Destinations

Cornwall's Best Days Out this Summer

    Looking for the ultimate summer adventure in Cornwall?

    Whether you're travelling with little ones or big kids at heart, there’s something for everyone this season – from wild theatre and foodie feasts to interactive exhibitions and giant garden safaris. Here’s your guide to the best family-friendly fun this summer.

    Wipeout at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

    Dive into high-flying fun at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, where this summer’s highlight is Wipeout – an aerial surf adventure like no other. Brought to life by the dynamic talents of Cscape and Off the Wall, this daily pop-up show fuses daring aerial dance with hilarious theatre. Watch the museum come alive with sun seekers, surfers, and slapstick stunts, all inspired by the golden age of surf culture and the Museum’s SURF! exhibition. With shows three times a day and relaxed performances on Sundays, it’s a high-energy spectacle that’ll thrill all ages.

    Kids go Free at Bodmin Jail

    This summer, kids go free at Bodmin Jail – one of Cornwall’s most atmospheric historic attractions. Wander the darkened corridors of this former Victorian prison and uncover the dramatic stories of its inmates. With immersive storytelling and interactive displays, families can get hands-on with history as they explore life behind bars in the 18th and 19th centuries. A thrilling way to dodge summer showers.

    Kids Fest at Camel Creek Adventure Park

    Get ready for a summer of non-stop fun at Camel Creek’s Kids Fest! From street theatre and creative workshops to epic foam parties and fabulous tribute nights, there’s something new happening every day (except Sundays). Expect familiar faces like Olly Murs, Taylor Swift and Elton John – well, almost – as tribute acts light up the stage. Plus, the park’s 40+ rides and attractions, indoor soft play zones and adorable animals mean the adventure never stops. Don’t forget to stick around for fireworks on Wednesday nights, the perfect finale to a day of family thrills.

    Cornwall Football Golf Park

    Swap your golf clubs for football boots and take on the UK’s first-ever Football Golf course right here in Cornwall. With two 18-hole courses (one level and one hilly), players of all ages can kick, laugh, and challenge each other through wacky obstacles and creative hazards. Think oversized crazy golf, but with a football!

    Truro Food Festival

    Truro Food Festival returns to Lemon Quay this September with five delicious days celebrating the best of Cornwall’s food, drink and culinary creativity. Expect sizzling street food, local produce, pop-up bars, and toe-tapping live music all weekend long. The Chef’s Theatre will be the place to watch top chefs create mouth-watering magic live on stage, while festival after-parties at Skinner’s Brewery keep the fun flowing into the evening. The best part? Entry is free!

    National Trust Summer of Play

    This summer, the National Trust is turning up the fun with their Summer of Play programme across Cornwall. Expect lawn games, creative challenges, nature trails, and imaginative adventures – all included with standard admission. At Trelissick, families can play tennis, dress up in the stables and enjoy themed weekdays from archery to circus skills. Trerice invites kids to tackle obstacle courses and outdoor crazy golf, while Pentire offers the perfect mix of wildlife exploration and beachside walks. Over at Antony, classic garden games and summer fetes bring the estate to life. Wherever you choose to play, these historic settings provide the perfect backdrop for memory-making family fun.

    Summer Shows at Trebah Garden

    Trebah Gardens is no ordinary garden, it's a lush paradise of exotic plants and towering trees that leads down to its own private beach. This summer, it’s also the stage for a lively line-up of family shows, workshops and adventures. Catch laugh-out-loud performances from Squashbox Theatre, explore the world of myths and monsters, or meet real-life creepy crawlies with Zoolab’s animal encounters. Musical storytelling, puppet shows, and classic tales like Jemima Puddle-Duck and Robin Hood take over the amphitheatre, while the giant outdoor play area and adventure trails make Trebah the perfect place to roam wild between performances.

    Rock Oyster Festival

    Set on the stunning Camel Estuary, Rock Oyster Festival is where food and music collide. Headliners like Rag’n’Bone Man, UB40 and Ministry of Sound Classical will light up the stage, while leading chefs including Tom Brown and Noor Murad take over the kitchen. It’s a true family affair with plenty for kids too – from creative workshops and street performances to activities that encourage curiosity and connection with nature.

