Please note, in line with the latest travel guidance we are only accepting new bookings that have a check-in date from 5th July 2020. We are available to take any calls on 01275 217575 if you have any queries regarding a current booking, or if you wish to place a new booking and have concerns. Thank you and stay safe

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall – our favourite attractions

To make planning your holiday easier, we’ve put together the top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall.
 
This part of the glorious county is absolutely packed with great things to do – fun-filled family attractions, outdoor activities, historical sites and more, there really is something for everyone!
 
PS The pristine beaches, stunning scenery, picturesque fishing ports and fabulous restaurants are all a given, of course….

1 Adrenalin Quarry

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Adrenalin Quarry

© Adrenalin Quarry

Where: Menheniot, Liskeard PL14 3PJ
Details: Thrill seekers should check out Adrenalin Quarry, where you can fly down the UK’s maddest 150ft zip wire, suspended 50 metres above a flooded quarry, reaching speeds of 40mph! Other activities on site include a giant swing (150ft up) and go karting, plus, for ages 10+, wild water swimming, climbing and tombstoning. If you’re 12+ and want to get in touch with your inner savage, try a spot of axe-throwing. Not for the faint-hearted, although more sedate activities are also available! Why not make a day of it and bring a picnic or refuel in their on-site café…

2 Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Bodmin & Wenford Railway

© Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Where: Bodmin General, Bodmin, PL31 1AQ
Details: Discover the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey evocative of a 1950’s branch line. Relax in style with a leisurely 13-mile round trip from Bodmin General Station through the Glynn Valley to Bodmin Parkway, then through the Camel Valley to Boscarne. Hop off at Colesloggett Halt for a picnic and nature trails through Cardinham Woods. Refuel in the award-winning Station Café at Bodmin Parkway, or pick up the popular Camel Trail at Boscarne Junction. The line is pooch-friendly too and holds a number of fantastic events throughout the year which makes it a fun attracktion for the whole family!

3 Carnglaze Slate Caverns

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Carnglaze Slate Caverns

© Carnglaze Slate Caverns

Where: St Neot, Liskeard PL14 6HQ
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, armed with a torch and map, and discover how the mine was worked, ending at the underground lake with its crystal clear blue/green water. You get to wear a hard hat too, which is always exciting for kids! You can also experience a magical woodland walk in an enchanted Dell – the little’uns will love to count the faeries along the way! There are picnic benches if you want to bring some food and make the most of the outdoors, and two little gift shops too. Check out their underground music concerts, as well as their choice of four unique locations to tie the knot.

4 Eden Project

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Eden Project

Eden Project by Angel Ganev

Where: Bodelva PL24 2SG
Details: This breathtaking eco-attraction houses the world’s largest rainforest in captivity, with artificial biomes just ripe for exploring. Beyond the biomes you’ll find beautiful gardens and interactive displays within The Core, Eden’s education centre, as well as sculptures and an array of themed activities on offer during the school holidays – always fun and interactive. Then there’s the longest zip wire in England (ages 8+) and a giant swing, plus innovative play equipment for your young explorers to let off steam. Eden does music too, with rock concerts during the summer evenings as well as ice-skating in winter. Open all year.

5 Golitha Falls Nature Reserve

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Golitha Falls Nature Reserve

Golitha Falls by Derek Winterburn

Where: St Neot, Lanreath PL14 6RY
Details: The Golitha Falls Nature Reserve is a magical spot to savour Cornwall’s natural beauty, with footpaths leading through the wooded valley alongside the tumbling river Fowey – one of which is buggy-friendly. Older kids will love tiptoeing across stepping stones, scaling tree trunks and marching over bridges on the way to the waterfall finale. Don’t forget to watch out for the Cornish piskies, a mischievous fairy tribe which live there. And do bring your own provisions – there are plenty of places to unpack a picnic, but no refreshments en route. Free entry. Toilets in car park.

6 Lanhydrock (National Trust)

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Lanhydrock

Lanhydrock by Derek Winterburn

Where: Bodmin PL30 5AD
Details: Lanhydrock is the perfect historic country house and estate. Pick up a house trail and explore the Victorian interiors above and below stairs, thoughtfully set up with things for children to pick up and touch. Or head straight to the huge park and explore the woodland area. Kids will love balancing on fallen tree trunks, throwing sticks in the river or finding the giant monsters along the Sculpture Trail. It’s great too for bird spotting and mini beast safaris with a large adventure playground to burn off that last bit of their energy! Look out for family activities in the school holidays as well as the geocaches on site, if hidden treasure’s your thing.

7 Lost Gardens of Heligan

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Mud Maid © Lost Gardens of Heligan

Where: Pentewan, Saint Austell PL26 6EN
Details: This world-renowned botanical haven is a magical spot for all ages to explore. They’ll be mesmerized by the rock-and-plant figures (the Mud Maid and Giant’s Head) on the woodland walk and the wild Jungle area with its rope bridge. Then there’s a huge insect hotel and Europe’s last pineapple pit, while Horsemoor Hide offers every nature enthusiast the chance to explore Heligan’s wildlife. Seasonal events include outdoor games, den-building and campfires. You can even bring along the family pooch, provided they are kept on a short lead.

8 Mount Edgcumbe House & Country Park

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Mount Edgcumbe House & Country Park

View of Folly © Mount Edgcumbe House & Country Park

Where: Cremyll, Torpoint PL10 1HZ
Details: A popular destination for history buffs, Mount Edgcumbe is also great for families and dogs. With 10 miles of beautiful coastline, 865 acres of parkland in a Grade I listed landscape, glorious gardens, ancient barrows, mystical woodland, forts, chapels, secret beaches and coves and a historic sawmill to explore – what more could you want? Explore the estate on foot or opt for two wheels with Adventure Segway or bikes. Why not pack a picnic and make a day of it? Kids will also love the play area and peeking at the sleeping bats via the batcam. You can even combine your visit with a cruise of the River Tamar. After all that, you deserve to relax with coffee and cake at The Stables Café (ice creams for the kids of course!)

9 Siblyback Lake Country Park

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: Siblyback Lake Country Park

©  South West Lakes Trust

Where: Near Liskeard PL14 6ER
Details: Part of the South West Lakes Trust, Siblyback Lake Country Park sits in the stunning setting of Bodmin Moor and boasts the only clockwise wakeboarding cable in the UK. You can also go sailing, windsurfing, rowing and canoeing on the lake. Permits for rainbow trout angling are available and boats can also be booked. Alternatively, landlubbers can take a leisurely walk or cycle the shorelines and surrounding woodland areas. Bike hire is available and the track is dog-friendly. Or hop on a segway if you prefer! And when you’re all tired out, you can visit the Siblyback Lake Café for some lovely food and splendid views.

10 The Monkey Sanctuary

Top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall: The Monkey Sanctuary, Looe

Lily © The Monkey Sanctuary

Where: St Martins, Looe PL13 1NZ
Details: Spread across beautiful woodland and looking down over lovely Looe Bay, Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary has been offering a safe haven for monkeys in need for over 50 years. Tour the enclosures – a veritable primates’ adventure playground – and meet and hear about the fascinating residents. It’s not just monkeys though! As well as the darkened ‘bat cave’, there’s an Activity Room where your own little monkeys can get busy with free arts and crafts workshops. Afterwards, they can go ape in the playground and hang out in the award-winning Treetop Café (bananas are optional).

What else?

If our top 10 things to do in south east Cornwall has stirred your appetite for adventure, why not explore our range of holiday cottages?

Back