Top 9 things to do in South Cornwall

Glorious South Cornwall offers a wealth of unmissable attractions, with idyllic coves, pretty villages, a breathtaking coastline and some of the most famous gardens in the world, making it a popular destination for all ages. From the spectacular Eden Project, with its awe-inspiring rainforest biome, to the fun and games to be had at Cornwall’s Football Golf, there is something to suit everyone. Marvel at the magnificence of the hand-hewn Minack Theatre and soak up the semi-tropical sunshine on magical St Michael’s Mount.

For the ultimate family day out, visit the elegant Mount Edgcumbe House and Gardens, with its extensive parkland and onsite activities. Or, if you’re after a day of adventure, Adrenalin Quarry is unmissable for thrill seekers, with its zip wire, karting and coasteering. Alternatively, enjoy the calm and tranquillity of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Trelissick, two of South Cornwall’s loveliest gardens. 

Once you’re done reading, click on the button below to book one of our wonderful holiday cottages in South Cornwall and start counting down the days until your next getaway.

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1. Eden Project
2. Lost Gardens of Heligan
3. Adrenalin Quarry
4. Minack Theatre
5. St Michael’s Mount
6. Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary
7. Trelissick
8. Cornwall Football Golf
9. Mount Edgcumbe

1. Eden Project

Quite possibly Cornwall’s most famous attraction, the world-renowned Eden Project draws thousands of visitors every year. Its vast biomes are home to millions of plants and are widely regarded as the biggest greenhouses in the world. The larger, humid tropics biome transports you to another world, where you can experience life in a rainforest. See cacao and coffee beans growing and learn about how coffee and chocolate are made. Walk through the warm, lush landscape and take in the magnificent view of the biome from the height of the rainforest canopy walkway. 

The second biome is home to a warm and dry Mediterranean setting, with plants from California, South Africa and Australia, such as giant cacti, colourful bougainvillaea and fragrant citrus trees. 

The gardens around the biomes are also fabulous, with over 20 hectares to explore, featuring a large, natural adventure playground for youngsters, colourful flower borders, interesting crop areas and fascinating garden sculptures. Those seeking an adrenalin rush will want to book the zipwire – the fastest in the UK – where for 30 seconds you can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.

2. The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The restoration work on these beautiful gardens began in the 1990s after years of neglect that dated back to the Second World War. Today, Heligan is famed for its beautiful gardens, including the elegant and romantic Pleasure Grounds, the extensive Productive Garden, where fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown throughout the year, and the dramatic Jungle – home to towering palms, giant rhubarb, banana plantations and other exotic plants. 

Covering an area of over 200 acres, Heligan is a wonderful destination for the whole family. Highlights include the treetop rope bridge that offers breathtaking views of the Jungle, the stunning collection of camellias and rhododendrons that burst into colour every spring – some of which are over 150 years old – and the beautiful sculpture in the ancient woodland. To keep your energy levels high, visit the Heligan Kitchen, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or a light snack during the day. 

3. Adrenalin Quarry

Photo credit: Adrenalin Quarry

For a day of action and adventure, Adrenalin Quarry is the ideal destination. This flooded quarry is home to a huge aquapark, a 50-metre high zip wire that is almost half a kilometre long, and an all-weather go-karting track. There are also opportunities to try out coasteering and axe-throwing, and for the real thrill seekers, the giant swing is the ultimate adrenalin rush.

The aquapark is open to anyone over the age of six, so is ideal for letting little ones let off steam. All participants must wear life jackets and there are staff on the aquapark, on hand should anyone have a problem. Wetsuits are also provided out of the summer season. 

When the Cornish sunshine lets you down, there is still fun to be had on the karting track, which has age-appropriate tracks and karts for everyone. Equally, the adrenalin rush of the zip wire is available to all ages – if you have the stomach for it! Enjoy the hair-raising experience of shooting down the wire at up to 40 miles per hour!

4. Minack Theatre

This world-famous outdoor theatre is a must-visit for anyone in this part of Cornwall. The brainchild of one Rowena Cade, a builder and artist who moved to Cornwall from Cheltenham in the 1920s, the Minack Theatre was lovingly hand-built by Cade and her helpers on the cliffside below her home. The theatre hosts performances ranging from Shakespeare and opera to productions by local schools and artists. 

