With its pleasant weather and incredible natural beauty, Cornwall during the summer months attracts tourists from all over. Its unique topography means that you can go for a beach holiday with surfing, spend days hiking through verdant woods, or visit quaint coastal villages and centuries-old historical sites. The choice is varied enough, so you have something to do here whether you are planning a family holiday or a romantic getaway or a vacation with friends. Get the most out of your vacation with our list of the best things to do over the summer holidays in Cornwall, UK. From history to wildlife to glorious family fun, you will find it all, so read on!
1. Find maritime heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
The National Maritime Museum Cornwall showcases the region’s rich and vast maritime heritage. This independent museum offers a comprehensive look with around 15 galleries, a vast collection of related boats, art, objects and books plus interactive exhibits. For breathtaking views of Falmouth, don’t miss out on visiting the Lookout Tower as well as Waterside Café located here.
National Maritime Museum Cornwal
Address: Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall
Website: National Maritime Museum Cornwal
Opening hours: 10am – 5pm (daily)
Price: 13.95 GBP (18 USD)
2. Discover the ancient way of life in Chysauster Ancient Village
Walk around Chysauster Ancient Village marvelling at structures that date back to the Iron Age. You can reach this remarkable village that’s open only during the summer months after a hike up a picturesque mountain near Penzance. Here you’ll find several courtyard houses laid out on sides of an ancient street. Though only stone walls remain, they offer a fascinating view into the life of the Dumnonii tribe that is said to have lived here. Check out the underground structure near one end of the settlement the use of which remains a mystery. Naturally, you will also be treated to magnificent views of the Cornish landscape from the summit.
Chysauster Ancient Village
Address: New Mill, Cornwall
Website: Chysauster Ancient Village
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 7 USD onwards
3. For a perfect family outing, visit Trevaskis Farm
Spend a day enjoying the quintessential English countryside life with a visit to Trevaskis Farm. This family-owned farm allows you to visit the farm and pick seasonal fruits being grown there. Kids will love the experience of picking their own products, plus it’s a wonderful way to teach them about the crops and the environment. There is no entrance fee as you only have to pay for what you pick. Onsite you’ll find a farm-to-table restaurant where you can taste dishes made from the freshest of ingredients. Additionally, there’s a farm store where you can buy fresh meat and produce.
Trevaskis Farm
Address: Gwinear Road, Connor Downs, Hayle, Cornwall
Website: Trevaskis Farm
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 10pm; Sun: 8am - 8pm
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4. Relive your childhood memories at Springfield Fun Park
Spend the warm sunny days of summer at Springfield Fun Park enjoying a fun mix of indoor and outdoor entertainment. At this campsite and fun park, you’ll find a toy train, drop slides, pony rides, alpacas, go-carts and even a boating lake! When the weather turns rainy, the 10,000 square feet (929 square meters) play barn offers wonderful space, with ample facilities, for an enjoyable day.
Springfield Fun Park
Address: St Columb Major, Newquay, Cornwall
Website: Springfield Fun Park
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 9.95 GBP (12.60 USD)
5. Appreciate young artists at Falmouth Art Gallery
Spend some time admiring the talent of old masters and rising local artists at Falmouth Art Gallery. This art centre has a vast collection spanning works from Pre-Raphaelite paintings, photography to contemporary prints and artwork. The gallery frequently hosts exhibitions that feature works from museum collections, private collectors and artists, so there’s always something new to explore.
Falmouth Art Gallery
Address: Municipal Buildings, The Moor, Falmouth
Website: Falmouth Art Gallery
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free
6. Enjoy scenic boat rides on the Fal River
Ferry rides on Fal River are iconic for a reason! These take you through stunning scenery that is among the most beautiful and breathtaking views of miles of verdant shores, blue waters and unspoiled landscapes. Hop onto one of the available ferries to go to St. Mawes site of the centuries-old St. Mawes Castle. Yet another fantastic ferry ride would be to the city of Truro, Cornwall’s capital, a charming city with attractions like the majestic Truro Cathedral and Royal Cornwall Museum. There are several authorised ferry companies that run regularly on these separates routes so you will find one easily.
