The Stables - Fun Days Out

Newquay Zoo is a 13-acre zoo and garden site in Trenance Leisure Park, in the middle of Newquay. It is the largest zoo in Cornwall, and its planted grounds have won a Britain in Bloom Gold award. Visitors can see hundreds of species, including lynx, penguins, otters, zebras, sloths and meerkats, in a mix of indoor and outdoor habitats.

There are keeper talks and live feeds, an outdoor play area near the meerkats and the Tarzan Trail behind the Savannah. Café Lemur, seasonal food outlets and plenty of picnic benches and lawns make it easy to stay for a while. Reviewers describe it as a smaller zoo that is good for young children who can't manage long distances, and a few hours is a typical visit. Some development work is under way, so parts may be temporarily closed.

Tip: Check the zoo's website for current opening times, ticket offers and parking details before you go, as these can change.

Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park is a home for owls and other animals on Goss Moor, near Indian Queens in mid Cornwall. Founded in 1990 by Carolyn Screech, it shows owls from around the world, with British, European, African, American, Asian, Australasian and West Indian species. It also rescues and rehabilitates wild owls in Cornwall, and there is a Siberian Eagle Owl breeding project.

Alongside the owls you will find other animals, including wallabies, meerkats, foxes and lemurs. There is a play area and a cafe, plus a gift shop. Keepers run hands-on sessions where you can learn to hold an owl on the glove, or go into an enclosure to meet some of the animals. Education is a core part of the work, so you will learn about the birds and their conservation as you go round.

Tip: If you want an owl or animal experience, call ahead to book, as busy periods may mean walk-up requests can't be fitted in.

St Michael's Mount is a tidal island in Mount's Bay, near Penzance, linked to Marazion by a causeway of granite setts. At low tide you can walk across; when the tide is in, ferry boats run instead. On the island you'll find a historic village with cobbled streets, a harbour, shops, a café and a restaurant, all beneath the ramparts of the castle.

The castle has been home to the St Aubyn family since around 1650, and its history stretches back to pilgrims and monks. Climb to the summit for panoramic views across Mount's Bay from the battlements. There are also terraced subtropical gardens, and the Steward's House Art Gallery, which shows Newlyn School paintings of everyday life in west Cornwall. It is a good choice for anyone who enjoys history, views and a bit of a journey.

Tip: Check the causeway times when you book, as they decide whether you walk across or take a boat from the mainland.

Camel Creek is a family adventure park near Wadebridge in North Cornwall. The mix includes thrill rides and rollercoasters, outdoor play areas and animal areas, so there is plenty to fill a day. Its indoor play space covers 45,000 square feet, which means a wet day need not spoil the plan.

Other attractions include a 5D theatre with moving seats and 3D glasses, the Creeky's Playhouse soft play area and Swamp Busters. The park also runs special seasonal events through the year, and offers a Junior Keeper experience where children spend time behind the scenes caring for reptiles and meerkats. The park also says it has inclusive rides and facilities, with details on its accessibility page.

Tip: Check the park's website before you go for current tickets and events, as offers change. If a free return pass is offered with day tickets, read the terms first: it is non-transferable and excludes Toddler Takeover days, birthday parties, group bookings and school visits.

The Eden Project sits in a reclaimed china clay pit in Cornwall. At the bottom of the pit are two huge domed Biomes made of inflated cells on steel frames. The Rainforest Biome is one of the largest indoor rainforests in the world, with tropical plants such as banana, coffee, rubber and giant bamboo. The Mediterranean Biome has olives, grape vines and sculptures.

Outside, a meandering path takes you through planted landscapes, vegetable gardens and outdoor gardens, with sculptures along the way, including a giant bee. There are cafés and restaurants on site, plus art, exhibitions and play areas. It suits plant fans, garden lovers and anyone curious about how the natural world works, and it is run by a charity.

Tip: Check the opening times page before you set off, as last entry to the Biomes and closing times change through the year, and some dates are closed.

Heligan is a set of Victorian gardens near Mevagissey that were neglected after the First World War and restored in the 1990s. The story is a big part of the visit: 16 of the gardeners died in the war, and the gardens were lost to the brambles before being brought back to life.

You can see huge old rhododendrons and camellias, productive flower and vegetable gardens, an Italian garden and a series of lakes. The wilder valleys include The Jungle, filled with subtropical tree ferns. Look out for the pineapple pit, the only one left in Europe, and the Mud Maid and the Giant's Head, two figures made from rocks and plants. The grounds cover over 200 acres, with steep slopes in the wilder parts.

Tip: Pre-booking is advisable for day visitors, and if you use a sat nav, approach via St Austell and follow the brown signs to avoid narrow single-track lanes.

Lanhydrock is a Victorian family home inside a Jacobean mansion, once lived in by the Agar-Robartes family. Most of the interiors were rebuilt after a fire in 1881. Inside, you can see the Long Gallery with its ornate ceiling, and families can play in the refurbished Victorian nursery.

Outside, the formal garden is known for its magnolias and has a parterre and herbaceous borders. Beyond it lie almost 1,000 acres of parkland, woodland and heath, with two miles of the River Fowey. There are woodland cycle trails, from gentle family routes to mountain bike descents, plus a play area, cafés, a plant centre and a second-hand bookshop. It suits families, history fans and anyone who likes a long walk with a good tea at the end.

Tip: It is busiest between 11am and 2pm, so arrive later in the day for a quieter visit and shorter queues for the house.

Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned adventure park in Menheniot, built around an old flooded quarry. It offers five rides: an inflatable aquapark for ages 6 and over, go karting on an 800m all-weather track for ages 7 and over, a zip wire that is 50m high and 490m long, a giant swing 150ft above the lake, and axe throwing for ages 12 and over.

The rides are gravity-powered and low-carbon, as the site is an area of special scientific interest. The site has spectacular views and picnic spots, and entry is free. Reviewers mention swimming and relaxing on the lawn at the bottom of the quarry, and say staff were helpful, including with wheelchair users on the zip wire. One review says dogs are welcome.

Tip: You can book all rides online ahead, or just turn up for the zip and the giant swing.