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Family-friendly things to do at Cotehele

Family walking down steps within the Upper Garden at Cotehele, Cornwall
Family in the Upper Garden at Cotehele, Cornwall | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

Discover all the things to do on a family day out to Cotehele. Explore the garden and orchards and head out on an adventure around the estate. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and how best to plan your day out at Cotehele with children in mind.

Planning your family visit to Cotehele

  • Free entry for under 5s

  • Baby-changing facilities in most toilets

  • Buggy-friendly route around the garden, quay and towards Cotehele Mill

  • Play area by the Cherry Orchard and at Cotehele Quay

  • Children’s menu available within the Barn Restaurant

  • Pocket money gifts and children’s books available in the shop

  • Please take extra care around Cotehele Quay, the pond dipping area at the quay and the ponds within the Upper Garden and Valley Garden.

Little Gardeners Family Trail

Saturday 3 - Sunday 25 February, 10am-4pm

Help the Cotehele gardeners get ready for spring by completing nature activities around the garden. In the winter there are so many things to do to keep the garden looking tidy and the Cotehele gardeners need your help. Become a Little Gardener and complete activities such as sowing seeds, helping the wildlife, raking leaves and finding your very own nature treasures.

Family within the glass house completing an activity at Cotehele, Cornwall
Family sowing seeds in the glass house at Cotehele, Cornwall | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

Take part in an Easter trail at Cotehele

Our Easter trail runs from Friday 29 March - Sunday 14 April between 10am-5pm, with last entry at 4pm and costs normal admission plus £3 per child, so come and explore the garden at Cotehele.

At the start of your Easter trail, pick up your activity pack to find the trail route you're going to follow. Find and complete the 10 activities that are hiding along the way. See how big your windspan is, have an egg and spoon race with the family, follow the footprints and identify the mysterious scents are just some of the activities you can experience at Cotehele. Finish the trail and collect your chocolate egg (both dairy and vegan and Free From options available).

What's coming up soon

PondLife! at Cotehele Quay

Saturday 2 March, 6 April, 4 May, 1 June, 6 July, 3 August, 7 September and 5 October, from 10am-1pm

Head down to the pond at Cotehele Quay to discover the weird and wonderful creatures which live in and on the pond.

These pond dipping sessions are subject to cancellation in the event of poor weather. Please check our social media feeds and website nearer each event.

Hidden creatures within the house at Cotehele

Available daily from 9 March - 3 November

Explore the house and see if you can discover the animals hiding amongst the tapestries, wood carvings and windows. Pick up your trail sheet from the Hall within the house.

Family canoe trips with Canoe Tamar at Cotehele Quay

Booking essential, various dates between April-September

Join the crew from Canoe Tamar for a guided family canoe trip along the River Tamar starting at Cotehele Quay. Visit their website for timetables and booking information. Minimum age is 3 years old.

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Cotehele is the perfect place for ticking off some of your ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾.’ There are plenty of things to try at Cotehele, whatever the weather. Here are just a few:

No. 4 Build a den

Gather large sticks and create a secret hideaway. Our favourite spot for building dens is by the Cherry Orchard play area.

No. 33 Go cloud watching

With imagination you can create whole worlds from the shapes you see in the sky. Any spot at Cotehele is great for doing this, we like lying on the grass slopes by the bowling green.

No. 48 Keep a nature diary

Bring along some scrap paper and colouring pencils and keep a diary of the things you have discovered. What did you touch? What can you hear? Draw the wildlife you spotted on your adventures around Cotehele.

A giant apple made of apples outside the house at Cotehele

Discover more at Cotehele

Find out when Cotehele is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

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