Tips For Planning a Family Holiday in Cornwall

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Cornwall is an undeniably beautiful part of the world. Located in the South West of England upon a peninsula that protrudes out into the vast Atlantic Ocean, it is an ideal location for those looking for a place to holiday with family. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, with the River Tamar forming the border between them. The crystal clear water, sandy beaches and generally happy, slower pace of life and friendly people are some of the many reasons people love to visit Cornwall. 

As a family it is one of our favourite places to visit and with so many beautiful places to stay, things to see and attractions of all types, whether you are looking to relax or plan an action packed break, Cornwall has it all. But with so many things to do, places to stay and holiday parks in Cornwall it can feel daunting about where to start when planning a trip to Cornwall. So in this post I am sharing some of my top tips for planning a family holiday in Cornwall including where to stay, things to do and some "not to miss" things to see too. 

Where to stay?

Whilst Cornwall as a whole is a beautiful place to visit, just like most counties, different parts of the county offer different things. Which is why is it important to consider exactly what you are looking for during your stay. Below are some of the most popular destinations for family holidays in Cornwall - 

Newquay - Renowned for its beautiful golden beaches and excellent surf conditions thanks to the impressive Atlantic swell, Newquay is a hot spot for surfers and those who love adventure. Whether its surfing, paddle boarding, exploring rock pools and coves or taking a coastal walks along the cliffs Newquay has it covered. 

Tintagel - If history and heritage is more your thing then Tintagel is the perfect place for you. Thought to be the birth place of King Arthur there are plenty if historical sites to visit including Tintagel castle whose history can be traced back to roman times! With a number of English heritage sites and National trust buildings there is plenty to see and do here to immerse yourself into the rich history hidden within Tintagel. The South West coastal path also runs through the length of Tintagel for those famous rugged, breath-taking coastal views. 

St Ives - Best known for its stunning golden beaches and rolling dunes, St Ives is a harbour town that is a hive of activity for those who love art and culture. With both the modern and abstract art scene widely celebrated in St Ives there are a number of galleries, boutiques and trendy restaurants within this picturesque town. 

Looe - If you are looking for somewhere you can go as a family to relax, unwind and enjoy a slower pace of life then Looe is for you. Perfect for families it manages to balance miles of fantastic trails to explore with golden beaches but still be a hive of activity with a bustling harbour town. There are also some great attractions to visit that kids will love to such as the Monkey Sanctuary and Looe Islands nature reserve. 

Places to go?

Known for its stunning beaches and coastline, Cornwall also has a great range of places to visit from historical sites and castles to zoo's and fun family attractions that will keep everyone happy. Below are just a few of the places we would recommend visiting on your next trip to Cornwall. 

Newquay Zoo - Being Cornwall's only zoo, Newquay zoo is a popular attraction and with over 130 species of animals set over 13 acres of land it is easy to see why. From lions and giraffes to monkeys and lemurs the zoo has a huge range of animals that you can see up close and learn all about them too. You could even make your visit even more special by sponsoring/adopting an animal or even becoming a zoo keeper for the day! 

Eden Project - If you have ever wanted to feel what it would be like stepping into a real life tropical rainforest a trip to the Eden project allows you to feel just that, right here in the heart of Cornwall. Their Rainforest Biome is home to the worlds largest indoor rainforest and it is absolutely beautiful. Or if the Mediterranean is more your thing then step inside the Mediterranean biome filled with towering cactus, gnarly olive trees and sweet smelling fruits and herbs it will whisk you away in a moment. 

Minack Theatre - One of the most famous and oldest open air theatres, the Minack Theatre had its first show in 1932 and still continues to this day. Perched high up in the rugged cliffs overlooking the stunning Porthcurno beach, the views are absolutely stunning and the seating area within the theatre makes the perfect spot to sit back and take it all in. 

St Michaels Mount - St Michaels mount is located opposite Marizion and a short drive from Penzance. It is a small tidal island with its own man made causeway that can take you from the shore of Marizion directly to the mount itself at low tide. However be sure to check the tide times before your visit as when the tide is in the causeway is completely submersed and access to the mount is by boat only! 

Planning Your Trip

There are always lots of things to consider when it comes to planning any family holiday. From how you will get there, where you will stay and what you will do. But there are plenty of things you can do to try and help your trip run as smoothly as possible and below are some of our top tips. 

Plan when you visit - Cornwall is beautiful and as such is a hotspot for tourists during the most popular months, these usually being the summer holidays during July and August. If you don't mind the crowds then book during these times for often the best chance of glorious British sunshine. However if you prefer a slightly quieter break trying visiting outside of school holidays such as June or September where weather will still be warm but it may be a bit quieter in terms or crowds. 

Work out your route -  Since Cornwall is so far south west it is going to be a fair drive for anyone who doesn't live locally and as such planning ahead for your journey will be crucial. I would recommend driving when visiting Cornwall as despite public transport being available, if you plan on doing lots of exploring around the county a car is going to be your easiest way to get around (just don't forget your coins for the parking meters!). If you do have a long trip ahead make sure you work out where the services, toilets and perhaps places to eat are on your way down so you can plan regular stops on the way (and way back!). 

Enjoy the local culture - Whilst Cornwall is of course park of the UK, it also has its own customs and traditions that are still strong in many parts of Cornwall and I think embracing these and learning more about them is all part of visiting such a beautiful place. From traditional Cornish industries such as farming, fishing and thatching that are all still thriving in many places to what remains of its Celtic language. There are also lots of evidence of historical architecture everywhere you look from homes to churches and historical building all with a deep history to go with them. Of course a trip to Cornwall wouldn't be right without sampling a traditional Cornish pasty or two either right? 

These are our tips for planning a trip to Cornwall that will hopefully help you next time you are planning a family trip. If you have never been before I urge you to visit, its a beautiful place and I am almost certain you will come away loving it like almost everyone who visits. 

Have you ever been to Cornwall? If so share some of your memories and top tips below in the comments. 

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