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Lanhydrock is one of those grand country estates that give you intense house envy – 50 stunning rooms bursting with Victorian opulence give an incredible, eye-opening ‘how the other half lives’ experience. If you enjoyed Downton Abbey on television, here’s your chance to really immerse yourself in the real thing.

Arriving at Lanhydrock, you enter through a 17^th century gatehouse and into a topiary courtyard that sets the scene beautifully. There’s plenty of space for children to explore, with open parkland, woodland and riverside paths plus an adventure playground. There are formal gardens and sweeping views over rolling countryside – it’s the definition of idyllic.

Inside, the house feels less like a static museum and much more like a fully occupied residence; you expect to turn a corner and bump into one of the Victorian inhabitants. This is not a ‘don’t touch’ environment – there are tables full of household objects and toys to handle and examine, opened letters to read, fires burning in the grates and vegetables ready for preparation in the kitchen – and the atmosphere this creates is totally absorbing. There are three separate house ‘trails’ for children to follow depending on their age.

Lanhydrock starkly demonstrates the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ nature of the Victorian society, with the luxury of the resident family’s areas, with its smoking rooms, lavish drawing rooms and bedrooms in glaring contrast with the servants’ much more utilitarian quarters below.

Although the house at Lanhydrock is closed for most of the winter, it briefly opens over Christmas with weekend visits from Santa, Victorian crafts to try and beautiful decorations in keeping with the period – the Victorians established many of the Christmas traditions we still observe today so this is the perfect place to explore their origins. The Lanhydrock Servants’ Hall restaurant serves festive meals during this time.

Facilities at Lanhydrock include a café with both indoor and outdoor seating, a restaurant with a good children’s menu, a plant centre, second-hand bookshop and gift shop. Dogs are welcome in the grounds but not in the house or the café. Most of Lanhydrock is accessible to wheelchair users; there are wheelchairs available for loan.

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Lanhydrock
Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5AD, Tel. 01208 265950

When you visit a British castle you can sometimes be required to use a fair bit of imagination to picture the building as it should be – there’s often not a whole lot of building left. This is where Pendennis Castle really surprises; although it’s 500 years old the whole site is incredibly intact and all the more exciting for it.

Pendennis is the kind of castle a child might draw with turrets, a walled moat, huge canons and a 360 degree panoramic view over the sea. Across the water you can see St Mawes Castle, also built by Henry VIII and equally beautiful; the two castles bookend the mouth of the river and demonstrate just how important this area was to the monarchy back in Tudor times. Despite its ancient appearance, Pendennis was still performing a key defence role even in the 20^th century, with the canons seeing action in the Napoleonic and Second World wars; all these layers of history are revealed as you explore the castle.

If you thought it was hard to make history fun for kids, think again. Pendennis is dynamically interactive, with some great hands-on displays and funky special effects that give you the sense of being part of the action during the castle’s heyday. The castle sits on a spit of land jutting into the sea and around the buildings are lawns in every direction, perfect for over-excited kids to burn off some energy. Dogs are allowed, so it really is a day for all the family.

You might be tempted to combine a visit to Pendennis with a potter around the shops of Falmouth, but there’s so much to see here that we recommend devoting a full day to the castle alone. With a castle museum, the Discovery Centre, the Half Moon Battery and the Victorian War Shelter to explore, the day will whizz by. Lunch in the tea room or a picnic in the grounds will give tired legs a rest. Free parking and a very reasonable entry fee mean Pendennis Castle can make a brilliant family day out without breaking the bank.

 

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Pendennis Castle
Castle Close, Falmouth TR11 4LP, Tel. 01326 316594

This is another venue that sounds like it might be more about pantomime than quality grown-up distraction – the very word ‘pavilion’ has an old-fashioned ring to it. Pick carefully though, and you can find some real gems at this venue, from television-famous comedians (Marcus Brigstocke is on the programme this year) to catch-them-while-you-can musicians on the brink of world domination like Gabrielle Aplin.

Princess Pavilion is a cosy space; you’re never far from the stage so it feels nicely intimate – perfect for the folk music that has become a staple on the calendar here. Don’t panic, it’s not all heavily-bearded chaps of indeterminate age – you’ll often find sleek and chic contemporary folk bands with much more glamorous appeal. King Charles, the poster boy for the young and beautiful of folk, will be playing songs from his top 40 album LoveBlood here in 2013.

Having been perhaps at the margins of popular culture in previous years, suddenly Princess Pavilion and places like it have something to offer mainstream, fashion-conscious crowds. Who would have thought that a sprung dance floor would have any modern relevance as a selling point – until Strictly Come Dancing whipped us all into a frenzy of excitement over traditional dance. The Pavilion has a weekly tea dance with an emphasis on modern ballroom and Latin dancing. No longer just for pensioners, this is your big chance to show just how much you’ve learned from Len Goodman…

If you’d rather try your hand (or feet) at something even more energetic, there are regular Salsa classes plus a Salsa party evening (which also includes a dance lesson to get you started) with a live band. It’s brilliantly informal and fun – and nobody will be judging your efforts!

