Family-friendly things to do at Trelissick

Rainy days at Trelissick

Don't let the showers put you off, there's still plenty to do on a rainy day when you visit Trelissick this summer. 

• Get your wellies ready and splash your way around the garden, who can find the biggest puddle?
• Explore the house and visit the Trelissick 70 exhibition.
• Curl up with a book and a puzzle in the West Library.
• Find your next favourite read in the Trelissick second-hand bookshop
• Shelter with a sweet treat in Crofters Café or picnic in a summerhouse

Dark Cornwall and the National Trust present a celebration of All Hallows Tide at Trelissick

Cornish legend comes alive this October half term as Dark Cornwall create an immersive journey through the magic and myths of Cornwall along the winding paths of Trelissick garden.

All Hallows Tide is a celebration of Cornish folklore, creativity and our natural surroundings as we welcome in Kalan Gwav, the first days of winter. Follow the fae as they lead you through Trelissick, where you'll discover more about local myths and legend. Step into the footprints of Cornish Giants, search for legendary sea serpent Morgowr and keep an eye out for the elusive Owlman of Mawnan.

Visit Merlin’s grove, an otherworldly corner watched over by a legendary wizard. Merlin will step through the veil and visit Trelissick on Thursday 30th, Friday 31st and Saturday 1st, sharing some well-known and not-so-well-known tales from all over Cornwall. Perfect for the minds and imaginations of all ages! You can also try your hand at wand and mask making, so you can take the magic and myths home. Dogs on short leads are permitted in the garden at Trelissick, only assistance dogs are permitted in the house.

Admission to Trelissick applies, free for National Trust members.

An All Hallow’s Eve experience has been produced by Dark Cornwall in partnership with National Trust Trelissick, working together sustainably to celebrate local makers and artists alongside Cornish nature and folklore.

An audience with Father Christmas at Trelissick

6, 7, 13, 14 December, daily between 18 and 23 December
10.15am, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 2.45pm. Additional time of 3.30pm on 18, 19, 22 and 23 December. £6 per child, £4 per adult

Father Christmas brings festive magic to the stable yard this December, where he’ll tell a special story of a Cornish Christmas at Trelissick. Once the storytelling has finished, he’ll hand out a small gift at the end to each child.

He will be joining us at Trelissick on 6, 7, 13 and 14 December and then daily between 18 and 23 December. Storytelling starts promptly at 10.15am, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 2.45pm. On 18, 19, 22 and 23 December there will also be sessions at 3.30pm.

Trelissick is open 10am-5pm during December, if you book an afternoon session we recommend arriving earlier to enjoy the Christmas festivities. These will include the house decorated for Christmas (Trelissick house closes at 4pm), activities and games in the stable yard, a Christmas trail and carol singing in the stable yard (dates vary).

An audience with Father Christmas is always incredibly popular and pre-booking is essential. We cannot guarantee admission after a session has started – please allow plenty of time to get to Trelissick and collect your ticket to avoid disappointment.

Tickets cost £6 per child, £4 per adult. All adults attending An Audience with Father Christmas are required to have an adult ticket. We are unable to process refunds.

Please note that normal admission charges to Trelissick apply, admission for a family including 2 adults and up to 3 children, is £42.50. Admission is free for National Trust members.

Only assistance dogs are permitted at this event.

A relaxed audience with Father Christmas at Trelissick

6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 December at 3.30pm

Father Christmas brings festive magic to the stable yard this December, where he’ll tell a special story of a Cornish Christmas at Trelissick. Once the storytelling has finished, he’ll hand out a small gift at the end to each child.

On 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 December join Father Christmas for a relaxed storytelling session in the stable yard at 3.30pm.

This is an accessible session aimed at providing Trelissick’s ‘An Audience with Father Christmas’ as a more relaxed and calmer Father Christmas experience. With reduced noise levels and crowds, we hope to create a less stressful environment with Father Christmas.

The festive story of a Cornish Christmas at Trelissick will last approximately 20-30 minutes with time at the end to receive a small gift from Father Christmas.

A limited number of ear defenders and sensory toys will be available for use in the relaxed sessions on the day and an access statement is available from our website.

If you have any additional questions regarding this event, please contact us at trelissick@nationaltrust.org.uk

Tickets cost £6 per child, £4 per adult. All adults attending An Audience with Father Christmas are required to have an adult ticket. We are unable to process refunds.

Please note that normal admission charges to Trelissick apply, admission for a family including 2 adults and up to 3 children, is £42.50. Admission is free for National Trust members.

Only assistance dogs are permitted at this event.

If you'd like to bring an education group to meet Father Christmas, please contact the Trelissick property office for more information trelissick@nationaltrust.org.uk

Sensory bags

There are 3 sensory backpacks and ear defenders available for use during your visit to Trelissick. They are to help visitors with autism, sensory processing disorder, or those who think they would benefit from them. These bags are available on a first-come basis from the welcome team.

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Here are our top 3 favourite '50 things' to do this summer at Trelissick:

• #28 Climb a huge hill
  The countryside at Trelissick has a few huge hills for you to scale but our favourite has to be from the beach to the car park on the south woodland walk where you'll find spectacular views of the river and garden once you reach the top.
  
   
• #33 Go cloudwatching 
  Whether you're looking through the gaps in the canopy of trees in the woodland or from the grass of the tennis lawn there are plenty of areas to stop and see what shapes you can spot in the clouds above you. 
  
   
• #44 Watch a bird 
  Find a quiet place to sit, watch and wait to see the birds that call Trelissick home. The summerhouses are some of our favourite places to settle in for some birdwatching in the garden. See how many you can spot as they soar and sing, being careful not to startle them.