Two great coasts with seashores galore, Cornish ice-cream, fudge and cream teas, and a few of the finest climate within the UK – however even with round 1,500 hours of sunshine annually, it’s effectively price 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 baby myself and now with my very own daughter, it’s no shock to listen to I really like Cornwall – or that whether or not you’re 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. I’ve tracked down 26 of the perfect when you’re questioning what to do in Cornwall within the rain with youngsters…
Try my full information to Cornwall with youngsters, in addition to my downloadable e book model of the information
Issues to do in Newquay
Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay
In case you can’t make it to the seashore, you possibly can a minimum of head underwater – proper on Towan seashore 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 enormous octopus and the sharp-toothed piranha. All with out getting even barely moist.
Try my overview 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 making an attempt for a yo ho gap in a single!)
The swashbuckling course is indoors too, in case you’re searching for issues to do in Newquay within the rain.
Whereas the earlier interactive tour isn’t working any extra, youngsters nonetheless get treasure maps to seek for pirate booty, plus an opportunity to study 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 possibility on a drizzly day, with loads of indoor enclosures and lined areas – the place you possibly can 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 hold you blissfully heat year-round.
Newquay additionally makes an important 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 pink pandas and otters, a small farm, together with chicken reveals and the numerous feathered inhabitants.
If the climate turns actually nasty, the Jungle Barn indoor mushy play will hold youthful youngsters 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 might 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 exterior – and whereas you need to scamper alongside zigzag paths to succeed in them, it’s a captivating place to shelter from dangerous climate.
With storytelling classes and different particular actions and exhibitions, there’s even mushy play for the littlest guests.
Try my overview of our day on the Eden Venture with a three-year-old.
Land’s Finish, Sennen, Penzance
In case you suppose there’s nothing bar the well-known signal and great views to identify on the most south-westerly level of mainland Britain, suppose once more. There’s a lot of issues to do in Cornwall with youngsters within the rain right here aside from 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 realm and its folks.
Artwork galleries & museums
Tate St Ives, St Ives
The Cornwall department of the Tate gallery is correct on the seashore (in case it is advisable to flee from sudden rainstorms in St Ives) and has a various assortment of recent artwork and short-term exhibitions – choose up exercise packs from reception, comply with the household trails and there are even instructed video games to play as you discover.
In case you’re visiting with a child or toddlers, there are altering services and a mum or dad and child room for breastfeeding on stage 3 (though you’re welcome to breastfeed wherever within the gallery).
Not like a few of 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 spending a dime, however youngsters don’t must pay.
Falmouth Artwork Gallery
The gallery has beforehand received an award for its family-friendliness, and there are common classes for youths on Saturdays plus Little Fingers classes for pre-schoolers on chosen dates – fairly aside from the surprisingly various artwork assortment on this small museum.
There’s additionally no entry cost, when you’re searching for free issues to do in Cornwall within the rain.
Nationwide Maritime Museum, Falmouth
The proper place to grasp the position the ocean performs in life in Cornwall (particularly when the climate is simply too dangerous to truly 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 classes for youths, interactive reveals and the possibility to go 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 nation’s most family-friendly museums, there are additionally storytelling classes for youths, interactive reveals and the possibility to go into the basement Tidal Zone to look out into the waters of the harbour throughout your go to.
Try my overview of our day on the Nationwide Maritime Museum with a toddler.
PK Porthcurno: Museum of World 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 expertise has moved on, the fascinating tales at the museum are nonetheless price 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 at this time.
There are actions, hands-on reveals and dressing up amongst different choices to entertain youngsters, 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 world wide, together with an Egyptian mummy.
There are additionally household occasions, particularly throughout faculty holidays, in addition to some nice short-term exhibitions to find.
Youngsters beneath 18 enter free, and at £7.50 for an annual move for an grownup, it’s nice when you’re searching for low-cost issues to do in Cornwall within the rain as effectively.
For extra concepts of free days out in Cornwall with youngsters, 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 a lot to fascinate older youngsters who wish to uncover extra concerning 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 youngsters get pleasure from all issues spooky, this 18th century jail is seemingly one of many most haunted locations in Britain – so higher for older youngsters, who love their wet days spiced up with slightly shiver of fright than for youthful youngsters (it’s not buggy-friendly both).
Just 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 saved the Domesday Guide and Crown Jewels protected.
Guide 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, it’s additionally choice to discover the countryside when it’s raining in Cornwall.
In addition to particular themed occasions throughout faculty holidays, similar to Halloween and Santa trains, you may as well have cream teas aboard. Canine are welcome too.
The Lappa Valley Steam Railway, close to Newquay
A steam practice journey 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 dangerous, nature walks, a toddler path maze, lake and pedal vehicles to find. Excellent when you’re searching for issues to do with toddlers in Cornwall.
The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, one other nice possibility for wet days in Cornwall with youngsters, has sadly closed
Theme parks in Cornwall
Camel Creek, Wadebridge
Camel Creek is a good possibility when you’re searching for a theme park in Cornwall with a little bit of every thing – 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 when you’re not postpone by some drizzle.
Maybe save the Downpour Derby sport, the place the intention is to soak your opponent, for sunny days – except you’re already moist by!
Open year-round, there are particular themed seasonal occasions too when you’re visiting round Halloween or Christmas. Prebooking tickets is beneficial.
Camel Creek has changed Crealy’s Journey Park which was on this website though the sister theme park in Devon stays open
Flambards, Helston
One among 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 reveals, 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 mushy play (the realm is a part of the Unesco World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Panorama) and elements 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 ultimate when you’re searching for free issues to do in Cornwall within the rain too.
For extra concepts of free issues to do in Cornwall with youngsters, take a look at this submit
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 a few of 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 time’s day – and benefit from the heat on chillier ones! There’s additionally a woodland stroll with a youngsters’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 proper place to grasp Cornwall’s 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 further 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 provide further entry to elements 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
One among a number of Nationwide Belief properties in Cornwall, Lanhydrock is a good possibility for a wet day with youngsters – in addition to the standard expansive grounds and open air actions (together with an journey playground), there are kids’s trails to discover inside the home as effectively.
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 possibility for a wet day in Cornwall with youngsters – there’s a free youngsters’s path to comply with by the rooms, with stickers to gather alongside the way in which, and numerous actions happening all year long.
You could possibly 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 beneath an umbrella to the Mill (spot the pisky doorways on the way in which), the place the waterwheel can be taking advantage of the rain – watch flour being milled on Thursdays and Sundays.
Tintagel Previous Publish 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 village’s letter-receiving workplace, you possibly can discover the 5 rooms in addition to strive conventional crafts or comply with 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 possibility to strive 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 can’t escape the rain utterly as you discover Pendennis Fort however there’s a lot to do contained in the citadel, in addition to exhibitions to maintain youngsters entertained.
Climb the spiral staircase to the highest of the Tudor hold, constructed by Henry VIII to defend towards the French and Spanish, with previous 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 making an attempt morse code and loading weapons, and the possibility to study concerning the troopers stationed and skilled in Falmouth through the First World Struggle.
By the ocean
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In case you’re 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 Faculty has classes for freshmen (and Porthmeor Seashore café has nice meals to refuel as you dry off), or strive Newquay Exercise Centre Surf Faculty on Fistral Seashore, Harlyn Surf Faculty in Padstow and Excessive Academy in Watergate Bay, amongst others.
Click on right here for extra options 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 submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could 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.