Princess Pavilion is just up the road from the Gylly Beach Café, a local institution serving seafood and tapas-style munchies – you might also be lucky enough to catch some live music here. Elsewhere, try a cocktail at The Shed near the marina, or get your fingers deliciously greasy with fish and chips from Rick Stein’s place on Discovery Quay – all essential fuel before a twirl on the dance floor.

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Princess Pavilion
41 Melvill Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4AR, Tel. 01326 211222

Gylly Beach Café
Cliff Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4PA, Tel. 01326 312884

The Shed
6-7 Tidemill House, Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3XP, Tel. 01326 318502

Rick Stein’s Fish
Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3XA

You’ve got to be quick if you want a ticket to any of the Eden Sessions – some have been known to sell out in literally a few minutes of going on sale. It’s not just the big names – huge names – that appear; it’s the way the Eden Project puts on such an incredible show with a thousand little details that create an amazing sensory overload throughout the evening.

But back to the big names first – Eden has hosted the kind of artists who can happily fill stadium after stadium around the world, artists such as Paul Weller, Moby, Elbow, Amy Winehouse, and Oasis… And at the Eden Sessions, you get to see them in a much more intimate setting, surrounded by the ethereally-lit biomes. Even the support groups are acts with serious clout. Many reviews have mentioned how playing at Eden seems to bring out the best in performers – a little of the Eden magic rubbing off them. Wandering around the grassy paths of Eden while a hero of rock or pop is giving it everything on a stage a few metres away from you can be almost surreal.

Each Eden session has an illustrious and long line-up. It’s not all about the headline acts; there’s a diverse programme of music and comedy throughout the afternoon and on into the night. Fire-breathers on stilts, jugglers, buskers and all kinds of circus performers are often part of the entertainment – every corner of Eden is alive with some kind of drama. Combine that with an exploration of the Mediterranean and tropical biomes, the garden displays, sculptures and the rainforest lookout and it makes for a unique day.

The Eden Project is obviously geared up for big events and lots of visitors. Parking is plentiful and easy. There’s something interesting to eat or drink at every turn – the bakery has everything from croissants for breakfast to frittatas for lunch, often being made while you watch. Try the Mediterranean Café for tapas or check out the Rainforest Biome for an exotic fruit smoothie. And for the sessions themselves, gin tents and bars serving local beers spring up all over.

Our advice? Sign up on the Eden Sessions website for updates and grab a ticket if you can – these really are red letter days.

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Eden Sessions
Eden Project, Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall, PL24 2SG, Tel. 01726 811911

Is there another theatre remotely like the Minack anywhere else in the world? This isolated cliff-top theatre is in a location so stunning it can at times feel as if the actors on the stage are having to fight for the audience’s attention, no matter how good the performance.

If the weather is obliging, the Minack feels like a tiny Greek amphitheatre; the sea here seems bluer than elsewhere in Cornwall, the sand of Porthcurno beach below appears whiter.  The theatre was carved from the unrelentingly hard granite of the Cornish coast by Rowena Cade; it took many years of hard physical labour through the harsh coastal winters to construct and is a monument to dogged perseverance. The story is told at the Minack’s visitor centre, which is well worth a look even if you don’t see a play.

The season for the Minack is May to September when good weather is more likely but never guaranteed. Being prepared for every eventuality at a Minack performance is important; a big bag with umbrellas, blankets, flasks and extra jackets and jumpers might seem like over-packing – it’s not.

The annual programme is a mix of the well-known – the Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe are often on the list – and good regional, and sometimes even amateur, theatre companies. The quality is always high; performers jump through hoops for a chance to get on the Minack stage.

Best known for Shakespeare’s plays, the programme is a lot more diverse than you might think. Pop stars have been known to play here (2013 is the turn of Midge Ure with an acoustic set), all kinds of music is showcased, from classical to folk, and contemporary plays get a look in too.

In the school holidays (including Easter and the half terms), the Minack often puts on daytime storytelling sessions for children, the location adding a lovely sense of magic to inspire young readers. The green-fingered will enjoy the sub-tropical rockeries and there’s a café with quite possibly one of the best views you’ll ever get with a cup of coffee.

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The Minack Theatre
Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6JU, Tel. 01736 810181

When you think of a regional theatre far from the cultural hub of London, you could be forgiven for assuming it might be all about small-scale, local productions. At first glance, the Hall for Cornwall doesn’t have the most modern guise – it’s a big, imposing building with original Victorian character and inside, there’s still an orchestra pit. One look at the listings for this venue, though, and you’ll see just how much high-quality, contemporary entertainment is going on here.

