If you happen to be unlucky enough to be caught out by the odd spring shower then we’ve explored some great places in Cornwall for a happy family day out where you’ll be warm and dry!
National Maritime Museum
Cornwall
Discovery Quay, Falmouth, TR11 3QY
This is a great place to visit whatever the weather but on a rainy day a nice, warm museum packed with lots to keep the children entertained and plenty to keep you interested is a perfect day out! This award winning museum is really family friendly and was voted south west visitor attraction of the year for 2008 – 2009. If the weather perks up, pretty Falmouth has plenty of nice places to pick up a Cornish pasty and amble. Also nice for a visit whilst you are in Falmouth is the free Art Gallery (above the library on the main town square, there is a lift for pushchairs). The gallery has an ever-changing series of exhibitions and really welcomes small children; it has triumphed in the past in the Guardian ‘Kids in Museums’ awards.
Maritime Museum open daily 10am – 5pm
Tel: 01326 313388 www.nmmc.co.uk
Falmouth Art Gallery open Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm including spring and summer bank holidays
Tel: 01326 313863 www.falmouthartgallery.com
Shipwreck and Heritage Centre
Quay Road, Charlestown, St. Austell, PL25 3NJ
This fascinating centre has the largest number of artefacts recovered by divers on display in the UK. It’s located in a historic china clay building and you can walk through through underground tunnels where clay trucks were pushed out to ships in the port. Lots to see and do in the family friendly attraction; you can even climb aboard a real lifeboat! You can download colouring sheets from the website before you go and take them in to get an extra little treat for your young artist! All children under 10 go free with a paying adult.
Open daily from 1 Mar
Tel: 01726 69897 www.shipwreckcharlestown.com
Tate St Ives
Porthmeor Beach, St Ives, TR26 1TG
On my first visit to the Tate St Ives my then 8 month old baby had a whale of a time crawling between the moving coloured lights on the floor of one of the installations; her first contact with the heady world of modern art. There are always new exhibitions and the gallery is very child friendly. Even if contemporary art forms aren’t your cup of tea it’s worth a visit to Cornwall’s leading art gallery just to see the setting! You can also stop for a coffee at the Tate Café, with its spectacular views over the old town of St Ives and Porthmeor Beach.
Tel: 01736 796226 www.tate.org.uk/stives
Eden Project
Bodelva, St Austell, PL24 2SG
No visit to Cornwall is complete without a visit to the Eden Project. This unique regeneration project transformed an old china clay pit into a global garden. The result of years of hard work is an attraction which is as much a valuable learning experience for adults and children alike, as it is a fun family day out. You can explore the Eden jungle in the giant Rainforest Biome and enjoy the award winning design of this spectacular environment. There are plenty of child friendly exhibits and lots of opportunities for hands on learning about the natural world. There are always plenty of fun family events so check the website to find the best date to go to make the most of your day out!
Tel 01726 811911www.edenproject.com
