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Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Why we love cornwall.

Renowned for its glorious countryside, striking coastline and unique attractions, you’ll find an abundance of places to visit in Cornwall that leave lasting memories. From catching a performance at the open-air clifftop Minack Theatre to surfing the waves at Newquay’s Fistral Beach or delving into the Arthurian legend at Tintagel Castle, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have something for everyone.

Wander the South West Coast Path to discover picturesque coves, golden beaches and quaint harbours, and explore the world’s largest greenhouse at the Eden Project. Hop over to the Isles of Scilly with its crystal clear waters, venture to the tidal island of Saint Michael’s Mount at low tide, or tuck into a delicious Cornish pasty. Take in the subtropical paradise of Trebah Garden, and go back in time at Henry VIII’s coastal fort, Pendennis Castle. Regardless of what you want to do when you visit Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, you’ll discover a county packed with charm and intrigue.

Getty Images/Dougal Waters

Cornwall’s waves are made to be surfed – across the county find surfing schools that’ll teach you the basics of hitting the water. Or for seasoned surfers, take to some of Cornwall’s best-known surfing spots including Fistral Beach and Porthleven.

VisitCornwall/Cornwall Underground Adventures

Going underground

Discover Cornwall’s subterranean world of tin mines, excavated tunnels and rocky passageways with Cornwall Underground Adventures . From entry level underground expeditions to a full day exploration, this experience will show you a different perspective of Britain’s coastal county.

Eden Project / Ben Foster

Cornwall, England

Rock out in Eden

Set against the iconic backdrop of the Eden Project’s biomes, this is a breathtaking setting to catch the world’s greatest musicians at the Eden Sessions . With new gigs announced every year past performers who have rocked the stage include the Chemical Brothers, Kylie Minogue, Diana Ross and The Who.

Rachel Ponnusamy

Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England

Explore the Isles of Scilly

A short distance from Cornwall’s coast, the Isles of Scilly are unspoilt island escapes packed with adventures and experiences. Britain’s largest archipelago of islands, explore five inhabited islands and island-hop some of the 140 uninhabited destinations that make up a colourful tapestry of landscapes. From the white sands of St. Martin’s to the largest island St. Mary’s and everything in between. 

VisitBritain/Aurélie Four

The sounds of Cornwall’s coast

Bringing live music, surfing and skateboarding to Cornwall’s shores each year, Boardmasters is a summer festival not to be missed. Camp on the cliffside or bag yourself a boutique tent for a jam-packed weekend of dance vibes and adventure sport.

Things to do in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

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The Eden Project

Filled with tropical plants and trees, the vast Eden Project even has an indoor waterfall and bamboo huts, and hosts live music and events year-round.

VisitBritain/Eden Project

Eden Project

Lost Gardens of Heligan

A world of romance, heritage and adventure awaits at Europe’s largest garden restoration project.

VisitBritain/Ida Eriksson

Minack Theatre

For a truly unforgettable experience, head to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall, an outdoor theatre hewn out of a cliff-top.

VisitBritain/Sarah McNally

Boardmasters Festival

For five days of live music and world-class surfing in Newquay, head to the annual Boardmasters Festival in August.

Tintagel Castle

Linked to the mythical King Arthur, Tintagel Castle occupies its very own island – with bracing sea views and centuries of history.

VisitBritain/Helena Bradbury

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

Be inspired by some of the artist’s finest pieces, displayed throughout her sea-view home and studio.

VisitBritain

Saint Michael's Mount

This island getaway sits just off the coast of Cornwall, with a magnificent castle at its peak.

National Trust Images / David Noton

Tate St Ives

Love local art? Immerse yourself in a breathtaking collection of Cornish sculptures, paintings and sketches.

VisitBritain/Tomo Brejc

Doc Martin filming locations

Discover the places where the TV series was shot – including Fern Cottage, Doyden Castle and Bodmin Moor.

National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Poldark filming locations

You’ve admired Cornwall’s turquoise coves and glorious beaches on screen – now it’s time to see them for yourself.

Getty Images/Gary Yeowell/ Digital Vision

Truro Cathedral

Towering over its namesake town, this spiritual sanctuary is unmissable in every sense of the word.

LLE Photography

Fistral Beach

Come for the watersports, but stay for the friendly atmosphere, surf boutiques and great food and drink.

