Short answer: Cornwall's half term is Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. From Porthleven, walk to Loe Bar through the National Trust's Penrose estate (but don't swim: the currents are dangerous), spend a day at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek (open daily 10am–5pm), and watch the harbour. Flambards in Helston closed for good in 2024, so don't plan around it.
Porthleven in half term is about the outdoors: big October seas, a long walk to Loe Bar, and a seal sanctuary down the road.
Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026 for Cornwall Council schools; academies and other schools may set their own dates.
The walk from Porthleven to Loe Bar is the banker: a shingle bar with the sea on one side and Cornwall's largest natural freshwater lake, Loe Pool, on the other. Reviewers say it's about 20 minutes from the car park. No swimming: signs warn of dangerous currents. The National Trust's Penrose estate has woodland walks, a café and toilets, and is dog friendly. Loe Bar walk from Porthleven.
About 20 minutes' drive. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary (4.6 from over 6,000 reviews) is open daily 10am–5pm. Its half-term programme is listed as a "Pup Season" from 24 October to 1 November, with pup rescue demonstrations; check the official Sea Life Trust site for 2026 details and prices, and book online for a discount. Only assistance dogs are allowed. Dogs at the Seal Sanctuary.
No. Flambards theme park in Helston closed permanently in November 2024. Ferdi's indoor play on the old site reopened on its own afterwards; check it's open before you go.
The clocks go back on 25 October, so it's dark by about 5pm. Do the walk in the morning.
More: half term in Helston · Halloween events · storm watching · the Porthleven guide.
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