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

On the edge of the country it may be but the Hall for Cornwall gets some seriously big guns playing here. If it’s high-brow you’re after, this year you’ll find the Rambert Dance Company, the Moscow State Orchestra and a choice of opera starting with Tosca. Shakespeare always features at some point in the year (always performed by a solid, professional company) or for something more mainstream there are musicals, often touring the country having started in the West End.

Jimmy Carr and Sarah Millican headline the comedy on offer for 2013 and if you fancy a peek at some famous TV celebrities, there’s Brendan Cole from Strictly, Michaela Strachan from Springwatch and Nicholas Parsons from – well, all kinds of programmes.

There are burlesque performances for the grown-ups, fairy tale-style plays and adaptations of iconic children’s books for little ones, and drama and dance workshops for kids all through the year – a great way to wear them out on a rainy day.

Truro has plenty of good places for a quick bite before a show or a nightcap afterwards. Chantek serves south-east Asian dishes; as is often the case with this style of food service tends to be quick and efficient for those with limited time. It’s one of the busiest restaurants in Truro, testament to its quality. If you’ve got more time, Bustophers, just up the hill from the theatre, does beautifully sourced, cooked and presented dishes that are nicely indulgent and satisfying. Closer still is Indaba, seafood specialists, and just across the road is Mannings, bar of choice for a pre-theatre cocktail.

Check out what’s on at the Hall for Cornwall for your next holiday – it’ll make a real event of an evening out. Regional theatre, yes – provincial and amateur, absolutely not.

Check out our locations and retreats across North Cornwall.

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Hall for Cornwall
Back Quay, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LL, Tel. 01872 262466

Chantek
15 New Bridge Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2AA, Tel. 01872 225071

Bustophers
62 Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2PN, Tel. 01872 279029

Mannings
Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2QB, Tel. 01872 247900

The bay at Mawgan Porth ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to ideal family beach criteria. It has a stream running under a bridge, across the sand and out to sea – utterly irresistible for children armed with buckets and spades as they try in vain to create a dam to hold back the flow. It has rock pools by the hundred that are replenished with wildlife twice daily, there’s a waterfall – yes, really – and caves to peer into. It’s like a seaside wonderland for kids (or those channelling their inner kid).

For many, it’s not a holiday unless the four-legged members of the family are welcome. Mawgan Porth is one of the few Cornish beaches that are dog friendly all year round, so that’s another box ticked for dog owners.

There’s enough going on at Mawgan Porth to keep you happily entertained here. A pub, restaurant and chip shop covers all the bases on the refreshment front and there’s a deli-cum-seven-eleven that surprises with its wide and interesting selection of foods from the essentials to the luxuries. Their smoothies that combine local ice cream with your favourite chocolate bar are wickedly calorific treats.

Aside from surfing, sporting activities at Mawgan Porth are of the relaxed, low key variety. Just up the hill is an 18 hole golf course (the views are, as you’d expect, a huge distraction). If that sounds all a bit too serious, the pitch and putt and crazy golf next to the beach caters for the younger, less formal golfer.

If a little exploration is on the agenda, the south west coast path leads you to the bigger resort of Watergate Bay, an amble of less than three miles that rewards you with sweeping views south along the coast. On a clear day you can sometimes see as far as Gwithian Sands, a wide arc of a beach over 20 miles away. Yes, there are some steep ups-and-downs on this section of the coast path – but just think how many chocolate bar smoothies it’ll earn you…

www.mawganporth.org

The name Fistral is synonymous with surfing. This famous beach has a long-held surfing culture going back to the 1960s when surfing first became big news in Cornwall and Fistral developed into the hub of all surf-related activity in the county. Facing west, swell from the Atlantic piles into Fistral, giving it its reputation for having the most consistent swell on the coast. It’s why this beach hosts numerous surf contests through the year, including Boardmasters in August, which draws surfers from all around the world to this corner of the south west.

Fistral is divided into three distinct sections – Fistral Beach, South Fistral and Little Fistral, a small, rocky cove that is only really visible at low tide. When the surf is cranking, look out to sea and at the north end of Fistral you’ll spot a reef called the Cribbar creating huge waves. Surfing the Cribbar is a rite of passage only the most experienced surfers attempt; with waves sometimes reaching 25 or even 30 feet high, it’s no surprise that the Cribbar has been nicknamed the Bone Cruncher and the Widow Maker.

Fistral is backed by steep sand dunes, giving it a remote feel that belies its location just a fifteen minute walk from the shops, restaurants and attractions of Newquay, one of Cornwall’s most well-known seaside resorts. At the north end of Fistral is a beach complex with all the coastal favourites on offer – an ice cream parlour, fish and chip shop, a relaxed coffee shop and a beach bar with big screens for sports, live music and a great view for a sundowner.

