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. (70 miles from Plymouth)
Goonhilly
Satellite Earth Station: Helston.
On the B3293 Helston to St Keverne road, about 7 miles from Helston. Discover the
largest satellite station on earth. With multimedia visitor's centre, interactive
exhibits, guided tour, journey through the history of international satellite
communication, film show, 3D head creation display, Internet facilities, satellite dishes
you can move yourself. Admission is free for Devon and Cornwall schools.
Curriculum link resources for key stage 2,3 and 4. Open all year for school group
bookings. Picnic and play areas, café, shops. (67 miles from Plymouth)
Hidden Valley
Discovery Park and Garden Railways: 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.
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 during the summer months (from May Bank Holiday
until the end of September) on Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00
noon to 4.00 pm and Wednesdays from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Large
groups (including school parties) can arrange visits at other times by telephoning
07767 444816 (mobile). 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 on Saturdays
from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon and Wednesdays 2.00 to 4.00 pm through the
summer. 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, Sunday to Thursday, 11.00 am to 4.30 pm and Autumn half term.
Mount
Edgcumbe House and Country Park:
Click here
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)
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
Animal Land Wildlife Park:
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 10.00 am to 6.00 pm 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. Visit the website at
www.donkeypark.com
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.
