The Perfect Family Day Out in Cornwall

Heligan for Families

1. Jumping Pillow

   The only Jumping Pillow in the South West, and latest addition to the Heligan Play Meadow. Bounce, boing and bop your way across our outdoor inflatable cushion. There is no additional charge or booking requirements. All participants must remove their shoes and avoid collision. No age restriction (under 5s should be accompanied by parent or carer). 

2. Heligan Play Meadow

   Climb, slide and scramble your way around Cornwall's largest outdoor playground. Over 14,500m² of adventure awaits - that's the size of two football fields.

   From turrets to towers, slides to swings, all set beside Bugginghum Palace (the UK's largest bug hotel) this natural play area brings families together in the heart of nature and the Heligan Estate. 

   We also have coffee, ice-creams and picnic benches because this is play, designed with parents in mind!

3. The Jungle

   Acres of raised boardwalks, giant exotic plants, pools, wildlife and one of the longest Burmese Rope Bridges in Britain! Perfect for any budding Indiana Jones or Dora the Explorer. This sub-tropical garden is not only brimming with exotic plants from around the world, it’s also home to some of the earliest dinosaur food – Tree Ferns. Although the dinosaurs have long since gone, the plants that they used to eat are still with us today! Can you spot them?

   Explore The Jungle

4. Heligan Farm Animals

   Throughout the Estate, you will discover a friendly collection of heritage and rare livestock in the form of our ‘Tamworth’ & 'Gloucester Old Spot', ‘Devon and Cornwall Longwool’, ‘Kerry Hill’, ‘Jacob’, & ‘Ryland’ sheep and our ‘Ruby Red’ & ‘White Park’ Cows, along with a variety of rare poultry.

   All the Heligan animals have their own appeal but our adorable piglets usually steal the show! Check with staff on arrival for their current location.

   Explore our farm

5. Bugginghum Palace - UK's Largest Bug Hotel

   Welcome to the UK's largest bug hotel. Located beside Heligan Play Meadow, with views across to the sea, this is the Ritz of Insect Hotels, providing a wide range of nesting space for a host of insect and invertebrate life. 

   (Please note Buggingham Palace is accessible only to bugs, butterflies and mini beasts.)

6. Diggory

   Our resident scarecrow stands guard over the abundance of crops in the Vegetable Garden and is always pleased when visitors stop to pose for a photo with him.