On our recent visit to the area we decided to visit the Cider farm as it was only 3 miles from where we were staying, and we had already visited the county's main attractions. Now I'm not a cider fan in fact I'm not too keen on alcohol in general but I found this much more fun than I thought. It also boasts free tasting and entry.

Healey's Cornish cider farm is located 8 miles from Newquay in Penhallow. It is well sign-posted and very easy to find.
It is open between 9am and 8pm depending on the time of year.


There is a large free car park opposite the main site and it also has a special section for dogs to do their 'business' they are allowed on the site but not in the building or around the animals. Even in the car-park the kids were excited as there were lots of peacocks and chickens walking around.

***Upon crossing the road into the site the walk ways are ALL cobbled and may be difficult for some***

Crossing into the main site which is a beautiful timbered building there is a restaurant, shop, and outside dining area with rabbit hutches.
The restaurant is a beautiful old style timbered building inside and out. Access is via 4 steps or a ramp. It is overall quite good value for money we paid £15 for 3 full cream teas and 2 large sausage rolls, these were home baked and wolfed down by the 2 older kids.
The shop is large with all types of memorabilia as well as all the makes of cider and jams etc. I will say though that on some things it is quite expensive although the basic Scrumpy cider is great value at £4.22 for a litre bottle and the preserves are around £2 for a 100g pot. The shop is accessed via the same route as the restaurant. The tasting bar is located in the shop and contains samples of everything they make, you don't even have to buy anything afterwards.

Leading on from the outside dining area you come to a courtyard that is surrounded by the rooms used in the making of the ciders and jams etc, these include the Jam kitchen and press house although the museums are not (these are only accessible if on a paid for guided tour). You can though wander through everything else for free.
In the courtyard there is also a horses stables containing beautiful shire horses and a little paddock with long haired cows (name?) in, an archway leading off the courtyards takes you to a viewing centre where you can see goats, pigs, sheep and other farm animals- this was a highlight for the kids we stood there for at least 30 minutes they didn't want to leave!

We decided to make the most of our visit and pay for both a guided tour and tractor ride.
We choose the tour as we got to see everything including the distilleries and museums, this cost us £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for children, it was a great tours and was really interesting and there are quizzes and video's for the children.
The highlight of our visit was the tractor ride it cost us £4 for an adult and £3 for a child. This takes you through the farms orchards and farm in a covered trailer the kids loved it and the fact that it was a tractor made my 4 year old so excited. Both the tours took around 45 minutes to a n hour to complete so they were good value for money although you can enjoy the farm just as much without going on them.

Overall I would thoroughly recommend a visit if your in the area as it's a great fun experience even without the paid for activities, the produce is of a high standard and the animals are well looked after, it is in my opinion a great unusual day out.

For more info the website is www.thecornishcyderfarm.co.uk