Kevin Britland / Alamy Stock Photo

The Cornwall Hotel and Spa

This luxurious rural retreat blends a tranquil location with superlative accommodation, service and dining.

Cornwall Folk Festival

From impromptu street music to fantastic live gigs, this is guaranteed to get your toes tapping.

Taste of Scilly Festival

Welcome to 10 days of mouth-watering food and drink experiences across the Isles of Scilly.

Danny North

Chygurno Gardens

A breathtaking spot for picnics and walks beside sub-tropical blooms, overlooking the glittering Lamorna Cove.

Pinetum Gardens

This lushly planted park has been four decades in-the-making, with ten themed ‘garden rooms’.

Pinetum Gardens, Cornwall

Eden Sessions

Set against the iconic backdrop of the Eden Project’s biomes, these concerts are absolutely epic.

Tresco Island

One of the Isles of Scilly, this incredible getaway blends pristine countryside with magnificent coastline.

Tresco Island / Ellie Tabron Island Images

Murder Mysteries - Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Featuring murder, scandal and the theft of a diamond necklace, this is no ordinary train journey!

Murder by Appointment SW / Chris Batters

Paddle Cornwall

With their crystal clear waters and secret beaches, the Scilly Isles are ideal for a sea kayaking adventure.

Antony Woodland Garden

This thriving garden and woodland is ideal for long walks, beautiful picnics and wildlife watching.

Antony Woodland Garden / Clare Dearden Images

Underground Adventurer Extreme

Featuring zip lines, climbing walls, abseiling and caving ladders, this is a totally epic adventure.

Newquay Coasteering

Scramble, swim, dive and leap through Cornwall’s beautiful coastline, in the company of an expert guide.

Newquay Activity Centre, Cornwall

Cornwall surf lessons

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced pro, there are surfing experiences for every ability on England's finest waves.

Cornish Wave, Cornwall

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens

These lushly-planted woodlands, borders and waterways are dotted with breathtaking local artworks.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens / Ali Braybrooks

Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange

These vibrant galleries are filled with contemporary pieces by famous names and emerging talents alike.

Newlyn Art Gallery

Trevibban Mill

For a taste of wild Cornwall, look to this family-run vineyard, farm and orchards.

Trevibban Mill, Cornwall

Philleigh Way Cornish Cookery School

Start the day at a farmhouse-style cookery school, where you’ll mix up a Cornish classic, the pasty.

philleighway

St Austell Brewery

This Cornish brewery is synonymous with top-quality beer, and offers tours and tastings galore.

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Treguddick Distillery

See the stills in action on behind-the-scenes tours and tastings at this award-winning distillery.

Just a few steps from this island fortress, a beautiful beach awaits – ideal for paddling and picnics.

Bodmin Jail

This former prison is a spine-tingling setting for ghost walks, Halloween nights and after-dark tours…

Botallack Mine

Made famous by the Poldark TV series, this is a spectacular setting for walks, picnics and cycling.

National Trust Images / Hugh Mothersole

Cornwall Pride

Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with colourful street parades, epic club nights and craft markets.

Cornwall Pride / Kai Greet Photography

Rattler Fest

Amazing music, great atmosphere and free-flowing cider: is there a better recipe for a summer festival?

Golowan Festival

In the height of June, the streets of Penzance fill with live music, parades and traditional dancing.

St Michaels Resort

Look forward to a sumptuous spa, top-quality restaurant, and comfortable beach-side rooms.

St Michaels Resort, Cornwall

Greenwood Music

Think glamping, craft workshops and wellbeing breaks – all for a restorative ‘back to nature’ experience.

Charlie Bears Gallery

Welcome to the home of Charlie Bears, where you can meet hundreds of oh-so-cute characters.

Charlie Bears Gallery and Shop

Shopping around St Ives

Filled with craft shops, art galleries, souvenir stalls and more, this is a true shopper’s paradise.

St Ives Bid / David Flack

Carnglaze Caverns

Step into a magnificent underground world, a network of dazzlingly-lit tunnels and historic caverns.

Shutterstock

The National Lobster Hatchery

As well as seeing the tiny hatchlings up-close, you can adopt your very own lobster…

National Lobster Hatchery / Alex Hyde

The Sardine Factory Looe

Specialising in superlative seafood, this harbour-side restaurant received Michelin Bib Gourmand status in 2020.

