Spring comes early to south east Cornwall so there’s nowhere better if you’re looking to get the kids out into the great outdoors this half term.

Choose from wildlife parks, adrenalin-packed activities, events galore, pristine beaches, countless walks and wonderful gardens at their freshest. There’s plenty of space to run about, fly kites, ride bikes and play in the vast National Trust estates here too.

Here’s our top 10 Must Dos to tempt you there this half term.

Need a Place to Stay?

Looe Island View

We still have a great selection of Cornwall holiday cottages available for the February half term. Take a look at our nearby properties, including Looe Island View sleeping 10, and our cottages near Liskeard, sleeping 2 – 6. Or give our friendly advisors a call on 01275 21 75 75 to find your perfect cottage – We’re open from 9am – 10pm, 7 days a week.

1 Love Wildlife

Where: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan
When: February 13 – 21
Details: Birds, beetles or frogs? Butterflies, snakes or even a hedgehog! Discover how to transform your garden this half term into a welcoming home for wildlife. The team at the Lost Gardens of Heligan will show you how easy it can be to create homes and provide food to attract a variety of creatures. There are free workshops too – have a go at making a mini bug hotel and some tasty bird treats.

2 Heart-pumping thrills

Where: Adrenalin Quarry, Menheniot, Liskeard
When: February 13 – 21; 10am – 5pm
Details: Thrill-seekers should make for the flooded quarry experience at Adrenalin Quarry this half term. A completely different and memorable family experience, suitable for all ages. Hurl your loved ones down the UK’s biggest, maddest 150 ft zip wire off the quarry cliffs. Ride the UK’s tallest giant cliff top swing which hoists and then plunges 3-at-a-time over the lake. Just when you think there’s no turning back, you pull out of the dive, briefly experience zero gravity, before doing it all again – backwards. After all that, you may need to refuel in their on site café!

3 Medieval Beast Trail

Buckland Abbey Estate Walks by Old Codger Jim

Where: Buckland Abbey (The National Trust), Yelverton
When: February 13- 21; 10.30am – 4.30pm
Details: Get the little’uns outdoors and stir up their interest in the natural world on the medieval beast trail. Grab a trail booklet and crayon and track down the moldiwarpes, coneys, herinacius and rana (moles, rabbits, hedgehogs and frogs to you and me) on engraved plaques hidden in the estate’s woods. Make a brass rubbing of each and when you’ve finished, your booklet will have become a medieval-style bestiary of animals to remind you of your adventure!

4 Exotic Wildlife

Porfell Wildlife Park by Bradley Howard

Where: Porfell Wildlife Park, Trecangate, Lanreath, Liskeard
When: February 14 – March 1; 11am – 5pm
Details: Get up close to an array of wild, exotic and domestic animals at Porfell Wildlife Park this half term. Porfell has been designed to create an ‘un-zoo’ environment, promoting education, conservation and entertainment in a 15 acre countryside setting. It is home to over 250 animals from around the world, with animals from endangered species as well as plenty of family favourites. Kids will love interacting with the animals on the children’s farm. Enjoy a stroll through the surrounding ancient woodland too and explore a recreated Masaai Village.

5 Go Underground

Carnglaze Slate Caverns by Oatsy 40

Where: Carnglaze Slate Caverns, St Neot, Liskeard
When: Open all year (closed Sundays); 10am – 5pm
Details: This former slate mine makes a magical day out for your family in all weathers. Take a self-guided tour of the underground cavern and discover how the mine was worked, ending at the underground lake with its crystal clear blue/green water. Experience an enchanted woodland walk through the lovely Dell too – your little’uns will love to count the faeries along the way!

6 Monkey around

Looe Monkey Sanctuary by Justin Warner

Where: The Monkey Sanctuary, St Martins, Looe
When: February 13 – 21; 11am – 4.30pm.
Details: Come along and hang out with the monkeys during half term. Meet and hear about the residents and enjoy the children’s activities, play area and lots more. The Treetop cafe is open to cater for your little monkeys too!

7 Bushcraft for kids

Cotehele estate on the river Tamar by Steve Parkes

Where: Cotehele (The National Trust), St Dominick, near Saltash
When: February 16 – 18; 10am – noon & 1.30 – 3.30pm
Details: Build a shelter, light a controlled fire and learn survival skills in the wild. This winter outdoor fun is run by Cotehele’s partner Jack at Serious Outdoor Skills and takes place in Comfort Wood, a beautiful part of the estate right on the edge of the river Tamar (booking essential).

8 Survival, featuring Stick Man

Stick Man at The Eden Project

Where: The Eden Project, Bodelva
When: February 13 – 21
Details: This half-term at Eden, younger children will love meeting Stick Man, the ever-popular Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler character. Discover how he overcomes encounters with playful dogs and nest building birds and take part in Stick Man inspired crafts, games and Pooh stick racing. Older children can pick up essential survival techniques from experts including how to shoot a blowpipe and make a fire, and get close up to some visiting mini beasts with the return of Crocodile Joe.

While you’re there, catch the last week of Eden Project’s ice skating rink – choose either a general, parent & toddler or chilly juniors session. Check their ice skating time table page for full details.

9 Take to the skies

Virgin hot air balloon flight by Paul Williams

Where: Virgin Hot Air Balloon Flights, Pentillie Castle launch site, Liskeard
When: Open all year (afternoon flights only)
Details: Hop into a basket and venture on a nostalgic Virgin hot air balloon flight where you can see beautiful south east Cornwall from a totally unique perspective. As well as your hour-long airborne adventure, you can help with the inflation and deflation of the huge iconic red balloons. Learn about the mechanics of ballooning and get to know your fellow passengers, pilot and crew members. Once on terra firma, bag a flight certificate and celebrate your once-in-a-lifetime experience with a traditional Champagne toast.

10 Lanhydrock at war

Returned from the Front to Lanhydrock by xlibber

Where: Lanhydrock (The National Trust), Bodmin
When: February 13 – March 3
Details: Discover the impact of the First World War on Lanhydrock in a new exhibition in the gatehouse. Find out how the war affected the fortunes of the Agar-Robartes family and get up close to interesting artefacts from the conflict, including personal belongings and war biographies.