Blogs for February 2017

Top Things to Do and Family Days Out in Cornwall this March

Posted on Friday 24th February, 2017

Looking for the perfect day out with your family this March?

As spring arrives experience our collection of gorgeous gardens, discovery the best museums and heritage sites, explore historic houses, wonder at the wealth wildlife and many more attractions.

Many of our attractions are open throughout the year, but please note that a few do have limited opening days/times. Some may have special events in March, or only open at weekends, so always best to double check before you set off.

Blue Reef Aquarium http://bit.ly/2cb788i

Bodmin and Wenford Railway http://bit.ly/2bRr7g1

Camel Creek Adventure Park http://bit.ly/2bBq3HB

Cornish Seal Sanctuary http://bit.ly/2ce1Bkc

Cotehele (National Trust) http://bit.ly/2bB9Jvr

Courtroom Experience http://bit.ly/2bFL0Sl

Dairyland Farm World http://bit.ly/2bAzfCg

Eden Project http://bit.ly/2c457fa

Flambards Experience http://bit.ly/2cbazMo

Geevor Tin Mine Heritage Centre (Cornish Mining World Heritage Site) http://bit.ly/2bFKymO

Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm http://bit.ly/2cba9FV

Jamaica Inn http://bit.ly/2cbbGMa

Land’s End http://bit.ly/2c45pCG

Lanhydrock (National Trust) http://bit.ly/2bFGXoO

Lappa Valley Steam Railway http://bit.ly/2bZMzhK

Minack Theatre and Visitor Centre http://bit.ly/2cqsWRK

National Lobster Hatchery http://bit.ly/2bBuQfy

National Maritime Museum Cornwall http://bit.ly/2bBpNs5

Newquay Zoo http://bit.ly/2bFJWOm

Paradise Park & JungleBarn http://bit.ly/2c7MyVW

Pendennis Castle (English Heritage) http://bit.ly/2bRCFhq

Royal Cornwall Museum http://bit.ly/2hCdWkt

Screech Owl Sanctuary http://bit.ly/2bBv1re

St Austell Brewery Visitor Centre http://bit.ly/2ce3nly

St Michael’s Mount http://bit.ly/2c7KVrF

Telegraph Museum Porthcurno http://bit.ly/2bRsVpl

The Lost Gardens of Heligan http://bit.ly/2c7Qmqj

Tintagel Castle (English Heritage) http://bit.ly/2ce47a6

Trebah Gardens http://bit.ly/2bILZmj

Trelissick Gardens (National Trust) http://bit.ly/2bRByhT

Trerice (National Trust) http://bit.ly/2bIMHju

Wheal Martyn (Cornish Mining World Heritage Site) http://bit.ly/2bRsYS2

And remember we have many Dog Friendly attractions – please click here for further details http://www.bestdaysoutcornwall.co.uk/attractions/dog-friendly-attractions

Win a Family Ticket to Paradise Park in Hayle

Posted on Wednesday 22nd February, 2017

The family ticket is valid for 2 adults and 2 children for a visit in 2017. Lots of fun things to do with the family at this award-winning attraction!

This prize draw is running on our Facebook page - click here to go to the post to enter.

The prize draw will close at midnight on 2nd March 2017. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on our Facebook page within two days of the closing date.

For full rules of entry please click here:
http://www.bestdaysoutcornwall.co.uk/rules-of-entry

PARADISE PARK, HAYLE, CORNWALL. Your family will love a day in Paradise . . . !

This Award-winning wildlife sanctuary with JungleBarn indoor play centre offers so much for all the family, from amazing free flying bird shows, Fun Farm to Penguin photocalls and feed the little parrots.

You’ll meet colourful birds including many rare and beautiful parrots, flamingos, toucans and red-billed Cornish choughs, plus owls, kookaburras and cranes. With over 140 species and a total of over 650 birds there is a stunning range to see. On top of this there are the animals in the Fun Farm including mini donkeys, pygmy goats, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs. Then you have red pandas, red squirrels and otters with many species in conservation breeding schemes.

Children love the penguins, especially the summer photocall at the end of the talk and feed sessions.  During the summer ‘Flight of the Rainbows’ you can buy small pots of nectar to feed the forty plus Lorikeets that come swooping out from there enclosure down onto the awaiting crowd. It’s a fantastic experience!

The amazing summer  ‘Eagles of Paradise’ display gives you the opportunity to see birds like Archie the Bald Eagle close up as they fly over and around you during these very informative and interesting flying displays.

The summer ‘Free Flying Bird Show’ is an opportunity to see and learn about many other species including stunning Macaws as they fly over your head and in-between the crowds. 

With the large Otter Pool Cafe and the Bird In Hand Pub just opposite the entrance you can be sure of a wide and tasty selection of food and drinks.

