Staying with family
With so much to do onsite and locally, Poltarrow Farm is the perfect place for families of all ages
Family holidays at Poltarrow are all about having the freedom to do as much or as little as you please. Children can help Kate feed the animals, splash about in our warm indoor swimming pool, explore the farm and make the most of the space around them. There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained, whatever the weather, while Mum, Dad and the grandparents can enjoy a little time to relax too. With just six cottages, it’s a peaceful place to spend time together and make some lovely holiday memories.
Lightening the load
Anyone who’s packed for a holiday with a baby or toddler knows just how much luggage one little person can need!
We try to make things a little easier by providing plenty of the essentials, so you can leave a few things at home and enjoy a less stressful journey.
Our baby and toddler equipment includes:
A wooden cot, highchair, bed guards and blackout blinds
A nursery box with useful extras, including a blender, baby monitor, children’s plates, cutlery and nightlights
A booster seat and hop-up step
Pushchairs, a baby carrier and a toddler carrier available to borrow
Just let us know what you’ll need before you arrive and we’ll help you get everything organised.
Animal Feeding
Animal feeding is always a favourite part of a holiday at Poltarrow, and it’s something Kate particularly enjoys sharing with our younger guests.
Pull on your wellies and come along with Kate in the morning to meet some of the animals who call Poltarrow home. Timmy the Shetland pony is always pleased to see visitors, as are Penrose and Piper, our goats. There are guinea pigs to meet, hens and ducks to feed, and the children can help collect the eggs too. At Easter the lambs arrive, and you never quite know who else might join us during the year!
It’s lovely watching children get to know the animals. Some are straight in there, while others prefer to watch from a distance at first. There’s never any pressure, and it’s often the quieter ones who surprise us by the end of their stay.
Mums, Dads and Grandparents are very welcome to join in too. It’s a chance to learn a little about life on the farm, make some lovely memories and perhaps get your boots a bit muddy along the way.
Around the farm
One of the loveliest things about a family holiday at Poltarrow is seeing children enjoying the freedom to play and explore.
There are ride-on tractors in the play area, plenty of space for games and picnics, and a farm trail to follow through the countryside. You can wander down to the lake, have a go at fishing or take the rowing boat out on the water. Sometimes the simplest things turn out to be the most memorable.
And when the Cornish weather has other ideas, there’s still plenty to do. Our indoor swimming pool is always popular with families, while the Sports Hall has table tennis, climbing wall, trampoline and lots more. For younger children, there’s an indoor soft play area with toys, books and plenty of space to play.
It’s all here to enjoy at your own pace, whether you want to fill every day with activities or simply spend a quiet afternoon together.
Indoor Swimming Pool
Our warm indoor swimming pool is a firm favourite with families staying at Poltarrow. Whether it’s a morning swim, a splash about with the children or a little time practising those swimming skills, it’s lovely having a pool to enjoy whatever the Cornish weather is doing.
The water is kept at a wonderfully warm 30°C, making it particularly comfortable for younger children. With just six cottages sharing the facilities, you’ll often find you have the pool to yourselves.
A few useful things to know:
- The pool is 10m long and 4m wide, with a constant depth of 1.4m.
- Wide walk-in steps make getting in and out easier.
- There's a changing room with a shower and baby-changing facilities.
- The pool is available to guests from 8am to 8pm when open.
When is the pool open?
The pool is open from the Easter holidays until the end of October half term. It also opens for Christmas and New Year, and February half term.
Outside these periods, the pool is closed.
The Sports Hall
Our heated Sports Hall is a great place for children (and grown-ups!) to burn off a little energy, whatever the weather.
There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained, from a game of table tennis or badminton to a family competition around the pool table. Older children love testing themselves on the climbing wall, while younger ones can enjoy a bounce on the trampoline.
It’s especially handy on rainy days, and with just six cottages sharing the facilities, there’s usually plenty of room for everyone.
- Great large space for burning off energy
- Table tennis, short tennis and badminton
- Climbing wall for older children
- Trampoline for a little bouncing fun
- Pool table and cues
The Soft Play Room
Our indoor soft play room is a lovely little space for younger children to play, explore and let their imaginations run wild.
Designed especially for the under 5s, there’s plenty to keep little ones busy, from soft building blocks, tunnels and slides to a play kitchen and a rail of dressing-up clothes. Whether they’re pretending to cook dinner, dressing up or building something wonderful, there’s always something to discover.
It’s a particularly welcome place to spend a little time when the weather isn’t quite so inviting, and somewhere younger children can enjoy playing at their own pace.
- Especially suitable for children under 5
- Soft building blocks, tunnels and slides
- Play kitchen and dressing-up clothes
- Toys and imaginative play
Onsite Fishing
There’s something rather special about spending a peaceful hour or two beside the lake at Poltarrow.
Tucked away in the valley, our spring-fed fishing lake is a lovely place to escape for a little while. Whether you’re an experienced angler or introducing the children to fishing for the very first time, everyone is welcome to have a go.
Fishing is free for guests staying at Poltarrow, and you might be lucky enough to catch rudd, perch, blue orfe or even one of our more elusive carp. You can also take our rowing boat, Jubilee, out onto the water, or simply sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the best holiday memories.
- Free fishing for guests staying at Poltarrow
- Spring-fed lake within walking distance of the cottages
- Rudd, perch, blue orfe and carp
- Rowing boat available for guests to enjoy
- A lovely place for children to catch their first fish
The Farm Trail
One of the loveliest things about staying at Poltarrow is having the countryside right on your doorstep.
Our farm trail takes you through fields and woodland, past the fishing lake, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the views along the way. Keep an eye out for buzzards soaring overhead, ducks on the pond and the occasional heron standing patiently by the water.
It’s a lovely way to enjoy a little fresh air, whether you’re heading out for a family adventure or simply fancy a peaceful stroll. There’s no rush and no timetable, just the chance to enjoy being out in the Cornish countryside.
Poltarrow now extends to around 75 acres, and we’re looking forward to extending the trail into the new land in the future.
- Farm trail through fields and woodland
- Lake, pond and countryside views
- Plenty of wildlife and birdwatching opportunities
- A lovely walk for families and nature lovers
- Download our Farm Trail & Nature Walk guide
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