Is Cornwall Good for Family Holidays? Everything you need to know
We often get asked, “Is Cornwall good for family holidays?” Naturally, the answer is yes! Cornwall suits families looking for outdoor adventure, to get into nature, to relax on sandy beaches, and to seek thrills at world-famous attractions. Exploring Cornwall with kids is easy and rewarding with our guide full of practical planning tips and advice.
Why Cornwall works for families
Is Cornwall good for a family holiday? Where do we even begin? An entertaining mix of family-friendly natural landscapes, attractions and outdoor activities make it idyllic for families of ages and sizes.
Safe beaches with gentle waters and lifeguards, perfect for sandcastles and rockpooling. Fun-filled attractions from wildlife centres to interactive museums to adventure parks. Outdoor activities both on and off the water, from surf schools, cycling paths and scenic wanders. There’s also a raft of festivals and events throughout the year to jump into the fun.
As a popular family holiday destination, there’s also a wonderful mix of family accommodation options, including the beautiful holiday cottages at The Olde House.
Best areas to base a family holiday
With Cornwall family holidays, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your accommodation location. However, depending on your family’s favourite holiday, here are a few ideas of where to base your adventures.
● Outdoor adventure in Padstow - for active families, the combination of cycling routes, waterpark and safe sandy beaches is ideal - it’s famous for seafood too!
● Town and beach in Newquay - for beautiful sandy beaches, a bustling town atmosphere and family wildlife attractions like Newquay Zoo and Blue Reef Aquarium.
● Culture and coast in Falmouth - for a calmer town experience with plenty of cultural attractions like the National Maritime Museum, combined with safe beaches, parks and family-friendly cafes.
● Nature and walks in St Ives - for picture-perfect beaches and coastal wanders, try this compact town on the coast.
Family-friendly beaches
With over 200 beaches in Cornwall, you’ll be spoilt for choice. We won’t list all the family-friendly options here, but when you are choosing your beach, there are a few things to look out for.
● Choose beaches with Blue Flag status. This certification makes sure that you are in a clean and safe environment.
● Check if the beach is lifeguarded. Many beaches have an RNLI presence between 10am - 6pm in the warmer months.
● If you have toddlers in tow, you’ll want accessible beaches with facilities in easy reach. Many of Cornwall’s beaches can accommodate.
● Remember to check tide times. This is key if you’re heading for the best beaches for sandcastles. They are often underwater during high tide.
If you’re staying with us in Wadebridge, these are some of our local family-friendly beaches:
● Polzeath Beach - an idyllic Blue Flag beach with miles of golden sand. Known for it’s surf schools, the beach has RNLI lifeguards in summer.
● Watergate Bay - Another Blue Flag beach with two miles of golden sand. Known for a range of water sports, it’s got rugged high cliffs, stunning natural beauty and plenty of rockpools to explore in low tide.
● Lundy Bay - for adventurous families, Lundy Bay is a secluded sheltered cove with a sandy beach and rockpools off the beaten track. It requires a short hike through a stunning wooded valley but the breathtaking views are well worth it.
Family attractions
A trip to Cornwall with kids needs a big day out, we’ve got some of the best family attractions the UK has to offer:
● Heritage and Gardens - The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project are both world-famous and call Cornwall home. There’s also an abundance of National Trust properties to explore.
● Wildlife and Nature - Get up close and personal at Newquay Zoo, Paradise Park or the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Get out onto the wild water with a wildlife cruise or go for something completely different at the National Lobster Hatchery.
● Adventure Parks - Head for the award-winning Milky Way Adventure Park or Camel Creek Adventure Park for all-weather fun and lots of rides.
● Museums and Culture - The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth offers a seaview insight into Cornwall’s past, or try Geevor Tin Mine for an ‘immersive’ experience.
● Outdoor adventure - For adrenaline thrills, find Via Ferrata for high-wire, zipline fun or enter the splash zone at Mega Slip and Slide.
Rainy day options
Grab a raincoat and wellington boots, Cornwall is glorious whatever the weather. However, if you’re looking for an indoors day, here are a few places to consider:
● Fun-filled spots such as Milky Way Adventure Park or Camel Creek Adventure Park have plenty of indoor entertainment and activities
● Try out some more unique indoor attractions, such as the National Lobster Hatchery or Cornwall Gold for pottery painting, gold panning and making your own teddy bear.
● Get crafty with a brisk walk for beach pebbles and shells, followed by a pebble painting session.
● Enjoy a trusty book and board game session for some quality family time.
● Embrace the rain and head to a watery nature spot such as Golitha Falls or Boscastle Harbour to go splashing in the puddles.
Practical tips for a smoother family holiday
Hopefully, you’re no longer wondering, “is Cornwall good for family holidays?” Cornwall has everything you need for an amazing family holiday, but here are a few things to help it go smoothly:
● Pick one place to base your adventure - trying to fit in lots of different places means packing up and unpacking somewhere else. You’ll be missing out on key exploring time.
● Book ahead in peak time - popular attractions in summertime can get busy. Booking tickets in advance avoids any disappointment on the day.
● Choose one key attraction per day - it’s tempting to try and pack as many activities as you can in, but trying to keep to a tight schedule can often make things more stressful than fun.
● Pack for changeable weather - if you’re heading to the coast, you never know what the weather will do. Even on sunny days, pack jumpers just in case.
● Always have snacks - a rule for life as well as on holiday, hungry kids cause chaos.
● Know your beach safety - take a look at safety guidance from organisations such as the RNLI
Stay at The Olde House
Nestled by the idyllic village of Chapen Amble, our holiday cottages are the perfect family escape. Not far from Wadebridge, Padstow and some of Cornwall’s most impressive beaches, you’ll find a homely space to base your adventures.
An indoor pool and spa, pay area and free family activities are all on-site. Start your Cornwall family holidays at The Olde House.
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