Family-friendly things to do at Trelissick
Discover all the things to do on a family day out to Trelissick. Explore the garden and house, or head out on an adventure around the countryside estate. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and plan your visit to Trelissick.
Planning your family visit to Trelissick
• Free entry for under 5s
• Baby-changing facilities available
• Buggy-friendly route around the garden, orchard and countryside
• Children’s lunchboxes available within Crofters Café
• Pocket money gifts and children’s books available in the shop
• Sensory bags available for use during your visit
Pokémon joins Trelissick's Summer of Play
Play on repeat this summer at Trelissick, where there’s no end to the fun. We’ll be celebrating Summer of Play every day between 19 July and 2 September with games, activities and outdoor fun for the whole family.
Get active and play tennis on the West Lawn, try lawn games or hold a race to the finish line. Who will be the champion? Embrace your creativity and make-believe in the stables where you’ll find a stage ready for you to dress up, put on a show and tell stories.
Ready to unleash your energy? On top of an already jam-packed Summer of Play, discover the Pokémon zone on the West Lawn where you’ll find a series of challenges to flex your skills and take part in mega games.
Explore winding paths on the Trelissick garden trail, running throughout the summer holidays, and find the perfect spots for picnics and chill out spaces.
Find out about the selection of scheduled events below.
Summer of Play events
Summer of Play at Trelissick
Storytelling with James and Jasper
Join Local storyteller and author, James, and his friend Jasper the Dragon as they play games and tell tales this summer at Trelissick. As Cornwall Heritage Trust's resident storyteller, James has been entertaining audiences of all ages around Cornwall. Working with North South Theatre and the National Trust each year, James has been exploring play and storytelling with a focus on history and heritage.
Outdoor theatre at Trelissick
Miracle Theatre presents Peer Gynt
1 and 2 July, 6.30pm
Summer 2026, Miracle Theatre will bring their magical twist and love of laughter to the classic story of Peer Gynt on the West Lawn at Trelissick.
Young Peer is a lazy dreamer, who misinterprets Shakespeare’s advice “To thine own self be true” to mean “Look after number one”!
He chases after riches and pleasure and lives a life of moral failure and endless excuses. Surely, he will come to no good?
Loosely based on Ibsen’s epic comedy, this famous morality tale is perfect material for Miracle Theatre’s highly visual style – physical, funny, surreal and deeply human – a journey through the dream-like world of Norse mythology, peopled with cranky characters, trolls and other bizarre creatures – a comedy of terrors!
The tour blends storytelling with outdoor settings. People are encouraged to bring blankets, low backed chairs, picnics, friends, family and a sense of adventure.
Quantum Theatre presents: The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny
18 July, 4.30pm
Quantum Theatre return to Trelissick this summer with an enchanting new adaptation of two of Beatrix Potter’s best-loved Tales, The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny performed on the West Lawn.
Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon they find themselves in all sorts of scrapes, caught In a net, trapped by a snarling cat and face to face with Mr McGregor himself!
Dark Cornwall presents Kalan Gwav at Trelissick
17 October - 1 November, 10am-4.30pm
Cornish legends call Trelissick home this October as Dark Cornwall create an immersive folklore experience through the magic and myths of Cornwall in the garden and house.
As you explore you’ll travel through a series of realms where figures of folklore from coast, sea and woodland have been brought to life. A dragon, giants and faefolk are just some of the creatures who’ll thrill and excite families of all ages.
Kalan Gwav is a Cornish celebration that marks the first days of winter, a time when myth becomes reality and tales become legends. Join us to celebrate the new season with displays, installations and activities inspired by Cornish folklore.
From Saturday 17 October until Sunday 1 November creatures of Cornish mythology will be on display throughout the garden and house and an exhibition of high fantasy artworks curated by the Dark Cornwall team will feature in the West Library.
Kalan Gwav has been produced by Dark Cornwall in collaboration with National Trust Trelissick, working together sustainably to celebrate local makers and artists alongside Cornish nature and folklore.
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?
- Find your next favourite read in the Trelissick second-hand bookshop
- Shelter with a sweet treat in Crofters Café or picnic in a summerhouse
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.
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Things to see on the estate at Trelissick
Visit the estate for walks with far reaching views. An abundance of wildlife fills the air with sounds at this green haven in Cornwall.
Events at Trelissick
Search upcoming events including Easter, seasonal trails and events.
