It’s been a little while since I shared some Cornwall tips, and given that Elle is now running around everywhere we go, and the summer is here (although someone needs to tell the weather) I thought a guide to North Cornwall with a toddler was definitely overdue. I owe most of the ideas for this post to my fabulous NCT girls who are amazing at finding lovely (and often free) places to take our littles ones to. Hopefully there are some places here that you won’t find amongst the tourist leaflets…

Animals

Let’s face it, whose little one doesn’t like looking at animals?! Feadon Farm in Portreath offer a great range of experiences for little ones, including wildlife walks and animal feeding. It’s a small place, run with conservation and looking after poorly animals at it’s heart, so ringing ahead is essential, but it’s definitely worth it. If only to cuddle a fox!

Springfields Fun Park is also great for toddlers – friendly animals to bash, oooppps I mean feed, loads of play equipment, and from 18 months old little ones can try their hand at pony riding. The ponies are super gentle, really used to children and are led by experienced staff. There are also rowing boats, a fun train to ride around the site and a play barn if it rains.

Walks

Fresh air is good for the soul (and for helping little ones sleep 😉 ) and Cornwall offers some incredible places to go walking. I wouldn’t want to take a toddler on the coastal path – I think I’d probably have a heart attack, but if you head inland you’ll avoid the tourist crush and enjoy some scenery that’s just as spectacular.

Cardinham Woods has lots of easy to follow marked trails, including cycling trails (and you can also hire bikes there), a playground for little ones and a lovely cafe (Cardinham Woods Cafe) for obligatory tea and cake.

If you make it to Feadon Farm, combine it with a trip to Tehidy Country Park, another lovely place for walks with a great cafe. They often have outdoor theatre and events on for kids, so do check out the Rogue Theatre site before you head out there.

Bodmin Moor is also a lovely place to head out for the day, especially if you get some lovely weather as the views are incredible. Head to the Hurlers Stone Circles, a grouping of later Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial and funerary monuments. The drive out is magical, with ponies and sheep coming up to the car to say hello, and the nearest village is called Minions, which is likely to keep older ones amused. There’s just so much space to run around – take a picnic and just enjoy the history, the nature and the lack of phone signal.

Beach

Even if you spent every day of your holiday in Cornwall at the beach, your little one wouldn’t get bored. I swear the beach is the perfect place for toddlers. There’s just so much sand eating, water splashing, rock climbing and running around to be done. It can be really tempting to take a suitcase load of stuff to the beach with you, but I promise you don’t need that much. A UV proof swim suit, a hat, suncream, a change of clothes, swim nappies, snacks, water, a towel/or a towel robe and a normal nappy for the end of the day is all you need. Throw in something to lie on, a bucket and spade and perhaps a wind break for less sheltered beaches and you’re good to go. Oh and don’t forget change for ice cream 🙂

To make a day of it, visit the Fern Pit Cafe on Pentire, watch the crab and lobster pots being brought in, then take the ferry over to Crantock Beach and walk back at the end of the day (or vice versa depending on tide times). It’s THE most incredible beach with gorgeous golden sand and turquoise blue water. And if you managed to resist the cakes and crab sandwiches at the Fern Pit, I can guarantee you won’t be able to resist the menu at C-Bay – a cafe with gorgeous views of Crantock Beach.

The Safe Bet

The Eden Project is always good. Although I must admit I do prefer The Lost Gardens Of Heligan, but if the weather’s bad, Eden still has lots of places you can enjoy. AND they always put on great activities for littles, such as story telling and this summer it’s all about the dinosaurs. Make the most of being up at the crack of dawn and get there early, parking will be less crazy and you’ll be able to have an early lunch, beating the rush there too.

Where To Stay

I’ve mentioned The Esplanade Hotel before, and we ran a competition to stay with them too, but I really can’t find another hotel that is better located or equipped for a beach holiday with little ones. They are a stones throw from Fistral Beach, which never feels crowded even in the height of summer, because it’s just so big! There is a soft play area on site, an outdoor play area, an onsite surf school, a swimming pool, LOADS of free activities for children, a disco in the bar most evenings and the best thing is it’s such a child friendly hotel that you don’t feel remotely awkward if your little one has an epic melt down, throws food everywhere or comes through the doors covered in sand. A bedtime story is posted under your door each day and I can promise you that this is a holiday your little ones will always remember. At The Esplanade they are treated as guests, just the same as the adults.

Recommendations & Advice

Is anyone coming down to Cornwall over the summer? If you need advice on any more places to go, do let me know (and I’ll go and ask the NCT girls)…

Does anyone have any epic finds I need to experience for myself? There’s so much for us to still see and do in Cornwall!