the northeast.
www.swanpoolbeach.co.ukTrebah
location: Mawnan Smith, TR11 5JZ
Trebah is our favourite! Steeply wooded, sub-tropical 25 acre ravine garden, falls 200 feet from 18th Century house to private beach on the Helford River. A stream cascading over waterfalls through ponds full of Koi Carp and exotic water plants, winds through two acres of hydrangeas and spills out over the beach. Glades of huge sub-tropical tree ferns and palms mingle with a multitude of trees and shrubs of ever-changing colours and scent, beneath an over-arching canopy of 100 year old rhododendrons.
www.trebah.co.ukRiver Fal Boat Trips
location: Flushing, TR11 5TY
No visit to cornwall is complete without a trip on the water. Enjoy a different perspective of Falmouth Docks, Pendennis and St. Mawes Castles as you view them from the sea. Take in the beautiful views of some of the local waterside locations such as Flushing, Restronguet, St.Just and Malpas. Get a glimpse of the many tranquil little creeks that join The Fal as well as the grandeur of Trelissick House, Tregothnan Mansion and the The King Harry Ferry along the quieter stretches of the river. An unexpected sight is often the laid up shipping!
www.enterprise-boats.co.ukMylor Boat Hire
location: Mylor, TR11 5UF
Hire a family day boat and discover the unique sheltered waters around Falmouth - explore idyllic waterside villages, historic castles, tranquil wooded creeks, bustling towns, beautiful gardens and charming waterside pubs and restaurants. There’s plenty of room on board for picnicking, fishing or just messing about on the water. You will be fitted with your own lifejacket and given full instructions on boat handling. Boats are available for hourly, daily or weekly hire, and during July and August we offer evening cruises. There’s something for everyone! Family motorboats, launches and punts, a great range of traditional sailing dayboats, fast dinghies and pocket cruisers.
www.mylorboathire.co.uk