40 Free Family-Friendly Things to Do in Cornwall
You don’t need to break the bank when it comes to family days out in Cornwall. There’s an abundance of things to keep the whole family occupied and you don’t need to spend a penny!
We’ve created a list of 40 family things to do in Cornwall which are all in easy reach of The Olde House. Whether you’re looking to fill the time at the weekends or wanting to keep the kids occupied during the school holidays, this guide will hopefully offer some inspiration.
How to use this guide (and why Cornwall works so well for free fun)
Cornwall’s beauty brings endless opportunities for families wanting to explore and discover. From farm adventures at The Olde House through to coastal excursions and rainy day activities, this guide will give you some ideas on how to enjoy free days out in Cornwall.
The Olde House has a whole host of activities to keep the family entertained and that’s without venturing into the rest of Cornwall! It’s 550 acre farmland is the perfect playground for little people…
1. Woodland Fun: Walk the numerous woodland trails throughout the farm.
2. Lambing: Visit the lambing shed to see the newborn lambs.
3. Falconry: Enjoy complimentary falconry displays featuring a fabulous array of birds of prey.
4. Pond Dipping: Pitch up on the new pontoon and discover an array of wildlife waiting to be discovered in the pond.
5. Feed the Animals: Visit the ‘Pets Corner’ and help Kev feed the guinea pigs, chickens, goats and lambs!
6. Farm Ride: Explore the farm with a tractor tour and find out more about the history of the farm.
7. Bird Spotting: Grab a pair of binoculars and visit the bird hide to spot some species.
8. Adventure Playground: Kids can discover the swings, slides and climbing equipment.
9. Indoor Play Area: Perfect for smaller children wanting to explore slides and tunnels.
10. Indoor Pool: A toddler pool, indoor heated pool and a spa area for the parents to relax too!
North Cornwall and the Camel Estuary: free days out near Wadebridge
The stunning Northern coastline brings a wealth of opportunities for family things to do in Cornwall. There are lots of places to explore including the Camel Trail, Camel Estuary and popular coastal towns.
11. Camel Trail: This 18 mile picturesque trail runs along the Camel Estuary and links Padstow to Wadebridge to Bodmin.
12. Padstow Town: A quaint coastal town great for exploring – think pasties and ice cream shops, fishing boats and stunning seaviews!
13. Seal Watching: Some of the best spots to view seals are near the mouth of the Camel Estuary or from the Padstow headland.
14. Wadebridge Riverside Walk and Jubilee Field: A great open space for children to let off some steam. An ideal spot for a picnic or a place to play ball.
15. Port Isaac: A cute Cornish village where you can watch the boats, explore narrow streets and take family holiday snaps!
16. Rock Village: Hop on the ferry from Padstow and explore this quaint Cornish Village.
17. South West Coast Path: Join one of the many coastal paths that makes up 630 miles around the South West coast. Head to Stepper point from Padstow for some big open sea views and iconic Cornish scenery.
18. Beach Day: Venture out of the many glorious North Cornwall beaches such as Daymer Bar, Polzeath Beach and Trevone Bay.
19. Crabbing: Grab your crabbing gear and head to a harbour for some fun!
20. Bike Riding: The Camel Trail is the perfect spot for cycling with the family.
Coast, countryside and wild swimming across wider Cornwall
There are many places to go in Cornwall that involve natural beauty – from the coast to the moors, there’s plenty to do!
21. Beach Picnics: Pack a picnic for the day and enjoy a day on the beach!
22. Bodyboarding: Head to Polzeath or Widemouth Bay for some great bodyboarding sessions.
23. Tidal Pools: Head to Trevone Bay with its famous natural pool or further afield to Bude Sea Pool which offers a safe space for the kids to enjoy.
24. Rockpooling: Rockpooling is a great day out for little explorers! Recommended beaches are Trebarwith Sand with its gullies and caves and Trevone Bay with its safe shallow pools.
25. Shell Collecting: Everyone loves a spot of shell collecting! You may even be lucky enough to pick up some treasure.
26. Beach Games: Recommended big beaches for games are Polzeath with its wide, flat sandy beach and Widemouth Bay, perfect for volleyball, rounders and bat and ball.
27. Fly a Kite: Choose one of the large beaches or head to Stepper Point in Padstow - an elevated headland with strong winds so great for flying kites!
28. Bodmin Moor: Head inland to enjoy the iconic granite tors, rolling heathland, woodland and rivers.
29. Den Building: Bodmin Moor offers a great space for den building with the whole family!
30. Sea Swimming: You are spoilt for choice with beaches across North Cornwall for wave jumping!
Rainy-day ideas and simple money-saving tips
It’s best to be prepared as you plan your family days out in Cornwall! Due to the proximity to the coast the weather can turn in an instance, so here are some ideas for family friendly things to do in Cornwall on rainy days.
31. Golitha Falls: Pull on the wellies, grab the rain coats and go puddle jumping whilst sheltering under trees.
32. National Lobster Hatchery: Set in Padstow this is great for getting little ones interested in marine conservation.
33. Wadebridge Library: Curl up with a family favourite book.
34. Pebble Painting: Head out for a brisk walk to find pebbles then head back to your digs to paint them!
35. Shell Art: Use the shells you’ve previously collected and let your imagination run wild.
36. Board Games: Pull out Uno for a family bonding afternoon.
37. Scrap-Booking: Let the kids create their holiday scrapbook using holiday snaps, shells, leaves, leaflets and anything else they can get their hands on!
38: Boscastle: Pull out the waterproofs and head to the harbour for some fun in the rain.
39. Pottery Painting: Seek out a pottery painting café.
40. Garden Centre Trip: Head to Trelawney Garden Centre near Wadebridge to visit their aquatic section and enjoy a hot chocolate from the café.
Plan your budget-friendly family stay at The Olde House
Looking for a family friendly place to stay so you can tick off the above ideas? The Olde House is ideally located for exploring these budget-friendly activities in Cornwall.