Visit Cornwall / Matt Jessop

Walk Scilly Festival

From coastal paths with epic views to following in the footsteps of history, grab your walking boots for expert-guided walks and experiences.

Visit Isles of Scilly

Cornwall on screen

Follow in the footsteps of your favourite stars and explore the filming locations scattered across the county.

VisitCornwall/Matt Jessop

Isles of Scilly festivals and events

From foodies to hikers, sports fanatics to nature lovers, get involved in Scilly’s events and festivals throughout the year.

Danny North Photography

Explore Scilly like a local

Let the local’s guide you with insider knowledge and tips on this blog; from finding the perfect secluded beach or cosy bolthole, to the best spots for stargazing and more.

Tresco Abbey Garden

A subtropical gem off Cornwall’s coast, explore plants from every Mediterranean climate, surrounding the ruins of an old Benedictine Abbey.

Featured things to do

Tracey Boyne

Hit the water with Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School. For absolute novices to seasoned sailors feel the rush of the waves as you learn the tricks of boating technique. Family friendly and accessible experiences are also available year round.

VisitBritain/Getty Images/Peter Cade

Two wheeled adventures

Head out into the Cornish countryside for a cycling journey. From some of the steepest gradients in the county on the North Torpoint coastal road, to gentle country cycles - there's something for everyone here. Follow the Cornish Way for over 200 miles (321kms) of walking and cycling trails.

Take a trip to Padstow

A town with bags of charm, Padstow is a must visit for foodies and adventure seekers. Kids will love trying their hand at crabbing at the harbour, while Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant serves up the flavours of the county. Take the time to explore the Camel Cycle Trail, which starts and ends in Padstow.

VisitBritain/Herewegoagain.blog

Wintery wanders

Brace the cooling weather for a wintery walk across Cornwall's beaches. From Chapel Porth, Kennack Sands and Mousehole, take an invigorating stroll across the sands.

Places to stay in Cornwall

North coast.

B&B’s with sweeping scenic views across all of Cornwall’s beautiful northern coastline. You’ll find the area filled with places to rest your head, from the likes of buzzing Bude to hidden coves.

West Coast  

Discover the ends of Britain at Cornwall’s West Coast, filled with tranquil beaches, beautiful bays and an abundance of places to stay - you’ll find the West Coast has everything you need.

South Coast

With unique glamping spots atop the rocky coastline, quaint B&B’s in the county’s towns and hotels with sweeping coastal views, the South Coast is great for a holiday and even better for your budget.

Explore nearby

Hugging the south-west, Devon is a playground for adventurers, explorers and foodies.

Shutterstock / Hugh O'Connor

Devon, England

King Charles III England Coast Path

A masterpiece in the making, filled with beaches, clifftops, cities and nature.

South West Coast Path/Roy Curtis

Dartmoor and Exmoor

With tangled oak forests and looming peaks, it can feel like the edge of the world.

Plymouth is Britain’s Ocean City with maritime charm, natural beauty and award-winning museums and waterfront attractions. See the best things to do here.

Plymouth, England

Small but mighty, Exeter is a city with seriously cool credentials. Discover the top attractions and best things to do and see during your next visit here.

Exeter City Council

Getting to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Cornwall Newquay Airport welcomes direct flights from several European destinations, alongside international connections from around the world. A public bus service connects the airport to Newquay and Padstow. 

Direct trains from Bath and Bristol provide regular links to Cornwall with Great Western Rail . The Night Riviera Sleeper service operates nightly from London Paddington to Penzance (apart from on Saturdays), taking around eight hours. In addition to the main train line between Plymouth and Penzance, five branch lines serve different parts of the county. 

National Express coaches also link Cornwall with the rest of Britain, including a service from London Victoria to Newquay , which takes around seven hours. 

Visitors to the Isles of Scilly can take the Skybus from Land’s End, Newquay or at Exeter Airport, with a travel time of between 15 to 60 minutes. The Scillonian III Passenger Ferry from Penzance harbour takes around 2 hours 45 minutes. Or travel in style with Penzance Helicopters in just 15 minutes. 

Getting around

An extensive Cornwall public transport network links the many different attractions and places to visit in Cornwall, providing a reliable means of getting around. Park and Ride schemes run in peak season at Lelant Saltings for the town of St Ives and at Liskeard for Looe, while two parking sites at Langarth Park and Tregurra Park serve Truro. For information on travelling around the Isles of Scilly, see Visit Isles of Scilly .

