Attractions in Newquay and Perranporth

Newquay Zoo won the Sustainable Tourism Award and was a finalist in the Visitor Attraction of the Year Award in the Cornwall Tourist Board 2004 Awards.

From its humble origins as a small pets corner in the early 1960s, Newquay Zoo, opened in 1969, has become one of the country's top zoos, with ground-breaking and innovative conservation programmes.

Winning 11 major awards since 1996, as well as passing the South West Tourism Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance assessment, it has proved itself to be one of the best attractions in the South West.

The zoo was privately owned from 1994 to August 2003 by Mike Thomas and Roger Martin. During this time they developed the zoo into one of the best in the country. The highlight for Mike Thomas was seeing the revolutionary partnership with St Austell College established and the development of an educational facility on land adjacent to the zoo, catering for BTEC and HND studies.

In August 2003 Newquay Zoo joined forces with Paignton Zoo and is now part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust family, comprising Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Slapton Ley and Two urban nature reserves.

Specialising in breeding many endangered species, Newquay Zoo is at the forefront of conservation, education and entertainment.

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The Lappa Valley Steam Railway runs on one of the oldest railway trackbeds in Cornwall.

Opened in 1849 as a mineral line from Newquay to East Wheal Rose, it later became part of the Great Western Railway's Newquay to Chacewater branch line. This was closed in 1963, and in 1974 Eric Booth, the founder of Lappa Valley, reopened part of the line as a narrow-gauge railway.

Lappa Valley is now three railways in one. Board our 15-inch gauge steam train, Zebedee or Muffin, at Benny Halt and travel on a mile-long journey through a beautiful Cornish valley to our leisure park at East Wheal Rose.

Then ride on two more miniature railways: the 10 1/4-inch gauge climbs nearly half a mile further up the valley, and the 7 1/4-inch gauge travels a circuit of 320 metres.

Families love the canoes and pedaloes, crazy golf, children’s play area, and nature walks. For those interested in the past, an imposing mine engine house stands in the leisure park and its story is told in a dramatic video presentation.

There is also have a brick path maze designed on Cornishman Richard Trevithick’s world-first 1804 steam locomotive.

Careful ecological management of the site allows wild flowers, ferns and trees to thrive and provides a good habitat for a large variety of native birds, animals and insects.

There is also a licensed coffee shop and well-stocked gift shop.

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For years the World In Miniature has offered families the chance to see the world in half a day.

You can see many wonders of world, including the Taj Mahal, Statue of Liberty, the Pyramids, Jurassic Park and Cornwall's own Eden Project.

A maze feature has been constructed and there is also a playzone and the Batflyer, where you can launch yourself into oblivion and spiral earthwards on the twisting track, suspended in the Batflyer cage as the world flashes past.

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Step back in time and re-live the wild days of the American West of the 1800s. See live action shows, ride a real cowpony, visit the museums, talk with authentically-dressed characters who bring history alive.

There's live action, a museum. shops, Silver City, Old Fort Smith and the Mining Camp.

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Dairyland has been a favourite with families for nearly 30 years.

There's masses to do, with plenty of play areas and children's activities; a huge new undercover play area, the Bull Pen, with climbing nets, slides and ball pools, is open at weekends and in school holidays throughout the year, even when the rest of the farm is shut.

Other extras include trampolines, an assault course, play area for smaller children, go-karts, mazes, and displays on rural heritage and alternative energy. But first and foremost it's still a working farm, and the centrepiece remains the unique daily milking session (around 3pm), when cows step aboard a bizarre merry-go-round milking machine and are milked to a rousing musical accompaniment.

This bit's had something of a makeover in recent months: it now looks rather like a space-age nightclub, complete with glitter balls. There are a good few other animals too, including paddocks of rheas, llamas and deer, and a petting area for small children, where they may be able to bottle feed some of the animals.

Well-labelled nature trails take in quieter corners, with woodland and duck-filled lakes, and, for an extra charge, there are pony and hay rides. The clotted cream and ice cream are made with their own milk.

Meals and snacks (made with mostly local ingredients), shop, disabled access.

• Infoline: 01872 510349
  
  
• Open: every day from March 31-October 31,10am-5pm.

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Blue Reef is part of an exciting new generation of wildlife attractions designed to inspire deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

As well as Newquay, Blue Reef aquariums are situated in Southsea (Portsmouth), Tynemouth on Newcastle's coast, and Tyne and Wear. On a visit to the aquarium, you can discover sea life from sharks, seahorses and clownfish to octopus, crabs and lobsters.

Open-top tanks allow close encounters with friendly rays while 'hands-on' tide-pools and crashing surf displays recreate the seas' many different aspects. A giant tropical ocean display with its own underwater tunnel, over 30 living displays featuring amazing sea life provide an unforgettable family day out.

Blue Reef is one of the UK's leading aquariums with a commitment to providing education about the marine environment but in a fun and entertaining way.

Regular talks and feeding displays make the aquarium an unforgettable day out for families - whatever the weather. It is a baby-friendly family day out with multi-level viewing and facilities in the café include microwave for warming food.

Opening hours are from 10am daily (last admission 5pm; times vary with season).

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Your Waterworld ticket gives you access to two superb swimming pools. You can bask in the tropical fun pool with children's slides, flumes, waterfall, fountain and erupting volcano or enjoy a swim in the six-lane, 25-metre pool where the temperature is a constant 29 degrees.

The fun pool temperature is a constant 30.5 degrees. Or you can stay fit and healthy using a state-of-the-art Life Fitness gym, superbly equipped, with instruction from fully=qualified staff. In the aerobic studio try a wide range of classes.

Afterwards, relax and enjoy some refreshments in the coffee shop which overlooks both pools (available during peak season).

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