Katherine, mum of two, shares memories from a family holiday to Cornwall that took in everything from cycling the Camel Trail to a full day exploring the Eden Project.
We ventured to Cornwall one summer as a family of four: Mum, Dad, and two kids aged 4 and 1.
The trip from the north west down to Rosslare was a good four to five hour drive, so we opted for an early morning ferry and stayed overnight in Whites of Wexford beforehand, which we’d thoroughly recommend. Their Library Bar has great food, there’s a lovely pool for a swim, and it’s not far from the hotel into Wexford Town for an evening walk. A big thumbs up from us.
Ferry from Ireland to England
We took the ferry first thing that morning, which worked really well. The kids ran around, the staff were helpful, and there was a great play area with interactive screens, a soft play zone and a video playing, plus seating right beside it so we could keep an eye on them. Travelling by car meant we could bring our own snacks and toys on board too — no luggage allowance worries there.
We sailed to Fishguard, about a three hour crossing, arriving in Wales before lunch. We drove for a little while and stopped for a bite to eat, then it was nap time for the youngest, which let us cover a good chunk of the journey to Cornwall in one go. The older one dozed a little and watched a DVD. Myself and himself swapped driving halfway too, so it was all very manageable.
Higher Lank Farm in Bodmin
We stayed in Higher Lank Farm, located on Bodmin Moor at the top of Cornwall. They offer farm holidays designed with families, babies and toddlers in mind. We teamed up with good friends who have small ones the same age and booked one of the self-catering Nursery Rhyme Barns between us, which made it very affordable. They also do B&B, and we met a family from Cork staying there at the same time.
I cannot recommend Higher Lank Farm enough. It was wonderful. The barn we stayed in was comfortable and had everything you need for small kids: high chairs, cots, changing tables, stair gates, small cutlery, small crockery, toys, books and more.
Outside there’s plenty for them to play with too — play houses, sandpits, bikes, swings, a slide and more. Best of all, every morning you can join the farmer and feed all the animals. There’s egg collecting, giving lambs their bottles, feeding the goats leaves, and feeding the hens, chicks, ducks and pigs. The kids absolutely loved it. Don’t forget the wellies!
Then you have the rest of the day to explore Cornwall — and explore we did.
The Camel Trail
We were near one end of The Camel Trail, an 18 mile recreational multi-use trail.
A particular highlight was hiring bikes and cycling from Padstow to Wadebridge and back. You can hire all sorts of combinations — big bikes, small bikes, tandems, baby seats, toddler seats, tag-alongs — and we chose two ordinary bikes with a two-seater child trailer on one.
We loved it. What a great day out.
Cornwall Beaches
We also hit the beaches, of which there are many, and indulged in a few cream teas along the way. The villages are so quaint, they’re just lovely to walk around.
Other Family Friendly Things to Do in Cornwall
- We took a day trip to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth on a wet day and whiled away a few hours.
- We had a nice spin down to Land’s End, where we got the obligatory photo with the signpost.
- We visited the Minack Theatre, which is simply stunning. We happened to pick a week when school tours had booked it out, so we couldn’t catch a show — maybe next time.
- The Lappa Valley Railway was another lovely day out.
The Eden Project
The Eden Project was fabulous too — a really amazing place to visit. We spent the whole day there and enjoyed every minute.
There are also plenty of leisure parks and adventure parks nearby, so you really won’t be at a loss for things to do. We felt we could go back and have an entirely different holiday all over again. As we were self-catering, we chose some days to eat out, some to cook, and always had the option of a picnic, so food costs stayed manageable. We even arranged a supermarket delivery so shopping was waiting for us in the barn when we arrived.
The Journey Home
We left Cornwall at 6am and kept going until we were back in our own beds late that night. It’s a long journey from England home, but the kids were great. Roughly a four hour drive to the boat, a three hour sail, and four and a half hours on the other side. Once you factor in check-in time, toilet breaks and meals, it’s very doable in one long day of travel.
We’ll definitely go back. Here are our final tips:
- Do get a roof box for extra space and storage.
- Do have in-car entertainment.
- Do have a sat nav and save yourselves any map arguments.
- Do bring plenty of car-friendly snacks.
FAQs
Is Cornwall a good destination for a family holiday with young kids?
Yes. Cornwall combines outdoor activities like beaches and cycle trails with attractions such as the Eden Project, plus plenty of self-catering options set up for families with babies and toddlers.
How do you get to Cornwall from Ireland?
One option is to take a ferry from Ireland to Fishguard in Wales, then drive on to Cornwall. Journey times will vary depending on your route, the crossing you choose and traffic, so it’s worth checking current ferry schedules and driving times when planning.
What can you do on the Camel Trail?
The Camel Trail is an 18 mile multi-use trail in Cornwall, popular for family cycling. Bike hire companies in the area offer a range of options including trailers and tag-alongs, making it accessible even with very young children.
Is the Eden Project suitable for young children?
Many families with young children visit and spend a full day there, though it’s worth checking the Eden Project’s own website for current facilities and accessibility information before you go.
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