Step into Summer with the National Trust in Cornwall
Across Cornwall, National Trust gardens are bursting with summer colour, and historic houses are full of life and stories. This season brings everything from family trails and open-air theatre to beach cleans and creative workshops. Every time you enjoy a National Trust day out, you’re helping protect these special places for generations to come. Here’s what’s happening near you this summer—don’t forget to check property websites for opening days and times.
Antony
Cornwall in Conflict
Daily. 12.30-4.30pm
From the English Civil War to the Second World War, the Carews of Antony have been involved in local and international conflicts. Learn more about these clashes, read their war stories, and discover the treasure trove of militaria that the Antony collection holds. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Guided Garden Tour at Antony
27 July & 24 August. 2.30-3.30pm
Explore the seasonal highlights of the garden, learn about the species of plants found in the Summer Garden, marvel at the Champion Trees around the grounds of the house, and discover how our gardeners maintain and conserve the amazing collection of plants found at Antony. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Summer of Play
20 July – 31 August. 12 noon-5pm
Head to Antony this summer for days jam-packed with fun for all the family. See who can build the best block tower, complete our giant games the quickest, or win in a game of tennis.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Cotehele
Nature Walks
29 June, 27 July & 31 August. 11am-1pm
Discover seasonal highlights, what the Rangers have been doing to care of the estate, and learn about all the flora and fauna that can be found on our patch of the Tamar Valley. Price: Free event. Booking required.
PondLife! at Cotehele Quay
7 June, 5 July & 2 August. 10.30am-1pm
Join in as we hunt for the creatures which live in (and on!) the pond. Watch the water closely, or have a go at pond dipping, and identify any insects, fish, or amphibians you may find. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Mosaic Birds workshop
11 June. 10.30am-1.30pm
Join local mosaic artist Kirsty Freeman to make your own unique hanging bird ornament. Price: £45pp. Booking required.
PGS Theatre: The Pirates of Penzance
28 June. 6.30-9pm
Meet the legendary characters of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Pirates of Penzance' in the grounds of Cotehele. As this is an open-air theatre event, please bring camping chairs or blankets as well as extra snacks to enjoy during the performance. Price: £12.50 per adult, £7.50 per child. Booking required.
Summer of Play at Cotehele
July-August (daily from 19 July). 10am-5pm
Get out and play at Cotehele this summer. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Carne & Pendower
Community beach cleans (Pendower)
First Monday of each month. 2-3pm
Soak in fantastic views and fresh air whilst helping to keep this beautiful beach clean. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Veryan Bunker Tours 2025
22 June, 20 July & 17 August. 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3pm
Join a tour by local experts Lawrence and Jean-Paul, along with the Royal Observer Corps team to hear the stories behind what went on in a nuclear bunker and the neighbouring starfish bunker. The nuclear bunker is the only preserved ROC nuclear bunker in the South West open to the public on a regular basis and the decoy command bunker is the only known preserved one of its type in the UK. Together they make Veryan Bunkers a unique site to visit.
Price: £5pp. Booking required.
East Pool Mine
Music installation at Michell's Engine House
6 June – 31 July. 11am-1pm
Hear the Four Lanes Male Choir sing the rousing verses of "Camborne Hill" as you ascend the floors of Michell's Engine House.
Price: Admissions apply, see website for details. Booking required.
Catching Copper - an exhibition by Sovay Berriman
Mon – Thurs July – August. 11am – 12noon & 12 noon-1pm
This exhibition, Catching Copper, is inspired by the short story of the same name written by Sovay, and published in 2023. It is part of Sovay’s wider MESKLA | Brewyon Drudh body of work, and speaks further to the origins of that project. Catching Copper is about loss, change, and power. It pays attention to the impact of small moments, considers how people, place and experience form who we are; it wonders about relationships to land, labour, what we leave behind and what we take forward.
Price: Admissions apply, see website for details. Booking not required.
Glendurgan
Summer of Play at Glendurgan
24 July – 7 August. 10.30am-5pm
Get ready for a summer of fun at Glendurgan Garden. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Meet Anna Maria Fox
19 – 22 & 24 June. 10.45-11.15am & 2-2.30pm
Step into the 19th century and explore Glendurgan Garden through the eyes of Anna Maria Fox, Quaker philanthropist, diarist, artist, cultural pioneer, and a member of the influential Fox family of Falmouth. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Godolphin
Godolphin Woods Walking Mining Tours
June – September (see website for dates). 1.30-2.15pm
Enjoy a short walk through a mining landscape, with one of the volunteer guides, who will highlight the features of mining that remain and tell you more about the historic relationship between Godolphin and mining. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Guided wider estate walks at Godolphin
Every Monday, June- September. 11am-1pm
Experience a walk in nature and the dynamic countryside of the Godolphin estate by join one of our volunteers for a refreshing walk. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Visit the house at Godolphin
First week of the month, June-September. 10.30am-5pm
Venture into Godolphin House and discover the rich history within the walls of this once great mining powerhouse. Find out more about those who lived here and lives they led, in what was once Cornwall's largest and finest house. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Trust 10
22 June, 27 July & 24 August. 8.30-11am
Join a fun, free and friendly trail run around the beautiful Godolphin estate. Two loops of 5km with stunning views throughout. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Miracle Theatre presents Twelfth Night
4, 5 July. 7.00pm-9.00pm
Join us as Miracle Theatre revisits Twelfth Night - Shakespeare’s joyous, chaotic comedy, where love knows no boundaries! Price: Charges available on website. Booking required.
