Family visitors in the house at Trelissick looking up at a decorated Christmas tree together, Trelissick, Cornwall — Visitors in the house at Trelissick, Cornwall | © National Trust / Steve Hayward

Family-friendly places around Cornwall

With long stretching beaches, exotic gardens and historic houses in Cornwall and Plymouth, there are lots of places to explore and visit for family fun.

There's lots of fun to be had and memories to be made at the places we look after in Cornwall and Plymouth this festive season.

A member of staff at Trelissick decorating a tree for a Cornish Christmas

Christmas around Cornwall

Find out how the ancient houses and exotic gardens around Cornwall and Plymouth are being transformed for Christmas and plan a festive day out for all the family.

Discover all the best places to explore with your family for a great day out.

Family enjoying an autumn walk across the countryside with trees in the distance at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

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Family-friendly things to do at Lanhydrock

Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Lanhydrock, from visiting the reimagined Victorian nursery to exploring the estate by bicycle.

Woman carrying her son in an autumnal garden

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Family-friendly things to do at Trelissick

Discover all the things to do on a family day out to Trelissick. Explore the garden and house, or head out on an adventure around the countryside estate. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and plan your visit to Trelissick.

Girl playing with wooden horse with Christmas trees in background

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Family-friendly things to do at Cotehele

Discover all the things to do on a family day out to Cotehele. Explore the garden and orchards and head out on an adventure around the estate. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and how best to plan your day out at Cotehele with children in mind.

Playing eye spy is one of the fun things to do with families at Pentire.

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Family-friendly things to do at Pentire

All you need to know about visiting Pentire with children.

Children playing in the Orchard at Trerice, Cornwall

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Family-friendly things to do at Trerice

Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Trerice. Try a game of Cornish kayles, spot the mice around the house and try on Tudor-inspired costumes in the hayloft.

A young visitor enjoying Christmas in Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire

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Family-friendly things to do at Godolphin

Take a look at what family-friendly events and activities we have at Godolphin. Get mucky in the mud-pie kitchen, explore nature up-close with the barefoot trail and enjoy the wide open spaces of nature in the gardens.

A family in a garden at night looking at the light display.

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Family-friendly things to do at Trengwainton Garden

With its combination of winding wooded paths, secluded corners and wide-open spaces, there are lots of places to enjoy nature adventures at Trengwainton.

Young boy dresses up in a top hat in the Storytelling Room, Antony

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Family-friendly things to do at Antony

Find out what family-friendly activities are on offer at Antony in Cornwall, in the house and garden.

Levant Mine and Beam Engine, Cornwall, on a sunny day

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Visiting Levant Mine and Beam Engine

Join the 'Minor Miners' family tour and learn about the gruelling work of a Cornish Miner. Find out about the jobs the miners did and help to run the winder and steam engine.

Woman holding little girl, looking at the baubles on the Christmas tree at Saltram in Devon.

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Family-friendly things to do at Saltram

Find family-friendly activities to do at Saltram, from exploring the estate and gardens to seasonal events.

A woman and child wrapped in cloaks sit and look up towards the top left of the shot. They are at a long wooden table covered in wooden cups and bowls with a silver helmet in the foreground.

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Family-friendly things to do at Buckland Abbey

Whether it's a woodland adventure, an amazing story of life on the high seas or a tasty treat from the cafe, there's something for all the family to enjoy at Buckland Abbey.

Discover a wide variety of gardens to explore with plenty of places to play hide-and-seek.

View of the garden in February at Godolphin, Cornwall

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Things to do in the garden at Godolphin

Godolphin’s garden paths provide a natural space that’s rich in history. Find out how the garden provides a home to the native Cornish bee. Explore the orchard, side garden paddock and King’s Garden.

Flowers bloom behind a metal garden bench on the main lawn at Trelissick, Cornwall

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Things to see and do in the garden at Trelissick

Discover peaceful lawns and tranquil orchard spaces in the garden. Stop for far-reaching maritime views at this green lookout point high above the River Fal estuary.

Exterior view of grey stone building, seen across a green meadow. Trees with orange and brown leaves on right side of image.

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Visiting Cotehele's garden

Take a stroll around the 5.5 hectares of Cotehele's garden where you’ll discover terraced herbaceous borders, a lily pond as well as a medieval stewpond and dovecote.