    Wildlife Hero Quiz at Paradise Park

    Put your animal knowledge to the test at Paradise Park’s Wildlife Hero Quiz! Pick up a quiz booklet, explore the park to uncover clues, and claim your exclusive badge as proof of your nature knowledge. Alongside the quiz, families can enjoy flying displays, close-up animal encounters, penguin and otter feeding, and even feed friendly parrots. Rainy day? No problem – the massive indoor JungleBarn offers slides, ball pits and soft play for hours of all-weather entertainment.

    Family Shows at The Minack Theatre

    Perched dramatically on the cliffs above Porthcurno, the Minack Theatre offers one of the most unforgettable theatre experiences in the country. This summer, families can enjoy a magical mix of storytelling, comedy and drama with a packed programme of shows under the open sky. Little ones will love Stones and Bones by Squashbox Theatre – a riotous journey through prehistory with puppets, songs, and plenty of laughs or The Tempest in a Teacup, a family-friendly take on Shakespeare’s stormy tale of shipwrecks, sprites, and magic. For older kids, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time promises a powerful and thought-provoking performance in this spectacular clifftop setting. It’s theatre with a view and then some.

    Enchanted Earth at The Eden Project

    Step into a world of wonder at the Eden Project this summer, where Enchanted Earth invites visitors to see nature as never before. This immersive experience blends art, sound, theatre and light to reveal the hidden magic of the natural world – from glowing oceans and swirling galaxies to shimmering insects and crystalline treasures. Families can dig for sparkling gems, encounter charming puppets in The Zoo Keepers, and marvel at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which returns with 100 breathtaking images from across the globe. It’s a celebration of the planet that’s as playful as it is profound and all included in your day ticket.

    Jungle Giants Safari at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

    Embark on a wild summer safari through Heligan’s spectacular sub-tropical Jungle. Inspired by Victorian plant hunters, this immersive adventure invites kids to collect stamps, track exotic ‘specimens’, and build dens among giant rhubarb, tree ferns, and bamboo forests. Alongside the adventure trail, little ones can bounce on giant jumping pillows, clamber around Cornwall’s biggest outdoor playground, and meet rare breeds of farm animals. It’s a day packed with nature, play and discovery perfect for budding explorers.

    The Bowgie Ale & Cider Festival

    Back with a bang this August Bank Holiday, the Bowgie Inn’s Ale & Cider Festival is a celebration of all things Cornish – great drinks, live music, coastal views, and community spirit. Perched on the cliffs of Crantock, the Bowgie will be pouring a top-notch selection of local ales, ciders, and spirits all weekend long, while raising funds for Cornwall Hospice Care. With a packed programme of live performances, a silent disco, garden games, and even fireworks over the bay, this festival is free to attend and full of good cheer. Grab a pint, find a spot with a view, and soak up the feel-good vibes of a proper Cornish knees-up.

    Miracle Theatre's Twelfth Night

    Miracle Theatre returns this summer with its playful, accessible take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a joyous and chaotic comedy where love knows no boundaries. Touring Cornwall and the wider South West from 9th June to 23rd August, this open-air production offers audiences the chance to enjoy live theatre in Cornwall's stunning natural settings. Expect mistaken identities, unrequited love, hilarious mishaps and gloriously outrageous characters, all delivered with Miracle’s signature wit and inventive flair. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy a summer evening of storytelling under the stars.

    Teylu at The Tate St Ives

    The Tate St Ives is launching a brand-new family programme, Teylu – the Cornish word for family. This exciting, year-round initiative invites all kinds of families to get creative together through hands-on activities, artist-led sessions, and beachside exploration. During the summer holidays, STUDIO DO transforms the Foyle Studio into a playful, relaxing space where kids (and grown-ups) can make, build and create at their own pace. With inclusivity at its heart, Teylu makes art fun, accessible and inspiring for all.

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