Top 10 Free Things to do in Cornwall

The wide range of free things to do in Cornwall make it the perfect holiday destination, whatever your budget.

No matter if you prefer countryside walks, sweet treat sampling or discovering fascinating history, you are certain to find a range of suitably cheap days out in Cornwall.

Places to visit in Cornwall for free can be found around every corner, from the striking coastline to its catalogue of fascinating towns and villages.

Read on to discover our top 10 free things to do in Cornwall…

1. Heartlands, Pool

This 19-acre former mine and designated World Heritage Site is undoubtedly one of the most fun-packed and fascinating free things to do in Cornwall, offering something for just about everybody.

Here, at the largest free adventure playground in Cornwall, you will uncover fascinating sculptures, glorious gardens and a calendar of magnificent events spanning across a variety of tastes and topics. Heartlands’ range of different things to do makes it one of the most fun things to do in Cornwall, perfect for a day out with the kids.

Book a cottage in North Cornwall from which to enjoy this free day out in Cornwall and plan your action-packed adventure with our handy Cornwall Travel Guide.

2. The Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro

As well as being a cheap day out in Cornwall, the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro is an ideal rainy day attraction in Cornwall. Discover Cornish life in all manner of different ways without spending a penny a this popular and free Cornwall day out.

You can enjoy browsing a whole host of exhibitions and fascinating collections, and even adopt an object to feel a part of Cornwall’s intriguing heritage. Be sure not to miss out on this interesting and free Cornwall day out with the kids.

Why not stay at a Truro holiday cottage whilst visiting this characterful part of Cornwall? You can also plan your break using our Truro Travel Guide.

3. Head to a Cornwall Beach

Cornwall’s beaches are one the region’s most renowned assets, and you can enjoy every single one without spending a penny!

From the popular and bustling seaside resorts to a number of magical hidden coves, a day at the beach offers an unforgettable free thing to do in Cornwall. Adrenaline junkies can experience some of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall, while the more inquisitive will be looking to scour the rock pools for marine life.

Choose to stay at a Cornwall beach cottage to be at one with the coastal splendour, and make the most of our Cornwall Travel Guide for inspiration on how best to experience the area.

4. Roskilly’s Farm, St Keverne

Roskilly’s is an ice cream farm packed with activity and resting amongst the beauty of the Lizard Heritage Coast, just outside of St Keverne near Falmouth.

This free day out in Cornwall allows you to meet various animals, stroll the serene grounds and even sample the award-winning ice cream! You also have the opportunity to watch the cows getting milked as part of the ice cream production, and live entertainment makes this a cheap day out in Cornwall for all the family.

Visit Roskilly’s Farm from one of our South Cornwall cottages, and make the most of our Falmouth Travel Guide which offers all the ideas and inspiration you require for a memorable visit.

5. South West Coast Path

This 630-mile stretch of awe-inspiring natural beauty runs the length of the Cornwall coast and leaves you spoilt for choice with a multitude of free things to do in Cornwall.

The perfect free Cornwall day out for outdoor enthusiasts, you will witness a little bit of everything whilst exploring the South West Coast Path. This way-marked trail is a heaven for ramblers and cyclists, and also features a variety of historic sites enhancing the beauty even further.

A South West Coast Path cottage allows you to experience the magnificence at first-hand, while our Cornwall Walking Guide offers more routes for avid ramblers.

6. Bude Sea Pool, Bude

This unique, semi-natural sea pool offers a free day out in Cornwall with a difference – providing safe bathing and water sports for all the family to enjoy on a sunny day.

Bude Sea Pool has been a popular and free Cornwall day out since the 1930s, and retains its bustling summertime atmosphere to this day. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing swim, or are looking to get your adrenaline pumping with surfing or scuba diving, you will find it at Bude Sea Pool.

Book one of our many fabulous Bude cottages to escape to this beautiful region, and make the most of our Bude Travel Guide for all your necessary holiday inspiration.

7. Mount Edgecumbe House & Country Park, Cremyll

Explore Mount Edgecumbe House & Country Park to inject a touch of elegance to your cheap Cornwall day out.

This 16th-century manor showcases intriguing tapestries, artwork and much more as well as being surrounded by tranquil gardens. You can also explore forest trails by foot, or even segway for the thrill-seekers. There is something for everybody to enjoy at this free Cornwall thing to do.

Treat yourselves to a stay in a Kingsand cottage to fully experience Mount Edgecumbe and all that the surrounding area has to offer.

8. The Camel Trail

Keen horse riders, walkers and cyclists can make the most of this idyllic route offering a fabulous free day out in Cornwall.

Running between Padstow and Wenford Bridge, admire the scenery past Wadebridge and Bodmin on the way. On a bright and sunny day, there is no better way to explore the luscious countryside of North Cornwall than a day tackling the Camel Trail.

Our range of Padstow cottages offer a base from which to explore this fine trail, while you can discover even more holiday inspiration with our Padstow Travel Guide.

9. Cornwall Wildlife Trust

This cheap day out in Cornwall promises the opportunity to discover the varied Cornish habitats which can be found both on land and at sea!

Situated across the whole of Cornwall are 55 nature reserves and conservation projects which offer the opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the natural environment and learn more about Cornwall and its wildlife.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust are a charity and rely on donations, so this is a definite thing to do whilst you are in Cornwall.

10. Rough Tor, Bodmin Moor

The second highest hill on the Bodmin Moor AONB, Rough Tor, offers a superb free Cornwall day out as well as a wealth of archaeological and historical sites awaiting to be discovered.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll at the bottom of the hill or take the route up to explore the setting of one of Poldark’s filming locations, where the rugged moorland doubled up as the dramatic horse riding scenes.

From here you can soak up the scenery of a captivating sunset or enjoy the views of the surrounding Cornwall countryside, with highlights including Brown Willy and the Fernacre stone circle.

Find lots more things to do in Cornwall with our handy travel guide and be sure to book your Cornwall cottage holiday today. 

Image Credits: Matt Buck – CC BY-SA 2.0; DavidGeen – CC BY-ND 2.0; www.twin-loc.fr – CC BY 2.0; James Petts – CC BY-SA 2.0; Lewis Clarke – CC BY-SA 2.0 ; Tony Parkin67 – (CC BY 2.0)