Out of Season

The opposite of ‘School’s Out’ logically has to be ‘School’s In’ which means summer’s gone or hasn’t even arrived yet and the kids are studying hard so the pre schools have Cornwall all to themselves. The weather may be changeable, attractions may not be open, so a couple of days in Cornwall out of season…. where to begin?

Early Monday Morning: Start the adventure by taking the train. Costing around £140 return for a family of four, in just over 5 hours from London you’ll be as far west as it’s possible to go without getting wet. Whatever the weather, waking up in Cornwall never fails to give you a sense of excitement and for small kids the scenery just outside the window can't fail to spark their imaginations. That scenery should ideally feature a bit of sea, bobbing boats and perhaps a fairy tale castle. So a spacious fishermen’s cottage in Penzance means you’ll get authentic accommodation backed up by a bustling town for your everyday needs, a great centre from which to explore the dramatic coastline and there is indeed a fairytale castle sitting just out in the bay.

Monday Afternoon: Start the day with a visit to blue flagged Praa Sands across the bay. Car parking is near the beach and the sand here has a golden glow that is perfect for building castles. A good lunch served in the Mediterranean style Sandbar Cafe is made even better by the gorgeous views out to sea. 

Monday Evening: Back to Penzance, the town bristles with life. Dotted around the grand old town there are fine Regency and Georgian buildings along with a number of museums and galleries plus a wonderfully nostalgic art deco swimming pool on the seafront. Try the family friendly Boatshed Café for a showcase of Cornish cuisine.

Tuesday Morning: Early morning at the harbour in Newlyn, the second largest fishing port in the UK is an exciting flurry of boats landing their catches, shouting auctioneers and a fascinating insight into a genuine working port. Then for a real adventure cross the causeway at low tide to St Michael’s Mount at Marazion and that fairytale castle just out to sea. The island is free to visit, and check with the Tourist Information Centre in Penzance for opening times of the castle.

Tuesday Afternoon: Down the coast the kids will love standing on the windswept Lizard Point, the most southerly point on the UK mainland.

Tuesday Evening: Finish the day off with a movie at the Savoy in Penzance, reputedly the UK’s oldest continually running cinema.

Wednesday Morning: Visit the curiously named village of Mousehole, one of the quaintest places in Cornwall, wander the narrow streets and harbour walls and have a bite at the Cornish Range, a former pilchard processing factory where you can sample local seafood.

Wednesday Afternoon: Take a trip to the Minack Theatre where you can have a look around the fabulous amphitheatre that teeters on the cliff edge. Kids under 12 go free and there’s an exhibition, lovely gardens and a café with a stunning view out over the sea.

Wednesday Evening: Pick up dinner from the First and Last Fish and Chip Shop on the road into the village of Sennen, find yourself a spot by the beach and watch the massive rollers that power in from the Atlantic.

Thursday Morning: A few hours at Land’s End puts you at the end of the UK where you’ll find five attractions including one featuring characters from the Dr Who series, a real lifeboat and fishing trawler to explore and get your picture taken at the famous signpost. 

Thursday Afternoon: Take a train ride on one of the UK’s prettiest branch lines and visit St Ives. Any of you familiar with reading Michael Foreman’s books to your children and know the story of Soggy the Bear, Saving Sinbad or Dolphin Boy know that they are all based in the town and are beautifully illustraed. Why not have fund trying to find the locations pictured in the stories? Or if it rains, head up to Paradise Park and let the kids burn off any left over energy at the massive indoor Jungle Play Barn?

Friday Morning: After a last minute bit of shopping in the independent shops of Causeway Head and Chapel Street, it’s back on the train and heading for home. Wave goodbye to the island castle, the beaches, fields and countryside and plan your return visit!