Large parts of Cornwall can be explored on foot , including a 300-mile section of the South West Coast Path, a walking and hiking route that takes in rocky headlands, picturesque harbours, coastal valleys and gently rolling hills.

Cornwall has a great range of local public bus connections, that you can plan via Travel Line South West . First Bus  operates largely across Cornwall accepting contactless payments. The Go Cornwall Bus app is also a handy tool for planning.

With stunning coastal routes and countryside tracks, cycling in Cornwall is a must. Several companies offer bike hire in Cornwall to explore its coastal tracks and golden beaches at your own pace.

Want to know more?

Head to Visit Cornwall for insider tips from those in the know.

Cornwall Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary + map)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: August 10, 2023

Our Cornwall Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for this beautiful English county. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Cornwall!

Plan your visit to Cornwall

With its stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, castles , historical treasures and quaint towns and villages no wonder Cornwall in England’s south west is one of the top destinations for British holidaymakers.

Cornwall has something to appeal to every age group and is the perfect destination for families, couples, solo travellers.

For walkers, surfers, foodies, beach lovers, history enthusiasts and nature lovers Cornwall is the place to be!

Map of Cornwall

When is the best time to visit cornwall, top attractions in cornwall include:, cornwall travel guide – accommodation, take a tour, day trips and tours, experiences, tips for visitors to cornwall, traditional english dishes from cornwall, books to read about cornwall, enjoy your visit to cornwall.

• The best time to visit Cornwall is in June or September before or after the UK school holiday season when it can be very busy.
• During July and August, the weather is generally at its best (it is the English summer period and can be notoriously unpredictable) but this is also high season and the roads are busy with visitors heading to the pretty Cornish seaside towns and beaches.
• This is also the most expensive time of year to visit.
• Temperatures during the winter months can fluctuate so expect to wrap up to keep warm and dry!

Places to visit & things to do in Cornwall

See the best of Cornwall with our preferred tour partner Meneage Tours

Whether you are arriving in Cornwall by train or would like to take a break from driving so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery without negotiating those country lanes a private tour with Meneage Tours is the perfect option.

⭐️ Click here for more information and experience the extraordinary magic of Cornwall with Meneage Tours

BEST PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO IN CORNWALL

Read – Cornwall 7 day road trip itinerary

Land’s End

Saint Michael’s Mount

Minack Theatre

10 best things to do in St Ives

Kynance Cove

The Eden Project

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Cornwall Seal Sanctuary

There are accommodation options to suit all budgets and travel styles in Cornwall. Click the links below for the best options for your trip.

Tip – Book in advance, particularly during the summer months or you may find accommodation is full.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CORNWALL(LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION GUIDE)

Find more special stays in my Accommodation Guide for England.

Practical tips for visiting Cornwall

How to get to cornwall from london.

Drive to Cornwall in less than 5 hours from London via the M4.

Click here for directions via google maps.

Tip – Please note that in the summer months, the roads can be very congested so travel overnight or outside peak rush hours to avoid long delays.

There are a number of train routes to take to get to Cornwall from London including the sleeper train service the Night Riviera .

The most popular train route is from London Paddington to Newquay which takes around 5 hours.

Alternatively, take a direct train from Bath (why not stay in Bath for a few days) or Bristol. The London – Bath – Cornwall route is one of our 10 favourite UK train journeys.

Find out more information including train timetables and fares on the trainline.com

National Express coaches travel from London to Truro in Cornwall and take around 7 hours. This is the cheapest method of transport but also the slowest!

Fly to Newquay airport from airports around the UK including London Gatwick, Belfast, Aberdeen, and Manchester amongst others.

Cornwall 5-Day Tour with Meneage Tours This 5-day private tour with our preferred tour partners in Cornwall have created a fantastic tour which combines the best that Cornwall has to offer. 

