Two fantastic coasts with seashores galore, Cornish ice-cream, fudge and cream teas, and among the finest climate within the UK – however even with round 1,500 hours of sunshine every year, it’s nicely value having a back-up plan of issues to do in Cornwall within the rain.
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After visiting for many years, first as a toddler myself and now with my very own daughter, it’s no shock to listen to I like Cornwall – or that whether or not you’re visiting Cornwall in winter, spring, autumn or summer season, the climate can nonetheless a number 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. I’ve tracked down 26 of the most effective should you’re questioning what to do in Cornwall within the rain with children…
Try my full information to Cornwall with children, in addition to my downloadable e book model of the information
Issues to do in Newquay
Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay
If you happen to can’t make it to the seaside, you possibly can at the very least head underwater – proper on Towan seaside in Newquay, the Atlantic is on the doorstep, and the Blue Reef Aquarium’s shows embody native sea life in addition to extra tropical fish.
Wander the underwater tunnel with sharks, stingray and turtle, spy the large octopus and the sharp-toothed piranha. All with out getting even barely moist.
Try my assessment of our day at Blue Reef Aquarium with a toddler.
Pirate’s Quest Journey Golf, Newquay
Journey again 300 years to the Golden Age of piracy, within the house of smugglers and buccaneers (and mermaids) with a household pleasant journey golf course with a twist.
At Pirate’s Quest Journey Golf you’ll 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 you’re in search of issues to do in Newquay within the rain.
Whereas the earlier interactive tour isn’t working any extra, children nonetheless get treasure maps to seek for pirate booty, plus an opportunity to be taught extra about Cornwall’s myths and legends.
Newquay Zoo, Newquay
Residence to greater than a thousand of the world’s rarest and endangered animals, this small zoo can also be a surprisingly good choice on a drizzly day, with loads of indoor enclosures and lined areas – the place you might spot something from monkeys to a sloth, lemurs and lions.
There are additionally exercise trails and a play space for youths, plus a string of gardens – the Tropical Home is house to sloths and can preserve you blissfully heat year-round.
Newquay additionally makes a fantastic base for households visiting Cornwall – together with loads of sights, and also you’re additionally lower than an hour from the Eden Venture, Falmouth and St Ives.
Paradise Park & Jungle Barn, Hayle
With a whole lot of birds, and over 130 species at Paradise Park wildlife sanctuary, you possibly can simply whereas away hours watching the animals, from penguin feeding to purple pandas and otters, a small farm, together with chook exhibits and the numerous feathered inhabitants.
If the climate turns actually nasty, the Jungle Barn indoor gentle play will preserve youthful children very glad, together with a toddler’s zone and jungle-themed rooms.
Cornwall’s landmarks
Eden Venture, Bodelva, close to St Austell
With its two well-known biomes, you may be transported to the warmth of the rainforest or the heat of the Mediterranean on the Eden Venture, even when the rain is lashing down outdoors – and whereas you must scamper alongside zigzag paths to succeed in them, it’s an interesting place to shelter from unhealthy climate.
With storytelling periods and different particular actions and exhibitions, there’s even gentle play for the littlest guests.
Try my assessment of our day on the Eden Venture with a three-year-old.
Land’s Finish, Sennen, Penzance
If you happen to assume there’s nothing bar the well-known signal and fantastic views to identify on the most south-westerly level of mainland Britain, assume once more. There’s plenty of issues to do in Cornwall with children within the rain right here other than the well-known landmark.
Together with a 4D cinema, the Shaun the Sheep Expertise and Arthur’s Quest, an interactive walk-through expertise, the Land’s Finish sights additionally embody the Finish to Finish Story exhibition, about individuals who’ve walked from Land’s Finish to John O’Groats (or vice versa), in addition to a museum telling the story of the world and its folks.
Artwork galleries & museums
Tate St Ives, St Ives
The Cornwall department of the Tate gallery is correct on the seaside (in case that you must flee from sudden rainstorms in St Ives) and has a various assortment of contemporary artwork and short-term exhibitions – choose up exercise packs from reception, observe the household trails and there are even advised video games to play as you discover.
If you happen to’re visiting with a child or toddlers, there are altering services and a mother or father and child room for breastfeeding on degree 3 (though you’re welcome to breastfeed wherever within the gallery).
In contrast to among the different Tate galleries, there’s a cost for adults to enter, so it’s not one of many locations to go to in Cornwall without cost, however children don’t must pay.
