101 Things to do in Cornwall

The Visit Cornwall team have compiled 101 Things to do in Cornwall... an essential guide including everything Cornwall is famous for; spectacular beaches; surf spots; gorgeous gardens; walks; boat trips; and iconic attractions but also lots of surprising new, different and fun things to do...
History and Heritage Attractions
- Visit Chysauster Ancient Village, near Penzance, an Iron Age settlement originally occupied almost 2,000 years ago
- A favourite picnic spot: Restormel Castle, Lostwithiel, 13th century castle, panoramic views by the River Fowey
- Take a trip to Tintagel Old Post Office, a delightful medieval building + cottage garden
- Transport yourself to Tudor times @ Pendennis Castle, Falmouth. One of the finest of the mighty fortresses built by Henry VIII
- Discover the myth + legend of Tintagel Castle, said to be the birthplace of King Arthur, with fascinating ruins + stunning beach
Kids and family attractions
- Feed + pet donkeys, outdoor adventure playground, indoor play-barn + soft play @ Tamar Valley Donkey Park
- For a family day out visit Newquay Zoo + see lions, penguins + marvellous meerkats...
- Ride, slide, splash and spin at Holywell Bay Fun Park near Newquay
- Fly on the Sky Wire for a bird's eye view of the Eden Project
- Visit Milky Way Adventure Park near Bude, an award winning all weather attraction for all the family
- If you are a thrill seeker or fancy going on Englands longest zip line, why not visit Hangloose Adventure in St Austell
If it's raining...
- Raining? Get down to Oasis Fun Pools in Newquay, slides, fountains and geysers...
- Celebrate the sea, boats + #Cornwall @ the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
- Spring showers? indoor soft play + animals galore @ Paradise Park + Jungle Barn, Hayle
- Whatever the weather: Par Market in St Austell has Kidz World, Food Hall and a range of amazing stalls to browse.
- Callestick Farm is located just outside of Truro, pop by for scones, tea and fabulous ice cream
- Let budding young artists produce a mini-masterpiece with a hands on activity day @ award winning Falmouth Art Gallery
Outdoors and activities
- Cycle the Camel Trail, a largely traffic free, level trail passing through spectacular countryside
- Try Siblyback Lake Country Park surrounded by striking Bodmin Moor for rowing boats, sailing, windsurfing + canoeing
- See a different side of Cornwall with a scenic boat trip, explore the Fal River to St Mawes and Truro
- Get a unique view of Cornwall’s outstanding coastline + marine life with a sea-fari from Falmouth
- Make the most of Cornwall’s amazing beaches; hire a surf board or take a lesson with a surf school
- 5 to try: canoeing + kayaking spots
- Choose your favourite watersports @ Polkerris Beach, St Austell Bay
- Explore the ancient Saints Way pathways + Celtic standing stones from Fowey to Padstow
- Ride the waves at the county’s only FlowRider based @ Retallack Resort near Padstow
- Learn to surf @ Harlyn Surf School in Padstow
- Step by step guides to rockpooling, pond dipping + a minibeast safari from Cornwall Wildlife Trust
- For something a little different and quirky why not discover Cornwall Football Golf
- Discover a Cornish legend @ Bedruthan Steps beach where a great giant once wandered through the waters on the large rocks
- Enjoy the flora + fauna @ Coronation Park and Boating Lake - Helston this summer
- Climb to the top of the world @ Helman Tor Nature Reserve + see for miles with a picnic
- Create happy family memories by crabbing in the Mill Pool @ Looe
- Enjoy a picnic in enchanting Tehidy Country Park, near Camborne, the largest area of woodland in West Cornwall
Beaches galore to explore...
- Perranporth Beach: Perfect for families, surfers + even horse riders. Miles of golden sands and dunes for the kids to explore
- Family favourite: Gyllyngvase beach, Falmouth. Sandy beach with café, volleyball, lifeguard, paddle boarding + more
- We love: breathtaking views @ Kyance Cove on The Lizard, well worth the walk down from the car park
- Surf spot: world famous Fistral beach, Newquay is renowned for fantastic surf...
- Family friendly: Mawgan Porth beach, Newquay for plenty of sand at high tide + shelter from the cliffs
- Hidden gem of a beach: Whitsand Bay. 3 miles of golden beach hidden in South East Cornwall
- Surf spot: Constantine Bay, Padstow. Sweeping arc of gently shelving soft pale sands. Said to be one of the best surfing beaches
- Adrenaline junkies: Watergate Bay, Newquay: 2 miles of golden sands + home to the Extreme Academy
- Relax @ Lamorna Cove, a small pebble beach beside a small harbour situated on the South West Coast Path
Blooming lovely - glorious gardens
- Dramatic landscape + planting provide a backdrop to inspirational art @ Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penzance
- Trebah Gardens - family friendly valley garden on Helford River, kids play area, café, trails + gorgeous beach
- Glendurgan – National Trust garden on Helford River, famous laurel maze to get lost in, picturesque cove to explore
- Enjoy a peaceful day out @ an Elizabethan Manor House + delightful gardens @ Trerice House + Gardens, Newquay
- Relax by the Water Gardens + stroll beside the Zen Garden at Mawgan Porth’s Japenese Garden
- Hidden Valley Gardens is a three-acre award-winning garden – ideal for your picnic
- Caerhays Castle gardens offer 120 acres of woodland gardens
- Lanhydrock House + Garden near Bodmin, a magnificent late Victorian country house with beautiful gardens + wooded estate
Wonderful walks...
- Keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent basking sharks on one of these fantastic walks in #Cornwall
- Try a bit of the coast path with an easy 3.5 mile walk around Falmouth Bay
- Walk from Carbis Bay to St Ives taking in the stunning views, easy 1.5 mile walk, catch the train back
- For beautiful summer flowers + plenty of wildlife walk the South West Coast Path from Constantine Bay to Mawgan Porth
- For an easy family friendly walk just 2.1 miles, take the South West Coast Path @ Maer Cliff near Morwenstow...
- Take a seven mile hike around Looe + the Giants Hedge
- Walk along the old railway line that follows the St Austell River to Pentewan
- Sir John Betjeman Walk: A gentle 4 mile walk taking in St Enodoc Church and Brea Hill, site of Bronze Age burial mounds
- The South West Coast Path stretches 300 miles around the coast of Cornwall – walk as much or as little as you like
Try a trail...
- Treasure trails, a great way to explore Cornwall. Solve the clues + see the sights
- Ideal for walking, cycling or horse-riding the Clay Trails are set in spectacular rural scenery near St Austell
- Follow the waymarked trail at Cardinham Woods, north Cornwall, popular with local dog walkers, cyclists + horse riders
- From the harbour town of Padstow to the Port of Fowey, explore part of the 30 miles The Saint’s Way Trail
- Walk or cycle for free @ Lanhydrock with miles of new trails for 2014
- The Copper Trail starts @ Minion on Bodmin Moor
- Discover the Helman Tor Nature Reserve + Breney Common, one of the wildlife gems of the County
Explore Areas of outstanding natural beauty...
- Explore Cornwall's AONBs: The Tamar Valley is an area rich in beauty + history, fine scenery + haven for wildlife
- Explore West Penwith AONB, from Mousehole right round Land’s End to St Ives, covering coast, coves, high uplands + villages
- Explore the small narrow stretch of AONB from Godrevy Point to Portreath, truly stunning coastal scenery
- For spectacular views discover Widemouth Bay to Pentire Point, 30 miles of AONB
- Discover the Trevose Head to Stepper Point AONB section with its mix of high cliffs + sandy bays
- Explore Cornwall's AONBs: Rame Head and the Mount Edgcumbe Park Estate in South East Cornwall
- Explore South Cornwall’s AONB from Par to Looe
- Explore Cornwall’s ANOBs: The Camel Estuary with seven glorious miles of the River Camel from Wadebridge to Hawkers Cove
Discover new towns and villages...or re-discover old favourites...
- Discover Port Isaac, North Cornwall, a traditional fishing village + home to TV series Doc Martin
- Discover Falmouth, South Cornwall, based around a thriving harbour, + AONB
- Discover Penzance, West Cornwall, historic port with stunning views across Mount’s Bay + several sub tropical gardens
- Discover Perranporth, the gateway to one of Cornwall’s most popular + spectacular beaches
- Discover Newquay the surf centre of Europe with its 11 superb beaches + laid back atmosphere
- Discover Polperro, South Cornwall unspoilt fishing village
- Discover Mevagissey, the lovely harbour + fishing village
- Discover Bude with its vast expanses of golden, sandy beaches perfect for surfing + watersports
- Discover Padstow + its picture perfect harbour, quirky shops + rugged coastline
Art and culture
- Visit Tate St Ives celebrating modern art by the town’s International artists
- Don't miss the exhibition at The Exchange Gallery, Penzance every first Thirsday of the month
- Visit Newlyn Art Gallery for contemporary artists using painting + drawing to express ideas
- Visit Penlee House, the only Cornish venue specialising in the Newlyn School + St Ives artists
- Visit Port Eliot House + Gardens nestled in s.e Cornwall for creative inspiration
Travel with a difference...
- Ride 1 of 3 miniature railways through an oasis of conservation + wildlife @ Lappa Valley Steam Railway
- Take to the skies with a flight experience and see Cornwall from the air with FlyNqy Pilot Training
- Try a Cornish Heritage Safari for a unique way to explore the magic of Cornwall
- Stay one step ahead with a series of walking itineraries that let the train take the strain
- Discover the excitement + nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Iconic attractions...
- Visit the world famous open-air Minack Theatre set on the rugged cliffs @ Porthcurno
- Explore the amazing island world of St Michael’s Mount + discover legend, myth + history
- Land's End is one of Britain's most magnificent landmarks offering stunning scenery + a great day out for all the family
- Visit Geevor Tin mine one of the largest preserved mine sites
- One of the Great Gardens of Cornwall + rated among the 80 finest gardens in the world, discover the magic of Trebah Gardens
Do you know any other great things to do throughout the half-term? Let us know by commenting in the Facebook box below.