1 / 6Cornwall is one of the UK's most rewarding corners for a family day out, packing rainforest biomes, tidal-island castles, seal rescue centres and King Arthur legends into one dramatic coastline. Whether you're chasing rainy-day cover or big outdoor adventures, here are seven kid-friendly attractions across Cornwall that are genuinely worth the trip, along with tips for making a full day of it.
🎟️See things to do in Cornwall on GetYourGuide →Eden Project
Set inside a former china-clay pit near St Austell, the Eden Project is a cluster of giant geodesic biome domes housing a steamy rainforest and a Mediterranean garden, plus interactive exhibits, trails and seasonal events. For kids, walking inside the humid rainforest dome feels like a real expedition, and there are school-holiday family activities and play areas to burn off energy, with up to four children going free per paying adult. It's in Bodelva, near St Austell.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a 200-acre restored Victorian garden and wildlife estate near Mevagissey, with a warmer jungle valley, boardwalks, one of the UK's longest Burmese rope bridges and farm animals. Children love the adventure playground, crossing the rope bridge over the jungle and meeting the farm animals, then hunting for the famous Mud Maid and Giant's Head sculptures hidden in the greenery. Find it at Pentewan, near Mevagissey (St Ewe).
Tintagel Castle
Managed by English Heritage, Tintagel Castle is a set of clifftop medieval ruins long linked to the legend of King Arthur, reached via a dramatic footbridge, with Merlin's Cave on the beach below. The mix of Arthurian and Merlin legends, an epic clifftop bridge, the life-size bronze Gallos statue and the chance to explore Merlin's Cave at low tide make it a thrilling day for adventurous kids. It's on the north coast at Tintagel.
St Michael's Mount
St Michael's Mount is a tidal island crowned by a medieval castle and gardens, reached on foot along a cobbled causeway at low tide or by boat when the sea rolls in. Crossing the causeway when the tide parts feels genuinely magical to children, and there's a castle to explore, sub-tropical gardens to wander and a boat ride back if the water has risen. You'll find it just off the coast at Marazion.
Land's End Landmark
Land's End is the mainland's most south-westerly point, with clifftop trails, the famous signpost and a cluster of pay-as-you-go family attractions and eateries. Kids can grab the iconic signpost photo, enjoy an Aardman Wallace & Gromit walkthrough, a 4D cinema and the animals at Greeb Farm; entry to the site is free and you simply pay per attraction. It sits on the far west coast at Sennen.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a SEA LIFE Trust seal rescue and rehabilitation centre on the Helford Estuary, also home to penguins, sea lions and otters, with regular talks and feeding sessions. Watching rescued seals being fed and nursed back to health, alongside the penguins and otters, gives children a hands-on, memorable lesson in marine conservation. It's set in the village of Gweek.
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
The National Maritime Museum Cornwall is a waterfront museum spread over five floors, with 15 galleries, a boat hall of sailing vessels, an underwater viewing gallery and a harbour-view lookout tower. Children gravitate to the RNLI Rescue Zone with its ride-on vehicles, the Skull Island pirate play zone, model-boat racing and the 100-foot tower with sweeping harbour views. You'll find it on the waterfront in Falmouth.
Tips for a family day out
Cornwall's roads and car parks fill quickly in summer and school holidays, so arrive early and check opening times before you set off. For the tidal attractions like St Michael's Mount, plan your visit around the tide tables so you can enjoy both the causeway walk and the boat ride. Pack layers and waterproofs whatever the forecast, as the coast can turn quickly, and bring sturdy footwear for clifftop paths and cobbled causeways. Several attractions offer money-saving family tickets or per-attraction pricing, so it's worth booking ahead where you can and deciding in advance which extras are worth it for your kids' ages.
FAQs
What is the best family day out in Cornwall for a rainy day?
The Eden Project and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall both offer plenty of indoor cover, with the biome domes and museum galleries keeping children entertained whatever the weather.
Which Cornwall attractions are good for younger children?
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, with its adventure playground and farm animals, and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, with its feeding sessions, are especially engaging for younger kids.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
For popular sites it's wise to book ahead, particularly in summer and school holidays. You can book tickets for several of these attractions online, and tidal spots like St Michael's Mount are best planned around the tide times.
🎟️ Top things to do in Cornwall
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