Falmouth Artwork Gallery
The gallery has beforehand received an award for its family-friendliness, and there are common periods for youths on Saturdays plus Little Fingers periods for pre-schoolers on chosen dates – fairly other than the surprisingly various artwork assortment on this small museum.
There’s additionally no entry cost, should you’re in search of free issues to do in Cornwall within the rain.
Nationwide Maritime Museum, Falmouth
The proper place to know the function the ocean performs in life in Cornwall (particularly when the climate is simply too unhealthy to really be out on the waves), the museum covers Cornwall’s maritime historical past in addition to sharing tales of the ocean and seafarers by the centuries.
With particular short-term exhibitions, starting from the Vikings to Titanic, there are additionally storytelling periods for youths, interactive reveals and the prospect to move into the basement Tidal Zone to look out into the waters of the harbour.
With its 15 galleries serving to or not it’s voted one of many nation’s most family-friendly museums, there are additionally storytelling periods for youths, interactive reveals and the prospect to move into the basement Tidal Zone to look out into the waters of the harbour throughout your go to.
Try my assessment 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 house to the world’s largest telegraph station, placing it proper on the coronary heart of worldwide telecommunications.
And whereas know-how has moved on, the fascinating tales at the museum are nonetheless value discovering, from the spot the place underwater cables got here ashore to Second World Struggle tunnels, used for secret wartime communications, in addition to exhibitions on the way in which we talk as we speak.
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
Cornwall’s oldest and largest museum, it was set as much as showcase Cornish heritage and tradition – increasing to incorporate artwork and reveals from around the globe, together with an Egyptian mummy.
There are additionally household occasions, particularly throughout college holidays, in addition to some nice short-term exhibitions to find.
Youngsters underneath 18 enter free, and at £7.50 for an annual go for an grownup, it’s nice should you’re in search of low cost issues to do in Cornwall within the rain as nicely.
For extra concepts of free days out in Cornwall with children, these concepts received’t value you a penny.
Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle
The world’s oldest and largest assortment of witchcraft and magic, this isn’t one for simply scared toddlers – however with round 3,000 reveals, there’s lots to fascinate older kids who wish to uncover extra in regards to the historical past of magic.
Most visits final for lower than an hour, so don’t plan to spend all day, however the museum is without doubt one of 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 many most haunted locations in Britain – so higher for older children, who love their wet days spiced up with just a little shiver of fright than for youthful kids (it’s not buggy-friendly both).
Lately renovated with new sights coming, 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 protected.
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 prepare is all the time a winner for train-obsessed little ones (and greater ones), and sheltered within the carriages, it’s additionally an excellent choice to discover the countryside when it’s raining in Cornwall.
In addition to particular themed occasions throughout college holidays, corresponding to Halloween and Santa trains, you can even have cream teas aboard. Canines are welcome too.
The Lappa Valley Steam Railway, close to Newquay
A steam prepare trip 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, there’s are indoor play carriages together with a woodland railway, and if the climate isn’t too unhealthy, nature walks, a toddler path maze, lake and pedal automobiles to find. Excellent should you’re in search of 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
Camel Creek, Wadebridge
Camel Creek is a good choice should you’re in search of a theme park in Cornwall with a little bit of all the pieces – indoor and outside play, animals, a 5D theatre, numerous rides… and loads of issues to do in all climate.
Together with indoor journey play (and outside), you possibly can meet meerkats and Shire horses, the 5D Tremendous Sim Theatre, taking you on travels by time, in addition to totally different rides, together with gentler choices for little ones and extra adventurous rollercoasters should you’re not postpone by some drizzle.
Maybe save the Downpour Derby recreation, the place the purpose is to soak your opponent, for sunny days – except you’re already moist by!
Open year-round, there are particular themed seasonal occasions too should you’re visiting round Halloween or Christmas. Prebooking tickets is advisable.
Camel Creek has changed Crealy’s Journey Park which was on this web site though the sister theme park in Devon stays open
Flambards, Helston
Certainly one of Cornwall’s largest theme parks, there’s greater than rides to find at Flambards, with a Victorian Village and recreation of life through the Second World Struggle within the Britain within the Blitz space.
Though each are designed to stroll round, you possibly can step inside outlets and homes (and again in time) to keep away from the worst of the climate. There’s even a chemist’s store which was left untouched for 80 years after it closed in 1909.
Add in family-friendly exhibits, from magic to bugs, indoor play areas, science actions and even a Concorde simulation and also you’ll barely have time to note any rain.
