Cornwall is the perfect family-friendly destination, with beautiful beaches, relaxed harbour towns, cosy cafes and restaurants, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. I loved holidays in Cornwall as a kid, and returning now with my own children has highlighted what a wonderful part of the world it really is.
There is a lot to see, but if you’re travelling to Cornwall with children, it’s best to pick one destination as a base and explore the areas around it, so you’re not constantly packing and unpacking and have plenty of time to rest and play. This Cornwall family itinerary focuses on the southern coast with a day trip to the north.
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Where to Stay in Cornwall
Base yourself in Polruan or Fowey (pronounced Foy), towns that sit across the water from each other on the Fowey Estuary. They make an ideal base for a week in Cornwall, thanks to their central south-coast location, offering easy access to beaches, coastal walks, and day trips without lots of driving. Together, they offer two distinct but complementary experiences: Fowey, with its lively harbour-town feel and great food and atmosphere, and Polruan, with its quieter, more traditional village setting, a five-minute passenger ferry ride away.
Recommended Accommodation in Fowey
Harbour Hotel Fowey is a coastal boutique stay set just above the estuary, with sweeping views over the water. Rooms are comfortable, many with sea views, while the terrace and restaurant are a highlight for long, laid-back meals overlooking the harbour. It’s an easy, scenic base within walking distance of Fowey’s shops, pubs, and ferry. Even if you don’t stay here, pop in for a drink on the terrace or afternoon tea.
Haveners is a relaxed, waterfront stay set right on the quay, with a small collection of beautifully finished rooms and an apartment above its restaurant. Downstairs, the restaurant is a destination in itself, a few steps from the ferry and the heart of Fowey.
Fowey Hall Hotel is a grand Victorian manor turned luxury family hotel overlooking the Fowey estuary, designed very much with young children in mind. It offers an all-in-one stay with indoor and outdoor pools, a kids’ club, cinema room, games spaces and regular family activities, alongside comfortable rooms (many set up for families and interconnecting options). While adults still get moments of calm through the spa and sea views, the overall feel is relaxed, lively, and very child-focused, making it an easy, low-stress base for exploring Fowey and the surrounding coast.
The Galleon Inn is a characterful riverside stay and pub right on the waterfront in the heart of Fowey, with rooms overlooking the estuary and boats passing below. It combines classic Cornish pub atmosphere with comfortable, modern bedrooms, many featuring water views and family-friendly layouts. Downstairs, the restaurant and terrace make the most of its setting with relaxed dining. It’s an easy, central base for exploring the town on foot and catching the ferry across to Polruan.
The Old Quay House is a boutique waterside hotel set right on the harbour, offering elegant rooms with estuary views and a calm, coastal feel. Housed in a historic Victorian building, it blends classic Cornish character with contemporary interiors, many rooms featuring large windows or balconies overlooking the water. The hotel also has a well-regarded restaurant focused on seasonal Cornish produce, making it as much a food destination as a place to stay.
Recommended Accommodation in Polruan
Waters Edge is a beautifully positioned waterfront holiday home set right on the edge of the estuary in Polruan, offering uninterrupted views across the water to Fowey. Inside, it is a stylish and spacious retreat spread over multiple levels, with comfortable and spacious living areas, a well-equipped kitchen, and large windows designed to maximise the coastal outlook. The six bedrooms are comfortable and bright, all with sea views, making it well-suited to families or groups. Outside, a terrace sits right above the water, creating an idyllic spot for outdoor dining and watching the boats pass by. The ferry, pubs, bakery and coastal walks are all within easy reach. I had the most amazing stay here with extended family and would definitely stay again.
Castle House Penthouse is a spacious, self-contained coastal apartment set high above the village, offering a relaxed, home-like base with standout views over the estuary. Designed for families or longer stays, it features multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen, an open-plan living area, and a terrace that makes the most of its elevated position. The overall feel is practical yet comfortable, with enough space to settle in, unwind, and enjoy Polruan’s slower pace while still being close to the ferry and Fowey just across the water.
Florizel Mews is a three-storey chapel conversion in the heart of Polruan, offering sweeping views of the Fowey estuary from every level. The property combines traditional charm with comfortable, practical living, including a spacious kitchen and dining area, a cosy lounge with a wood burner, and a private balcony perfect for watching the light change over the water towards Fowey. It has one king bedroom with en-suite and estuary views, plus a twin room and second bathroom, making it well-suited to families. With parking beneath the building and the harbour, pubs, bakery and ferry all within walking distance, it’s an atmospheric and convenient base for exploring the coast.
