There’s nothing quite like exploring a sculpture garden for the first time or finding the next stop on an arts trail by the beach. From toddler-friendly painting mornings to outdoor installations that spark the imagination, treat your little ones to a creative break with these inspiring activities and workshops.
Creative kids
Penzance area
Will your little artists find their creative calling in Penzance?
- Activity level: Easy
- Duration: 4-5 days
You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.
Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.
Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.
Create your own inspiring itinerary
If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.
Things to do
Walk the promenade
Penzance Promenade is a beautiful open stretch of newly refurbished seafront. Penzance prom has been designed for all travellers to enjoy, be it on foot or by bike. Feel free to stop off and read some of the information boards, which tell you about the wildlife and history of the area. Don’t forget to pop into Jelbert’s to experience their popular clotted cream-topped ice cream.
Little artists
Experience the joy of colour in this fun (and messy!) weekly workshop held at Newlyn Art Gallery. Led by experienced teacher Annie Vigar, the Little Artists sessions have been designed to nurture the creativity of babies and toddlers. Annie uses safe materials, so it doesn’t matter if more paint ends up on your toddler than the page. Booking is essential, find out more here.
Gwelen
If you’ve ever visited Mount’s Bay, home of St Michael’s Mount, it might surprise you to learn that beneath the waves lies the remains of an ancient forest. To bring this secret landscape to life, local artist Emma Smith has created a site-specific artwork, ‘Gwelen’. To find her wooden ‘seeing sticks’, join the section of the South West Coast Path that connects Marazion and Penzance. This unique installation is accompanied by a podcast, which will introduce you to Emma Smith and her work.
Spring awakening
See Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens as it bursts back into life after winter. There are installations from renowned artists around every corner – from intriguing metal sculptures to the fascinating camera obscura. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a mindful moment, experience the changing seasons and enjoy the details of nature.
New for 2023: Discover the brightly coloured figurative sculptures by Lisa Wright.
Meet the animals
This Penzance farm has an incredible story. Two young farmers with no family background in farming have transformed the land into a small holding, campsite and countryside classroom. Now they host open days, during which you can meet some of the animals and learn more about how they are looked after. Follow the farm on Instagram to find out more about their events.
Exhibitions & collections on Cornish life
Penlee House Gallery and Museum celebrates the history and culture of Cornwall. It’s home to a substantial collection of artworks by painters from the Newlyn School – a group of artists who helped to shape the British art world and explored the Newlyn way of life in their paintings. Visit the Penlee House website to see what’s on display this winter.
Beaches of St Ives
The beaches in St Ives are world-famous, and in the winter months, you get to explore the coast without the crowds. The number 17 bus from Penzance station takes you into the heart of St Ives, with the Malakoff bus station just moments from Porthminster beach. See this timetable and more here.
Places to Eat
Lunch at the lido
Whether you’re warming up after a swim or simply want to take in the atmosphere at the lido, you’ll love the modern café at Jubilee Pool. See what’s on the menu and check their opening times here. Jubilee Pool is also considered to be very accessible, with wheelchair access, disabled toilets, trained staff and free entry for carers. Find out more through Access Cornwall.
Essential Information
Places to Stay
Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.
More inspiration?
Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.
Accessibility
Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.
Local knowledge
Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.
Getting around
Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.
Positive impact
We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.
Itinerary last updated on
This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.
