Two fantastic coasts with seashores galore, Cornish ice-cream, fudge and cream teas, and a few of the finest climate within the UK โ however even with round 1,500 hours of sunshine annually, itโs properly value having a back-up plan of issues to do in Cornwall within the rain with children.
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After visiting for many years, first as a baby myself and now with my very own daughter, itโs no shock to listen to I like Cornwall โ or that whether or not youโre visiting Cornwall in winter, spring, autumn or summer time, the climate can nonetheless a couple of surprises in retailer.
Happily there are many issues to do in Cornwall on a wet day, from indoor actions to free days out in Cornwall. Iโve tracked down 29 of one of the best in the event youโre questioning what to do in Cornwall within the rain with childrenโฆ
Take a look at my full information to Cornwall with children, in addition to my downloadable e book model of the information
Animal sights
Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay
For those who canโt make it to the seashore, you may not less than head underwater โ proper on Towan seashore in Newquay, the Atlantic is on the doorstep, and the Blue Reef Aquariumโs shows embody native sea life in addition to extra tropical fish.
Wander the underwater tunnel with sharks, stingray and turtle, spy the enormous octopus and the sharp-toothed piranha. All with out getting even barely moist.
Take a look at my overview of our day at Blue Reef Aquarium with a toddler.
Newquay Zoo, Newquay
Residence to greater than a thousand of the worldโs rarest and endangered animals, this small zoo can also be a surprisingly good choice on a drizzly day, with loads of indoor enclosures and coated areas โ the place you would spot something from monkeys to a sloth, lemurs and lions.
There are additionally exercise trails and a play space for teenagers, plus a string of gardens โ the Tropical Home is residence to sloths and can maintain you blissfully heat year-round.
Newquay additionally makes an excellent base for households visiting Cornwall โ together with loads of sights, and also youโre additionally lower than an hour from the Eden Challenge, Falmouth and St Ives.
Paradise Park & Jungle Barn, Hayle
With tons of of birds, and over 130 species at Paradise Park wildlife sanctuary, you may simply whereas away hours watching the animals, from penguin feeding to pink pandas and otters, a small farm, together with fowl exhibits and the numerous feathered inhabitants.
If the climate turns actually nasty, the Jungle Barn indoor smooth play will maintain youthful children very pleased, together with a toddlerโs zone and jungle-themed rooms.
Cornwallโs landmarks
Eden Challenge, Bodelva, close to St Austell
With its two well-known biomes, you could be transported to the warmth of the rainforest or the heat of the Mediterranean on the Eden Challenge, even when the rain is lashing down exterior โ and whereas you must scamper alongside zigzag paths to achieve them, itโs a captivating place to shelter from dangerous climate.
With storytelling classes and different particular actions and exhibitions, thereโs even smooth play for the littlest guests.
Take a look at my overview of our day on the Eden Challenge with a three-year-old.ย
Landโs Finish, Sennen, Penzance
For those who assume thereโs nothing bar the well-known signal and fantastic views to identify at one of the crucial south-westerly factors of mainland Britain, assume once more. Thereโs quite a few issues to do in Cornwall with children within the rain right here, even when itโs too moist to pose open air at landmark.
Together with a 4D cinema, the Shaun the Sheep Expertise and Arthurโs Quest, an interactive walk-through expertise, the Landโs Finish sights additionally embody the Finish to Finish Story exhibition, about individuals whoโve walked from Landโs Finish to John OโGroats (or vice versa), in addition to a museum telling the story of the world and its individuals.
Artwork galleries & museums
Tate St Ives, St Ives
The Cornwall department of the Tate gallery is correct on the seashore (in case it’s essential to flee from sudden rainstorms in St Ives) and has a various assortment of contemporary artwork and momentary exhibitions โ choose up exercise packs from reception, observe the household trails and there are even prompt video games to play as you discover.
For those whoโre visiting with a child or toddlers, there are altering amenities and a dad or mum and child room for breastfeeding on degree 3 (though youโre welcome to breastfeed anyplace within the gallery).
In contrast to a few of the different Tate galleries, there’s a cost for adults to enter, so itโs not one of many locations to go to in Cornwall free of charge, however children donโt have to pay.
Falmouth Artwork Gallery
The gallery has beforehand gained an award for its family-friendliness, and there are common classes for teenagers on Saturdays plus Little Fingers classes for pre-schoolers on chosen dates โ fairly aside from the surprisingly various artwork assortment on this small museum.
