Being a dog owner myself I know they are part of the family and one of the great things about Cornwall is that there are so many places that accept pets, not just accommodation and pubs and cafes but also some of the best attractions below.
Land’s End
You can’t come to Cornwall and not see Land’s End, this famous part of England is geared up for a great day out. Set against the beautiful coastal backdrop of Land’s End there is a range of seasonal attractions and events designed to keep everyone entertained throughout the spring, summer and autumn months. Fantastical family fun takes centre stage with games, face painting, performers and much more invading Land’s End, with fireworks lighting-up this famous landmark at dusk. There is also a 4D film experience called the Jolly Roger please book in advance if you can. The coastal path and landmark are permanently open. Shops and restaurants are open late into the evening and there are fireworks around 7pm. Land’s End is a dog friendly attraction, more good news for dog lovers.
The Seal Sanctuary
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is set in the picturesque Helford Estuary, by the beautiful village of Gweek, in Cornwall. The Sanctuary is a busy rescue centre, and also has resident Grey Seals, Common Seals, Patagonian & Californian Sea Lions, Penguins, Otters, Goats, Sheep and Ponies. Each season, the sanctuary rehabilitates over 70 seal pups that have been rescued for various reasons, from malnourishment to being separated from their mum. Today the Sanctuary has nursery pools, rehabilitation, convalescent and resident pools, and a specially designed hospital. You can visit all the different types of rescued seals and see them being fed. There are exhibitions on at certain times so check in advance before you go. The sanctuary is welcoming to well behaved dogs so you can even take your dog with you on your day out at the seal sanctuary. The sanctuary does fantastic work and it is an awesome place to share with the little ones.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is one of the most popular destinations in Cornwall both for tourists and locals. The Gardens are one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. The gardens are typical of the 19th century Gardenesque style with areas of different character and in different design styles. You can explore the amazing gardens for hours. There is also a lot of farmland and you can visit all kinds of animals, please see the website for feeding times and different animal exhibits. During the busier times for example school holidays they have many activities, where your children can do anything from crafts, to adventure play, to a silent disco and toasting marshmallows on a campfire. They also give the kids a trail to follow around the gardens to look out for different activities. It is a fantastic way to keep the kids entertained for a whole day and really get them immersed in nature. Heligan is also dog friendly so your furry friend doesn’t have to miss out either. There are a few different food outlets there and sometimes they do BBQ food in the warmer months but quite often we take a packed lunch and just have that and then treat the kids to an ice cream, this makes it quite a cost effective way to spend a whole day.
The Eden Project
Cornwall’s most popular and famous attraction, The Eden Project is truly unique and has something for everyone to enjoy. The Eden Project is nestled in a huge crater. There are 2 massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to the striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events. During peak times there are different exhibitions such as dinosaurs, and during winter months there is an ice rink for you to enjoy as well. The Eden Project has hosted some international superstars over the years such as Oasis, Lionel Richie, Motorhead and Amy Winehouse. Check out the Eden Sessions for a ticket to one of these evening gigs in a stunning location, it is truly magical watching a gig at Eden, highly recommended. Your whole family can learn all about the rainforest and different climates. There are some great local food outlets on site but feel free to bring a packed lunch if you prefer. This is an unmissable day out for all the family including your dogs as the Eden Project is a dog friendly location. For those more adventurous among you then check out the Zip Line. Soar above the Biomes on England’s longest and fastest zip wire covering 660 metres and travelling at speeds of up to 60mph. Book in advance to avoid missing out on this.
Lappa Valley Steam Railway
This valley is packed with fun and activities for everyone to enjoy. Catch the steam train from reception through to the valley and spend the day there enjoying what is on offer. There’s a wealth of family-friendly activities to enjoy. From the canoeing lake to the crazy golf course, from outdoor adventures to indoor play, from the musical trail to the woodland walks, there’s plenty of fun to be had on this 35-acre site. You can also take one of the swan boats out on the river. There is a wonderful fleet of steam engines at Lappa Valley, all with their own story and history behind them. These engines have been designed by some of the foremost railway engineers in the industry. There is also a café on site but I do see a lot of people take their own packed lunch so whatever suits you really. All well behaved dogs are welcome too so you really can bring the whole family. Look on their page for specific offers and deals as well as dates for their grandparents weekend and their fireworks display.
Flambards Theme Park
Flambards is the biggest theme park in Cornwall and is popular with kids of all ages as well as adults. They have many rides, some thrill rides and some more suitable for smaller children, their attractions include Hornet roller coaster, space race, thunderbolt and the log flume, they also have Jurassic Journey and Exploratorium. One of the other things Flambards is proud to have is a WW2 museum with a Blitz experience, they also have WW2 planes that you can see and climb into. So there really is something for all ages here at Flambards. Be sure to check ticket prices because there are deals to be had. You can sometimes get a voucher or a group ticket and save some money. Also in the summer they have firework displays in the evening which are very popular. Definitely worth checking before you come if Flambards is your thing. You will certainly have a full day out of fun here so we highly recommend Flambards.