Here are some walks great for little legs and pushchairs as well as top spots to cycle in Cornwall.

Family exploring the cycle trails at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

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Cycling at Lanhydrock

With a mix of off road trails from green routes, skills areas and more advanced woodland routes, there's something for everyone. If you need to hire a bike, we've got you covered at the Lanhydrock cycle hire. We recommend pre-booking any bikes you need beforehand.

Two children riding their bikes along a footpath at Castle Coole, with a family and pushchairs in the background

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Cycling at Penrose

There are acres to explore on your visit to Penrose, and it doesn’t have to be on foot. Miles of bridleways are waiting to be discovered on your horse, or by bike.

A large grey mill building with woodland behind it and a meadow of white cow parsley in front of it

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Exploring the Cotehele estate

There's lots to discover at the Cotehele estate. Miles of pathways lead you through ancient woodland, past a historic chapel, and to an important Victorian quay.

Cattle grazing in the parkland at Lanhydrock, Cornwall amid tall trees

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Lanhydrock Great Wood and Beech Avenue walk

Lanhydrock is home to a wide variety of veteran and ancient trees, perfect homes for wildlife – and your companions on this gentle circular walk.

Lansallos Cove view to Pencarrow Head, Cornwall

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Lansallos coastal and woodland walk

Discover this trail with a stretch of coastline that offers secluded coves and beaches in Lansallos, Cornwall.

Step inside and discover adventure in every room. With things to do for families that makes a great day out.

An adult and a child standing on scaffold and admiring the intricate plaster ceiling at Lanhydrock

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Things to do in Lanhydrock house

Lanhydrock is a Victorian country house packed with layers of history and family stories. Step inside the house to learn about the lives of the Agar-Robartes family, admire the finest rooms and meet the costumed servants below stairs.

Friends sat in the house tearoom having tea and cake overlooking the river, Trelissick, Cornwall

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Visiting Trelissick house

Enjoy a tea or coffee in the south-facing rooms while taking in the view from the eighteenth century house at Trelissick.

Two visitors look up admiring the details of the Great Hall at Cotehele, Cornwall

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Things to do in Cotehele house

Cotehele house contains eclectic historic artefacts that tell many stories about the medieval building’s long history, from rare tapestries to whale jawbones.

A close up view of the Dutch gables featured on the manor house, Trerice, Cornwall

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Visiting the house at Trerice

Explore inside the house to see decorative plasterwork and collection items including a large table, Cornish paintings and a 300-year-old clock.

The entrance Hall at Antony House showing the staircase, three arches, stained oak panelling and paintings

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Things to see in the house at Antony

The house at Antony contrasts the personal touches of a grand yet comfortable family home. It is still lived in by the Carew family today.

Discover all the best beaches for rock-pooling adventures and sandcastle building.

A view of the sandy beach at Sandymouth, Cornwall, with rocks in the foreground, a cliff visible on the left and the sea in the distance

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Sandymouth

Sandymouth is a popular and unspoilt beach but can be very tidal. Find out how not to get caught out by the tides and also discover what’s on offer for you to do during your visit.

Children finding a crab whilst rock-pooling on the beach at Poldhu Cove on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall

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Things to do at Poldhu Cove

Tucked away on the west side of the Lizard in Cornwall, Poldhu Cove is a favourite beach for families and surfers alike.

Holiday cottages on the beach near Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall

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Durgan beach

The sheltered, south-facing beach at Durgan is a mixture of pebbles, rock pools and sand. It's a peaceful place to play and watch wildlife and boats on the Helford River.

A National Trust sign pointing to Lantic beach with the bay in the background

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Exploring the area around Lansallos

Discover the places to visit in and around this Cornish village, including sandy coves, ancient churches, old water mills and landmarks from its smuggling heyday.

Visitors rockpooling at Wembury Beach, Wembury, Devon

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Explore the beaches at Carne and Pendower

Accessible all year round, the sandy beaches at Carne and Pendower offer seaside fun, coastal walks with sweeping views, and the chance to explore disused military bunkers.

Visitors exploring the gardens at Cotehele, Cornwall

Discover more in Cornwall

You can find exotic gardens, ancient houses and mining history encircled by a much-loved coastline.

Explore Cornwall