For anyone who likes to know what they are eating and where it came from the local 'Farmers Market' is an absolute must visit. The earlier you arrive the better, as the best produce will always go first. The sight of stalls all set out with brightly coloured fresh local veg that's in season and the smells that assail the nostrils are a treat in themselves.
There are usually some butcher's stalls too and they will happily answer questions on how to prepare and cook some of the more unusual cuts of meat that you won't find in the supermarket. Stallholders can tell you which hen laid your eggs and which pig turned into your bacon.
Cornwall in Focus has details of numerous farmers markets here. Why not use our Forum to let us and others know what you think of those you visit.
There's lots to do and enjoy at the award winning Paradise Park near Hayle.
See the beautiful wildlife set in exotic gardens. Daily events include: Feed a Parrot, Penguin Photocalls, Watch the Eagles fly free. Paradise Island and much more family fun!
Open Last admission times change during the year because of daylight. Summer Season - May to September - 5:00 pm Spring/Autumn Season - 4:00pm Winter Season - November to February - 3:00 pm.
On your visit to the Centre you will see British and Asian Short Clawed Otters playing and being fed close at hand. There are Fallow Deer in a woodland enclosure and you will see Wallabies and Muntjac Deer roaming around the grounds. There are Owl aviaries, peacocks and a variety of waterfowl on the two lakes. There is also a woodland walk and a waterfall in the Old Quarry.
Prices Adults £7.00; Senior Citizens £6.00; Child (3-15) £3.50; Family ticket (2 adults up to 3 children) £18.00.
Open Daily from 1st April – 31st October (inclusive) - Or Good Friday if earlier. Times: 10:30am – 6:00pm..
Situated at Westnorth Farm, Duloe near Looe, Cornish Orchards aims to produce some of the finest tastes in Cornwall. Fifteen acres are dedicated to old Cornish variety apple trees. They produce five different ciders, eight varieties of apple juice, elderflower presse, honey and preserves.
Taste the nature at the orchard farm shop. Duloe, Liskeard. PL14 4PW
The Monkey Sanctuary is a unique environmental charity based on the south coast of Cornwall near Looe. The sanctuary is a rescue centre for 4 different species of monkeys rescued from the UK and international primate pet trade. Keeper talks all day long, activity room, native wildlife gardens, gift-shop, award winning café and a fantastic play area all combine to make a great day out.
Prices Adults: £7.50; Children 5-16: £3.50; (children under 5 are free); Unwaged, Students and Senior Citizens: £5.00; A family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children: £20.00; Wheelchair users: half price Wheelchair enablers: free.
Open Easter to end of September - Sunday to Thursday (Closed Fridays and Saturdays) 11.00am – 16.30pm, also open for October half-term.
DairyLand Farmworld: Britain's Leading Farm Attraction.
Come and enjoy the fun of an all-weather attraction, providing a day's entertainment for all ages. Including: The Bull Pen Indoor Play Area, Soft Play Areas, Drop Slides, Raging Bulls Ride, Mini Tractors, Pat a Pet, Bottle Feeding and Milking Clarabelle. Meet the Farm Animals and Explore the Adventure Playgrounds and Woodland Lakes. Milking Parlour with 120 cows milked daily
On the A3058 Newquay to St. Austell road, 4 miles from Newquay. SAT NAV TR8 5AA
Prices Admission (aged 3yrs – 59yrs) £7.75 Children under 3 FREE Seniors (60+) £6.00 Family Supersaver £32 up to 5 people
Open Open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Check website for details.
Situated on Towan Beach in the centre of Newquay, opposite the famous island, the Blue Reef Aquarium is a stunning visit. Be amazed by the local marine species from the Cornish coast to hundreds of tropical species in the gigantic ocean display complete with underwater tunnel. Towan Blystra Rd Newquay, TR7
Prices Admission Prices are: Adult £8.95 Child (aged 3 - 14, must be accompanied by an adult) £6.95 Senior & Students £7.95 Family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) £26.00 Family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children) £30.00
Open Open daily from 10:00am. Last admission is 5:00pm. Except Christmas Day..
Experience the wildlife with over 130 different species set in lush sub-tropical lakeside gardens. From the amazing open rainforest exhibit to the beautiful oriental garden there is something for all ages and abilities with large new exhibits from Easter 2009. Plenty to keep your children occupied with the Tarzan trail, children's play area, animal encounters, face painting and much more. Sat. nav.: TR7 2NN
The aim at the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre is to give those that wish to learn more about these magnificent and beautiful creatures the opportunity to do so in a relaxed and fun environment.
Prices Adults: £6.50; Children up to 13 years £5.00; Seniors £5.50; Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 Children) £20.00; Children under 3 (Free of charge).
Open 7 Days a week from Easter (Good Friday) To end of October from 10:00am -5:00pm..
Experience an exhilarating wildlife watching boat trip from Penzance Harbour in West Cornwall aboard the exciting jet RIB `Shearwater`. Book one of the exclusive sea safaris and search of seals, seabirds, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and more along the stunning Cornish coastline. The trips run amongst the granite crags and turquoise waters of West Cornwall, the jagged claw of the far south west of the United Kingdom jutting out into the Atlantic. Not only astonishingly beautiful, this area is home to an amazing array of sealife.
Have you ever wondered where the food you eat comes from, or how it is produced? Take a trip to Carruan Farm Centre. Situated on the cliffs at Polzeath near Padstow, their aim is to show you how they farm, and how the livestock and the countryside around the farm is cared for. The farm offers something for all the family, with tours around the farm on the tractor & trailer, the play area and the farmyard animals to get to know. Try the home-cooked food in the licensed farmhouse kitchen. Buy meat produced on the farm as well as dairy products and vegetables from other local farms, wine & local beer & cider in the shop. If you aren't able to visit, they can also deliver fresh beef & lamb direct to your door by courier. When you leave the beach, come to Carruan for a family BBQ or farmhouse supper with storytellers, singers, children's games, sheep racing or birds of prey handling to round off the day.
Carruan is a working farm, so there's always something going on.
Prices Entry is Free
Open 8.00 am until 8.30 pm (times may vary out of season).
The Sanctuary aims to provide care and rehabilitation for sick and injured wild owls in Cornwall. To ensure their safe release into the wild on recovery or, if permanently disabled, to provide a comfortable home in a suitable environment. It also aims to promote awareness of the conservation needs of owl species and their natural habitats by working with schools, youth organisations, groups and individuals of all ages. There is a Hand-Tame area offering an amazing opportunity to meet and touch a number of our hand-tame owls and learn about their characteristics. These owls have been hand reared for educational purposes and range from some of the smallest species in the world to among the largest.
At the working cyder farm over forty varieties of delicious fruit products are produced. Take a self guided tour and see how they make the famous range of very strong traditional scrumpys, sparkling ciders, country wines, jams, preserves, brandy and spirits. All the products are available for you to taste and buy at the farm shop.
Relax in the restaurant and enjoy morning coffee, a tasty homemade lunch or genuine Cornish Cream Tea.
Prices FULL GUIDED TOUR Family ticket £15.00 for 2 adults and up to 3 children Adults £6.00 Seniors £5.00 Children £4.00 per child (over 6 and under 16) TRACTOR RIDE TOUR through the orchards Adults £3.50 Children £2.50
Open All year (except Dec 25th-31st). Winter opening 9am to 5pm (Sundays 10am - 5pm)
