Family-friendly things to do at Cotehele

A family enjoying one of the summer play activities at Cotehele, Cornwall | © 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.

Partial closure of the Cherry Orchard Play Area

Due to essential maintenance, some of the platforms within the Cherry Orchard Play Area are currently closed to allow us to complete this work. We hope to reopen the play area fully soon.

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
Resource station within Visitor Welcome with fidget toys, ear defenders, sunglasses, and colour sheets available to borrow.
Please take extra care around Cotehele Quay, the pond dipping area at the quay and the ponds within the Upper Garden and Valley Garden.

Family-friendly things to do this Summer

Summer of Play at Cotehele

The Edgcumbe family used Cotehele as their summer retreat, now it's your turn. Head to Cotehele this summer for a summer jam-packed with play.

Find pockets of play as you explore the garden and orchards at Cotehele. There’s something for everyone, from getting active to putting on a performance, exploring nature to letting imaginations run wild. Check back here as we get closer to the summer holidays as we finalise and update our plans.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank. Normal admission charges apply.

Open-air theatre at Cotehele

PGS Theatre: The Pirates of Penzance

Saturday 28 June, 6.30-9pm

Meet the legendary characters of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Pirates of Penzance' in the grounds of Cotehele. As this is an open-air theatre event, please bring your own camping chairs and blankets.

Booking essential. Adults £12.50, Child £7.50.

Book your tickets

Family playing in the woodland area near the lake at Lyme Park, Cheshire — Family playing outdoors | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

What else to look out for at Cotehele

PondLife! at Cotehele Quay

5 July, 2 August, 6 September, 4 October and 1 November, 10.30am-1pm

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

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

Hidden creatures within the house at Cotehele

Available daily from 8 March - 2 November, 11am-4pm

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 when you enter.

Look Sharp!

31 July, 7 August, 14 August, 21 August and 28 August, 11am-4pm

Head to the house on Thursdays in the summer holidays to sharpen your knowledge of weapons.

Volunteers will help you get up close and personal with some of the weapons usually displayed on the walls of the Great Hall, many of which are hundreds of years old!

No booking required, but there may be a wait if the volunteers are busy.

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.