Listen – Podcast Episode #34 Introduction to Cornwall with Doug of Meneage Tours

Read more – Complete guide to transportation in the UK (including planes, trains and automobiles)

Recommended day trips and experiences in Cornwall

• Book a private driver-guided tour with Meneage Tours (mention UK Travel Planning when you book) who offer a variety of themed tour options as well as the ability to design your own bespoke tour.
• Private Poldark Tour with Pickup – Day tour of filming locations featured in the BBC drama Poldark, adapted from the Winston Graham series visiting sites throughout Cornwall .
• Doc Martin Tour – Take a guided walking tour of filming locations from the hit show Doc Martin in the picturesque village of Port Isaac in Cornwall. If you prefer a private tour we recommend this Doc Martin & North Cornwall Tour with Meneage Tours.
• Build Your Own Tour – Meneage Tours has built a lot of specialist tours for customers over the last few years, including Geneology, Cornish mining history, Railways, Literature, Doc Martin, Poldark, photography…… you want it, they will build it – contact Meneage Tours and create your dream Cornwall adventure today.

• Hot Air Balloon Flight – Enjoy a Champagne Hot Air Balloon flight over the beautiful countryside of Cornwall. Take in the stunning English scenery as you float effortlessly through the sky.
• Make Your Own Wedding Rings in Cornwall – Experience the processes that go into hand-making rings. as you work on your special unique rings. Choose to make your rings in silver or gold to your own design. 
• Cornwall is always very busy over the summer months. Easter and the holiday weekend at the end of May are also popular months to visit Cornwall. Book accommodation, car hire and attractions ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
• Don’t miss the wonderful seafood – fish and chip shops are in abundance (Beware of the seagulls – they will try and steal your food and can be very aggressive)
• Pack jeans and a sweater even during the summer months just in case the weather changes (it can be rainy and windy at any time of year)
• We recommend hiring a car to get around Cornwall – while you can travel to Cornwall from London by train you will need a car to experience the best of Cornwall. Note that roads can be narrow and single lane. High hedges can also restrict views so drive very carefully.
• Check tides before heading to the beach – and also pay attention to incoming tides. Pack your swimming costume, sunglasses and sunblock – swim where there are lifeguards. 
• Check opening times for popular destinations such as the Eden Project. Tintagel and St Michael’s Mount. Also check the weather as this can impact accessibility to some attractions.

Read more – 10 best things to do (and places to visit) in England’s South West

Traditional foods of Cornwall include the Cornish pasty, Cornish clotted cream served with a scone and jam to make a cream tea, Stargazy Pie, saffron cake, and Cornish yarg (cheese).

Check out my travel guides for more travel inspiration around England:

• Dorset Jurassic Coast Travel Guide
• Bath Travel Guide
• Cotswolds Travel Guide
• Top 10 things to do in South West England
• Where to stay in Devon
• 12 pretty towns and villages to visit in England

Looking for more inspiration for your travels in England? Check out my England Travel Planning Guide which has loads of ideas, tips and resources to plan your itinerary.

The top 21 things you can't miss on your next Cornwall vacation

Jul 7, 2022 • 14 min read

Hiker walking a section of the 630-mile South West Coast Path in Cornwall © Paul Nash / Shutterstock

Expansive beaches, chic hotels and moody Poldark filming locations – it seems picturesque Cornwall is rarely off British TV screens. But while the county is awash with sandy beaches and quaint pubs, there’s also a much richer narrative to explore.

This one sees you seaweed foraging, vineyard visiting, barefoot beach combing, or soaking in an open-air geothermally heated pool. Time to star in truly awesome adventures of your own with our pick of the best things to do in Cornwall.

Go for a gorgeous geothermal soak

Although Cornwall has some of Britain’s warmest seas an outdoor swim can still feel a decidedly chilly affair. Enter Penzance’s art deco, open-air Jubilee Pool . This triangular 1930s saltwater lido sits right beside the sea, a geometric vision in blue and white. But what makes it a sensational swim spot is the geothermal section. It’s heated to a blissful 30 to 35°C (86-95°F) by water that’s been extracted from a geothermal well that plunges 410m into the ground . It’s not only an unforgettable place to float, it’s sustainable too as the whole heating process has a tiny carbon footprint. Geothermal tickets sell out fast: book well in advance. 

Eat in an authentic pub

Cornwall is home to lush scenes on TV screens but visitors can be surprised to find not everywhere is picture-perfect. Cornwall is one of Britain and Europe’s poorest regions , due to a decline in traditional industries, lower than average wages, high house prices and a seasonal gig economy . Time then to support the fishing industry, back a brilliant chef and have a fantastic meal at the same time. The Tolcarne Inn sits beside the harbor wall in the decidedly gritty port of Newlyn. Here chef Ben Tunnicliffe has created a superb, unpretentious dining experience in a welcoming, cozy, historic pub. Opt for whatever’s come in on the day boats – it’s sustainable and has been landed just yards away.