Summer of Play at Godolphin
26 July – 31 August, 10am-5pm
This summer, play is on repeat at Godolphin. Come along and take part in your very own summer of fun with many fun-filled activities for all the family to enjoy. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Lanhydrock
25 things to do at Lanhydrock in 2025
Daily, June-September. 10.30am-4pm
Grab a bookmark at the Park Cafe, Visitor Reception or Gatehouse and have a go at 25 things to do at Lanhydrock in 2025. There's something for everyone to try in every season. Head to the Park Cafe once you've completed the list to collect a sticker. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Guided walk at Lanhydrock
19 June. 11am-12.30pm
Come for a guided walk around Lanhydrock's countryside. Accompanied by a member of Lanhydrock's ranger team, this is an opportunity to discover more about the unique landscape at Lanhydrock and how the countryside team care for it. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Big Butterfly Count at Lanhydrock
July-August (see website for dates). 10.30am-5pm
Take part in Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count in Lanhydrock's beautiful formal gardens. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Summer of Play at Lanhydrock
July-August (daily from 24 July). 10.30am-4pm
Get out and play at Lanhydrock this summer. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Meet the Machines with the Ranger Team at Lanhydrock
29 July, 12 & 19 August. 11am-3pm
Come along to the parkland to meet Lanhydrock's Ranger Team and some of the machines they use to take care of Lanhydrock's more 900 acres of countryside. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Lizard Point & Poldhu
Guided Walks at Lizard Point
Check website for dates and times available.
Series of volunteer led walks and hikes. Please see website for details on the different routes and types of walks available.
Friends of Poldhu beach clean
First Friday of each month. 9-10am
The Friends of Poldhu meet on the first Friday every month, next to the cafe, for a beach clean. It is open to everyone, no need to book just turn up. Meet at 9am April to September, 10am October to March. Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Porth
Community beach cleans (Porthcurnick)
First Monday of each month. 10-11am
Gloves, bags and litter-pickers provided. Just bring your enthusiasm to help out for an hour or so. Please also feel free to bring your own gloves if you'd like.
Price: Free event. Booking not required.
St Anthony Head
Discover St Anthony Battery
3 August. 11am-12.30pm & 1.30 – 3pm
St Anthony Head is great to visit all read round, with far reaching views out to sea and over the Carrick Roads to Falmouth beyond. Have you ever wondered what it used to be like when the headland was a bustling military site?
Price: £5pp. Booking required.
Levant Mine & Beam Engine
Women at work - Bal Maidens of the Tin Coast
Daily. 10am-3.30pm
Hear the toils and tales of the Bal maidens of the Tin Coast.
Price: Admissions apply. Booking required.
Trelissick
Miracle Theatre presents Twelfth Night
10 - 12 July, 6.30-8.30pm
Miracle Theatre revisits Twelfth Night - Shakespeare’s joyous, chaotic comedy, where love knows no boundaries. Price: Charges available on website. Booking required.
Summer of Play at Trelissick
19 July - 2 September, 10am-5pm
Play on repeat this summer at Trelissick where every winding path leads to a way to play. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Outdoor yoga at Trelissick with Apricity Yoga
20 July, 9.30-10.30am
Get closer to nature with an outdoor yoga experience in the Trelissick garden lead by Apricity Yoga. Price: Charges available on website. Booking required.
Quantum Theatre presents Alice Through the Looking Glass at Trelissick
20 August. 4.30-6pm
Quantum Theatre bring their lively brand of comedy, music and magic to Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic, Alice Through the Looking Glass for summer 2025. They'll be at Trelissick on Wednesday 20 August for a matinee performance. Price: Charges available on website. Booking required.
The Duke's Theatre Company present Shakespeare's Macbeth
3 September. 6.30-8.45pm The Dukes Theatre Company's production of Macbeth offers a dynamic reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy held in the walled garden at Trelissick. Price: Charges available on website. Booking required.
Trelissick 70
Daily June – September. 11am-4pm
70 years ago, in 1955, Ida Copeland generously gifted the garden and estate of Trelissick to the National Trust. This year we celebrate her donation with exhibitions that tell the story of both the Copeland’s Trelissick and the Trelissick we know...
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
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