Charming Fishing Cottage is a cosy, character-filled Cornish stay tucked into the steep lanes of Polruan. Set across multiple levels with three bedrooms, it combines traditional cottage charm with practical touches like a well-equipped kitchen, open fireplace, and a small courtyard for outdoor dining. Its location puts you right in the heart of the village, close to the harbour, ferry, and coastal walks, making it an easy, atmospheric base for exploring while still feeling peaceful and tucked away.
7 Day Cornwall Itinerary for Families
I’ve included suggested days for this itinerary, but with Cornish weather being a little unpredictable, you may want to move the days around depending on the sunshine (or lack of).
Day 1: Arrive Polruan/Fowey
Day 2: Fowey + Readymoney Cove
Day 3: Coastal walk to Polperro/Lantic Bay
Day 4: Polkerris
Day 5: Day trip to St Ives
Day 6: Polruan/Fowey
Day 7: The Eden Project
Day 1 & 2 – Polruan/Fowey
Arrive in Polruan/Fowey, check into your accommodation and set out to explore these lovely waterside towns. Fowey is a tangle of narrow streets, whitewashed cottages, and independent shops, with a great selection of pubs and restaurants tucked into corners and overlooking the water.
Things to Do in Fowey:
- Enjoy a Cornish cream tea and scones at The Teapot or Brown Sugar
- Have a drink and some snacks overlooking the water at the Red Rocket
- Browse the independent shops, boutiques and galleries, including Salt Society, Brocante, and Pebble & Salt
- Have a drink at the Ship Inn (the oldest pub in Fowey)
- Walk the waterfront and harbourfront paths
- Swim at Readymoney Cove
- Eat seafood at Captain Hank’s or North St Kitchen
- Have a drink with a view at the Harbour Hotel
- Eat tapas and pintxos at Pinxto
- Visit the quaint Fowey Aquarium
- Hire SUPs or kayaks from Fowey River Hire or take a tour along the estuary
Day 3 – Coastal walk: Polruan to Polperro (or to Lantic Bay)
One of the most beautiful walks in Cornwall, this section of the South West Coast Path is rugged, dramatic, and full of classic clifftop views. It’s steep but well worth it with beautiful beaches to stop at along the way, so pack your swimmers. If you have young kids, then make sure you have a backpack carrier, either a structured hiking one or a decent baby carrier. The full trail is 6.8 miles/10.88km and takes around three hours and 30 minutes.
Once you get to Polperro, and you’ve spent some time exploring the lovely harbour town, you can take the 481/482 bus back to Polruan. Just double-check the bus times before you leave.
If that feels too far, or you prefer a return walk, then walk as far as Lantic Bay for a day at the beach, and come back the same way. It’s two miles each way. This is a beautiful, wide beach reached by a steep path from the main track. It can also be reached by car, with a car park at the top of the path.
Day 4 – Polkerris
Head over to Polkerris for the day; this lovely beachside village is a six-minute drive from Fowey or 36 minutes from Polruan. While there, have lunch at Sam’s on the Beach, a restaurant set in an old RNLI lifeboat station serving wood-fired pizza and locally caught seafood.
Day 5 – Day Trip to St Ives
This is the longest day on this Cornwall itinerary, but absolutely worth it. It’s about an hour and 20 minutes’ drive to St Ives, so it’s best to depart early to make the most of the day (and also to secure parking, as this can be tricky).
St Ives is one of Cornwall’s most beautiful seaside towns, known for its turquoise water, golden beaches, whitewashed cottages, and winding cobbled lanes that tumble down towards the harbour. It has a creative, slightly bohemian feel, shaped by its long connection to artists and the sea, with galleries, independent shops, and seafood restaurants tucked between old fishermen’s buildings. Expect it to be a lot busier than Fowey, but it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular spot.
Things to Do in St Ives
- Relax on the beaches, including Porthminster, Porthmeor and Porthgwidden
- Wander the harbour and cobbled streets filled with cafés, galleries and boutiques
- Visit Tate St Ives
- Grab a crab sandwich or Cornish pasty from the Slipway
- Explore Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Walk sections of the South West Coast Path
- Take a wildlife or seal spotting boat trip from the harbour
- Go surfing or try paddleboarding at Porthmeor Beach
- Enjoy seafood and Cornish ice cream overlooking the water
Day 6 – Polruan/Fowey
Spend another day in Fowey/Polruan. Polruan is much smaller than Fowey, but we loved the little harbour beach where the ferry departs. The kids spent lots of time playing in the sand, and you can grab drinks from the waterside pub, The Lugger Inn and enjoy them on the beach. There is also a shipping yard next door, and the children loved watching the boats be lowered into the water.
