Family days out in Newquay this half term – get there by train

Newquay is the perfect family day out this half term – beat the traffic and get there by train on the Atlantic Coast Line. Here’s what’s on…

Spooky Season at Newquay Zoo

(Sat 22 to Mon 31 Oct / 11am – 3pm)

Visit Newquay Zoo this half term and enjoy a host of frightfully good free activities from creepy crafts to spooky stories!

Join the Zoo Rangers for ‘Fact or frightful fiction’ – the true or false game that aims to bust the myths around some of the more creepy species. You can also play ‘Trick or don’t eat’, where you’ll learn all about animals that are poisonous or venomous and the species that mimic them. Plus, enjoy the daily animal talks.

Halloween activities, games, and animal talks are free as part of normal admission to Newquay Zoo.

Make sure you keep hold of your train tickets (paper or digital). Show them at the zoo entrance for a £1 discount per person, as a thank you for choosing sustainable transport. Whether you’ve already bought your zoo ticket online, or are buying it on the day, the admissions team will handle the rest.

Deeply Creepy at the Blue Reef Aquarium

(Sat 22 to Mon 31 Oct / 10am until 5pm with last admission at 4pm)

Explore the aquarium to learn more about creatures of the deep on the ‘Deeply Creepy’ trail and keep an eye out for the animals feeding on pumpkins.

Discover the special themed rooms, while spotting sunken cauldrons and taking part in a Halloween costume competition.

All Halloween activities are free, normal admission charges apply.

Get there by train

From Newquay station, it’s just an 11-minute walk to the zoo or a 10-minute walk to the Aquarium.

Adult Off-Peak Day Return fares:

• Par to Newquay £5.60 (direct)
• Truro to Newquay £7.50
• Falmouth to Newquay £8.00
• Plymouth to Newquay £12.00

Kids travel half-price (5-15yr olds). Under 5s free.

Save a third off the above adult fares for you and a friend (with kids travelling for just £1) with a Devon & Cornwall Railcard – just £12 a year for local residents.

Look up train times and buy rail tickets on the GWR website or app.

More to Explore

Walks from the railway

Rail Ale Trails

Foodie Guides

Beaches by train