The best free family friendly attractions in Cornwall to visit in 2024

Type: Mining attraction
Suitable for: History buffs, walkers and photographers
Location: Tin Coast, near St Just and not far from Penzance

The National Trust managed Tin Coast is a must for anyone interested in Cornwall’s storied industrial past… Or indeed any fans of Poldark. The landscape and coast is strewn with old mine workings and you can even go into the mines at nearby Levant and Geevor (entrance fee required). But the jewel in the Tin crown is Botallack. Nestled precariously on a headland above the water, its one of Cornwall’s most photographed sites, and yep, you can wander around all the majesty for free!

Type: Natural and manmade swimming pool attraction
Suitable for: Wild swimmers
Location: Summerleaze Beach, Bude

Bude’s very own Lido is a part natural part man-made tidal swimming pool or lido. You may ask us, why on earth would I want to swim in a pool when the big blue’s right there over the adjacent Summerleaze Beach? Well the sea pool was made in the 1930s to provide safe swimming even if the currents and waves out to sea mean its not safe to do so there. Plus there’s an unbeatably friendly atmosphere at the pool. The proper stuff of seaside summers!

Type: History and nature attraction
Suitable for: All the family
Location: Cape Cornwall Road, just outside St Just, near Penzance

Cape Cornwall is a tiny headland that juts out into the sea at the far western reaches of Cornwall. The top of the pint sized cape which houses an old tin mine chimney which has provided a point of navigation for passing ships since the mine ceased working in the 1880’s. These days its a gorgeous and remote little spot which is a haven for wildlife and is cared for by the National Trust.

Type: Historical attraction
Suitable for: History buffs and fans of dramatic architecture
Location: Atop Carn Brea, near Carnkie, Redruth

To our mind Carn Brea Castle is one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. Well, not so hidden perhaps given that it sits atop Carn Brea which looms over the Wild West towns of Redruth, Camborne and St Ives. Nowadays a restaurant, the castle is fantasy architecture at its finest… No one would be surprised is Rapunzel threw her locks out of one of the windows. Of course the nosh isn’t free, but we recommend taking the time to walk around the castle and take in the elevated views over the northern shores of Cornwall from on high. After looking around the castle be sure to visit the 90ft Basset Monument a stone’s throw away. There’s scant parking on top of Carn Brea, but if you have the energy you should walk the short distance from Basset mine workings as recommended by us here.

Type: Seascape and clifftop attraction
Suitable for: Geology fans and walkers
Location: Just outside of Bedruthan, near Newquay

Legend has it that there was once a giant called Bedruthan who used the enormous rock stacks that line a section of the north Cornish coast near Mawgan Porth and Newquay as stepping stones. Whilst the lore surrounding this place can be called into question, a visit here to enjoy the clifftop walks and the beauty of the scenery cannot.

Type: Animal attraction
Suitable for: Donkey lovers
Location: Trenoweth Lane, Mabe, just outside of Falmouth

Just outside of Falmouth there’s a special place that’s home to more than a hundred rescued donkeys and a handful of ponies. They’re all characters in there own right, and for many people getting up close and personal with these four-legged friends is a highlight of their trip to the area. The sanctuary’s doors are open to visitors for free, although we’d encourage you to donate during your visit or at least put your hand in your pocket to taste one of the sweet treats in the fab onsite café!

Type: Historical mining attraction with play zones
Suitable for: Everyone
Location: Dudnance Lane, Pool, near Redruth

Heartland’s located between Camborne and Redruth sits on the former grounds of one of Cornwall’s most famous mines, South Crofty. Billed as a centre of Cornish Heritage the brilliantly designed site has something for everyone. From a stroll around the old buildings and heritage exhibition to check out the industrial architecture, to a wander through the serene ‘Diaspora Gardens’, or to a play session in the mammoth outdoor children’s park there’s plenty to do for free at Heartlands. There are of course also paid options onsite including a lovely café and ‘Wheal Play’, the indoor soft play centre.

Type: Major attraction
Suitable for: All the family
Location: Land’s End, Sennen, near Porthcurno and Penzance

You’ll be pleased to learn that venturing to the very western tip of England will not break the bank. You’ll have to pay to stand next to the famous sign and to visit the neighbouring Greeb Farm, but entrance to the Land’s End site itself which includes access to those amazing views, plus some great playparks for the kids is all free. Parking at the Landmark requires a fee, but for those willing to walk there’s a great romp from neighbouring Sennen which’ll save a few pennies.

Type: Geographic and scenic attraction
Suitable for: Nature lovers, photographers and people heading south for the winter
Location: Lizard Point, just south of Lizard Village and the end of the A3083

Go on Cornwall… Spoil us with another of your geographic one offs! If staring out to sea at Land’s End, England’s most westerly point wasn’t enough, how’s about venturing to Great Britain’s most southerly spot! Lizard Point is home to great views, walks, oh and a sign that you can stand next to for free!

Type: Legendary cave
Suitable for: Anyone that can climb down the steep steps
Location: Beneath Tintagel Castle, Castle Road

Tintagel is full of Arthurian legends, one of which is that Merlin lived in a cave underneath Tintagel Castle. It’s free to climb down the steep steps next to the castle to visit Merlin’s cave and Tintagel beach, and whilst entry to castle itself requires a fee, you can see much of the old ruins from the clifftops around the rocky outcrop.

Type: Sea life attraction
Suitable for: Budding Jules Vernes
Location: Inner Harbour, Polkirt Hill, Mevagissey

We love this bijous education centre of all things aquatic. Bridging a link between Mevagissey’s famed fishing industry and the life that lives beneath the surface of local waters the famous old harbour’s mini aquarium is well worth a visit. It’s free, but donations are encouraged.

Type: Cornish social history museum
Suitable for: Local history buffs
Location: Helston

The Museum of Cornish Life in Helston is an absolute must for anyone with even a passing interest in the history and culture of the Duchy. You’ll leave with a strong vision of the impact that the people of Cornwall have had across the region, and indeed the world though a collection of exhibits that focus on culture, archaeology and interesting artefacts.

Type: Major museum
Suitable for: History fans
Location: Truro

The Duchy’s biggest museum and the only one with a royal title, Cornwall’s historical behemoth is 200 years old, owns more than 300,000 heritage objects that cover Cornwall’s history, heritage and culture and is home to a rolling calendar of events, exhibits and activities that make even repeated trips here a rewarding experience.

Type: Seascape and mining area
Suitable for: Hikers, historians… And hiking historians
Location: Near Perranporth and Portreath

The towering clifftops at St Agnes head are some of Cornwall’s highest. The views from the head, whilst vertigo inducing, are nothing short of spectacular, and walks up and down the coast here to places like Chapel Porth or Portreath take in some particularly scenic coastal mine workings.

Type: Historical attraction
Suitable for: History buffs
Location: St Catherine’s Cove, Fowey

There’s some wonderful Tudor forts, not least Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle, dotted along the coast that hark back to the days when Henry VIII was worried about invasions from France and Spain. There’s also St Catherine’s Castle which can be visited for free and protects a the picturesque entrance to Fowey harbour.