What to do on a rainy day…
Barbara Hepworth Museum—Visit the Barbara Hepworth Museum also in the centre of St. Ives. Garden only. March to October– Open every day 10.00 am – 5.20pm
November to February Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am— 4.20pm or dusk whichever is sooner. www.tate.org.uk
The National Maritime Museum at Falmouth—Housed in an award winning building on the Falmouth harbour-side, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall transports you into the world of small boats and Cornish maritime history. The views from the restaurant are superb and the restaurant very kindly provide each table with a pair of binoculars to see for yourself! See reception for a discounted tickets. 01326 313388 Open 7 days a week, 10.00 am -5.00 pm. www.nmmc.co.uk
Eden Project—Hopefully you have heard about this fantastic project, it gets better each year so if you have been before, there would still be more new attractions that you have not seen. You can obtain tickets from Reception, this will save you valuable sightseeing time in not having to queue to get it. Gift aid your ticket and receive a year’s membership for free. Winter ice skating is definitely worth a trip! Open 9.30 to 6pm www.edenproject.com
Poldark Tin Mine– Wendron 2 miles from Helston on the B3297 to Redruth. 10 am—5.30 pm. Cornish beam engine. Museum. Guided mine tours. Narrow low tunnels. Craft activities. Café. Jewellery workshop. Falconry display. 01326 573173. Open April—October. Closed on Saturday except during school summer holiday. www.poldarkmine.org.uk
Cornwall’s Industrial Discovery Centre- Cornish mines and engines at Pool- (National Trust). Open 2nd April– 27 October– and after that for winter opening call 01209 315027. Open10.00 am -5.00 pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-pool-mine
Helston Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool– Just beyond Tesco go over the roundabout towards Redruth and turn left at Water-ma-Trout industrial estate, turn left to Helston School then first right to the leisure centre. Open 6.30am until 10pm 01326 563320 www.tempusleisure.org.uk/helston-sports-centre
Ships and Castles– leisure pool at Falmouth with wave machine, river run and long slide. A large glass building above the docks in Falmouth travelling out towards the beaches. 01326 212129 www.tempusleisure.org.uk/ships-castles-leisure-centre
Mullion Meadows Craft Centre, home of Trenance chocolate factory. Watch chocolates being made. Open daily 10.30am - 5.00pm. Coffee shop. Free car park. Disabled access.
www.the-chocolatefactory.co.uk
Flambards– Our local theme park, although a lot of outdoor rides, plenty of attractions inside. Includes the Victorian village and Britain in the Blitz exhibition and there is also lots of aviation memorabilia. www.flambards.co.uk
Pendennis and St Mawes Castles- English Heritage –Falmouth. Castles open daily (except Christmas day, Boxing day and New Year’s Day) Opening hours 1st April– 30th Sept Daily however Pendennis may close for 1 hour on Saturday lunchtime and St Mawes at 4pm on Friday or Saturdays if there is a private event booked. Call for winter opening times. St Mawes is accessible by road via the King Harry ferry or passenger ferry from Falmouth. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-mawes-castle
Paradise Park/ Jungle Barn - Hayle. Bird park with various breed of tropical birds and small animals, with various displays throughout the day. If its rainy however there is a huge soft play area great for the kids and with a little coffee shop and reading material for the parents. Let them go mad while you relax. Adults are encouraged to play on the massive slides and adventure courses. In the winter it is possible to pay for only the Jungle barn. During summer months you pay for the park and barn together. Open every day from 10.00– 17.30 (last admission may vary to the park due to daylight) Call for prices for the Jungle barn. www.paradisepark.org.uk
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum– A museum located in the small coastal village of Porthcurno is the point at which many submarine telegraph cables — transatlantic and to other locations — came ashore. At the outbreak of World War II, the existing surface installations were thought to be far too vulnerable to attack, and in 1941, miners were employed to cut tunnels into the solid granite of the valley's hillside to house the telegraphic equipment. The museum was started by former employees of Cable and Wireless, and is now located in the tunnels, after receiving a grant from the National Lottery Fund. The museum has displays showing the history of submarine cable-laying ships and telegraphy, and has a variety of still-working equipment. Plenty of children's activities as well as tours through the tunnels . Allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours for visit. Open Daily Easter to November. November onwards Saturday, Sunday and Monday only. www.telegraphmuseum.org
Penlee House Collection– A Victorian house containing Penzance’s town council art collection and photographic archives of Cornwall 1860 - 1960. Set within attractive parkland and with a lovely little coffee shop. Open Monday to Saturday May—Sept 10.00-17.00, October—April 10.30-16.30 including Bank Holidays except Christmas. Saturdays free to everyone. www.penleehouse.org.uk/collections
Helston Town Museum– The largest folk museum in the south west. Housed over two floors, based around the lives of people in and around Helston and the Lizard. Free entry to all, on Saturdays. Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm. www.helstonmuseum.co.uk
Royal Cornwall Museum– In Truro town centre. The museum holds collections of Cornish and European archaeology and social history, as well as world cultures. The fine and decorative art collections hold work by Cornish artists, designers and makers but also contain significant works by nationally and internationally important artists from other parts of the world. www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk
Helston and Redruth Cinemas– Ask at reception and we will find current films and times for you.
The Lizard lighthouse built in 1771. Lighthouse Tours. 01326 290202.
www.trinityhouse.co.uk
Country Skittles, Townshend, Hayle 01736 850209 Phone for opening times. Booking is strongly advisable during busy periods. Four 9-pin bowling lanes. Lots of great games. Fantastic family fun. Restaurant. Bar. www.countryskittles.com
Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay 01637 878134. Open daily from 10.00 am. Café. Gift shop. www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk/newquay
Cornwall’s Treasure Park - Free entry - Panning for gold and gems. Handmade jewellery and gifts. International exhibits. Café - Tolgus Tin and the haunted mine 4D ride. Open all year. Daily 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Sunday 10.30 am to 4.30 pm www.cornwall-gold.com