Outside performance times, it is open to visitors who can come and enjoy the breathtaking views, go on a guided tour, and stroll around the subtropical garden, home to some spectacular species usually native to the warmer climes of South Africa and South America. Note that you must book admission times in advance. Be sure to round off your visit with a visit to the cafe for a drink or a bite to eat.

5. St Michael's Mount

St Michael's Mount is an iconic island located just off the coast of Marazion and is managed jointly by the National Trust and the St Aubyn family who still live in the castle today. Home to around 30 people who travel to the mainland for school and work, the island is accessible by a cobbled causeway that you can walk across at low tide. 

The picturesque harbour is lined by a handful of cottages, overlooked by the impressive castle which is open to visitors in the summer months. Amongst other things, look out for the sofa where Queen Victoria sat, a piece of Napoleon’s coat worn at the battle of Waterloo and a clock that, importantly, tells you both the time of the tide and the time of the day.

Encircling the castle are some breathtaking gardens, planted on the dramatic rocky terraces of the island. The steep and narrow paths enable you to immerse yourself among the spectacular aloes and agave that flourish in the semi-tropical microclimate created by the rock and its location.

6. Wild Futures' Monkey Sanctuary

Established in 1964 as a sanctuary for woolly monkeys rescued from the pet trade, the Wild Futures' Monkey Sanctuary is now home to several different breeds of primate, including capuchins, marmosets, Barbary macaques and long-tailed macaques, all of which have been rescued from sad circumstances. The centre offers visitors the chance to see the monkeys in their environment and speak to the carers to discover more about the work the sanctuary does. 

Outside the sanctuary is a beautiful wildlife garden, located on a south-facing hillside with views over Looe Bay, where there are also trails and games for younger visitors to enjoy as well as the wild play area for letting off steam. Drinks and cakes are available in the tearoom, and the onsite shop stocks toys, clothing and a range of gifts, all of which have been produced to ethical standards.

7. Trelissick

Originally built in 1824, Trelissick is a delightful National Trust property which has a fascinating history, having been in the ownership of several different families over the decades, each of which has added to the original building, culminating in the house as it stands today.

Sold to the National Trust in 1955, the property was however still used by its owners as a home until 2012. Today, visitors can enjoy access to the beautiful woodland garden, with stunning views over the River Fal, the wider countryside estate that reaches down to the river and includes an Iron Age fort, and the house itself, where you can enjoy a cup of tea in the house tearoom and browse the small collection of items on display. There is also a gift shop and a second-hand bookshop. 

8. Cornwall Football Golf Park

If you’re after some outdoor entertainment, Cornwall Football Golf is great fun, and suitable for families or groups of friends from age five upwards. Like golf but played by kicking a ball instead of hitting a golf ball, the aim of the game is to get around one of the two 18-hole courses (or both!) on the site. One course is largely level and straightforward – more like a regular course. The other is on the hillside and involves negotiating various obstacles to get the ball in the hole. When you’ve completed the course, head to the cafe and bar, humorously named the 19^th Hole, for something to eat or a pint in the sunshine. 

9. Mount Edgcumbe

A grand Tudor country home, Mount Edgcumbe is located on a peninsula overlooking the Tamar estuary on the border of Cornwall and Devon, and was built in 1550. Originally home to the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe, it was sold to Cornwall and Plymouth councils jointly in 1971. Today it offers a fantastic day out with something for the whole family. Explore the historic house and admire stunning tapestries and works of art by the likes of Sir Joshua Reynolds and Willem van der Velde before taking a stroll around the inspiring gardens, from the formal French and Italian gardens to the dramatic New Zealand garden. 

In addition to the house and garden, there are various other activities on offer, guaranteed to fill an entire day. A miniature railway operates in the Lower Park at Edgcumbe, with both diesel and steam locomotives running. There is also a disc golf course, the option to take an alpaca for a walk around the 865-acre park, or even hire bikes to explore the grounds. There is a choice of several restaurants and eateries at Edgcumbe, along with a handful of gift shops selling locally made arts and crafts. 

Things to do in South Cornwall map

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