Family in parkland Lanhydrock | © NTI/John Millar

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.

A family playing in the garden 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.

A family in the distance walking and taking in the view of the vast Fal Estuary at Trelissick, Cornwall

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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.

A family enjoying one of the summer play activities 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 this winter. Try a game of Cornish kayles, spot the mice around the house and try on Tudor-inspired costumes in the hayloft.

A family enjoying 'Summer of Play' activities in the garden 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.

Adult taking photo of children behind a flowery selfie station

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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.

Mother and daughter enjoy exploring Saltram house and looking at the Chinese Wallpaper

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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.

Bright colourful rag bunting strung out along a line

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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.

Find non-stop family adventures and fun throughout the school holidays as part of the National Trust’s Summer of Play (sponsored by Starling Bank).

A grinning child playing at the Crow Wood play area at Lyme Park, Cheshire

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Summer of Play at Lanhydrock

Based around the animals found on Lanhydrock's Long Gallery season with activities and challenges for you to have a go at. Jump like a kangaroo, run like a cheetah and balance like a mountain goat as you play your way around Lanhydrock's gardens. Thre is also the chance to 'Meet the Machines' with the Ranger Team on select dates throughout the summer.

Family playing jenga at Wentworth Castle Gardens

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Summer of Play at Trelissick

Get active and try traditional games, play tennis on the West Lawn or have a go at archery on select dates throughout the summer. Embrace your creativity and make-believe in the stables where you’ll find a stage ready for you to dress up and perform. Explore the garden and have a mini-summer holiday as part of the Trelissick garden trail.

Children running in the garden at The Children's Country House at Sudbury, Derbyshire

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Summer of Play at Cotehele

Play in nature this summer, every day. What will you do first? Maybe you'll challenge the family to a race around the orchard? Or get creative in the Old Orchard Theatre? Will you become a Nature Detective at Cotehele Mill or build something amazing out of loose parts?

A family jumping in a sack race in the gardens of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk

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Summer of Play at Trerice

Head down to the mowhay field from 25 July - 1 September for a summer full of fun and games. Challenge each other to an obstacle course, have a go at crazy golf, get creative in the long grass and play some traditional outdoor games.

Children enjoying an archery activity, Speke Hall, Liverpool

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Summer of Play at Godolphin

Play a game of badminton in the orchard, have a hobby horse race, play games, compete at a game of cornhole, get crafting in the Cider House and lots more. There’ll be archery sessions running three days a week throughout the holidays.

Children creating art from leaves, twigs and bark, in the grounds at Mottisfont, Hampshire

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Summer of Play at Trengwainton

From 21 July to 01 September, discover more than 15 ways to play including wild art, tug-of-war, giant jigsaw, bean bag throw, storytime and lots more. Follow the trail around the garden for all sorts of interesting stuff about the plant superheroes that live here.

A child trying on a silver helmet and armour

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Summer of Play at Buckland Abbey

Join us for a fun filled summer, where you can learn how to play, dance and sword fight like a medieval knight at Buckland Abbey's Knight Academy!

Two children play around in the play area in the grounds of Saltram, Devon

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Summer of Play at Saltram

Enjoy time together over the school holidays and become a ‘marvellous maker’ in a Summer of Play at Saltram, featuring a programme of activities there is something fun for all the family.

Pack a picnic and gather your friends and family for some live entertainment in the beautiful surroundings of a National Trust garden near you this summer.

4 people with instruments perform on a stage

Outdoor theatre in the South West

Come and experience a theatre performance in the great outdoors this summer, with plenty of shows to choose from across the South West. Bring the whole family, a picnic blanket and some popcorn and settle down to watch the show with nature and perhaps a historic house as your backdrop. Browse our programme of shows and find your nearest performance.

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

Herbaceous borders in summer 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.

Fluffy purple flowerhead of a thistle 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.

One visitor poses for a photo in front of a garden wall in the gardens 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

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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