Last modified on Tuesday 13th December, 2011.
Places To Visit In Cornwall
This is a list of attractions located within approximately 20 miles of Plymouth, plus a few others that are further afield (as marked) that should appeal to families.
The Cornish Association of Tourist Attractions
has details of these and a number of others in Cornwall that are well worth a full day trip, updated regularly. Check opening times and charges before setting off on a journey.
The Cornwall Tourist Board
website has a wealth of information about acccommodation, days out, events, etc.
The Amazing Cornish Maize Maze
Pillaton, near Saltash
Open from from July to mid-September. The maze offers a lot of different trails over 8 acres of farmland, and there are also many puzzles and games to enjoy in the farmyard. Between Hatt and St Mellion off the A388 Saltash to Callington road.
Antony House
Torpoint (National Trust)
18th century house, superb woodland and formal gardens. The magic of Antony was recognised by Walt Disney when it was chosen recently as the set for the film Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton.
Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway
Bodmin General Station, Bodmin
Running from Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway the steam railway is a nostalgic 13 mile trip through the Cornish countryside. Runs through the summer with Santa specials at Christmas.
Canoe Tamar
Cotehele Quay
Offer a trip up the River Tamar in a Canadian canoe with a qualified guide. “We will kit you out with everything you need; a buoyancy aid, a paddle. and waterproof bag (that floats) in which to keep your camera, binoculars and car keys. There will be a safety briefing before we start off. Then you will be helped into a canoe and given advice and assistance should you need it.”
All ages welcome from 3 years old.
Carnglaze Caverns
Near Liskeard
A former slate mine, with three huge caverns. One of these (the Rum Store) is used as a concert venue. The 6.5 acre site also features walks through woodlands and beside rivers and streams and an enchanted dell with bronze statues of fairies. There is also a craft centre with a 500-piece collection of minerals from the south-west.
Colliford Lake Park
St Neot, Liskeard
Currently being redeveloped, to reopen in 2012 as Bodmin Moor Wildlife Park.
Cotehele House
Near Calstock. (National Trust)
A Tudor mansion on the banks of the Tamar. The house contains its original Tudor armour, furniture, tapestries and needlework. The valley garden has a dovecote and fishpond; there is also a watermill together with blacksmith’s forge, wheelwright’s shop, shipping museum, slide show, quay and restored Tamar barge, “Shamrock”. Programme of family holiday activities, quizzes and trails. Phone for details. Parents and babies room. Light refreshments.
Crealy Adventure Park
Tredinnick, Wadebridge
A combination of “magic and myths”, wild rides and exciting adventures. (approx 50 miles from Plymouth)
The Eden Project
Bodelva, St Austell
Described as the Eighth Wonder of the World, two gigantic domed conservatories (biomes) are full of plants from all over the world. (approx 35 miles from Plymouth)
Flambards Theme Park
Helston
Large range of activities, rides and exhibits, including The Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz. (approx 70 miles from Plymouth)
Hidden Valley Discovery Park and Porterswick Junction Light Railway
Tredidon, St Thomas, Launceston
Two garden railways with five working trains; the crystal challenge – solve the clues and get a “crystal”; new for 2004 – Catastrophe Creek – a train ride into a canyon with surprises! Discovery trails, lakeside walks; children’s play area; picnic area, tea room. Open mid-April to September. Located 4 miles west of Launceston, signposted from the A395.
Jamaica Inn and Museum
Bolventor, Launceston
Collection of smuggling artefacts; tableaux presentation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel Jamaica Inn.
Kidzworld
Stadium Retail Park, Par Moor Rd, St Austell, PL25 3RP
Kidzworld is an indoor play centre with a wide range of activities including Mega-slides, Giant tubes , ballponds, Death Slide, Crushers, Fireman’s Pole and more. Themed party rooms for birthday parties including a jurassic room, Toon room, Intergalactic room and fairlyland. Book online for parties and entry.
Launceston Steam Railway
Narrow gauge steam railway using closed and open carriages on a five mile round trip through the Kensey Valley. Workshop, museum, bookshop, gift shop. Picnic area; refreshments. Open during the tourist season; closed on Saturdays. Access via Newport Industrial Estate, Launceston. (off A388 Bude/Holsworthy road).
