Where We Stayed
We rented a cottage in St Ives through a local agency, and it was perfect. Having our own kitchen meant we could prepare meals for the children and save money on eating out. The cottage had a small garden where the children could play safely, and it was only a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Day 1: Arrival and Beach Time
After the long drive from Manchester, we headed straight to Porthminster Beach. The children loved building sandcastles while we relaxed with a Cornish pasty (absolutely delicious!). The beach has excellent facilities including toilets and a café.
Day 2: St Michael's Mount
This was a highlight for the whole family. The children were fascinated by the castle on the island, and the walk across the causeway at low tide felt like a real adventure. We packed a picnic and spent the whole day exploring. The National Trust café serves excellent cream teas!
Day 3: The Eden Project
Even though it was a bit pricey, the Eden Project was worth every penny. The children were amazed by the rainforest biome, and the outdoor gardens kept them entertained for hours. The playground is fantastic, and there are plenty of places to rest when little legs get tired.
Day 4: Coastal Walk and Seal Watching
We drove to Porthcurno and did a gentle coastal walk. The children loved spotting seals in the water below. The walk is manageable for young children, and the views are spectacular. We ended the day with fish and chips in Penzance.
Day 5: Beach Day at Kynance Cove
This beach is absolutely stunning, but the walk down is quite steep. We took our time and the children managed it fine. The rock pools are incredible, and we spent hours exploring with nets and buckets. Pack plenty of water and snacks!
Day 6: Shopping in St Ives
A more relaxed day exploring the shops and galleries. The children enjoyed the pottery painting workshop at the Leach Pottery, and we picked up some lovely souvenirs. The harbour is perfect for watching boats and spotting seals.
Day 7: Last Beach Day
We returned to Porthminster Beach for our final day. The children wanted to try bodyboarding (rental boards available on the beach), and we all had a brilliant time in the waves.
Top Tips for Families
- Pack layers – Cornish weather can change quickly
- Book restaurants in advance, especially in peak season
- Bring buckets and nets for rock pooling
- Consider a roof box for all the beach gear!
- Download offline maps – mobile signal can be patchy
What We Would Do Differently
We would have stayed for two weeks instead of one – there is so much to see! Also, we would have booked the Minack Theatre in advance as we missed out on a show.
Cornwall exceeded all our expectations. The children are already asking when we can go back!
Rented Equipment Used
Below are the 2 rented items of equipment used in this trip for you to try yourself: Thule Touring 200 (Volvo OEM) – 400L Gloss Black Roof Box and Thule WingBar Edge Kit – Mazda 6 Saloon (2013-2017).
Let a Roof Box Hire live again!