Fal River
Address: Prince of Wales Pier, 11 Market Strand, Falmouth
Website: Fal River
7. Check out awesome views at Helman Tor Nature Reserve
A hidden gem, the Helman Tor Nature Reserve is a wetland complex of over 500 acres (202 hectares) across the slopes of Helman Tor. Years of tin streaming has led to the creation of a unique landscape fostering dry and wet wetland in the area that hosts today rich wildlife. Feast your eyes on unending views of lush woods and green fields once you reach the summit. The Tor itself is fascinating to explore, with its series of prehistoric rocky outcrops said to be settlements dating from Neolithic times.
Helman Tor
Address: Helman Tor, Bodmin
Website: Helman Tor
8. Solve the living puzzle at Glendurgan Garden
Created in the 1920s, Glendurgan Garden is a treasure trove of delight with its beautiful grounds, a beautiful cove off River Helford, and fun activities. A popular place to spend warm sunny summer days for both kids and adults, this garden’s most popular feature is the maze that’s situated at the heart of the garden. Over 3 miles (4.8 km) long, the maze is made of spiralling cherry laurel shrubs, at the middle of which is a hut that you need to reach. The experience of trying to solve this living puzzle is like none other, whether you are the one in the maze or are on the outside watching others!
Glendurgan Garden
Address: Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, Cornwall
Website: Glendurgan Garden
Opening hours: 10:30am - 5:30pm (daily)
Price: 10 GBP (12.75 USD)
9. Discover the land of scenic beauty at The Tamar Valley
Just had to make a Tamar Valley AONB contribution to National Poetry Day, such an inspirational landscape! Let's take a...
Posted by Tamar Valley AONB on Thursday, 4 October 2018
The abundant woodland surrounding Tamar Valley and its countryside offers a variety of attractions and activities to visitors, ranging from fishing to exploring mining/industrial history, to cycling and hiking. Located between two counties, Cornwall and Devon, this area which is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site abound in scenic beauty and ancient history. Travel down to this distinctive reserve and get to explore exciting facets of Cornwall’s culture.
The Tamar Valley
Address: Callington, Cornwall
Website: The Tamar Valley
10. Tickle the history buff in you by visiting Tintagel Castle (from USD 315.0)
A visit to the birthplace of legendary King Arthur feels special, doesn’t it? Whether this folklore is true or not, the breathtaking walk and the incredible history surrounding the ruins of Tintagel Castle that are over 1,000 years old make the visit unforgettable. The Castle is set on the edge of cliffs giving it a dramatic setting. Explore the ancient ruins of the castle checking out intriguing spots like Merlin’s Cave and King Arthur’s Footprint.
Glastonbury to Tintagel, Boscastle and Dartmoor 2-Day Tour
Duration: 2 days
An unbeatable destination for fun summer holidays
Along with these best things to do in Cornwall, UK, be sure to check out the festival calendar for the area as summer is when a host of such events are held. However, the county can get pretty crowded during the summer months thanks to its popularity as a vacation spot. So it’s best to plan ahead to avoid any late minute hassles.
Enjoy a cold swim at Kynance Cove
Contributed by Content Creator, Lucy and Melvyn
Source: Lucy and Melvyn
Are you a cold water swimmer? Then you’re going to love Kynance Cove! We finally made it to Kynance at low tide to beat the crowds and explore the caves. The water was freezing but felt great a few minutes in. We’re slowly learning to ditch the wetsuits (in summer).
Top tips: There’s a great cafe here for post-swim feasting, but do arrive early to grab a spot. The sun also came out half an hour after we arrived, so don’t be disheartened by the clouds. The weather changes really fast on the coast!
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