Family-friendly things to do at Cotehele

Family apple picking in the orchard at Cotehele, Cornwall | © National Trust Images / James Beck

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 Cafe
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.

Pick your own apples from Cotehele's Mother Orchard

Help collect the harvest from Cotehele’s Mother Orchard as we invite everyone to pick this years crop to take home and enjoy from Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 September.

Picking bags are available when you arrive within visitor reception and cost £3 each. You’re welcome to purchase as many as you like. You are welcome to bring your own bags, but we ask for a donation towards the upkeep of the orchards at Cotehele.

Top tips for picking apples at Cotehele

The orchards at Cotehele can be uneven in places, please mind how you go.
Watch out for biting and stinging insects, they like fruit too.
Do not climb on the delicate trees, they are old with weak branches.
Please pick fruit gently without tugging or pulling to hard as this can damage the tree. If the apple easily comes away then it’s ripe. If not, leave on the branch for a bit longer.
Watch out for the different types of apple. The orchard is spilt into sections which contain cider, dessert and cooking apples.
Give all the apples a wash with water when you get home, before consuming.

All proceeds from our apple picking events go straight back into looking after Cotehele. Many thanks for your continued support.

October half-term at Cotehele

Spooky scarecrows at Cotehele

24 October - 10 November, 10am-5pm. Normal admission charges apply.

This October half-term, head to Cotehele to see how many spooky scarecrows you can find hiding in the garden. Spot the scarecrows and read their stories from local folklore to solve the mystery. Pick up your free trail sheet from Visitor Reception.

Celebrate the harvest at Cotehele Mill

19 October - 3 November, 11am-4pm. Normal admission charges apply.

Soak in the delights of autumn beneath the trees as you walk to the Mill and enjoy seasonal decorations and a harvest table in the Bakery. Try your hand at seasonal crafts and help us judge the carved pumpkin display!

3 children playing in the oak leaves — Children playing in the autumn leaves | © Annapurna Mellorr

Family fun without the sun at Cotehele

Although we hope for sunshine everyday, sometimes the Cornish weather isn't on our side.

Put on a rain coat and a pair of wellies and adventure through the woodland walk to Cotehele Mill, the trees along the walk from the Cotehele Quay to the mill provide some shelter during the downpours, as well as plenty of activities and puddles to splash along the way.

Head inside the house at Cotehele to complete our hidden creatures family trail. Pick up a trail sheet from the house entrance and see how many creatures you can see hiding within the collection. Wander over to the second-hand bookshop to find a summer holiday read, or stop off within the Barn Cafe or The Edgcumbe for a warming hot chocolate after a day out in the rain.

Sheltered picnic areas are limited at Cotehele, there are a few benches located in the picnic area under trees. Alternatively a few seats can be found within the Cider Barn in the Mother Orchard or in the thatched hut in the Valley Garden.

What's coming up soon

PondLife! at Cotehele Quay

Saturday 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.