When it comes to staycations, the south west of England is impossible to beat.
Indeed, despite the rise of cheap flights to Europe plenty of Britons continue to book hotels, self catering cottages and camping holidays in Cornwall for the perfect family getaway.
No matter how old your kids are or what they are passionate about, you are bound to find somewhere in the county that they will love to visit.
Check out our tips for some of the top family attractions in the county which children will love.
1. The Eden Project
We think that when it comes to family days out, it is hard to beat the Eden Project. A visit here is like going to several different countries in one day!
Come here on a rainy day so you can enjoy the heat of walking through a jungle-like atmosphere. Alternatively, you can experience what it’s like to be in the desert.
The site is made up of several climate-controlled pods, each of which mimics a different environment and is home to the flowers, trees and plants that would grow in it. Your kids will love learning all about where the things they enjoy every day, like sugar and bananas, come from.
2. National Seal Sanctuary
Most children have a fascination for cute and cuddly animals and if yours are no different they will love paying a visit to the National Seal Sanctuary.
Every year, the centre rescues and cares for more than 40 seal pups before releasing them back into the wild, so there are likely to be some baby seals to see whenever you visit there.
There are also several older seals who are permanently settled at the centre, along with sea lions, penguins and an assortment of farm animals. While you’re here, you can also have a go at caring for a seal yourself, by learning about how they are tube fed. Your kids could even have a go at taking their temperature!
Once you’ve finished looking around the sanctuary, you can head outside and search for more of the local fauna on the nature trail, or just let your little ones run off some steam in the adventure playground.
3. Lappa Valley Steam Railway
This historic attraction consists of three miniature railways that cut through beautiful countryside, which has remained unspoilt thanks to its protected status.
A one-mile track runs between Benny Hault and East Wheal Rose stations and the locomotive operates just as well today as it did in 1849 when it was first built.
In the leisure park the track travels through there are plenty of other attractions for the whole family to enjoy. You can go canoeing, play a round of crazy golf or tackle the maze.
4. Carnglaze Caverns
If your children are budding explorers and real adventure seekers, they will love coming here. The slate quarry is situated in the Loveny Valley and includes three huge caves that you can take a tour of.
The temperature here is 10 degrees C no matter how hot or cold it is outside, so this is my recommendation for a rainy day destination – or somewhere to come when the sun is too hot for delicate skin.
Once you have finished exploring the caves – one of which contains a lake – you can enjoy a picnic in the woodland outside, where there is even an enchanted dell where fairies, dragons and hobbits are rumoured to live.
5. Active Adventures
From booking surf lessons in Newquay to riding the best cycle trails in Cornwall there are so many outdoor adventures to be had in the county.
Cornwall has some of the best beaches in the UK and during summer especially there are lots of activities from snorkelling, sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding to be enjoyed.
You can book lessons, either individually or for your family throughout the year even in winter.
Plan the Best Family Break to Cornwall
Cornwall really is one of the top travel destinations in the UK, and these are some of the places we think families will love, but if you have your own why not share them?
If you are planning a road trip along the south coast you might also like to check out our top things to do in Exmouth or some essential Bournemouth travel tips.
