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A Day Out At: Lappa Valley
Climb aboard and discover a day out for the whole family.
Our first visit as we emerge from lockdown was to Lappa Valley. What’s On Manager Bethany took the family on a special day out full of trains and outdoor fun.
We pre-booked our tickets online using the easy website, and paid for them on arrival. The queues into the ticket office and on the platform were socially distanced, and there is lots of space around the station whilst you wait for your train.
We climbed aboard our first train (named Ellie) and traveled through the sunlit countryside to East Wheal Rose, which is the main site on the attraction. The Lappa Valley Railway runs on one of the oldest railway track beds in Cornwall, and it’s great to imagine all the different people who have traveled the line since it was built in 1849. You can read more about the history of Lappa Valley here.
We disembarked from our first train ride and headed to the benches for lunch. We bought our own picnic of pasties (what else for a day out in Cornwall!) but the Whistlestop Café offers a range of lunches, snacks and drinks if you don’t want to pack your own. The children in our party then headed off to explore the array of outdoor adventure equipment including pirate ships, slides, swings and sand pits.
We then hopped onto another train, this time making our way on the Newlyn Downs Branch Line to Newlyn Halt. There’s more fun to be had here with a family games field with picnic tables, play trains, football nets and balls. You can wait for another train to take you back or take a ten minute walk through the woods.
Once back at Wheal Rose we made a bee line for the crazy golf (which is harder than it looks!). On our visit the trampolines were closed as a Covid-19 precaution, and the Swan Pedalos were not open, but there was still plenty to do as we clambered onto the Woodland Railway for our third train ride of the day. This route circles the engine house (one of Cornwall’s largest) that is in the middle of the site.
After an ice cream and another play on the adventure equipment (with lots of ringing of the station bell!) it was time to board Ellie again and make our way back home.
The sun shone during our visit and the green, open spaces at Lappa Valley felt a safe space to be following months at home. There is lots of hand sanitiser across the site and one way systems in the cafe and shops. The staff were friendly and helpful, and seemed delighted to have visitors back with them.
Lappa Valley is now open daily until Sunday 1 November 2020.
To find out more and book your tickets see www.lappavalley.co.uk
About Lappa Valley
Lappa Valley is one of the best family days out in Cornwall. Take a nostalgic steam train ride through beautiful Cornish countryside, and arrive in their secret valley of fun and adventure. They’re a place to make memories as a family, roaming free and enjoying play in the great outdoors!