Cornwall's unpredictable weather can disrupt plans for sunny coastal holidays, but indoor attractions offer excellent alternatives. From historic mines to art galleries, the county provides family-friendly options to ensure enjoyable days despite the rain.
Near Penzance, Geevor Tin Mine offers a museum and underground tour suitable for all ages. On Bodmin Moor, Carnglaze Caverns features self-guided tours of three caverns and a turquoise subterranean lake. The Eden Project's giant biomes house Mediterranean and tropical rainforest environments, with indoor education centres.
Art enthusiasts can visit Tate St Ives, which is child-friendly and includes activities to engage young visitors. The Barbara Hepworth Museum in St Ives also has an indoor collection. For entertainment, The Regal in Wadebridge and The Plaza in Truro show films and live theatre broadcasts.
Cornwall's coffee scene includes local roaster Origin, Electric Bakery in Bude, and 108 in Truro. Wildlife attractions like Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium feature loggerhead turtles and reef sharks, while the Cornish Seal Sanctuary near Gweek allows close encounters with rescued seals.
Museums such as the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth and Bodmin Jail offer historical insights. The Telegraph Museum in Porthcurno explores undersea cables, and the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle covers folk magic and European witchcraft.