Thereโs additionally no entry cost, in the event youโre searching for free issues to do in Cornwall within the rain.
In case your children need to burn off some vitality after a go to to Falmouth Artwork Gallery, Raze the Roof smooth play in Penryn is just a 10-minute drive away, with a VR Area and Laser Tag as properly for older children
Nationwide Maritime Museum, Falmouth
The proper place to grasp the function the ocean performs in life in Cornwall (particularly when the climate is simply too dangerous to really be out on the waves), the Nationwide Maritime Museum covers Cornwallโs maritime historical past in addition to sharing tales of the ocean and seafarers by the centuries.
With particular momentary exhibitions, starting from pirates and the Vikings to Titanic, there are additionally storytelling classes for teenagers, interactive reveals and the possibility to move into the basement Tidal Zone to look out into the waters of the harbour.
With its 15 galleries serving to it’s voted one of many nationโs most family-friendly museums and 5 flooring to find, it doesnโt matter if it rains all day.
Take a look at my overview of our day on the Nationwide Maritime Museum with a toddler.
PK Porthcurno: Museum of International Communications (Porthcurno Telegraph Museum) close to Penzance
The little Cornish village of Porthcurno was as soon as residence to the worldโs largest telegraph station, placing it proper on the coronary heart of worldwide telecommunications.
And whereas expertise has moved on, the fascinating tales atย the museumย are nonetheless value discovering, from the spot the place underwater cables got here ashore to Second World Battle tunnels, used for secret wartime communications, in addition to exhibitions on the way in which we talk right now.
There are actions, hands-on reveals and dressing up amongst different choices to entertain children, in addition to common family-friendly exhibitions at PK Porthcurno (previously Porthcurno Telegraph Museum).
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
Cornwallโs oldest and largest museum, it was set as much as showcase Cornish heritage and tradition โ increasing to incorporate artwork and reveals from all over the world, together with an Egyptian mummy.
There are additionally household occasions, particularly throughout faculty holidays, in addition to some nice momentary exhibitions to find.
Youngsters beneath 18 enter free, and at ยฃ7.50 for an annual go for an grownup, itโs nice in the event youโre searching for low cost issues to do in Cornwall within the rain as properly.
For extra concepts of free days out in Cornwall with children, these concepts gainedโt price you a penny.
The Shipwreck Museum, Charlestown
Take a step again into Cornwallโs previous and the times of treasure and wreckers on the Shipwreck Museum in Charlestown.
Youโll discover over 8,000 artefacts from greater than 150 separate ships, together with gadgets from the Mary Rose and the Titanic. There are common particular occasions all through faculty holidays as properly.
Edit: The museum is at the moment up on the market, so its future is unsure
Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle
The worldโs oldest and largest assortment of witchcraft and magic, this isnโt one for simply scared toddlers โ however with round 3,000 reveals, thereโs a lot to fascinate older kids who need to uncover extra in regards to the historical past of magic.
Most visits final for lower than an hour, so donโt plan to spend all day, however the museum is among the most uncommon locations to shelter on a wet day in Cornwall.
Cornish heritage sights
Bodmin Jail, Bodmin
In case your children get pleasure from all issues spooky, this 18th century jail is apparently one of the crucial haunted locations in Britain โ so higher for older children, who love their wet days spiced up with somewhat shiver of fright than for youthful kids (itโs not buggy-friendly both).
Just lately renovated, there are six ranges to discover, from the dank cells and harsh punishments, in addition to the execution pit and particular exhibitions. Much less gruesomely, the jail has additionally stored the Domesday E book and Crown Jewels secure.
E book tickets to Bodmin Jail and the Darkish Stroll with free cancellation right here
The Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin
Chuffing alongside a 13-mile route in a steam practice is all the time a winner for train-obsessed little ones (and larger ones), and sheltered within the carriages, itโs additionally choice to discover the countryside when itโs raining in Cornwall.
In addition to particular themed occasions throughout faculty holidays, similar to Halloween and Santa trains, you can too have cream teas aboard. Canine are welcome too.
The Lappa Valley Steam Railway, close to Newquay
A steam practice experience with a distinction, because the journey on the Lappa Valley Steam Railway is simply the primary a part of the expertise.
