Top 10 Things to do in Cornwall this May Half Term

1. Walk with Dinosaurs at Camel Creek

Photo courtesy of Camel Creek Family Adventure Park

Just a few miles from Padstow, Camel Creek Family Adventure Park is a perennial favourite for families. This May Half Term, they are launching “Jurassic Creek,” where little explorers can come face-to-face with life-like animatronic dinosaurs. It is a brilliant mix of high-octane rides, indoor play, and prehistoric education that usually keeps the kids busy for a full day.

2. Take a High-Speed Sealife Safari

Photo courtesy of Padstow Sealife Safaris

May is a peak month for spotting some of Cornwall’s most iconic marine residents. Hop on a Sealife Safari from Padstow harbour to see the Atlantic Grey Seal colonies and, if you are lucky, pods of common dolphins. It is also the best time to see puffins nesting on the nearby islands—a “hot tip” for wildlife lovers that many visitors miss.

3. Join the “Wild Week” at Heligan

Photo courtesy of the Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan near St Austell (about a 45-minute drive from Padstow) hosts its annual “Wild Week” during the May holidays. It is all about getting back to nature with survival skills, outdoor craft workshops, and giant play areas. The gardens themselves are a riot of spring colour this month, making it a treat for the grown-ups too.

4. Cycle the Camel Trail to Wadebridge

A classic for a reason. In May, the Camel Trail is bordered by wild garlic and bluebells. Hire bikes in Padstow and enjoy the flat, traffic-free five-mile ride to Wadebridge. Local Tip: Stop at the Atlantic Coast Express (a converted railway carriage café) halfway along for a Cornish cream tea with an estuary view.

5. Catch a Wave at Harlyn Bay

Family surfing at Harlyn in Cornwall. Photo courtesy of Harlyn Surf School

The water is finally warming up, making it the perfect time for a family surf lesson. Harlyn Surf School is one of the safest spots for beginners and children. For something a bit different, try their “Monster SUP”—a giant paddleboard that can fit the whole family (and usually ends in a lot of laughter and a few splashes).

6. Explore the Biomes at The Eden Project

Photo courtesy of Eden Project

This May, the Eden Project is leaning into the season with interactive trails and “luminous discovery” workshops. While the Mediterranean biome is in full bloom, the outdoor gardens are the real star in May. Look out for the giant marble runs hidden in the landscape, which is a huge hit with younger children.

7. Rock Pooling at Trevone Bay

When the tide goes out at Trevone Bay, it reveals a world of incredible marine life. This is “low-tech” family fun at its best. Grab a bucket and net and head to the natural tidal pool or the rocky gullies to find shore crabs, blennies, and anemones. Local Tip: Check the tide times at our office before you head out to ensure you get the best out of the low water.

8. Visit the Pokémon Trail at Lanhydrock

Photo courtesy of the National Trust

For a mix of history and modern fun, the National Trust’s Lanhydrock is hosting a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail this May. It is a clever way to get the kids walking through the formal gardens and ancient woodland. Local Tip: Come for the game, but don’t miss the wildflowers. The bluebell displays in the woods here are some of the best in the South West during May.

9. A Coastal Sauna Session at Polzeath

Photo courtesy of Saunas by the Sea

One of the “new classics” of the North Cornwall scene. After a dip in the Atlantic at Polzeath, book a private session at one of the beachfront saunas. It is a wonderful way to warm up and soak in the views of the surf through the glass-fronted sauna. It is a relaxing ritual that has become very popular with local families and visitors alike. The Polzeath sauna is located at Baby Bay,  a small cove at the end of the main beach.

10. The Great Estate Festival

If you are visiting towards the end of the half-term week (May 29th–31st), The Great Estate Festival at Scorrier House is a must. It is a quintessentially “quirky” Cornish festival featuring everything from major music acts to a Victorian Sports Day, circus skills for kids, and even a gin garden for the parents. Performers this year include the Kaiser Chiefs and Sophie Ellis-Bexter.

Why May is the Best Time to Visit

The “May window” offers the perfect balance; the weather is often at its most stable, the landscape is at its most vibrant, and the bustling summer crowds are still a few weeks away. It is the time of year when you can truly feel the “spirit of Cornwall” coming to life.

Planning your May escape? If you haven’t secured your base yet, take a look at our last minute cottages for May Half Term or give our local Padstow team a call. We live and work here, and we’d love to help you find your perfect spring retreat.