Top Kids' Attractions In Cornwall

Think of Cornwall and images of sandy coves, lush green countryside and clotted cream teas are sure to creep into the imagination. Long thought of as a favourite destination for great Summer holidays, the Cornish countryside is teaming with family holiday parks making precious memories for thousands of families every year who come to enjoy the natural landscape and hundreds of visitor attractions.

West Cornwall

If you're not relaxing on one of West Cornwall's child-friendly beaches at Mounts Bay, Carbis Bay or Porthminster at St Ives, you'll find plenty of other opportunities to keep the kids happy. If you visit Land's End, be sure to call in at Geevor Tin Mine. Fabulously preserved for its visitors, the mine offers underground tours that kids love, and gives a fascinating insight into the industrial tin-mining heritage of Cornwall.

Just North of here at the town of Hayle, Paradise Park is Cornwall's leading bird attraction, with parrots and birds of prey as well as penguins and farm animals. If the kids have never seen birds of prey in flight, this is their chance to watch the amazing daily flying shows featuring cockatoos and falcons.

And if you take a trip to the Lizard Peninsula, Britain's most Southerly point, be sure to visit Future World at Goonhilly, which takes kids on an amazing journey into the world of technology through the ages using a series of interactive displays.

North Cornwall

North Cornwall is home to Tintagel, the village that is central to the mysterious legends of King Arthur. But nowhere else are the legends of Cornwall so lovingly celebrated than at the Tunnels in Time attraction in Newquay, where history is brought to life in a way that will enchant and amuse any child. Its amazing lifelike displays are set along a labyrinth of alleyways and feature everything from prehistoric cavemen to mystical mermaids, making this the perfect weatherproof day out for the whole family.

If the weather is fine of course, there's no reason not to head off to enjoy the delights of the award-winning Newquay Zoo. With around 130 species of animals from around the world within 10 acres of beautiful subtropical gardens, this is a memorable day out and the perfect chance for kids to learn about conservation and endangered species.

South Cornwall

The Southern reaches of Cornwall are home to its most famous attraction. The Eden Project is a stunning attraction for both adults and children, where habitats from around the world are brought together in a breathtaking display, from the humidity of the rainforest to the temperate warmth of the Mediterranean. Eden's education centre is especially designed to invite children to participate in a voyage of discovery into the world of plants and flowers.

The kids will also be hugely entertained by the selection of monkeys they can meet at the Monkey Sanctuary near Looe. The level of personal care given to the colonies of woolly monkeys, Capuchins, Macaques and patas monkeys is such that kids will be able to hear the stories of each individual animal and how they came to be there. With so much to see and learn and a large play area and indoor activity room, this is a great day out for the whole family.