Mary Newman’s Cottage
Culver Road, Saltash
A cottage dating from the 1450’s reputed once to have been the home of Mary Newman, first wife of Sir Francis Drake. It has been restored with period furnishings by the Tamar Protection Society. Watch the local press for special exhibitions. Open 4 days a week during the summer months (from Easter until the end of September) – but do check before travelling. Large groups (including school parties) can arrange visits at other times. Also in Saltash and under the care of the Tamar Protection Society, Elliott’s Stores have been preserved much as it was when Francis Elliott closed the doors in 1973, rather than face the problems of coping with decimalisation and VAT. It is a time warp of an “Open all Hours” post-war corner shop at 27 Lower Fore Street (opposite the Guildhall) and is open twice a week. Visit the Tamar Protection Society website for further information.
The Monkey Sanctuary
Come and meet a colony of woolly monkeys. Regular talks on the life of the monkeys, together with the opportunity to watch a colony of lesser horseshoe bats roosting in the cellar. There is a variety of children’s activities, including a play area and activity room. There is a park area and a vegetarian cafe. Situated off the Plymouth – Looe road (B3253). Open April to September (not every day) and Autumn half term.
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park
Cremyll, Torpoint, Cornwall
The house is a restored Tudor mansion standing in magnificent parkland with superb views of Plymouth Sound. The house is open for the summer season. The beautiful park is open free of charge all year with access either by road or via the Cremyll ferry (7 minute journey from Plymouth city centre) – follow the link on the Mount Edgcumbe website to find out how to get there.
Tel: (01752) 822236.
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Discovery Quay, Falmouth
Interactive and hands on displays, maritime heritage, cafe and shop. Open daily 10.00 am to 5.00 pm except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. (68 miles from Plymouth city centre)
National Seal Sanctuary
Gweek, nr Helston, TR12 6UG
Set in the picturesque Helford estuary and with 50 years experience in rescuing and rehabilitating seals found around the coast. The Sanctuary also provides a much-needed haven for a variety of other animals, such as Otters, Penguins, Sheep, Ponies and Goats. Occasionally the Sanctuary’s facilities and expertise are called upon to aid in the rescue of other marine creatures such as Dolphins and Turtles. (70 miles from Plymouth city centre)
Paul Corin’s Magnificent Music Machines
St Keyne Station, near Liskeard
See and hear instruments dating from the Victorian era through to the 1930′s, including Belgian cafe organs, polyphon, orchestrion, Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, etc. set in a tranquil old mill in the lovely Looe Valley. Picnic area by the river. Dogs on leads. Open daily 10.30 am to 5.00 pm until the end of October. Follow the B3254 from Looe or Liskeard, or by train from Looe or Liskeard to St Keyne Station (request stop).
Porfell Wildlife Park and Sanctuary
Trecangate, nr Lanreath, Liskeard
Familiar animals and some different ones. Rabbits, goats, ducks, chickens, deer and five different species of lemur in the newly opened Lemurland. Open daily until the end of October. From Looe and Polperro take the A387, turn for Liskeard on the B3359 through Pelynt, past the Lanreath turning. Look out for the signs.
Tamar Otter Sanctuary
North Petherwin, near Launceston
A branch of the Otter Trust where British otters are bred for release into the wild. Also have a wood with fallow and muntjac deer and lakes with waterfowl. Picnic areas, illustrated nature trail, refreshments. Off the B3254 road to Bude.
Tamar Valley Donkey Park
St. Anns Chapel
Donkeys and other tame animals; donkey rides and cart rides; picnic areas; woodland walks; children’s play area, café. Also has an all-weather play barn, including soft play, adventure play and a covered donkey ride.
Trebah Garden
Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth
Trebah is a wonderful garden for families. There are trails for children of all ages to follow round the garden; they are especially amazed by the path through a jungle of giant rhubarb and love to race around The Bamboozle. Enjoy the surprise on their faces as they find themselves on the private beach on the Helford – a perfect place for a swim and a picnic, or just to watch the colourful sailing boats. Trebah also has a wheelchair route and three electric buggies that visitors can borrow. Between Falmouth and Helston off the A394 (68 miles from Plymouth city centre)
Trethorne Leisure Farm
Kennards House, Launceston
Climbing wall, slides, ballpools, ten pin bowling, roller blading, gladiator duel, trampolines, assault course, pony rides.
