Heading for Cornwall this year? Record numbers are expected to staycation in this beautiful part of the UK in the coming months. However, be warned! The Great British weather is pretty unpredictable in these parts, so here’s some inspiration for things to do to keep the kids happy if the sun isn’t shining.
1) Go to the Beach
A little bit of rain shouldn’t put you off visiting some of the best beaches in the World. OK so it may not be sunbathing weather, but there’s still lots to do which the kids will absolutely love. They can explore the thousands of caves found lining the beaches up and down Cornwall, search the rockpools for sea life left behind by the outgoing tide, or go for a shallow paddle in the sea and take in that clean Cornish air. Get the wellies on, grab a brolly and get back to nature.
2) Eden Project
This is statistically Cornwall’s most visited attraction with over a million people now coming every year to take a look at an eco-park which was reclaimed from a china clay pit in the late 1990’s. The Eden Project’s huge indoor Biomes are the perfect place to escape on a drizzly day and visitors can experience tropical rainforests, Mediterranean flora and the humidity of the jungle without ever leaving the UK’s shores.
3) Bodmin Jail
Visiting a Jail might not be the first thing you planned for when you put together the holiday ‘to-do’ list, but this is fast becoming one of the best things to do in Cornwall in the rain. If nothing else it will keep the kids quiet for a couple of hours, as they immerse themselves in paranormal tales from Cornwall’s murky past. Much of the former Bodmin Jail still lies in ruin but part-by-part is being brought back to life as part of a visitor attraction that opened in 2015. You can even stay there the night as part of it has recently opened as a luxury hotel.
Picture: Bodmin Jail
4) National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Quick word of advice... when searching for the location of this attraction ensure not to leave off ‘Cornwall’ at the end of ‘National Maritime Museum’ otherwise your satnav could take you 350 miles the wrong way into London and to a completely different National Maritime Museum altogether. Should you manage to find your way to the proper (Cornish) version you can keep the kids occupied for hours by viewing 15 galleries of sea history and culture set over 5 floors in an impressive and iconic building located at Discovery Quay, Falmouth.
5) Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm
Think of Cornwall... think of Cyder. Healey’s Cyder Farm is a little like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory, except there is no chocolate, just Cyder. And you won’t be greeted by Wonka, rather a massive Spitting Viper. And there are no rivers of running chocolate, just rows of people packing Cyder into boxes. But other than that, it’s exactly the same. And it provides for a fantastic day out for all the family; even better if your spouse agreed to be the designated driver for the day!
6) Go for a Coastal Walk
Shake the dust off those walking boots, pull out that waterproof coat you left in the suitcase, pack some sandwiches and a flask and head off to the coast to walk along the stunning south-west coastal path. Or at least part of it, as it spans over 1000km in length in its entirety, all the way from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset. Where to choose? Well, you could probably close your eyes and point at any part of the Cornish map and you’re likely to find a beautiful stretch of this famous walkway. Generally, the Cornish section is split into 3 parts: Marsland to Newquay on the north coast, Newquay to Falmouth in the west and Falmouth to Plymouth in the south.
7) National Lobster Hatchery
When you think of a fully grown Lobster you think of huge, vicious looking pincers, strange beady eyes, legs everywhere and a weird flappy tail, yet their babies are unbelievably cute and the kids will be absolutely fascinated learning about the journey of a hatchery-reared lobster. And if a visit to this Padstow-based marine conservation, research and education charity puts you in the mood, well... Rick Stein’s famous Seafood Restaurant is directly opposite, serving some of the best Lobster money can buy. “Bon appetit!”, or “Omlowenha dha voes!” as those who speak Cornish say.
Picture: National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
8) Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Boscastle will forever be associated with adverse weather for all the wrong reasons following a huge storm that hit the tiny coastal village back in 2004. News broadcasts around the world showed footage of cars being swept away and buildings being damaged by a swollen river roaring towards the sea following a cloud burst nearby. Thankfully there were no deaths and much of Boscastle has since recovered. If you decide to take a visit you will find one of the survivors of that dramatic day in the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. We won’t spoil what awaits you at this unique and captivating experience but from its Google reviews alone visitors can expect not to be disappointed: “such an amazing museum” says one visitor, “hidden gem” says another while others helpfully state “informative”.
9) Go Surfing
Well, if it’s raining, you’re probably wet anyway so throw on the wetsuit, grab your board and get doing what everyone else does in Cornwall... surf! The hardened surfers of Cornwall will be in the water whatever the weather and can usually be found catching waves even in the coldest of winter months, so don’t let a bit of wet weather put you off. Some of the best beaches for surfing in Cornwall include Fistral in Newquay, Gwithian near Hayle, Praa Sands near Helston and Polzeath near Home and Bay’s offices in Padstow
10) Stay in Your Holiday Home and Shop Online at Home and Bay
What could be more fun than a bit of souvenir shopping, from the comfort of the warm lounge in your cosy holiday home? Gone are the days of fighting with crowds in busy seaside high streets over the last bit of tat or stick of old rock, you can now go online and purchase the very latest in luxury homeware and gifts from Home and Bay. Or, simply enjoy your holiday to the full and leave the souvenir shopping until you get back home. Win win!