Cornwall is a beautiful destination in all seasons, offering spectacular views of the sea crashing against cliffs that truly feel like the place the world ends, quaint harbourside towns, and beach waters that look like liquid sapphires. A popular place to head in the summer, if you enjoy the quiet of the off-season, Cornwall is an idyllic destination for a winter road trip. The villages light up with holiday decorations, the snow transforms the landscape into an otherworldly vista, and there are plenty of activities from castle-hopping to storm watching to food foraging that your kids will love.
If you’re going on a road trip in the winter with the family, you want to ride in style and comfort. You’re going to need enough space for the kids, and all the stuff that comes with them, as well as a car that can handle the roads. If you’re not the type to sacrifice driving performance, you can get a great deal on a Dodge Challenger, which got a surprisingly family-friendly update in 2017 with all-wheel drive, better fuel economy, room for five, and a spacious trunk.
Once you’re in the right car, packed for the weekend and ready for the sights, here’s what should be on your To Do list in Cornwall.
Tintagel Castle
What better way to entertain the kids than a trip straight into King Arthur country? Tintagel Castle is rich with mythology, spanning the mainland and a rocky headland that juts out into the sea. Not only is it the place where Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed King Arthur was born, it also holds an important place in legends like Tristan and Iseult. If you kids love fantasy and adventure, show them the place where the legendary Arthur was born and first met the wizard Merlin.
Newquay Blue Reef Aquarium
As you drive down the coast toward Truro from Tintagel, you’ll pass through the town of Newquay, home to a stunning natural aquarium where your kids can learn about marine life from around the world. With forty natural habitats replicated, they can experience incredible sea creatures from around the world.
The South Coast
Gentler and more sheltered from Atlantic storms than the northern coast of Cornwall, the south coast is a quiet treat in the winter time and full of backroads and charming villages. Follow the tug of your heart to villages like St. Just-in-Roseland, RuanLanihorne, Polhendra, and the bustling town of Falmouth, with Pendennis Castle and some of the best food in Cornwall. Don’t miss the modern take on fish and chips from Falmouth’s Rick Stein’s Fish if you’re on a romantic getaway with your partner.
Food Foraging
The Lizard Peninsula offers a botanically diverse environment where you can take a half-day course on food foraging with an expert. Learn about the local plants, how to handle them, and their culinary and medical uses. Forage your own meal and feast on it at the end of the day!
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Cornwall is a deeply magical place, from its haunting Celtic place names to its stunning cliffs and castles. Your kids will love the fairy tale world of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a mysterious secret garden covering over 200 acres outside of Pentewan. You’ll find rich gardens and wild woodlands, including famous sculptures like The Giant’s Head and the Mud Maid. You will feel like you’ve transported to a place where fairies are real and legends come alive.
Cornwall is a land of magic and adventure and this winter it’s yours to discover. Take some time out this winter and enjoy one of the most mysterious parts of England.
Have you ever been?
Cornwall is somewhere that I have not had the chance to visit yet, we were booked to go there last year but our Daughter was too ill, and although we talked about going this year we have not had the chance to go, hopefully next year as it looks and sounds such a beautiful part of the country x
It is gorgeous, we hope you get a chance to visit! x
Cornwall is one of my favourite places and we are heading down next month, I cannot wait!
I’ve only been to Cornwall once and it was years ago. It’s definitely on my bucket list though! Interestingly, we’ve always thought of it as a summer destination but it looks like it could be great for winter. Maybe I can squeeze a long January weekend in!
The key word here is “off season”which is often the BEST time to see a fun place without the crowds.
Cornwall seems like a great place to visit!
I’ve never been to Cornwall but it’s been on my wishlist for ages as I want to explore the beautiful area although in my mind I’d love to go in the summer. It seems like there’s loads to do in the winter too though x