Cornwall, England is full of great visitor attractions - in addition to its fabulous beaches, picturesque fishing villages and stunning moorland and coastal scenery. Whether you are staying in a cottage, a hotel, on a holiday park or at a campsite, these ten tourist attractions are handpicked to give singles, couples and families a unique visitor experience. They can be enjoyed by adults and children alike, whatever the weather, and will add to your enjoyment of a holiday in Cornwall in the UK.
For the Animal Lovers - The National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek
This unique attraction is a must for kids and adults who love seals. It’s set on a beautiful hilly spot overlooking the shining waters of the Helford Estuary, and consists of a variety of tanks and enclosures for different types of seals and sea lions that have been rescued and are being helped back into the wild. You watch the animals play and eat, and can get as close as you like to them. Very educational, a tranquil and peaceful setting, and you will be supporting a good cause.
Top Green Eco Attraction - The Eden Project at St. Austell
This famous eco park is one of a kind. The biomes, like giant glistening honeycombs, are built into what was a vast disused quarry and house a huge array of tropical and temperate plants, trees and flowers from around the world. With an emphasis on education and green living, the Eden experience has many activities for children and has been lavishly designed to showcase environmentalism in action.
Cornwall's History - Tintagel Castle
Legendary birthplace of King Arthur, these romantic ruins cling to rugged cliffs above a roaring sea. The visit involves climbing a series of wooden steps and crossing an ancient bridge onto an island promontory. The village of Tintagel itself is full of quaint tourist attractions and gift shops, and beyond the castle ruins are the remains of an Iron Age settlement. A must for history lovers.
Thrill Parks in Cornwall - Flambards Theme Park at Helston
Boasting the best thrill rides in Cornwall, including Extreme Force, the Hornet Roller Coaster and the Thunderbolt, Flambards also has a range of gentler fantasy rides for younger children. The undercover educational exhibitions of Victorian Britain and Britain in the Blitz have won numerous prizes, with street scenes cunningly recreated to provide realistic historical experiences. Special events include TV character visits and fireworks spectaculars.
The Famous Maze at Glendurgan Gardens
Cornwall is privileged to own a range of stunning National Trust gardens in beautiful settings. Glendurgan is landscaped to delight the eye and crammed with stands of rare and exotic trees and plants thriving in the subtropical climate of the sheltered valley. The gardens run down to a secluded beach and the stone cottages of the village of Durgan. Tiny paths meander through the garden with delights round every corner, but what the children will love most is getting lost in the famous Glendurgan Maze.
Unique Visitor Experience - The Minack Theatre
This is a sight not to be missed – an amphitheatre carved into the solid stone of the cliffside. A beautiful variety of coastal plants are interspersed with the rows of stone seats, and a glorious seascape provides the background to the impressive classical stage built out of the rock. Visit in the evening to see a play – but don’t forget to take a cushion! – or visit in the daytime, soak up the atmosphere and learn about the theatre’s founder and builder, Rowena Cade. It’s a short walk from there down to the charming Porthcurno beach where the children can run off their energy after seeing the open air theatre.
England's Heritage - Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
If you think this sounds dry and dull – think again! Entirely underground, this is a prime visitor attraction for when the weather looks set to ruin everything. The museum, originally a secret telecommunications centre, was built into solid rock to preserve its secrecy during the war, and has preserved all the original equipment of the “Victorian Internet” in working order - there are loads of hands-on opportunities for the kids. Learn about the historic rivalry between wireless and cable communications in the original environment where it all happened.
Animal Conservation at Newquay Zoo
This small, prizewinning zoo specialises in offering a family friendly experience while promoting best practise in conservation and animal welfare. It houses a wide range of animals including lions, meerkats, monkeys and snakes in enclosures carefully designed to appropriately house and stimulate their inhabitants. An intimate layout and lots of eye-level treats make this particularly appropriate for younger children.
The Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park
This unusual attraction covers 26 acres and includes woodland walks, adventure play trails, and relics of the china clay industry in the shape of a giant waterwheel, pit workings to explore and interactive displays. There’s a bit of everything here, and dogs are welcome all year round. It’s a great learning experience in its original setting with plenty of interactive fun and lots of room to run around and let off steam.
Cornwall's Industrial Heritage at Geevor Tin Mine
A visit to Cornwall is not complete without at least one experience of the most significant part of its industrial heritage. Geevor was a working mine until 1990, with mineshafts extending over a mile out under the sea bed. The site offers a tour of the deep mine itself, where you can really feel what it must have been like to be a Cornish tin miner. In addition, the plant and machinery is preserved, and you can tour and learn about the original industrial equipment, as well as trying the interactive activities in the museum. You can also learn about the miners themselves and the hard lives they led.
Best Places to Visit in Cornwall, England
People flock to holiday in Cornwall for its superb beaches; staying in cottages, holiday parks, hotels and campsites. These great attractions present Cornwall’s fascinating culture and heritage to the visitor, enhancing and adding to the enjoyment of any holiday in Cornwall, UK.
If you're planning a holiday in Cornwall, why not stay in a coastal cottage for the ultimate in comfort, flexibility and easy access to the sea.
Cathy Anne Smith - Hello :) I wrote for Suite 101 until March 2011 and now publish my own fiction at Poems and Short Stories to Read Online .