Walk the causeway to St Michael’s Mount

A rocky, tidal island topped with an ancient castle and steeped with Cornish folklore, St Michael’s Mount is one of the most famous places to visit in Cornwall. But this popularity makes it no less magical.

The causeway connecting the island to the mainland is only exposed at low tide, so you’ll need to time your visit carefully. Pilgrims have been making this same crossing for centuries in homage to the island’s namesake, the patron saint of fishers. As you make the climb up to the castle, look out for the heart-shaped stone set into the cobbled path. Local legend holds that this is the heart of the giant Cormoran, slain by Jack the Giant Killer.

Unearth the real stories behind those photogenic mines

Poldark – the BBC TV series (also on Netflix) of life, love and tragedy in 18th century Cornwall – remains a huge visitor attraction in the region. But while many head to the filming location of ruined Botallack Mine to snap a selfie, more powerful narratives can be explored at Levant Mine , a few miles north. Here you can see the world’s only still-working steam beam engine thundering away and head into the Man Engine tunnel. This was the scene of Cornwall’s worst-ever mining tragedy, where 31 men were killed when a transport system collapsed in 1919 . Watching Poldark will never seem quite the same again.

Surf the North Cornish Coast

Cornwall has become a world-famous surfing destination, particularly on the north coast, where Newquay’s Fistral Beach is known as the “Home of British Surfing.” Whether you’re a keen enthusiast or an absolute beginner, taking to the waves in Cornwall is a must.

Beginners can book into a surf school in Newquay, or head to gentler spots like Polzeath Beach or Harlyn Bay . More experienced surfers might enjoy the challenge of Porthleven’s reef break , or, in winter, the cove at St Agnes . Don’t fancy big waves? Try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) at Polkerris Beach or Falmouth’s beloved Gylly Beach instead.

Sample Cornish wines besides the vines

While foodies head to Cornwall’s harborside restaurants, wine lovers go inland – the county is one of the best places to sample superb local vintages in the UK. The wine produced at Camel Valley is some of Britain’s best; under winemaker Sam Lindo, Camel Valley’s fizz has beaten French Champagne house, Bollinger, in global awards. Camel Valley is also a beautiful site to visit – rows of vines etch sun-soaked slopes on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Book ahead for a guided tour or arrange to sip chilled wine by the glass on their vine-side sun terrace . 

Catch the eco bug and a concert at Eden

The pioneering eco attraction that is the Eden Project tops many visitors’ lists of things to do. Famously built in an abandoned China clay pit, this cluster of gigantic geometric greenhouses is home to massive biomes that recreate two key world climate systems. The Mediterranean biome transports you to temperatures of 9 to 25°C (48-77°F) and the fruits, herbs and flowers of Italy, Greece and Spain. Here you’re surrounded by bougainvillea, cotton, aloes, olive trees and vines (no surprise that many people visit Eden when it rains).

In the Rainforest biome, you’ll feel temperatures rise to 18 to 35°C (64-95°F) as you stroll beside rubber tree groves, sugar cane plantations and banana trees. You can even walk on a swaying wooden bridge, suspended high in the canopy. The biome also explores issues surrounding palm oil and deforestation. Everywhere at Eden, artwork and imaginative displays outline environmental issues and nudge us towards a greener, clearer future. But the best way to see Eden is during one of the legendary Eden Sessions – a series of summer music concerts that have showcased artists from Tom Jones and Kylie Minogue to Paloma Faith, Oasis, Elbow and Muse – tickets include a day-pass to the wider site.

Follow the King Arthur Trail to Tintagel

Powerful wizards, noble heroes, a sword trapped in stone… here, there be legends. Whether he was a romantic myth or a real-life mortal, King Arthur has become very much a part of the fabric of Southwest England’s story. And that story was born in North Cornwall .

Follow the King Arthur Trail through these legendary landscapes to live the myth at places like Camelford, thought to be the site of Camelot, where a 6th-century stone inscribed in Latin supposedly marks the site of Arthur’s final battle with his traitorous nephew Mordred.

