Attractions in Cornwall
There’s so much to see and do whilst on holiday
Whether its gardens, historic houses, tin mines or wildlife that interests you, you won’t be stuck for things to do whilst on holiday.
Explore the world’s largest indoor rainforest and a waterfall housed in giant biomes. Shop & restaurants. Seasonal activities with varying opening times.
Bodelva, south Cornwall
Internationally recognised reclaimed gardens on the Heligan Estate. Free entry to the tea room, shop and plant centre. Open daily all year (except Christmas Day) from 10am.
Pentewan, St Austell
Split over 6 levels, the all weather family attraction includes a covered courtyard, restaurant and Civil and Naval Prison housing a museum within its walls.
Bodmin
4 miles of footpaths lead to a private beach in these subtropical valley gardens. Trails, play areas and seasonal events. Family and dog friendly. Open every day from 10am.
Near Falmouth
Discover 18th Century Cornwall and its pirates in an immersive walk through experience where the sights sounds and smells come to life. Booking recommended.
Newquay.
Gardens & Houses
Prideaux Place – Elizabethan manor house and deer park overlooking the Camel Estuary. Used for filming some of Rosamunde Pilcher’s stories and home to a collection of teddy bears. Padstow PL28 8AH
Pencarrow House – House and gardens with cafe, gift and plant shop. Bodmin PL30 3AG
Caerhays Estate – Castle, garden, beaches and home to the National Magnolia Collection and Camellias and Rhododendrons. Nr St Austell PL26 6LY
Trewithen House & Gardens – Historic estate with gardens. House open on certain days. Truro TR2 4DD
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park – House and Country Park with shop, cafe and restaurant. Torpoint PL10 4HZ
Heritage based attractions
Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park – Discover Cornwall’s China Clay heritage with interactive displays, preserved Victorian china clay works and a working water wheel. Cafe, gift shop and children’s woodland play area. St Austell PL26 8XG
King Edward Tin Mine – Award winning tin mine with museum and mill. Camborne TR14 9DP
Poldark Mine – Discover Cornwall’s mining and social heritage at the only complete underground mine open to the public in Cornwall and Devon.
Helston TR13 0ES
Geevor Tin Mine – Explore Cornwall’s tin mining heritage at one of the largest preserved tin mines in the country. Penzance TR19 7EW
Marconi Centre – Marconi information centre close to the site of the first transatlantic radio signal transmission. Nr Mullion TR12 7JB
Lands End – Visit the famous sign post marking the end of the mainland. Shop and restaurant as well as pay as you go visitor attractions including a farm and 4D cinema. Sennen TR19 7AA
Museums
Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre – Learn about the historic village of Charlestown through the exhibits from over 150 shipwrecks and maritime collections. St Austell PN25 3NJ
Padstow Museum – Discover the history of Padstow over the last two centuries. PL28 8AL
Royal Cornwall Museum – Local and world collections and exhibits with talks and shop. Children free. Truro TR1 2SJ
The Arthurian Centre – Learn about the legends surrounding King Arthur on the site where Camelot possibly stood. Camelford PL32 9TT
Cornwall’s Regimental Museum – A display of regimental uniforms, artefacts, weapons and medals within an archives collection. Bodmin PL31 1EG
Museum of Witchcraft – One of the largest collections of witchcraft artefacts. Boscastle PL35 OHD
NMMC – Seafaring exhibitions, displays, activities and workshops suitable for all the family. Open daily. Falmouth TR11 3QY
Arts & Entertainment
Cornwall Gold – Gold and Pearl jewellery collections with family activities, bear factory and tin mine. Free entry and free parking. Near Redruth TR16 4HN
Heartlands – Free world heritage site with sculptures, exhibitions, gardens and play areas. Redruth TR16 4HN
Falmouth Art Gallery – Free art gallery for all the family TR11 2RT
Minack Theatre – Cornwall’s open air theatre situated on the cliffs at Portcurno TR19 6JU
Penlee House – Art gallery specialising in paintings from the Newlyn School. Penzance TR18 4HE
Tate St Ives – Cornwall’s Tate art gallery TR26 1TG
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden – The home of influential artist, Barbara Hepworth TR26 1AD
Nature & Wildlife attractions
National Lobster Hatchery – Learn all about Lobsters and even adopt one! Marine conservation for all ages. Padstow PL28 8BL
Screech Owl Sanctuary – Owls and lots of other animals such as emus, donkeys and alpacas. Childrens play area and tea room.
