Family walking along a gravel path in the Upper Garden at Cotehele, Cornwall — Family walking within the Upper Garden at Cotehele, Cornwall | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

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.

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.

Two adults and a small child holding hands while out for a walk

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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.

Family within the glass house completing an activity at Cotehele, Cornwall

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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.

Close up image of a family having a go at making clay crafts in the Cider House at Godolphin

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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.

Two adults and two children walking on path bordered by snowdrops

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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.

A family walk along Lime Avenue in the garden at Saltram in Plymouth

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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 child dressed in a crown and rainbow wings in the foreground watches another child and an adult run around

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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.

Children taking part in a trail in the garden surrounded by spring blossom, Trelissick, Cornwall

Sketchbook trail at Trelissick

Explore, draw and be creative this February half term with a seasonal sketchbook. Use the prompts in the book to guide your visit through the garden, discovering and drawing as you go as the garden starts to emerge for spring.

Little Gardeners trail at Cotehele

Help the Cotehele gardeners get ready for spring by completing nature activities around the garden. Sow some seeds, count the flowers, smell herbs and use wheelbarrows to help the gardeners prepare for the season.

View of the garden in February at Godolphin, Cornwall

Harry the hedgehog at Godolphin

Wake up from a winter hibernation and get ready for spring with Harry the hedgehog. Follow the trail around the garden to find out what animals do when they wake from their winter slumber.

Two children sat on a bench set back into a hedge, looking at a flower head, at Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

Half term at Trengwainton Garden

Spring into the new season with us at Trengwainton this February half term. Join the garden as it wakes from its winter slumber and spot the signs of spring popping out as you explore.

A toddler wearing a pink top plays with a green ribbon and a toy sword

Write Your Own Fairytale at Buckland Abbey

Buckland Abbey is a mystical place, follow the trail around the Abbey and gardens to create your own story. Pick up a trail booklet and get creative, following the map to find all the writing spots and see what inspires your story along the way.

Using fir cones and conkers to make a collage

Children’s Collage Workshop at Buckland Abbey

Join local artist Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops and create wonderfully colourful and creative collages inspired by the beautiful Buckland Abbey estate. The session will involve painting, drawing, mark making, cutting, ripping and gluing. A great opportunity for creative play and self expression.

Woman and children in the the laurel maze at Glendurgan, Cornwall

Spring Awakening at Glendurgan Garden

Follow the winding paths through the garden to spot early spring flowers, budding trees and wildlife starting to emerge. Listen for birdsong, look for tiny shoots breaking through the soil and discover fun prompts and challenges along the way.

National Trust walk leaders with a group of walkers overlooking Loe Pool at Penrose

Guided family walks at Penrose

Join us for a gentle family friendly walk at Penrose looking for signs of spring in the woodland, parkland and Loe Pool. You will be guided by our volunteer walk leaders, children of all ages are very welcome.

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

Snowdrops in the flower borders at Godolphin,

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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.

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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.

Family walking down steps within the Upper Garden at Cotehele, Cornwall

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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

Trail

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.

View of the Georgian house through the trees at 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

Place

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