What to do in Cornwall any time of year.
Cornwall is famous for its variety of long sandy beaches and blue waters, which are easily confused for a summer’s day on the Mediterranean.
Some of the best beaches Cornwall has to offer include Praa Sands beach, which is popular with surfers and families. Another one of our favourites is Marazion beach, which faces St Michael’s Mount which is accessible via a causeway in low tide.
All the sun, sea, and sand are great, but Cornwall has a lot to offer all year round and here are some of our favourite things to do whatever time of year you go.
Polperro Museum of Smuggling
Cornwall has a strong history with smuggling, hitting its peak in the 18th century. The Cornish coastline provided a haven for smugglers.
Polperro Museum is located on the harbourside of Polperro and provides a fascinating insight into the history of smuggling in Cornwall including photographic records from as far back as the 1860’s
The museum is open from 10.30 to 4.30pm and from 10am to 5pm in high season. Adults are £12 and children under 12 are 50p, under 5’s are free. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
For more information visit the Cornwall museums website.
Jamaica Inn
If you are keen to keep on the smuggling theme, make sure you visit Cornwall’s most famous smuggling inn. The Jamaica Inn has a museum with an array of smuggling artefacts bringing alive many of the myths and legends associated with Jamacia Inn and Cornwall.
If you are hungry, you can visit the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner or try a Cornish brew and relax after a walk on the moors.
The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 10am – midnight and from midday – 10.30pm on Sundays.
Flicka Donkey Sanctuary
The Flicka Donkey Sanctuary is based in South Cornwall and is open year-round. If you visit in the summer, the donkeys will be out in the paddocks and in the winter months, they spend their days in the warm cosy barns.
You can visit Thursdays to Sundays from 11am to 4pm and they are open on bank holiday Mondays. It is free to visit but booking in advance is essential and a donation is suggested.
While on site you can visit the Bray’k tea rooms which serves drinks, snacks and delicious homemade cakes.
Blue Reef Aquarium
The Blue Reef Aquarium is located on the beach front in Newquay. The aquarium is home to 40 naturally themed habitats. Some of the highlights include freshwater turtles, caiman, and Black Tip Reef sharks!
The aquarium is open daily from 10am – 5pm (last entry is 4pm) and is open year-round making it the perfect place to visit whatever time of the year. Under 3’s go free and adult tickets are £12.50, junior (3-12 years) are £9.50. Concessions and family tickets are also available.
Shipwreck Museum
If maritime history is a bit of you, the Shipwreck Museum located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooking the Charlestown harbour in Cornwall and boasts over 8,000 artefacts from over 100 different shipwrecks.
Adult tickets are £6.50, children 5-17 £4.50 and under 5’s are free.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Each season the sanctuary rehabilitates 70 grey seal pups that have been rescued around the Cornish coastline. The sanctuary also provides permanent homes to seals that need exceptional care from marine animal experts.
As well as seals the sanctuary is home to ponies, goats, sheep, penguins, and beavers.
The sanctuary is open daily from 10am – 5pm with last entry at 3pm. Adult tickets are £15.50, child (3-16) are £12.50 and under 3’s are free. There are discounts and concessions available for seniors, students and carers.
St Austell Brewing Company
Something for the grown-ups! St Austell Brewery was founded in 1851 and is one of Cornwall’s oldest businesses. You can book a brewing experience that starts with a welcome drink. You will find out how their beers are made including some hands-on experience and history of the brewery. The tour ends with beer sampling session, with the opportunity to taste up to 8 premium brews.
Tickets are £15 per person and for 14 years and older only.
Bodmin Jail
Bodmin Jail dates back to 1779 and closed in 1927, parts of the jail are now a tourist attraction on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Upon visiting the jail, you can immerse yourself in Cornwall’s dark history by taking a ‘dark walk jail experience’.
Visiting the jail is perfect for those who are brave enough to discover the paranormal!
Bodmin Jail is open daily from 9.30am to 8.30pm (last entry is 6.30pm). Adult tickets are £15, child (5-15) £12.50 and children aged 4 and under are free. Concession and family tickets are also available.
Healey’s Cornish Cider Farm
Healey’s is a traditional cider brewer but is also a family attraction where you can visit farm animals that include Cornish Black Pigs, Shire Horses, Donkeys and Pigmy Goats! You can also relax get a traditional cream tea from the tea rooms.
If you are on an adult only visit, why not take a guided tour or if you like some variety try some sampling of over 20 drinks!
It is recommended to plan your visit and book your tickets in advance.
Paradise Park and Jungle Barn
Paradise Park is a wildlife sanctuary situated in Hayle. It is home to over 1000 birds and animals and is also home to the World Parrot Trust.
There is plenty going on for all the family, from tropical exhibits, a walk-through aviary, penguin feeding, close encounters and bird of prey shows.
The park is open daily from 10am, closing times can vary in the winter, we recommend checking their opening times page before visiting.
Cornwall really is a gem in the crown of the UK’s top places to visit and there is plenty on offer whatever time of year you go.
If you are looking for accommodation in Cornwall, why not stay at Landal Gwel an Mor, a multi-award-winning location situated on the stunning shoreline of the North Cornish coast.
We currently have up to 15% off on stays in November and December.