St Columb TR19 6HP
Cornish Birds of Prey Centre – The largest collection of birds of prey in the west country. Also offering falconry experience days.
St Columb TR9 6DH
Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay – Indoor aquarium with turtles, sharks and an underwater tunnel. Daily talks and feeds. Cafe and gift shop. TR7 1DU
Springfields Fun Park and Pony Centre – A pony centred family day out with a play barn, pets area and plenty of ponies waiting to be groomed or ridden! Newquay TR9 6HU
Tamar Otter and Wildlife Centre – Otter and wildlife centre with tea rooms.
Launceston PL15 8GW
The Tamar Valley Donkey Park – Donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs and other animals to pet with cafe and gift shop. Gunnislake PL18 9HW
The Monkey Sanctuary – Monkey sanctuary set in woodland with cafe and shop. Looe PL13 1NZ
Paradise Park – Wildlife Park with colourful birds and some rare species plus a petting farm and indoor Jungle Barn Play Centre. Hayle TR27 4HB
National Seal Sanctuary – The rescue, rehabilitation and release centre for seals. Gweek TR12 6UG
Cornish Camels – Camel collection and shop! Free entry. Saint Martin TR12 6DZ
Mousehole Bird Hospital – Centre for injured birds with shop. Free entry. Penzance TR19 6SR
Local produce attractions
Dairyland Farm World – An all weather adventure park with farm animals, nature trails, museum, cafe and indoor play area. Newquay TR8 5AA
Callestick Farm – Award winning ice cream farm with tea room and shop. Watch the ice cream being made – check first for opening times. Truro TR4 9LL
Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm – Take a tour of the orchards and museum or watch the cyder brewing. Petting farm, restaurant and shop. Truro TR4 9LW
Camel Valley Vineyard – Guided tours of the Camel Valley Vineyards with wine tasting. Bodmin PL30 9LG
Trenance Chocolate Factory – Visit the chocolate shop and factory and watch luxurious Belgian chocolates being made. Helston TR12 7HB
Roskilly’s Farm – Working organic farm making ice creams, fudge and yoghurts from Jersey cows. Shop, restaurant and ice cream parlour. St Keverne TR12 6NX
Polgoon Vineyard – Tours and tastings from the Polgoon vineyards, the Cornish cider, wine and juice maker. Cornish hampers also on offer. Penzance TR20 8TE
Transport & Rail attractions
Lappa Valley – Three miniature railways, a boating lake, maze and play trails with a cafe, shop and picnic areas all set in a wildlife conservation area. Newquay TR8 5LX
Bodmin and Wenford Railway – 13 mile round trip aboard a vintage steam train. PL31 1AQ
Hidden Valley – Explore the adventures and trails, take a ride on the miniature railway or visit the tea rooms. Launceston PL15 8SJ
Theme parks & larger attractions
Camel Creak Adventure Park – A family adventure park with rides, animals and indoor and outdoor fun. Wadebridge PL27 7RA
Flambard’s – Rides and attractions plus exhibitions including a Victorian village. Helston TR13 0QA
Smaller attractions
The Stones – Standing stones in the front garden of author and artist Edward Prynn. St Merryn
Sports based attractions
Tina’s Riding Stables – Group rides, beach rides and horse riding lessons from beginners to experienced riders. St Merryn PL28 8JZ
Cornucopia Cornwall – 20,000 square feet of play area with the majority undercover.
St Austell PL25 3RP
Waterworld – Swimming pool and tropical fun pool with water flumes and water play fun.
Newquay TR7 2LZ
There are also many National Trust and English Heritage attractions and sites to see which are free to members. Browse our National Trust attractions in Cornwall and English Heritage sites in Cornwall pages for more ideas.