There are all kinds of ways to keep kids entertained in Newquay if a rainy day means the beach isn’t your first choice. The Blue Reef Aquarium has a giant ocean tank with an underwater tunnel; as you look up turtles, sharks and rays swim past above your head. There’s a zoo, indoor waterpark and steam railway, plus there are five separate beaches encircling the town, each with a unique feel and all with good facilities for families. With every street in Newquay filled with independent shops, cafes and restaurants, there’s always somewhere new to try.

Don’t be fooled by the hint of a Victorian façade of the hotel at Watergate Bay – this beach is arguably the most imaginative and contemporary coastal playground in Cornwall. Watergate Bay has always had a natural advantage – over two miles of sand backed by high cliffs make this stretch of coastline feel deliciously dramatic. The wide, gently sloping bay makes Watergate an ideal place for learning every kind of shoreline water sport; it also catches any swell, so if there are no waves at Watergate, you can be fairly confident that there are no waves anywhere in North Cornwall.

It’s not just the landscape that makes this beach such a must-see destination. Watergate Bay has been created with – and this might sound slightly incongruous – the best kind of ski resort in mind. It’s about combining the natural wonders outside with modern luxuries inside. You’ve got a chic hotel that seems to spill seamlessly onto the sand, five places to eat that span the range from an award-winning beach take-away, through the legendary Beach Hut restaurant to ,Watchful Mary, plus a sports school teaching everything from surfing and hand-planing to powerkiting and kitesurfing. Add in the beach shop and you can happily spend two weeks at Watergate Bay without ever needing your car keys; in a world where frantic travel seems to be a daily chore, this could be just what the doctor ordered.

Watergate Bay has a busy calendar of events, too, playing host to the unique Polo on the Beach weekend, music festivals and surf, kitesurf and Thundercat racing competitions. In the depths of winter, when other Cornish beaches are deserted, Watergate Bay is often still a hive of activity.

Dog friendly all year round, the bay is a magnet for walkers and lovers of the great outdoors with acres of sand giving you plenty of opportunity to find peace and relaxation, caves and rock pools to explore and great cliff walks in both directions. It’s a beach that offers you every facility you could want or lets you simply get away from it all and find some space all to yourself.

http://www.watergatebay.co.uk/

Falmouth has a very diverse shopping mix with high street names, surf shops and quirky craft and art galleries on every street. Near the National Maritime Museum on Discovery Quay you’ll find shops from the glossy and chic end of the spectrum; if you duck into the side streets you’ll come across tiny boutiques and one-off shops.

Falmouth is home to a well-respected art school and the town’s galleries and craft shops have a young feel; it’s a good place to see contemporary art and ceramics. Demelza’s Gallery focuses on Cornish artists and its aim is to offer affordable pieces from young artists. Original pieces might not be in the budget but the gallery offers good quality prints, fantastic sculptures and silk screen works that are much less expensive.

More bohemian is the Tyto Boutique and Gallery on the old High Street. Describing themselves as a ‘maverick little establishment’, Tyto is an eclectic hotchpotch of local crafts, vintage bits and bobs, clothes and shoes. It’s retail that defies description and won’t be pigeon-holed.

Willow and Stone is a blend of antique and reclaimed household items and vintage-styled gifts, home ware and garden paraphernalia. The range of doorknobs and cupboard handles alone is staggering. Great for retro lighting and quirky framed prints and there’s even an artist in residence selling original work.

There are countless places to grab a coffee in Falmouth but one of the best is the Courtyard Deli. This hidden treasure has a café and deli on the ground floor, with tables outside, while upstairs is the Arts Café, with exhibitions and performances from poets, musicians and comedians. At weekends the Courtyard stays open later and becomes a tapas bar. So much going on in such a compact space!

When you’ve had enough of retail and want to escape, decamp to one of Falmouth’s beaches. Just the other side of the town from the quay is Swanpool, complete with beach huts for a retro feel. The café here is a classic cute beach shack with decking out over the sand and if it’s ice cream you’re after, this is the place. The ‘Quirky Ice Creams’ here are standard cones turbo-charged with toppings like dark chocolate-coated ginger or coffee beans, amaretto liqueur swirls or jelly babies. That’s got to be worth the walk…

 

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Courtyard Deli
2 Bells Court, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3AZ, Tel. 01326 319526

Demelza’s Gallery
30 Church Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3EQ, Tel. 01326 316472

Willow and Stone
18 Arwenack Street, Falmouth Cornwall, TR11 3JD, Tel. 01326 311388

Swanpool Beach Café
Swanpool, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5BG, Tel. 01326 314740