Things to Do in West Cornwall

The Minack Theatre – the main season is from May to the end of September but with an increasing number of performances at other times and performances during the day for children in school holidays

Land’s End – on a clear day you can also see the Isles of Scilly.  In August there are firework displays on Tuesday and Thursday evenings

PK Porthcurno  plenty to do for adults and children and a good wet weather option

Penberth – owned by the National Trust – nice for an evening walk – cars not allowed right down into the cove – can sometimes buy fresh fish from the boats as they come in

St. Michael’s Mount Walk along the Causeway or take the boat, according to the tide

Hayle car boot sale – on a massive scale – open from 8 til 1 every Sunday, alongside the A30 so you won’t have trouble finding it

Wild Food Walks, Forage Cook & Dine, Tailor-Made Foraging adventures – Rachel Lambert 07903 412014

Guided walks around Penzance – on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting from the train station in Penzance at 1030 for one hour.  Anna McClary 07919 681535

Kernow Coasteering – an epic experience combining swimming, scrambling and cliff-jumping, taking place on the Land’s End peninsula

Coast to Coast Karting, St. Erth

Country Skittles, Townshend, Hayle

Cornwall Segway, ride the Segway at Goonhilly, Helston

Polgoon vineyard guided tours available March to October 2pm on Wed/Thu/Fri

Tremenheere Sculpture Garden, Penzance – in a beautiful sheltered valley, the woods, stream and dramatic vistas provide a perfect setting for large scale exotic and sub-tropical planting. Interwoven with this there is also an evolving programme of high quality contemporary art installations.  Excellent cafe

Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Morrab Road, Penzance free on Saturdays.  Some lovely Newlyn School paintings and an excellent café

Flambards, Helston You can spend a whole day here and there are things to do for both adults and children

Paradise Park, Hayle – parrots, penguins, otters, red pandas, an excellent place to look at all kinds of animals and perhaps have a picnic

Trelissick Gardens – National Trust – a lovely walk, nice café.  Very close to the King Harry Ferry so nice to plan a trip to the Roseland and lunch at one of the pubs or at the Tresanton Hotel in St. Mawes

Trebah Gardens – quite a steep walk involved but nice setting for picnics, especially on their private (albeit small) beach, childrens play area

Trewidden Garden with a lovely tearoom!

Trengwainton Gardens, again with a lovely restaurant

Visiting St. Ives including the Tate Gallery.  Don’t attempt to take your car in the height of the season – there is a park and ride system from St. Erth station (the Lelant facility has closed) and the train ride is quite spectacular (sit on the right if you can).  There are lots of art galleries, craft shops, cafes and some excellent beaches.

River Fal boat trips depart from several different quays in Falmouth – various destinations, just turn up and choose on the day.  Cruising up the Helford for a cream tea is a favourite

The Lizard – good cup of tea served in the cafe there!  Serpentine makes a nice present.  The site of the new lifeboat house is quite spectacular and it will wear the children out walking right down to sea level.  Cadgwith is a good place for a pub lunch

Gweek Seal Sanctuary Try to time your arrival at feeding time.  A nice setting for a picnic

Isles of Scilly day trips –Skybus from Land’s End airport or boat from Penzance – a visit to Tresco is particularly recommended.

Penzance Heliport flights to the Isles of Scilly

Lost Gardens of Heligan – worth the one and a half hour drive to get there – probably appeals more to adults than children but a nice setting for a picnic

Eden Project – also a one and a half hour drive.  Even if you are not interested in plants, the engineering project alone is worth seeing

National Maritime Museum, Falmouth  You can spend a whole day here and its suitable for adults and children.  Nice café with excellent views although Rick Steins fish and chips is just opposite!

Goldolphin House – restored Tudor/Stuart house Check the opening hours of the house because it is also used as a holiday let!

Geevor Tin Mine – excellent tour around this mine, including underground!  Good café with wonderful views

St Austell Brewery Tour – one for the adults and children 8 and over – but there are some steep staircases and wet floors so not ideal for everyone.  Best to book ahead and also book lunch in the Hicks Bar – lunches are cooked on the premises and very popular

Savoy Cinema – Causewayhead, Penzance, 01736 363330

Newlyn Cinema – 01736 332222

Indoor swimming pool – Penzance Leisure Centre, St. Clare, Penzance

Outdoor Lido – including geothermal pool (bookings essential)

Art Galleries – there are so many interesting ones in the area including Kurt Jackson in St. Just, others in Sennen Cove, St. Ives and Marazion.  Have a walk around and you will come across them

Walks – If you look in the Cornishman newspaper there are usually several organised walks advertised with local Ramblers Associations and they welcome visitors.  The coastal path is clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey map and details of local walks are available in several publications which can be bought from the Boathouse Stores in Sennen Cove.  Also refer to the South West Coast Path website

Surfing – Surfing lessons can be arranged at Sennen Cove

Beaches – Some fantastic beaches within walking distance including Sennen Cove, Nanjizel, Gwenver, Porthchapel and Porthcurno

Art Courses at Newlyn Art School – Inspiring art courses in painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery and printmaking taught by many of the best known artists working in Cornwall today

Geneaology – The Cornwall Family History Society may be able to help you trace your family tree.

Marine Discovery Exhilarating wildlife boat trips from Penzance

Mousehole – Visit the Ship Inn to find out about Stargazey Pie – this can be eaten in most of the pubs on Tom Bawcock’s Eve (23rd Dec).  See the Mousehole Christmas Lights

Birdwatching – A fantastic area for birdwatching, particularly at Porthgwarra

Climbing – Lots of places in the area are used for climbing, particularly around Bosigran

Golf – Cape Cornwall Golf & Leisure Centre and West Cornwall Golf Club

Fishing – Stithians Lake permits from 01209 860301, Marazion Angling Club – day tickets from West Cornwall Angling 01736 362363, Trout Fishery Hayle 01736 850889.

Sea fishing – Various trips daily in the summer 01736 368565.

Cornish Way Cycle Path – The Cornish cycle path starts at Land’s End plus information on other cycle paths is available from Sustrans

Best things to do in Cornwall – this site gives you lots of information on places to go, especially for children.

Car free days out are being promoted by Devon & Cornwall rail partnership and there are two websites which you might find useful www.carfreedaysout.com and www.railaletrail.com