Paradise Park’s ‘JungleBarn’ indoor play centre is fabulous fun whatever the weather. With giant slides, challenging soft play and a special toddlers’ zone with ball fountain you and your kids will want to stay all day. There is a snack bar with daily papers available, balcony overlooking the gardens, plus jungle-themed rooms perfect for birthday parties. Plus try our outdoor ‘Paradise Island’ adventure play area as well.

Shark Week and Blue Reef Aquarium

Posted on Tuesday 14th February, 2017

This half term Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium will be inviting visitors to delve into the world of sharks as part of their ‘Shark Week’ event (February 11th to February 19^th).

As well as coming face to face with the amazing Black Tip Reef Sharks in the underwater tunnel, there will be a number of different species of shark on display at the aquarium including Dog Fish, Brown Branded Bamboo Catshark and the Port Jackson Shark.

Throughout the week the team of aquarists will be giving special talks about sharks and there will be regular shark feeds taking place for the public to observe.

Visitors will also be able to learn all about these fascinating creatures and take part in various shark themed fun activities such as a shark quiz, crafts, puzzles and competitions. There will also be a special trail for the younger visitors with hidden toy sharks in the displays for them to find, for a chance to win a prize.

Blue Reef aquarist Ed Wainwright said: “Shark week is a great way to show the public another side to sharks. They’re often portrayed as fearsome creatures when actually you are more likely to come under attack via a coconut.”

Sharks first appeared in our seas 350 million years ago – that’s 100 million years before the dinosaurs. Today there are over 350 different species from the 18cm spined pygmy shark to the 18 metre whale shark.

British waters are visited by over 30 different species – including the world’s second largest, the basking shark, which can grow to 12 metres.

Visit www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk/newquay

Top things to do in Cornwall with the kids this Half Term!

Posted on Friday 10th February, 2017

If you’re stuck for ideas of what to do with the kids this Half Term, then look no further!

The Best Days Out Cornwall attractions have plenty of family fun activities and events, and there is something for everyone.

Eden’s StoryFest, a kids book festival like no other. Let your imagination run wild with a celebration of stories, storytelling, curiosity and fun. MORE

Children love the Little Pirates and Fairies Quiz at Paradise Park in Hayle. It adds a little bit of magical fun to Half Term. When you have completed the quiz claim your sweet treat, chocolate gold coins and pink and white marshmallows and lollipops to reward little pirates and fairies. MORE

Discover the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel on theBodmin and Wenford Railway. A great offer with ‘KIDS FOR A QUID!’, they will love the sights, sounds and smells of steam locomotives, it’s a great day out for all the family! Trains running on 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 19th February. with departures at 11:15, 12:30, 14:00 and 15:10 each day. MORE

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary are calling all junior marine biologists to become a recruit and join the Seal Cadets this half-term.  Get involved and learn what it takes to protect our oceans and care for marine mammals. MORE

Geevor Tin Mine sparkles this February Half Term with ‘Let’s ROCK IT!’ Learn about a Miner’s life, enjoy POLDARK DAY with hand drilling, dressing up, kibble filling, experience a SPARKLING VALENTINE’S DAY with a variety of different mineral and rock games for all ages and much more. MORE

Enjoy Apple grafting weekend at Cotehele 18th & 19th February, how to graft your own apple tree that you'll be able to take away to plant in your garden back home. MORE

Step back in time over 400 years and imagine life in the Tudor fort of Pendennis Castle this half term. Warm yourself by the roaring fire in the castle keep with demonstrations and displays from our Tudor cook, and step outside to try your hand at sword skills and cannon drills. MORE

MORE WINTER ATTRACTIONS

CLICK HERE for a full list of attractions open in the Winter. Please note: some do have limited opening times and dates, so please check before setting off.

Lappa Valley - Open Winter weekends and throughout February Half Term.

Posted on Tuesday 7th February, 2017

For The First Time Ever, Lappa Valley Steam Railway Will Be Opening Daily During Half Term, 11-19 February!

For the first time ever, Lappa Valley steam railway will be opening daily during half term, 11-19 February!

Visitors will enjoy a steam ride into the leisure park where they can enjoy all of the attractions on offer including crazy golf, canoeing lake and further two train lines for the heavily discounted price of just £6 per person and best of all under 3’s come free!

Open weekends from 4 February until 26 March 2017 and daily from 10:30am during half term. Trains will run every 40 minutes from 11:10.

Winter weekends and February half term timetable: 11:10, 11:50, 12:30, 1:10, 1:50, 2:30, 3:10 & 3:50.

Lappa valley will open daily from Saturday 1 April 2017.

Visit lappavalley.Co.Uk for full details.  

South West Tourism Awards Winners - Best Days Out Cornwall

Posted on Friday 3rd February, 2017