Places to visit in and around Cornwall:

LAND'S END
 Land's End

There is plenty here to interest all ages - cliff path nature trails, a working farm, a pottery, a sweet factory, shops (including food), a bar, a restaurant and an hotel. There are a number of exhibitions and presentations of particular interest to children and regular firework displays throughout the season. Land's End is a full day's worth of entertainment amid spectacular scenery.
www.landsend-landmark.co.uk 0870 458 0099

 

Minack Theatre

This remarkable open-air theatre was the dream - and principally the work - of one woman, Rowena Cade, who developed the original site into a proper theatre using the headland's wild cliffs as a dramatic backdrop for performances. In the care of a charitable trust since her death, Minack ('a rocky place') now hosts a different play each week from mid-May to mid-September, with matinee and evening performances in a truly magical setting.
www.minack.com 01736 810 181

FALMOUTH
 National Maritime Museum

This is a very modern museum concept with an extraordinary underwater viewing facility (one of only three in the world), informative exhibitions of survival stories, a virtual coastal tour and a constantly-changing, very wide range of activities for children. There is a 29-metre observation tower, and a café and shop. The museum has a park- and- ride, or park- and- float option. www.nmmc.co.uk 01326 313 388

ST. AUSTELL
 Eden Project

Created from a former china clay pit, Eden is world-renowned. Its huge 'biomes' house microcosms of different climatic regions and are constantly evolving. Eden is also an environmental charity and recently opened its new educational home, The Core, an architecturally unique building. Although the covered areas are the most spectacular part of the project, a high proportion of the plants are in the open air and a visit could easily last a full day (there are plenty of eating options).
www.edenproject.com 01726 811 903

 

Lost Gardens Of Heligan

A restoration project on the neglected gardens at Heligan was begun after the 1990 hurricane. Visitors can now see the fully-functioning walled kitchen gardens (run on the old traditional methods), the surrounding acres of pleasure gardens and the subtropical jungle valley with its stream and ponds, leading down towards the sea. There is also an indoor 'hide' where pictures from micro-cameras in nest boxes and feeding stations around the Estate are shown, without disturbance to wildlife. There is a plant sale centre, shop, and refreshment room.
www.heligan.com 01726 845 100

REDRUTH
 South Crofty Tin Mine

This is one of the oldest mines in Cornwall, dating in part from the 16th. century. The two-hour guided tour by experienced staff is mainly underground (bring gumboots: hard hats and lamps provided) and affords a fascinating, authentic - and sometimes spectacular - feel of what tin-mining was like.
www.southcrofty.co.uk 01209 715 7777

PENZANCE
 St. Michael's Mount

Although a National Trust property, St. Michael's Mount is still the home of the St. Aubyn family. The superb castle, at one time a Benedictine priory, dominates the bay from its elevated position on the Mount which can be reached either by ferry or by a causeway at low tide. There are shops, a café and a restaurant in the island village. Some paths are cobbled and there is a steep climb to the castle itself.
www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk 01736 710 507

 

South West Coast Path

Stretching from Poole in Dorset to Minehead in Somerset, and covering some of the wildest and most scenic parts of the British Isles, the path offers a wide range of walks from the spectacular and challenging, to a gentle stroll. A little effort provides access to superb views, fine uncrowded beaches and fascinating coves and villages, as well as many sites of historical and archaelogical interest. General information can be obtained from TICs; or contact SWCP Association
www.swcp.org.uk 01752 698 148 (members only)

PADSTOW/WADEBRIDGE
 Crealy Adventure Park

An award-winning visitor attraction, Crealy is hugely popular with children and perfect for keeping them entertained, whatever the weather (40,000 sq. ft. is undercover). There is a very wide range of activities including indoor playzone, water rides, animal encounters, trails and much else. The Park affords plenty to occupy the family all day (food available).
www.crealy-cornwall.co.uk 0870 116 3333

ST.IVES
 Tate Gallery, St. Ives

The reputation of St. Ives as a centre for artists and the arts made it an obvious choice for an outpost of the London Tate Gallery. The four-storey building, of architectural interest in its own right, occupies the site of the former gas works and overlooks Porthmeor beach. Since its opening in 1997 Tate Gallery St. Ives has become a major attraction and hosts a wide display of art with Cornish connections. There is plenty of interest for children, plus a gift shop and café.