Cornwall’s mining historical past
Heartlands, close to Redruth
This household attraction calls itself the UK’s first cultural playground, with an entire 19 acres of experiences to find.
In addition to exhibitions indoors, there’s Wheal Play, a mining-themed gentle play (the world is a part of the Unesco World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Panorama) and components of the journey playground open air are lined, together with play tunnels – tempting sufficient if there’s simply drizzle or showers.
There’s no entry cost so it’s perfect should you’re in search of free issues to do in Cornwall within the rain too.
For extra concepts of free issues to do in Cornwall with children, try this put up
Carnglaze Cavern, St Neot
Head underground to keep away from the climate on a tour of a former slate mine between Liskeard and Bodmin – you possibly can uncover how the miners labored, ending on the Underground lake, in addition to seeing among the minerals mined and quarried within the space.
Exploring round 60m under floor, it’s all the time 10C, so pack a jumper for a wet summer season’s day – and benefit from the heat on chillier ones! There’s additionally a woodland stroll with a kids’s path if the rain holds off.
Geevor Tin Mine, close to Penzance
One of many largest preserved mine websites within the nation, it’s the right place to know Cornwall’s mining historical past together with an 18th century underground tour and the prospect to pan for minerals.
Alongside the way in which, there are interactive reveals within the museum in addition to the prospect to see areas preserved when the mine was closed, plus additional household actions through the yr.
Any Poldark followers will recognise Wheal Leisure in the event that they do enterprise out for a brief stroll alongside the cliffs – plus there’s additionally a VR tour to offer additional entry to components of the mine workings, and to make the expertise extra accessible.
If you wish to uncover extra of Cornwall’s industrial and mining historical past, Wheal Martyn Clay Works at St Austell is one other different, with family-friendly interactive reveals on the UK’s solely china clay mining museum
Nationwide Belief and English Heritage properties
Lanhydrock, Bodmin
Certainly one of a number of Nationwide Belief properties in Cornwall, Lanhydrock is a good choice for a wet day with children – in addition to the same old expansive grounds and open air actions (together with an journey playground), there are kids’s trails to discover inside the home as nicely.
Designed to allow you to expertise Victorian life, from the servants’ quarters and kitchens to the extra luxurious rooms the household lived in, you possibly can 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 – there’s a free kids’s path to observe by the rooms, with stickers to gather alongside the way in which, and numerous actions happening all year long.
You may make postcards, impressed by the medieval manor’s gardens and wartime historical past, earlier than discovering out extra about nature and wildlife within the Uncover Centre.
Or scamper underneath an umbrella to the Mill (spot the pisky doorways on the way in which), the place the waterwheel might be profiting from the rain – watch flour being milled on Thursdays and Sundays.
Tintagel Outdated Submit Workplace, Tintagel
First constructed over 600 years in the past, the unique farmhouse has been expanded and adjusted over the centuries as household after household lived inside its partitions.
Lastly remodeled into the village’s letter-receiving workplace, you possibly can discover the 5 rooms in addition to strive 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 home’s nice chamber.
There’s additionally the prospect to strive your hand at brass rubbings of the household which as soon as lived at Trerice and dressing up in Tudor costumes.
Pendennis Citadel, Falmouth
You possibly can’t escape the rain utterly as you discover Pendennis Citadel however there’s lots to do contained in the fort, in addition to exhibitions to maintain children entertained.
Climb the spiral staircase to the highest of the Tudor preserve, constructed by Henry VIII to defend in opposition to the French and Spanish, with outdated bedrooms, kitchen and a recreated gun desk – 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 prospect to be taught in regards to the troopers stationed and educated in Falmouth through the First World Struggle.
By the ocean
Log on
If you happen to’re going to get moist anyway, why not do it in model? Cornwall is understood for among the finest browsing within the UK with surf faculties throughout the north and south coasts.
St Ives Surf College has classes for rookies (and Porthmeor Seaside café has nice meals to refuel as you dry off), or strive Newquay Exercise Centre Surf College on Fistral Seaside, Harlyn Surf College in Padstow and Excessive Academy in Watergate Bay, amongst others.
Click on right here for extra strategies of days out in Devon and Cornwall
*first printed 2018, up to date 2022*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN CORNWALL IN THE RAIN
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – 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 Venture/Nationwide Maritime Museum copyright MummyTravels. All others courtesy Depositphotos.