Category: For kids

Children to entertain this February half term? Cornwall is home to some 60-plus museums of all shapes and sizes. Here’s a rundown of our favourite Cornwall museums, plus what’s on at each during the holiday period.

Visiting with a large group? Discover our large holiday homes perfect for big families or friend groups.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth

As the winner of Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award 2014, there’s lots going on for kids alongside great exhibitions for adults. Every Thursday of every school holiday is ‘Thorsday’ – meet the Norse men and women from the Viking Voyagers exhibition and experience living history with Morvleydh, the Sea Wolves. This February half-term will also see a ‘startruck’ extravaganza, with 360-degree views from the planetarium (13-15 February, book and pay £3.50 on arrival), and interplanetary crafts and a constellation hunt around the museum (both 13-21 February).

www.nmmc.co.uk

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

Penlee House Gallery and Museum

Penlee is at the heart of West Cornwall’s history and is the only public gallery specialising in the world renowned Newlyn School of artists. Surrealist artist Ithell Colquhoun is in exhibition this spring and children can get involved too – using the surrealist technique of decalcomania combined with collage and monoprint to replicate Ithell’s surrealist seascapes.

www.penleehouse.org.uk

Telegraph Museum Porthcurno

New exhibitions, new experiences and a new café were all part of a £2.5 million refurbishment for the museum built on the hub of international cable communications. Tying in with the Museum’s First World War exhibition, at half term kids can imagine life as an World War Two evacuee and go underground in mock-trenches, get frugal at a ‘make do & mend’ workshop (15 February), and dig for victory by growing their own vegetables.

www.porthcurno.org.uk

Falmouth Art Gallery

Falmouth Art Gallery has a vibrant exhibition programme and lots going on for kids. This half term you’ll find a doodle table as well as:

• Frost Family Mobiles (18 February)
• Ben Nicholson Cut-outs (19 February)
• Still Life Painting (20 February)

Find out more online.

Royal Cornwall Museum (RCM)

Calling Poldark fans! The RCM has the unique position of holding Poldark author, Winston Graham’s original notebooks showing his internationally best-selling novels in long hand. For kids, there is an interactive space exhibition – try illusionary puzzles and games and tease your senses. Young and old alike will be amazed. No materials required, just bring your brain.

www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk

Wheal Martyn

Set within 26 acres in the heart of Cornwall Wheal Martyn offers a great day out for all the family, even the dog! Discover how Cornwall’s largest mining industry changed the world and the amazing uses of China Clay in our everyday lives today. This half term children can enjoy roilet roll butterfly and bug making.

www.wheal-martyn.com

Don’t forget to check our late availability for properties available over February half term, and our special offers page for any seasonal discounts.

Find your favourite beach location and spend the next February half term in Cornwall.

Thinking of visiting in the February half term, check out what other activities we recommend trying in February.

There’s tricks and treats for grown-ups and children alike in Cornwall this October half term.

Discover unbeatable savings and unforgettable experiences with Beach Retreats’ exclusive special offers.

Museums at night

Visit some of Cornwall’s best museums at night (if you dare) for a torch-light trail. At the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno on Friday 30 October – 4.30pm, last admission at 6pm – there are sensory/sound illuminated curiosities and ghost stories in the museum’s underground World War Two tunnels. At the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth there’s monster-mask making and a torch-light trail.

Falmouth Beer Festival

One for the mums and dads. Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion plays host to one of the largest and best beer festivals in the South West, with more than 200 real ales and 60 ciders available. As well as being able to meet local brewers, there’ll also be liver music and entertainment. More information can be found on the organiser’s – Cornwall’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) – website.

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

Harvest season celebrations and fright nights with National Trust

The country’s orchards are laden with fruit and the apple harvest is in full swing. Celebrate with the National Trust at Penrose’s Apple Festival, where it’s all things apple; bobbing, peeling, eating and drinking. Meanwhile, at Cotehele there’s a Freak Week with half-term activities for the family, including exploring the house at night (31 October).

Find out what’s on in all National Trust properties in Cornwall over October half term.

Eden Project – Little Monsters’ Halloween Ball and ice skating

Get your fancy dress and skates on. Join the Eden Project for a feast of family fun on Saturday 31 October where there’ll be activities, a disco and treats in the Olive Grooveyard. Then it’s over to Eden’s ever-popular indoor ice-skating rink (open from Saturday 17 October until Sunday 28 February 2016).

See what’s on at the Eden Project this autumn and winter.

Newquay Zoo

For lots of storytelling, puppets, music and dance, head to Cornwall’s award winning Newquay Zoo on 30 October. With over 130 of the world’s rare and exciting creatures, children’s play area and Dragon maze, you’ll find plenty to do on your family day out.

Find out more.

Interested in finding out more about Newquay? Discover what to do in and around Newquay.

Search for your holiday with Beach Retreats online.