Days Out - Lappa Valley Steam Railway

On Sunday we ignored the growing piles of Autumn leaves that are crying out to be picked up and made our way to Lappa Valley Steam Railway near Newquay for a fun day out.  When you arrive you board 'Muffin' the Steam Train who will take you on a ten minute journey through the Lappa Valley before arriving at the main park.  If you go, schedule your arrival to coincide with the timetable so you are not hanging around; trains depart at 10.30, 11.10, 11.50, 12.30, 1.25 and 2.00. Don't forget to take everything with you as 'popping back to the car' is not a simple task.

Steam up!

1st Class - the only way to travel.

Arriving at the main park.

The park is set around the Wheal Rose tin mine with its handsome engine house and chimney stack.

Wheal Rose Engine House

After our picnic lunch we boarded the Woodland Railway, which is a diesel train based on the 125, for a quick whizz around the park site.

There is plenty to do around the park site with pedal tractors, various slides and swings, sandpit diggers, two man canoes, crazy golf and the Trevithick maze.

 

Next up we boarded Eric, another diesel who took us through more woodland to another outdoor play area and football pitch.

 

Watching the Woodland train go past.

The literature says the visit last 4 hours which we would say is about right.  They have some good reviews on Trip Advisor where people say they think the park is suitable for under 8s.  There are plenty of picnic areas but also there is the Whistle Stop Cafe which tries to use local produce where possible.  The loos have baby changing facilities and all the staff were friendly and helpful.

All in all a good day out, some people may say it's a bit naff but I think it would be better to say a traditional family day out and that if you get stuck in and have a go on everything you'll enjoy yourself.

Kate
Poltarrow Farm
Self Catering Cottages and Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast in Cornwall

Days out - Heligan Harvest

We nipped up to Heligan yesterday to have a look at the annual Harvest Display - this year the pumpkin is the star of the show.  Pumpkins in every colour and form make up the display.

Kate
Poltarrow Farm
Self Catering Cottages and Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast in Cornwall

Farm Friends - New additions to Pets Corner

Summer has flown by in a haze of blue skies and blazing sun - the good weather continues as we enjoy this Indian summer. In August we had a flurry of new additions to Pets Corner, introducing...

Charlie

 

Rhubarb

Barley

Abigail

Charlie, Rhubarb, Barley and Abigail came from a local animal shelter who had been inundated by 80 (!) guinea pigs that the RSPCA had rescued from a rather overwhelmed old lady.  They are all boys (don't let the name Abigail fool you!) and are about 4 months old.  Their names were pulled out of the hat from a selection that the children staying here had come up with (hence Abigail!); I think they are great names that suit the boys well.

They have settled in well and after a couple of week on integration through wire with Minky and Monty the resident rabbits they are now free to roam Pets Corner.  Unfortunately they do seem to spend rather a lot of their time underneath the hutches!

Kate
Poltarrow Farm
Self Catering Cottages and Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast in Cornwall