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

1. Visit Chysauster Ancient Village, near Penzance, an Iron Age settlement originally occupied almost 2,000 years ago 
2. A favourite picnic spot: Restormel Castle, Lostwithiel, 13th century castle, panoramic views by the River Fowey 
3. Take a trip to Tintagel Old Post Office, a delightful medieval building + cottage garden
4. Transport yourself to Tudor times @ Pendennis Castle, Falmouth. One of the finest of the mighty fortresses built by Henry VIII 
5. Discover the myth + legend of Tintagel Castle, said to be the birthplace of King Arthur, with fascinating ruins + stunning beach 

Kids and family attractions

1. Feed + pet donkeys, outdoor adventure playground, indoor play-barn + soft play @ Tamar Valley Donkey Park 
2. For a family day out visit Newquay Zoo + see lions, penguins + marvellous meerkats... 
3. Ride, slide, splash and spin at Holywell Bay Fun Park near Newquay 
4. Fly on the Sky Wire for a bird's eye view of the Eden Project 
5. Visit Milky Way Adventure Park near Bude, an award winning all weather attraction for all the family
6. 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...

1. Raining? Get down to Oasis Fun Pools in Newquay, slides, fountains and geysers...
2. Celebrate the sea, boats + #Cornwall @ the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
3. Spring showers? indoor soft play + animals galore @ Paradise Park + Jungle Barn, Hayle
4. Whatever the weather: Par Market in St Austell has Kidz World, Food Hall and a range of amazing stalls to browse. 
5. Callestick Farm is located just outside of Truro, pop by for scones, tea and fabulous ice cream
6. Let budding young artists produce a mini-masterpiece with a hands on activity day @ award winning Falmouth Art Gallery  

Outdoors and activities

1. Cycle the Camel Trail, a largely traffic free, level trail passing through spectacular countryside 
2. Try Siblyback Lake Country Park surrounded by striking Bodmin Moor for rowing boats, sailing, windsurfing + canoeing 
3. See a different side of Cornwall with a scenic boat trip, explore the Fal River to St Mawes and Truro  
4. Get a unique view of Cornwall’s outstanding coastline + marine life with a sea-fari from Falmouth  
5. Make the most of Cornwall’s amazing beaches; hire a surf board or take a lesson with a surf school 
6. 5 to try: canoeing + kayaking spots  
7. Choose your favourite watersports @ Polkerris Beach, St Austell Bay    
8. Explore the ancient Saints Way pathways + Celtic standing stones from Fowey to Padstow  
9. Ride the waves at the county’s only FlowRider based @ Retallack Resort near Padstow 
10. Learn to surf @ Harlyn Surf School in Padstow  
11. Step by step guides to rockpooling, pond dipping + a minibeast safari from Cornwall Wildlife Trust 
12. For something a little different and quirky why not discover Cornwall Football Golf 
13. Discover a Cornish legend @ Bedruthan Steps beach where a great giant once wandered through the waters on the large rocks  
14. Enjoy the flora + fauna @ Coronation Park and Boating Lake - Helston this summer   
15. Climb to the top of the world @ Helman Tor Nature Reserve + see for miles with a picnic  
16. Create happy family memories by crabbing in the Mill Pool @ Looe  
17. Enjoy a picnic in enchanting Tehidy Country Park, near Camborne, the largest area of woodland in West Cornwall  

Beaches galore to explore...

1. Perranporth Beach: Perfect for families, surfers + even horse riders. Miles of golden sands and dunes for the kids to explore  
2. Family favourite: Gyllyngvase beach, Falmouth. Sandy beach with café, volleyball, lifeguard, paddle boarding + more 
3. We love: breathtaking views @ Kyance Cove on The Lizard, well worth the walk down from the car park 
4. Surf spot: world famous Fistral beach, Newquay is renowned for fantastic surf...  
5. Family friendly: Mawgan Porth beach, Newquay for plenty of sand at high tide + shelter from the cliffs  
6. Hidden gem of a beach: Whitsand Bay. 3 miles of golden beach hidden in South East Cornwall 
7. Surf spot: Constantine Bay, Padstow. Sweeping arc of gently shelving soft pale sands. Said to be one of the best surfing beaches 
8. Adrenaline junkies: Watergate Bay, Newquay: 2 miles of golden sands + home to the Extreme Academy  
9. Relax @ Lamorna Cove, a small pebble beach beside a small harbour situated on the South West Coast Path  

Blooming lovely - glorious gardens

1. Dramatic landscape + planting provide a backdrop to inspirational art @ Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penzance 
2. Trebah Gardens - family friendly valley garden on Helford River, kids play area, café, trails + gorgeous beach 
3. Glendurgan – National Trust garden on Helford River, famous laurel maze to get lost in, picturesque cove to explore 
4. Enjoy a peaceful day out @ an Elizabethan Manor House + delightful gardens @ Trerice House + Gardens, Newquay  
5. Relax by the Water Gardens + stroll beside the Zen Garden at Mawgan Porth’s Japenese Garden  
6. Hidden Valley Gardens is a three-acre award-winning garden – ideal for your picnic  
7. Caerhays Castle gardens offer 120 acres of woodland gardens  
8. Lanhydrock House + Garden near Bodmin, a magnificent late Victorian country house with beautiful gardens + wooded estate  

Wonderful walks...

1. Keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent basking sharks on one of these fantastic walks in #Cornwall 
2. Try a bit of the coast path with an easy 3.5 mile walk around Falmouth Bay  
3. Walk from Carbis Bay to St Ives taking in the stunning views, easy 1.5 mile walk, catch the train back 
4. For beautiful summer flowers + plenty of wildlife walk the South West Coast Path from Constantine Bay to Mawgan Porth  
5. For an easy family friendly walk just 2.1 miles, take the South West Coast Path @ Maer Cliff near Morwenstow... 
6. Take a seven mile hike around Looe + the Giants Hedge 
7. Walk along the old railway line that follows the St Austell River to Pentewan 
8. Sir John Betjeman Walk: A gentle 4 mile walk taking in St Enodoc Church and Brea Hill, site of Bronze Age burial mounds 
9. 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...

1. Treasure trails, a great way to explore Cornwall. Solve the clues + see the sights 
2. Ideal for walking, cycling or horse-riding the Clay Trails are set in spectacular rural scenery near St Austell 
3. Follow the waymarked trail at Cardinham Woods, north Cornwall, popular with local dog walkers, cyclists + horse riders    
4. From the harbour town of Padstow to the Port of Fowey, explore part of the 30 miles The Saint’s Way Trail  
5. Walk or cycle for free @ Lanhydrock with miles of new trails for 2014  
6. The Copper Trail starts @ Minion on Bodmin Moor 
7. Discover the Helman Tor Nature Reserve + Breney Common, one of the wildlife gems of the County 

Explore Areas of outstanding natural beauty...

1. Explore Cornwall's AONBs: The Tamar Valley is an area rich in beauty + history, fine scenery + haven for wildlife  
2. Explore West Penwith AONB, from Mousehole right round Land’s End to St Ives, covering coast, coves, high uplands + villages 
3. Explore the small narrow stretch of AONB from Godrevy Point to Portreath, truly stunning coastal scenery
4. For spectacular views discover Widemouth Bay to Pentire Point, 30 miles of AONB   
5. Discover the Trevose Head to Stepper Point AONB section with its mix of high cliffs + sandy bays 
6. Explore Cornwall's AONBs: Rame Head and the Mount Edgcumbe Park Estate in South East Cornwall  
7. Explore South Cornwall’s AONB from Par to Looe 
8. 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...

1. Discover Port Isaac, North Cornwall, a traditional fishing village + home to TV series Doc Martin 
2. Discover Falmouth, South Cornwall, based around a thriving harbour, + AONB 
3. Discover Penzance, West Cornwall, historic port with stunning views across Mount’s Bay + several sub tropical gardens 
4. Discover Perranporth, the gateway to one of Cornwall’s most popular + spectacular beaches 
5. Discover Newquay the surf centre of Europe with its 11 superb beaches + laid back atmosphere  
6. Discover Polperro, South Cornwall unspoilt fishing village 
7. Discover Mevagissey, the lovely harbour + fishing village 
8. Discover Bude with its vast expanses of golden, sandy beaches perfect for surfing + watersports    
9. Discover Padstow + its picture perfect harbour, quirky shops + rugged coastline   

Art and culture

1. Visit Tate St Ives celebrating modern art by the town’s International artists  
2. Don't miss the exhibition at The Exchange Gallery, Penzance every first Thirsday of the month
3. Visit Newlyn Art Gallery for contemporary artists using painting + drawing to express ideas 
4. Visit Penlee House, the only Cornish venue specialising in the Newlyn School + St Ives artists 
5. Sterts Theatre is an open air covered amphitheatre near liskeard and has a packed entertainment schedule
6. Visit Port Eliot House + Gardens nestled in s.e Cornwall for creative inspiration 

Travel with a difference...

1. Ride 1 of 3 miniature railways through an oasis of conservation + wildlife @ Lappa Valley Steam Railway 
2. Take to the skies with a flight experience and see Cornwall from the air with FlyNqy Pilot Training 
3. Try a Cornish Heritage Safari for a unique way to explore the magic of Cornwall
4. Stay one step ahead with a series of walking itineraries that let the train take the strain 
5. Discover the excitement + nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway 

Iconic attractions... 

1.  Visit the world famous open-air Minack Theatre set on the rugged cliffs @ Porthcurno
2.  Explore the amazing island world of St Michael’s Mount + discover legend, myth + history
3. Land's End is one of Britain's most magnificent landmarks offering stunning scenery + a great day out for all the family
4. Visit Geevor Tin mine one of the largest preserved mine sites
5. 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.