Top family activities in Cornwall and Devon

Cornwall and Devon are amazing places for family holidays and if you are lucky enough to be heading to the West Country this summer you will find beautiful beaches, a gorgeous coastline, wonderful landscapes and historic sites – not to mention those delicious cream teas!

Firstly, here are the top family picks for Cornwall….

Don’t miss The Eden Project

Rain or shine, one of the most exciting and adventurous places to go as a family in Cornwall is the world famous Eden Project. Situated on the south coast of Cornwall just outside St Austell, The Eden Project is dominated by two huge enclosures consisting of adjoining domes, which house thousands of plant species in many ecosystems. This summer there is a Journey into Space exhibition, adventure activities, Renault electric car exhibition and so much more (including the SkyWire zip wire!). More…

Meet Red Pandas at Newquay Zoo

One of the cutest animals around is the Red Panda which is why a visit the amazing Newquay Zoo, just a short walk from Newquay town centre, is a must when you are in Cornwall. Look high up into the trees for beautiful red pandas but all over the zoo you will see some of the world’s rarest and endangered animals! More…

Adventures to be had at Camel Creek Adventure

If you are looking for action and adventure then head to Camel Creek Adventure Park near Wadebridge. There are roller coasters, pirate treasure, crocodiles, pythons and more at Crocodile Corner, plus meerkats, miniature Shetland ponies to ride and other lovely animals. If it’s raining there’s 45,000 square feet of indoor play which has a labyrinth of mazes, ball pools, rope ladders and aerial glides. More…

Travel through the countryside on Lappa Valley Railway

The West Country landscape is so wonderful and you wonder why you ever thought of going overseas! The Lappa Valley Steam Railway is located near Newquay where you can jump aboard a steam engine and journey through the beautiful countryside from Benny Halt to East Wheal Rose. As well as the trains, there is a canoeing lake, toddlers’ path maze, play areas, indoor play carriages, nature trails, crazy golf and children’s rides. More…

For more fun ideas and things to do in Cornwall, click here. 

Devon also has amazingly beautiful countryside and beaches for hours of seaside fun. Here are some top family places to go in Devon.

Rides Galore at Crealy Adventure Park

Located just minutes from junction 30 of the M5 near Exeter, Crealy Adventure Park and Resort is easily accessible when visiting Devon or as a stop off on the way to Cornwall. There are over 60 rides spread over a 100 acres of glorious Devon countryside so there is something for everyone plus soft play areas, animal petting, a world of bugs and creepy crawlies, Pets Paddock, Animal Land and Meerkat Manor. On rainy days, children can dive into the gigantic undercover play zones, such as Shark Bay, Lost World of Atlantis and Blue Lagoon.  More…

All about Sheep at The Big Sheep!

Visit this great all-weather attraction where there is lots for everyone to do. Go on the rides, from gentle fun to extreme thrills, see lots of farmyard animals and enjoy 12 live shows everyday, from sheep racing to duck trials! There’s also Ewe-topia indoor playzone, Ewe-ston train ride and combat games for older children. Baaaaa-rilliant!  More…

Sharks and more at The National Marine Museum

Britain’s biggest aquarium is on the harbour side at Plymouth and is well worth a visit. The National Marine Aquarium houses the Atlantic Ocean tank, the deepest in the United Kingdom, which is home to several species of sharks and rays that will intrigue the children. This is a fabulous place for anyone interested in sea life and marine conservation (the aquarium is also a charity) plus there are daily shows and a craft area for younger children. More…

Meet miniature piglets at Pennywell Farm

With a different activity, show or display every half hour, hundreds of friendly animals and four free rides, you won’t waste a single minute of fun at Pennywell Farm. Located in the lovely area of Buckfastleigh, children will love bottle feeding the baby animals, the ferret racing, meeting hedgehogs, plus cuddling one of the world-famous Pennywell miniature piglets or grooming very sociable tiny ponies. Pennywell Pig Racing takes place every day at 2.30pm and is a must-see! More…

Need more inspiration for places to go and things to do in Devon? Click here!