Things to do in Cornwall for free

Visit Roskilly’s Organic Farm, near St Keverne, a traditional dairy farm that’s set in the beautiful Cornish countryside. It’s still a working farm, so while you’re there you’ll encounter the likes of cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep, geese and more. Plus, there are plenty of walks to take around the farm and slightly further afield through the meadows.

One of the most striking free things to do in Cornwall is pay a visit to St Michael’s Mount, a small island located just off Marazion. After you’ve made the most of Marazion’s beautiful beach, and when the sea is at low-tide (when the causeway appears), take the 500 metre walk across to the island. While you’ll have to buy a ticket to access the hilltop castle or garden terraces, simply walking around the harbourside is priceless – in both senses of the word!

In Cremyll sits Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, one of the loveliest family days out that Cornwall has to offer. With a Grade I-listed landscape and 55 Grade II-listed structures, taking in the 865 acres of parkland here feels a little like the setting for a romantic period novel. While you’ll have to pay to enter the house, you can still admire its structure from the outside, and roam around the historic landscape of the park while overlooking the sea across to Plymouth (Devon).

Bring your own bike or walk along the Camel Trail, which follows a disused railway line. The route follows the Camel Estuary between Padstow and Blisland, both picturesque settings as much as the woodland and villages you pass along the way. Cheap hotels to Cornwall can include all types of itineraries; taking one of the many walking routes available can be one of the most enjoyable and scenic things to do.

Got a sweet tooth? Then you’ll love Trenance Chocolate Factory in Mullion (near Helston), where you not only get to watch the luxury chocolates handmade by staff, but you’ll also get to taste samples of the good stuff.

In Truro there’s the Royal Cornwall Museum, which explores Cornwall’s past from prehistoric archaeology and century-turning industrial triumphs. While it's a £5 entry for adults, it’s free for under 18s and kids will love the dress-up opportunities. A totally free alternative is an hour’s drive away at the Peranzabuloe Folk Museum, which details the heritage of the smattering of villages that make up this parish.

One of Cornwall’s top accolades is its expanse of beaches, from secluded rocky coves to prime surfing spots, and family-friendly sandy beaches in between. For ‘hidden’ beaches try Hemmick Beach in St Austell; for sweeping coastal views try Whitsand Bay in Torpoint; and for surfing, it’s got to be Newquay.

Considering its smaller size, Falmouth Art Gallery is one of those places where you’ll lose track of time thanks to the 2000-odd works of art on display. Spanning Pre-Raphaelite to children’s illustration archives, the whole family will enjoy part of a day spent here. While there’s also regularly changing exhibitions, overall the gallery focuses on local themes, from Cornish abstract and Cornish women artists to local views and more.