Cornwall Living
Beyond the beach
Words by Jamie Crocker
Discovering some of Cornwall’s finest attractions.
Here we explore other ways to engage with what the county has to offer, from adrenaline-filled zip wiring to places that make us question our received view of this country’s history, all providing an alternative source of engagement to what nature has already gifted.
The Eden Project
In its 25th year, the Eden Project continues to draw visitors as a focal point of regeneration interest, though it resists traditional definition, underscoring it as a place of thought-provoking engagement. Set within a former clay pit, its vast biomes house the humid tropics and the Mediterranean, each illustrating how climate shapes cultivation, pollination and consequently daily life. What began as an innovative and improbable intervention has matured into something more probing: part experiment, part provocation. Exhibitions explore food, materials and the systems that sustain them, inviting not just passive observation but reflection upon what lies ahead for all of us. Families can find space to roam freely, dine on regional produce, while those with a keener interest in environmental practice will appreciate the depth of interpretation with ongoing work in education and regeneration. It remains one of Cornwall’s most compelling and thought-provoking destinations.
Beyond the biomes, Hangloose at Eden adds an adrenaline-fuelled twist, offering high ropes, a zip wire and the UK’s highest giant swing above the iconic site. It is a place that captures both the imagination and the spirit of modern Cornwall, making it an unmissable day out for visitors of all ages, with panoramic views across Cornwall’s coast and countryside, reinforcing the site’s status as a landmark attraction.
www.edenproject.com | www.hanglooseadventure.com
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo can be enjoyed as a whole day out for all the family, mixing conservation and education, set within sub-tropical gardens, a short walk from the town centre. Operated by Libéma since January 2026, marking an exciting new phase of development for habitats and visitor experience, it houses species from across the globe, with an emphasis on threatened animals and carefully designed enclosures that reflect their natural environments. Visitors can move at their own pace between habitats, encountering lemurs, red pandas, penguins and big cats, alongside reptiles and birds.
Talks and feeding sessions offer clear, informative insight into animal behaviour and the pressures facing wildlife, while younger visitors are well served by play areas and interactive exhibits that strengthen the zoo’s educational aims. Every ticket sold contributes to conservation projects in the UK and overseas, giving the visitor a sense of purpose that goes beyond leisure, resulting in a lasting impression in the knowledge that they have contributed to conservation and animal welfare.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek cares for injured grey seal pups (around 70 each year) from around the Cornish coast, offering rehabilitation with the aim of release back to the wild when possible. Operated by the Sea Life Trust, it combines rescue work with public access, allowing visitors to follow each animal’s progress through treatment pools and recovery areas.
Talks and feeding sessions explain diet, behaviour and the threats posed by plastic and fishing tackle, with an emphasis on rehabilitation and conservation. Woodland paths link enclosures for resident seals, sea lions, penguins and farm animals, giving a varied, well-paced route for families. Admission supports the ongoing rescue programme, and each season brings new arrivals, making return visits worthwhile for those interested in coastal wildlife and responsible tourism.
www.sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org
Bodmin Jail Attraction
If you fancy something a bit macabre, then the Bodmin Jail Attraction is for you! This former Georgian prison has been reworked into a detailed visitor experience that draws directly on its 18th- and 19th-century records. Built in 1779, the jail once held debtors, petty criminals and those awaiting transportation, and its restored wings now house immersive exhibits that follow real inmates through arrest, trial and punishment.
Digital installations, projection and sound design have been incorporated into the experience, lifting it above the usual museum visit. There are also tours led by knowledgeable heritage guides, where you’ll be taken through key areas of the jail as they bring its past to life with historical insight via powerful storytelling, tracing stories of incarceration alongside wider Cornish history. The on-site restaurant and bar complete the scene. For those interested in social history, law and the mechanics of justice, it offers an interestingly different but informative day out in Cornwall.
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Based in Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall lays out the county’s seafaring past. Leading off from the main atrium, which has an array of seagoing craft to inspect, galleries incorporate local boat building to global exploration, supported by working displays and regularly changing exhibitions that keep the experience dynamic. The Tidal Zone and The Lookout offer a chance to witness the ebb and flow of the tide as well as the workings of the estuary and docks. To keep you energised during your visit, there is a café that benefits from views across the harbour as well as a gift shop selling locally sourced maritime gifts that will remind you of your visit. For those who want to add more depth to their visit, there is a programme of lectures and films throughout the year. It is a museum that treats maritime history as a living subject, relevant to Cornwall’s past and present, making it definitely worth a visit.
The Story of Emily
Step into the life and legacy of Emily Hobhouse at this beautifully restored attraction in
St Ive, near Liskeard, where two worlds are set deliberately in contrast. Begin in the original Rectory, where her parochial Victorian Cornish upbringing is evoked with reverential intimacy, revealing the expectations and domestic certainty of her early life in rural Cornwall. From there, move into the War Rooms, a striking counterpoint that transports you far from St Ive to the turmoil of South Africa and the Boer War.
In this immersive space, each room builds the narrative of conflict and conscience, with installations that draw you deeper into the realities she confronted and the moral journey she undertook. The experience is both atmospheric and thought-provoking, shifting perspective as it unfolds. Conclude your visit with South African-inspired dishes in the welcoming on-site restaurant, a fitting echo of the story you’ve just travelled through.
Land’s End
At Land’s End, the westernmost point of mainland Cornwall, visitors encounter a striking segregation between granite cliffs and Atlantic waters, carefully shaped into a well-organised visitor destination. The site brings together a variety of exhibitions and experiences alongside the familiar signpost that continues to draw attention for photographs and reference points.
Walking routes follow the headland, opening out onto broad coastal views and frequent wildlife sightings, while family attractions and seasonal events add variety throughout the year. On-site cafés and food outlets offer refreshment stops, with retail spaces supporting regional producers. Clear viewpoints extend towards the Isles of Scilly on good days, reinforcing the scale of the setting. It remains a lively, accessible destination that ticks at least one box on most people’s bucket list.