Our favourite things to do during half term
February is a great time to visit Cornwall. The days are getting longer and no matter what the weather has in store, there’s lots to see and do within a short drive of Crantock Bay.
Here are 10 of our favourite activities to enjoy with the family:
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Visit the beach
The only difficulty with visiting a beach is choosing which one – you will be spoiled for choice! Crantock beach is just minutes away from us and is perfect for surfing, walking, or just stopping to watch the waves.
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Newquay Discovery Trail
Pop into Newquay Information Centre to pick up a copy of the Newquay Discovery Trail for £2 and discover the secrets of Newquay’s past. There are two walks to follow, which take in the town’s main attractions. Along the trail you’ll find numbered slate discs embedded in the ground. Find the number on your map to discover fascinating facts about your location.
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Blue Reef Aquarium
There’s lots going on at Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium this half term. On 15 February you can meet a real life mermaid and across half term week the Aquarium is running ocean explorers to give you an insight into the fascinating creatures at the aquarium.
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Pirate’s Quest
Taking inspiration from the Mayflower voyage, Newquay’s Pirate’s Quest is a walk-through attraction that will take you on an adventure discovering ‘Pirates of the New World’. Calico Jack’s crew of live pirate performers will guide wannabe Jack Sparrow’s through authentic sets and scenes and introduce visitors to the real 17th century buccaneers. Pre-booking online is recommended.
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Cardinham Woods
Pack your wellies for a day outside in the stunning surroundings of Cardinham Woods. Just 35 minutes by car from Crantock Bay, the woods have four different walks and three cycling routes. Over February half term they also have a Shaun the Sheep Farmaggedon Glow Trail. Mobile signal is patchy at the woods, so download the App before you arrive. You can then buy an activity pack for £3.50 when you get there and follow the Trail and solve puzzles with Shaun the Sheep around the woods.
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Lanhydrock
You can find Lanhydrock half an hour away from us. Join the Lanhydrock National Trust Rangers on 16 February for a day packed with 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾. Make your own mud creation, cook on a campfire, find mini beasts in the Victorian swimming pool and much more around the estate. You can also grab a copy of the half term birds trail and follow it around the formal garden.
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National Lobster Hatchery
Become a mini marine biologist at the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow. Just 35 minutes by car, the National Lobster Hatchery is running drop-in sessions from 16-22 February between 11am and 3pm where you can meet the baby lobsters and get involved in some hands-on activities.
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Eden Project
The Eden Project is a must for any trip to Cornwall. Just 40 minutes away by car, this half term the Eden Project will be awash with colour, for “Colour Uncovered” – a week of creative activities exploring how art meets science in the incredible world of colour. Activities include mask making, marble painting and paper weaving. Follow the colour trail around the biomes, learn about how fabric dyes are made and investigate the natural world of colour in the Eden Project Lab.
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Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Falmouth is a great place to visit if the weather forces you indoors and it’s just a 40 minute drive from Crantock Bay. From 17 to 21 February, the Maritime Museum is running Science of the Sea, a live science show with everything from magical fog to exploding water. Also, on 16 February from 11am to 4pm, illustrator Becky Thorns will be celebrating the wonderful World of Whales to celebrate the launch of her new book.
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Snowdrop Sunday at Pencarrow House
Witness the first signs of spring with the beautiful snowdrops at Pencarrow House on 16 February from 10am to 4pm. This is a charity event with a suggested donation of £5 (cash only) going to CLEAR and Parkinson’s Research. Pencarrow House is a 40-minute drive from us.
