Summer in Cornwall is pure magic—golden beaches, vibrant towns, delicious food, and a laid-back coastal vibe that keeps families returning year after year. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another Cornish escape, there’s no shortage of things to do with kids, teens, or even just grown-ups who want to feel like kids again.
Here’s our ultimate guide to Summer Holiday activities in Cornwall for 2025, featuring outdoor adventures, cultural gems, beach days, and a few hidden gems our guests always love.
🏖️ 1. Classic Beach Days (and Evenings!)
No Cornish summer is complete without long, lazy days on the sand. From early-morning rock pooling to late-night BBQs with salty hair and sandy toes, Cornwall’s beaches offer something for everyone.
Top beaches near our properties:
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Porthminster Beach, St Ives – Calm waters, paddleboard hire & a brilliant café
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Praa Sands – Long, sandy, and ideal for bodyboarding
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Gwithian Towans – Wild and beautiful, great for surfing
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Porthcurno – Postcard-perfect with turquoise sea and soft sand
💡Top tip: Book a surf lesson or try paddleboarding with local schools like St Ives Surf School or Smart Surf School at Sennen.
🎨 2. Creative Workshops & Rainy Day Fun
It wouldn’t be a British summer without the occasional rain shower, but there’s plenty to do indoors too!
Our favourite indoor activities:
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Tate St Ives – Family-friendly art exhibitions and creative ‘Tate Create’ sessions
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CoCo Kitchen, St Ives – Hands-on chocolate workshops (and yes, you eat what you make!)
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St Ives Pottery at the Drill Hall – Make your own pottery keepsake
📍 Perfect for kids, teens, and adults who love to get stuck in.
🐠 3. Wildlife Watching & Boat Trips
Explore Cornwall’s marine life up close with a boat trip from St Ives Harbour or Penzance. You might spot seals, dolphins, basking sharks, and seabirds as you cruise the coast.
Top picks:
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Seal Island trips from St Ives
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Marine Discovery Penzance – Wildlife tours on a sailing catamaran
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Glass bottom boat tours – Great for little ones!
🐬 Eco tip: Choose trips that prioritise wildlife welfare and environmental sustainability.
🏰 4. Family Attractions with a Twist
Cornwall is packed with attractions that go beyond the typical tourist spots.
Highlights for 2025:
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Paradise Park, Hayle – Perfect for younger children, with birds, a jungle barn and gardens
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Trewidden Gardens & Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens – Relaxed pace, stunning backdrops
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The Minack Theatre – Watch a family-friendly play at sunset on an open-air cliffside stage
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Telegraph Museum, Porthcurno – Surprisingly fascinating for all ages
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Geevor Tin Mine – Go underground and explore Cornwall’s mining heritage
🍦 5. Coastal Walks & Ice Cream Stops
Burn off some energy with a cliff-top walk or coastal trail, there’s no better way to take in Cornwall’s wild beauty. Many routes are pushchair-friendly and suitable for younger kids (and dogs too!).
Favourite family-friendly walks:
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St Ives to Carbis Bay – A gentle 30-minute stroll with sea views
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Marazion to Penzance – Flat and perfect for bikes or scooters
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The South West Coast Path to Zennor – More adventurous with breathtaking views
🌿 Reward yourself with a scoop from Moomaid of Zennor or Roskilly’s Ice Cream, two Cornish icons.
🎭 6. Festivals, Markets & Events
Cornwall is full of life in the summer, with pop-up markets, food festivals, and family events throughout July and August.
What to look out for in summer 2025:
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St Ives Lifeboat Day (August) – Games, food, RNLI demos and a great atmosphere
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Porthleven Food Festival (July) – Tasty treats, live music and family areas
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Outdoor cinema nights – Keep an eye out for showings in St Ives and Praa Sands
🎶 Live music, street food and a relaxed, festival feel, you’ll never be bored.
🐾 Bonus: Bring the Dog!
Summer holidays are more fun when the whole family comes along—including the dog! Many beaches allow dogs before 10am and after 6pm, and there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs, cafés and gardens to explore.
Explore our dog-friendly properties and plan a getaway that everyone can enjoy.
Book Your Perfect Summer Holiday in Cornwall
Whether your idea of a great day is surfing and seal spotting, making chocolate in a cosy kitchen, or watching the sunset from a beach café—Cornwall has it all this summer.
We still have some availability across our beautiful homes in St Ives, Praa Sands, Mousehole, Newlyn and more—but spaces fill quickly during the school holidays.
🔗 Check summer availability now
📧 Or get in touch with Meg & Sam at hello@oceanholidayscornwall.co.uk
☀️ Don’t just dream about summer—make it happen with Ocean Holidays Cornwall.