Things to Do in Polruan:
- Enjoy a Cornish cream tea and scones at Willow’s Pantry
- Visit Polruan Castle
- Let the kids burn off some energy at St Saviour’s hilltop playground with amazing views of the coast and the estuary
- Have a drink at The Russell Inn or The Lugger Inn
- Take the ferry across to Fowey and back (my kids loved this)
Day 7 – Fowey/The Eden Project
Enjoy your last morning in Fowey and Polruan before heading to the Eden Project. The Eden Project is one of Cornwall’s best family attractions, combining enormous indoor rainforest and Mediterranean biomes with interactive exhibits, outdoor gardens, nature play areas, and plenty of space for children to explore. Built inside a former quarry, it feels both educational and adventurous, with winding paths, towering tropical plants, waterfalls, and hands-on experiences.
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Where to Eat in Fowey & Polruan
Fowey has a great selection of restaurants and pubs offering food. Polruan is much smaller, with few options, but both The Lugger Inn and The Russell Inn serve food, as do the three cafes: Willow’s Pantry, Kitty’s Koffiji and Jam First.
My recommendations for Fowey restaurants are:
- Samphire at The Old Quay House — Waterfront dining focused on seasonal Cornish produce, fresh seafood and estuary-inspired flavours.
- Kitchen, Bar & Terrace at Fowey Harbour Hotel — All-day dining with panoramic estuary views and a laid-back coastal atmosphere.
- Pintxo — Small tapas and sherry bar serving Spanish-inspired plates.
- Denaro’s at the Fowey Gallants Sailing Club — Friendly sailing club restaurant serving homemade classics in a relaxed setting by the water.
- Sam’s — A lively local favourite known for fresh food, burgers, seafood and quirky interiors.
- Sunny Spice — Contemporary Southern Indian restaurant blending bold flavours with modern European presentation.
- Havener’s Bar and Grill — Quayside restaurant serving freshly cooked food and drinks overlooking the Cornish waterfront.
- Bufala — Italian restaurant focused on authentic ingredients, handmade pizza and relaxed dining.
- The Dwelling House — Elegant tea rooms offering homemade cakes, savouries and organic local produce.
- Narla — Dog-friendly Michelin-starred restaurant serving modern dishes in a welcoming atmosphere.
- North Street Kitchen — Popular seafood pop-up with riverside terrace dining and fresh local catch.
- Captain Hank’s Crab & Snack Shack — Laid-back riverside shack known for crab sandwiches, seafood snacks and casual waterfront bites.
- Red Rocket — Vibrant takeaway-style spot serving burgers, wraps and easy street food for harbour-side eating.
The Best Beaches Near Polruan & Fowey
- Readymoney Cove — A sheltered sandy cove in Fowey, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding and easy family beach days.
- Polkerris Beach — A small, scenic beach popular for calm water swimming, kayaking and long lunches overlooking the sea.
- Lantic Bay — One of Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches, with turquoise water and dramatic cliffs reached via a steep coastal path.
- Par Sands — A long sandy beach backed by dunes, ideal for families, beach walks and relaxed afternoons by the water.
- Polruan Beach – Small sandy tidal beach on the quay in Polruan
- Whitehouse Beach — A tiny tidal beach near the harbour in Fowey with calm, shallow water popular with local families.
- Polridmouth Cove — A calm double cove surrounded by woodland, accessed by a footpath
- Lansallos Beach — A small secluded cove reached via a peaceful valley walk.
What to Pack for a Week in Cornwall with Kids
Pack for all seasons when visiting Cornwall. Even in summer, the weather can shift quickly from warm sunshine to cool sea breezes and rain showers, so layers are essential. Bring comfortable clothes for beach days, coastal walks, cosy pub dinners and relaxed exploring, along with a waterproof jacket, sturdy shoes, swimwear and warm layers for evenings. If travelling with children, beach gear, extra clothes and practical outdoor essentials will make family days out much easier. I also recommend wetsuits for the kids if you have them.
