10 Things To Do On A Cornwall Holiday With Little Nature Explorers

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Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places in the UK. It’s also one of the most popular seaside area for a reason: apart from the gorgeous coastline and pretty villages, there’s plenty of sights and things to explore. Especially with family, Cornwall is a fantastic adventure all year around. Weather you choose to stay in a holiday park, in a hotel or rent an apartment, you’ll have the best time. 

Beaches are naturally the best fun and Cornwall really has some beautiful beaches. But there’s so much more to do. When we go on holiday, we like to make sure, that whilst exploring a new area and visiting new attraction we support their work, avoid typical zoos and aquariums that just put the animals on display and don’t do conservational and educational work. Generally, it’s good to think about where and how do we spend our money. We do spend a lot of time outside, no matter the weather – the kids are real little nature explorers – it’s especially very beneficial for Bobcat it’s good for his anxiety. (So as exercise – so the skate park in St Ives is a great place for this.)

I’ve collected 10 of the best things you could do around Cornwall with children if you like nature, animals and outdoors – hope it helps. 

1 The Eden Project

The Eden Project is probably the most famous attraction in Cornwall amongst nature lovers. The world’s largest geodesic domes at The Eden Project, contain two distinct biosphere’s for you to explore, the humid Tropical Biome featuring a jungle environment and the Mediterranean Biome, featuring plant species from the Mediterranean, South Africa and California. Whilst outside there is a series of landscaped gardens where you can enjoy a diverse collection of plants from the Wild Cornwall section to the terraced tea slopes.

2 Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Set in the picturesque Helford Estuary, by the beautiful village of Gweek in Cornwall. The Seal Sanctuary are a Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release centre for seals, and most seasons they rescue over 60 pups. It all started with a single pool back in 1958 and now the Sanctuary has nursery pools, convalescent and resident pools, and a specially designed hospital. The Sanctuary has rescued many seals over the years, and most are well enough to be released back into the wild after treatment, but some seals, for various reasons, would not survive back in the wild, so they have them as guests.

3 Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary

The Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary has 130 species of birds, red pandas, red squirrels and asian otters. Many species are in conservation breeding schemes. Some of their conservation campaigns include The World Parrot Trust (started at Paradise Park, is now active around the world) and Operation Chough was also established at Paradise Park in 1987. There’s also an indoor play centre and many more fun things to do.

4 Tintagel Castle

For the first time in more than 500 years, the two separated halves of Tintagel Castle have been reunited thanks to a new footbridge. Built half on the mainland and half on a jagged headland projecting into the Cornish sea, Tintagel Castle is one of the most spectacular historic sites in Britain. Its association with King Arthur makes it also one of the most famous. You can explore the five rooms as well as try traditional crafts or follow the history trail as you explore.

5 St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island in Mount’s Bay. You can walk to St Michael’s Mount, crossing the causeway at low tide, though boat tours at high tide. Like stepping into another world, all kids will love it. No better way to learn about the tides. St Michael is one of Cornwalls holiday hotspots, no doubt! It also have a fantastic beach, included in this Cornwall beach guide.

6 The Camel Trail

The Camel Trail is an 18 mile largely traffic free, surfaced and virtually level multi use trail which provides access to the beautiful Cornish countryside along an unused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. The Camel Trail is run with conservation and the environment as a major consideration. Spot otters, bats, dormice and kingfisher.

7 Newquay Zoo

Newquay Zoo is not an average zoo. It’s part of the Wild Planet Trust (formerly Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, is a registered education, scientific and conservation charity established in 1957 and based in Devon, UK.) The zoo also helps to organise educational and environmentalist events such as beach cleans. It’s an inspirational place for all ages to learn more about the world’s wonderful biodiversity, the role zoos play in conservation and empowering visitors to help make a change.

8 The Lost Gardens of Heligan

200 acres of garden history, mystery and romance: The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Heligan is one of the most mysterious estates in England. Lost to the brambles of time since the outbreak of WW1, it was re-awakened in 1990 to become Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Today Heligan’s 200 acres are a paradise for the explorer, wildlife, plant lover and garden romantic. The Lost Gardens provide families with possibly the best natural playground ever.

9 Monkey Sanctuary

Learn more about primates, where they come from, and how and why some have ended up here at the Monkey Sanctuary. Their campaign work is dedicated to the prevention of abuse of primates in captivity, with a specific focus on ending the primate pet trade in the UK. 82% of all rescued primates residing at our UK Sanctuary were either improperly licensed or not licensed at all as pets. The Monkey Sanctuary is home to much more than just monkeys; you can find out more about all the Cornish bugs and beasties in our wildlife room, bat cam area and wildlife gardens.

10 Lanhydrock House and Gardens

This 19th-century high-Victorian country house is one of the most fascinating in England. Colourful gardens, riverside walks and family friendly cycle trails. Woodland walks among rare trees and flowering shrubs make Lanhydrock worth visiting all year round.