When you get contained in the park, thereโs are indoor play carriages together with a woodland railway, and if the climate isnโt too dangerous, nature walks, a toddler path maze, lake and pedal vehicles to find. Good in the event youโre searching for issues to do with toddlers in Cornwall.
The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, one other nice choice for wet days in Cornwall with children, has sadly closed
Theme parks in Cornwall & locations to play
Camel Creek, Wadebridge
Camel Creek is a good choice in the event youโre searching for a theme park in Cornwall with a little bit of all the pieces โ indoor and out of doors play, animals, a 5D theatre, varied ridesโฆ and loads of issues to do in all climate.
Together with indoor journey play (and out of doors if the dangerous climate clears), you may meet meerkats and Shire horses, the 5D Tremendous Sim Theatre, taking you on travels by time, in addition to completely different rides, together with gentler choices for little ones and extra adventurous rollercoasters in the event youโre not delay by some drizzle.
Maybe save the Downpour Derby sport, the place the goal is to soak your opponent, for sunny days โ except youโre already moist by!
Open year-round, there are particular themed seasonal occasions too in the event youโre visiting round Halloween or Christmas. Prebooking tickets is really helpful.
Camel Creek has changed Crealyโs Journey Park which was once on this website though the sister theme park in Devon stays open. Cornwallโs different theme park, Flambards, closed in November 2024.
Pirateโs Quest Journey Golf, Newquay
Journey again 300 years to the Golden Age of piracy, within the residence of smugglers and buccaneers (and mermaids) with a household pleasant journey golf course with a twist.
At Pirateโs Quest Journey Golf youโll discover 12 holes winding by the streets of 18th century Cornwall, in addition to an opportunity to discover caves, uncover native legends, seek for a mermaid and pose within the shares (in addition to attempting for a yo ho gap in a single!)
The swashbuckling course is indoors too, in case youโre searching for issues to do in Newquay within the rain.
Whereas the earlier interactive tour isnโt working any extra, children nonetheless get treasure maps to seek for pirate booty, plus an opportunity to study extra about Cornwallโs myths and legends.
Base Camp, Portreath
Head to Gwel an Mor resort to take advantage of greater than 2,000 sq. ft of soppy play at Base Camp, with a whopping three flooring of ball swimming pools, slides and different smooth play enjoyable for teenagers aged 3+, in addition to a separate play space for little ones, with relatively gentler enjoyable.
However there are additionally a couple of extra thrills to seek out in case your children need one thing past smooth play, together with 10 themed climbing partitions on the clipโnโclimb part, appropriate for age 4 plus.
Sort out an escape room
More difficult than your common wet day in Cornwall, escape rooms are finest for older children and teenagers, however youโll discover a lot with family-friendly themes to get your loved ones working towards the clock to resolve the puzzles.
Head to Bodmin for Dreadlock Escape Rooms, with a number of rooms that are child-friendly, whereas Locked In Cornwall in Camborne has one room which sees you rescuing a pasty recipe from piskies.
Take a look at Escape Rooms Cornwall in Penzance, Housetrap Escape Rooms in Bodmin and Indian Queens and Cornwallโs Nice Escape Rooms in Newlyn and Helston for extra family-friendly escape rooms in Cornwall.
Cornwallโs mining historical past
Carnglaze Cavern, St Neot
Head underground to keep away from the climate on a tour of a former slate mine between Liskeard and Bodmin โ you may uncover how the miners labored, ending on the Underground lake, in addition to seeing a few of the minerals mined and quarried within the space.
Exploring round 60m beneath floor, itโs all the time 10C, so pack a jumper for a wet summer timeโs day โ and benefit from the heat on chillier ones! Thereโs additionally a woodland stroll with a kidsโs path if the rain holds off.
Geevor Tin Mine, close to Penzance
One of many largest preserved mine websites within the nation, itโs the proper place to grasp Cornwallโs mining historical past together with an 18th century underground tour and the possibility to pan for minerals.
Alongside the way in which, there are interactive reveals within the museum in addition to the possibility to see areas preserved when the mine was closed, plus additional household actions throughout the 12 months.
Any Poldark followers will recognise Wheal Leisure in the event that they do enterprise out for a brief stroll alongside the cliffs โ plus thereโs additionally a VR tour to present additional entry to elements of the mine workings, and to make the expertise extra accessible.
