Get transported
From the dizzy heights of a frenzied roller-coaster ride to the depths of a real Cornish tin mine, Cornwall is full of thrills and spills. There are large all-weather theme and adventure parks with a breath-taking range of facilities, and small friendly centres offering a variety of unusual experiences. From extinct dinosaurs to space-age satellite technology, from the wild west frontier to Blitz- torn Britain, from a full-scale re-enacted shipwreck to the seven wonders of the world - in miniature - Cornwall provides!
Delve deep into Cornwall's heritage and experience life underground in a tin mine, or man the battlements of a Norman keep, last besieged in the Civil War. There are Tudor castles, historic manors and Iron Age villages among the many sites managed by the National Trust, English Heritage and the Cornwall Heritage Trust. And don't forget to leave your calling card at some of the beautiful country houses, still private homes but open to the public.
Almost all towns have their own museums, giving a glimpse into a fascinating local history aside. There are museums, too, catering for the more esoteric; a collection of mechanical music machines, for instance, or one of historic cycles. You'll discover, too, collections of vintage vehicles, classic aircraft, regimental memorabilia and an entire Victorian village.
You can climb aboard a miniature forest railway at Dobwalls, or take a full-sized scenic railway journey to St. Ives or Looe. Steam train buffs have a choice of three nostalgic trips, while those preferring a gentle river cruise can embark at Falmouth for the Helford and Fal rivers, or at Calstock or Saltash for exploring the Tamar.
Looking for gifts to take home is a pleasant diversion, in flower-decked shops which line cobbled streets, or the many specialist retail centres. And why not sample the produce at a vineyard or cider press, or watch the shire horses on a real Cornish farm? Don't be surprised if you come face to face with more exotic wildlife. You'll find rare Cornish Choughs, otters and even Amazonian monkeys, and hospitals for seals rescued from the sometimes treacherous coast. You can't take one home, but you can adopt!
Cornwall Tourist Board Cornwall's Railways Cornwall's Ferries