A visit to the Tate Gallery can also be combined with the nearby Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, also managed by the Tate and which contain sculptures, paintings and drawings by one of the 20th. century's most important artists.
www.tate.org.uk/stives 01736 796 226

LOOE
 The Monkey Sanctuary

This is a guaranteed family favourite. The Monkey Sanctuary is an environmental charity specializing in the welfare of primates and the conservation of natural habitats around the world. The Sanctuary is home to a social group of woolly monkeys and some capuchins. Visitors can learn about primate life in the wild, as well as welfare and conservation issues - and of course observe the Sanctuary's residents. There is a special 'wild zone' and a section for children up to eleven, with a café on site.
www.monkeysanctuary.org 01503 262 532

SALTASH
 St. Mellion

St. Mellion is probably one of the best-known of the Westcountry golf venues, with two 18-hole championship courses including the first one designed by Jack Nicklaus in the UK. It is also a Country Club with an hotel, a restaurant and a health spa. St. Mellion is near Saltash, with easy access from the A38.
www.st-mellion.co.uk 01579 351 351

TINTAGEL
 Tintagel Castle

In a wild and spectacular setting on the North Cornish coast, the remains of the castle seen today date from the 13th. century with the then Earl of Cornwall's Great Hall still clearly discernable. Associated in legend with King Arthur, the headland and its Island were once a Roman outpost and are also thought to have been a Celtic trading settlement in the 5th. and 6th. centuries. An interesting talk is available in the Summer, as well as an audio visual introduction to the castle and its legends.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/tintagel 01840 770 328

CALSTOCK
 Cotehele

Set in a wooded valley above the River Tamar, Cotehele was the historic home of the Mt. Edgcumbe family. Built around three courts, it is one of the least-altered mediaeval houses in the country and retains much of its original contents. The magnificent gardens are on a number of levels and a half mile walk from the bottom of the valley leads to the Quay where a restored Tamar sailing barge lies permanently alongside.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devoncornwall 01579 351 346

BODMIN
 Lanhydrock

Although the original house was completed in 1651, all but the North wing and the detached gatehouse was destroyed by fire in 1881 but the house was rebuild on a larger scale and elegantly defines privileged late Victorian life. The gardens are especially renowned for a magnificent collection of magnolias and there are extensive walks through the grounds with views of the Fowey valley.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devoncornwall 01208 265 950

NEWQUAY
 Newquay Zoo

Started in the early 1960s as a pet's corner, Newquay Zoo has developed into one of Cornwall's major attractions, as well as becoming an award-winning conservation and educational facility, joining forces in 2003 with Paignton Zoo to develop this aspect of its work. With many endangered species included in the Zoo's breeding programme, there is a very wide range of animals for visitors to observe and learn about, whilst enjoying the various facilities - the children's play area, the Tarzan Trail, a snack bar overlooking the penguin pool and a lake-side café. The Zoo earned Cornwall Tourism's Gold Visitor Attraction award in 2006.
www.newquayzoo.org.uk 01637 877 342

LAUNCESTON
 Launceston Castle

This is a fine example of a keep built on a particularly well-preserved motte. The original stronghold dates from shortly after the Norman Conquest and was used in more recent times variously as prison and seat of the County Assizes. The Castle's long and sometimes violent history is recounted in a hands-on display which includes finds from a number of excavations. Launceston itself is a pleasant town, well worth a look-round, and is a convenient starting point for Cornwall's North coast and the Atlantic Highway.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/launceston (TIC: 01566 772 321)

 

Truro

The County Town of Cornwall and its only city, Truro has much to offer the visitor, including some particularly fine examples of Georgian architecture (see Lemon Street especially).The centre has a continental feel with a good range of shops, a number of art galleries and plenty of places to eat. The Cathedral should not be missed - in the heart of the City and dominating its surroundings, it gives an impression of timeless age, despite only being finished in 1910. The fine interior contains some superb stained glass: free guided tours are available describing the cathedral's history.
Truro TIC: 01872 274 555

Tourist Information Centres