Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Cornwall Star Awards 2024
Primary Times Cornwall is proud to reveal the highly anticipated Primary Times Star Awards, which will celebrate the very best family-friendly attractions, activities, and services across Cornwall. Voted for by families of primary school children, these awards highlight the businesses and organisations that go above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences for local families.
After a five-year hiatus, Primary Times Cornwall is delighted to announce the return of their hugely popular Awards, which aim to celebrate the best of what local tourism and family-orientated businesses have to offer. The awards are distinctive due to their authenticity and winners are chosen by the readers of Primary Times, namely local families with primary school-aged children. The questions in the survey were constructed to provide an honest and authentic insight into what our readers value most from local businesses, providing information and recommendations to local families at a time when personal budgets are tighter than ever.
BELOW ARE THE 2024 WINNERS:
🌟 Best Family Full Day Out 🌟
Winner:
Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
Joint Runners up:
Lappa Valley and Paradise Park
🌟 Best Family Half Day Out 🌟
Winner:
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Runner up:
Newquay Zoo
🌟 Best Value For Money 🌟
Winner:
Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
Runner up:
Lappa Valley
🌟 Best Indoor Play Venue 🌟
Winner:
Kidzworld Cornwall
Joint Runners up:
Raze the Roof
🌟 Best Party Venue or Entertainer 🌟
Winner:
Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
Runner up:
Kidzworld Cornwall
🌟 Best Family Event of the Year (2024)🌟
Winner:
The Royal Cornwall Show
Joint Runners up:
Rogue Theatre and The Great Estate Festival
🌟 Best Family Friendly Dining Venue 🌟
Winner:
Boo Koo’s
Runner up:
Trevaskis Farm
🌟 Best Recommendation To Your Friends 🌟
Winner:
Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
Runner up:
Lappa Valley
Linda Edwards, Publishing Editor at Primary Times Cornwall said: “
Thank you to all of the readers who have taken part in the 2024 survey, these results will help local families choose fun activities and places to visit. Each winner should be proud of their success in offering exactly what our readers want and I particularly congratulate Camel Creek Family Adventure Park for being our overall winner, winning four categories. We’d also like to applaud Camel Creek’s ability to connect with visitors and keep improving, setting a high standard for family-friendly attractions in the area. We look forward to seeing what the next twelve months will bring and how the local attractions and venues will evolve and develop.”
Overall winners, Camel Creek Family Adventure Park had this to say about their success in the Awards:
“The whole team at Camel Creek are so proud to have won six out of the eight main categories in the 2024 Primary Times Star Awards! Last year was an incredible year for Camel Creek, with brand-new attractions, major investments, and exciting new events added to the park. Seeing how much our visitors have enjoyed these changes means the world to us, and we’re so grateful to everyone who voted for us. These awards were the perfect way to top off a successful year, and we can’t wait to welcome both returning and new visitors in 2025 to experience what makes Camel Creek so special!”
> Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
Located near Wadebridge, is full of activities for all ages including rides and attractions, indoor play, animals and toddler sessions. The attraction will be opening a Camping and Glamping Park in Spring 2025 where families can choose from fully furnished glamping tents, bring-your-own tent camping plots or spacious motorhome plots. They also offer birthday party packages Junior Keeper Experiences and a full event schedule throughout the year with seasonal activities.
Find out more at www.camelcreek.co.uk
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Located near Newquay in Cornwall, offers a nostalgic steam train ride into a secret world of traditional fun and family adventures. Visitors can enjoy train and boat rides, explore nature, and let off steam in outdoor spaces. The attraction also features The Engine Shed, home to a multi-level indoor soft play area and café. In addition to the main railway, Lappa Valley boasts two miniature railways, a boating lake, adventure golf, and both indoor and outdoor play areas. The 35-acre site provides ample opportunities for families to explore and enjoy various activities. They also offer Membership options and Children’s Birthday Party packages.
Find out more at www.lappavalley.co.uk
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A wildlife sanctuary and exotic garden located in Hayle and is best known for its collection of birds, including rare and endangered species such as parrots, owls, flamingos, and red-billed choughs (the emblem of Cornwall). The park is also home to otters, red pandas, farm animals, and penguins. There is also the JungleBarn Indoor Play Centre, free-flying bird shows, penguin and otter feeding and a tropical house which is home to exotic plants and birds. They also host additional activities and trails throughout the year.
Find out more at www.paradisepark.org.uk
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A lively and welcoming family-run restaurant inspired by all things Texan serving Tex-Mex dishes and authentic American barbecue, straight from Texan Created Recipes.
They have locations in Falmouth and Helston.
Visit their website at https://bookoos.co.uk/our-roots/
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Europe’s largest garden restoration. Following their rediscovery over 30 years ago and covering over 200 acres, the Gardens have lots of grounds to explore including ‘The Jungle’ – a lush, subtropical valley, secluded woodland, ornamental gardens, Victorian-style kitchen gardens and glasshouses and ‘The Mud Maid’ and ‘The Giant’s Head’ which are famous living sculptures covered in plants. There is also wildlife throughout the grounds, 60 acres of traditionally managed woodland and a farm which is home to a variety of traditional and rare breed livestock and poultry. Events and activities run throughout the year including a special twilight event at Christmas.
Find out more at www.heligan.com
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An indoor play centre is located on Kernick Road Industrial Estate in Penryn and offers something for the whole family from tiny tots to kidults. Kids love to play in their mega play frame, slides, climbing wall, ball cannons and astro glide. Toddlers and younger children can also explore the Centre in their own safe space. Older children are welcome to enjoy gaming in their Gel Blasting, Laser Tag and VR Arenas. Two birthday party rooms are also available to hire with themes to choose from, complete with your party host. Their café also offers a fresh food and drink menu complete with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Find out more at www.razetheroof.co.uk
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Cornwall’s largest event, attracting approximately 120,000 visitors each year. The Show offers a diverse range of attractions including agricultural showcases such as livestock judging, equestrian events and sheepdog trials, a vintage rally and steam fair displaying historic machinery, a food and drink marquee as well as hundreds of traders and a wide variety of activities and displays for all this family. The 2025 event takes place from the 5th to the 7th of June at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre near Wadebridge.
Find out more at www.royalcornwallshow.org
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Located at Connor Downs near Hayle offers a wide range of activities and things to see. Alongside the shop and restaurant serving cream teas, lunches and evening meals; visitors can also enjoy the farm park. At selected times throughout the year, visitors can take part in Pick Your Own amidst their 28 acres of countryside or see the lambs and piglets in springtime.
Find out more at www.trevaskisfarm.co.uk
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Offers visitors the opportunity to see hundreds of animals and countless amazing plants across 13 acres of beautiful, sub-tropical gardens. There are daily animal talks, feeding sessions and interactive exhibits alongside amenities including a café offering locally sourced food and gift shops as well as outdoor play areas to explore Animal adoption packages and experiences are also available to buy.
Find out more at www.newquayzoo.org.uk
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Located in St Austell offers a wide range of indoor activities such as roller skating, trampolines, games zone, slides and soft play, a cannon arena and an area for younger children called Toddlers World. Party packages are also available.
Find out more at www.kidzworldcornwall.co.uk
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Presents several seasonal immerse theatre adventures throughout the year at Tehidy Woods near Portreath
Find out more at www.rogueotherworld.co.uk
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Located at Scorrier House near Redruth and is renowned for its eclectic mix of music, art and cultural activities, all set within the grounds of a historic estate.
The 2025 event takes place from 30th May to 1st June.
Find out more at www.greatestatefestival.co.uk