If you wish to uncover extra of Cornwallโs industrial and mining historical past, Wheal Martyn Clay Works at St Austell is one other different, with family-friendly interactive reveals on the UKโs solely china clay mining museum.
Tin Mining at Cornwall Gold, Redruth
There are a few enjoyable methods to get palms on at Cornwall Gold โ in addition to keep out of the rain, together with an opportunity to pan for gold your self.
Thereโs dressing up for little ones, who can remodel themselves right into a tin miller or bal maiden, as a part of the Tolgus Mill interactive exhibition, plus you may see how rock was smashed into items earlier than the tin ore was eliminated.
With unique artefacts, you may study extra in regards to the individuals who labored within the mines, in addition to a few of the different machines used to separate the dear metallic out from the rock to be bought. Each actions are fully free (plus different paid choices, together with portray pottery)
Sadly Heartlands, one other nice free wet day attraction in Cornwall, has now closed โ for extra free issues to do in Cornwall with children, take a look at my prime picks
Nationwide Belief and English Heritage properties
Lanhydrock, Bodmin
One in all a number of Nationwide Belief properties in Cornwall, Lanhydrock is a good choice for a wet day with children โ in addition to the standard expansive grounds and open air actions (together with an journey playground), there are kidsโs trails to discover inside the home as properly.
Designed to allow you to expertise Victorian life, from the servantsโ quarters and kitchens to the extra luxurious rooms the household lived in, you may even take a peek contained in the nurseries.
Cotehele, close to Saltash
This Tudor manor home is one other nice choice for a wet day in Cornwall with children โ thereโs a free kidsโs path to observe by the rooms, with stickers to gather alongside the way in which, and varied actions going down all year long.
You might make postcards, impressed by the medieval manorโs gardens and wartime historical past, earlier than discovering out extra about nature and wildlife within the Uncover Centre.
Or scamper beneath an umbrella to the Mill (spot the pisky doorways on the way in which), the place the waterwheel can be benefiting from the rain โ watch flour being milled on Thursdays and Sundays.
Tintagel Previous Put up Workplace, Tintagel
First constructed over 600 years in the past, the unique farmhouse has been expanded and altered over the centuries as household after household lived inside its partitions.
Lastly remodeled into the villageโs letter-receiving workplace, you may discover the 5 rooms in addition to attempt conventional crafts or observe the historical past path as you discover.
Trerice, close to Newquay
This sixteenth century manor is a good place to discover on a wet day, with conventional video games to play in the homeโs nice chamber.
Thereโs additionally the possibility to attempt your hand at brass rubbings of the household which as soon as lived at Trerice and dressing up in Tudor costumes.
Pendennis Fort, Falmouth
You possibly canโt escape the rain fully as you discoverย Pendennis Fort however thereโs a lot to do contained in the fortress, in addition to exhibitions to maintain children entertained.
Climb the spiral staircase to the highest of the Tudor maintain, constructed by Henry VIII to defend towards the French and Spanish, with previous bedrooms, kitchen and a recreated gun desk โ in addition to 360 diploma views if the rain clears.
Or there are actions within the Discovery Centre, from planning a coastal assault to attempting morse code and loading weapons, and the possibility to study in regards to the troopers stationed and educated in Falmouth throughout the First World Battle.
By the ocean
Go online
For those whoโre going to get moist anyway, why not do it in fashion? Cornwall is understood for a few of the finest browsing within the UK with surf colleges throughout the north and south coasts.
St Ives Surf College has classes for learners (and Porthmeor Seashore cafรฉย has nice meals to refuel as you dry off), or attempt Newquay Exercise Centre Surf College on Fistral Seashore, Harlyn Surf College in Padstow and Watergate Bay, amongst others.
Or in the event you donโt fancy braving the ocean, head to Retallack close to Padstow, which has Cornwallโs solely FlowRider โ excellent waves, regardless of the climate, which are perfect for youthful surfers hoping to hone their expertise. Appropriate for age 8+.
Click on right here for extra options of days out in Devon and Cornwall
*first revealed 2018, up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN CORNWALL IN THE RAIN
Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions and expertise of exploring Cornwall within the rain are my very own.
Picture: Blue Reef Aquarium/Eden Challenge/Nationwide Maritime Museum copyright MummyTravels. All others courtesy Depositphotos.
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