Although the castle we see today was built in the 1230s, Tintagel was a seat of Cornish kings since the 5th century BCE, among them King Arthur. So says the legend, at least. Cross the narrow bridge to reach the eerie ruins on their jagged headland, before heading down to the sheltered bay below to explore Merlin’s Cave.

Take a "stank" on Bodmin Moor

Cornwall’s coastal paths are well-known, but inland there is plenty to entice walkers, too. Take a “stank” (local dialect for “walk”) on Bodmin Moor – a remote, heather-strewn moorland whose bleak but beautiful landscapes provide the perfect setting for adventure.

Soak up the views from atop Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall and one of the UK's best hikes , or explore the stone circles and bronze age barrows surrounding the slopes of Rough Tor. Fans of Cornwall’s most famous author, Daphne du Maurier, won’t want to miss the real-life Jamaica Inn at the heart of the moor. As in the novel, this isolated inn was once used to stash smuggler’s contraband in the late 18th century.

Cook a Cornish pasty

The Cornish pasty – beloved by 17th-century miners, claimed to be worth £65 million to the Cornish economy, and awarded protected status (only pasties made in Cornwall can use the geographic name). Buy them everywhere from rugby grounds and surfer hangouts to old-fashioned village stores. Or go one better and learn to make them yourself. The pasty-making course run by the Philleigh Way Cornish Cookery School near Falmouth sees you learning about the delicacy’s history and culture and practicing essential techniques, including the famous crimp. A demo on homemade scones and a Cornish cream tea is thrown in while your pasties bake – gifting you two Cornish culinary icons in one session.

Explore the Cornish mainland’s second-most westerly point

The problem with travelers’ totems is that sometimes they get overrun. At Cornwall’s most westerly mainland location, Land’s End , the dramatic cliffs are crowned by a theme park complete with a hotel, pub and 4D cinema. Time to head 7 miles north to the rugged headland at Cape Cornwall . Here you’ll discover a real end-of-the-world feel, a ruined early-Christian chapel, a derelict mine stack and tiny Priest's Cove which – at low tide – has a pocket-sized pool. Until about 200 years ago, the Cape was actually thought to be the most westerly point in mainland Cornwall then it lost that title to Land’s End. It’s a lot quieter than that other headland now.

Discover Cornwall’s forgotten corner

Most of the cars whizzing west into Cornwall cross the county border and carry straight on. But if you turn south instead, you enter the much-overlooked Rame Peninsula . It’s home to three-mile Whitsand Bay , the pretty fishing villages of Kingsand and Cawsand , and Rame Head – a rocky promontory that juts into the sea providing 360-degree views east to south Devon and west to the Lizard peninsula, some 50 miles away. To get a true taste of the area’s wild beauty, walk to Whitsand Bay from Mount Edgcumbe Country Park – a 10-mile cliff path hike via Kingsand, Cawsand and Rame Head that has exceptional views.

Catch a show at the Minack Theatre

Chief among Cornwall’s cultural highlights, the Minack Theatre is an open-air theater in an unbeatable location. Perched on a clifftop near Penzance , this spectacular setting looks as though it has always been there, its stone seats facing out onto the Atlantic Ocean.

In actual fact, the Minack is less than 100 years old. It was built in the 1930s by Rowena Cade, who felt her cliff garden would be the perfect setting for a performance of The Tempest . Today, over 200 live performances a year grace this unique stage, from plays and operas to children’s events.

Paddle off on a sea kayaking expedition

Supremely scenic from the land, Cornwall’s coast and rivers are spectacular when explored by kayak. Gin-clear seas, towering cliffs, tree-lined creeks, otherwise inaccessible coves. To really get immersed in the experience, sign up for a five-day sea kayaking trip with Evoke Adventure . Run by international expeditioner, Erin Bastian, the Best of Cornwall adventure sees you exploring the coast and estuaries near Falmouth – opening up everything from gliding up the sheltered waters of the bewitching Helford Passage to paddling beneath the exposed cliffs of the Lizard peninsula. It’s an unforgettable way to explore.

Forage for your food

Cornwall’s wide sea views draw your eyes to the horizon, but there’s much to be gained from zooming in. The Family Foraging Kitchen has you studying the shores, hedges, fields and woods in front of you. Courses take place on the Rame Peninsula – their seaweed foraging courses are held on golden beaches beside the broad sweep of Kingsand Bay. Each course covers local history, science and folklore as well as ethical foraging, species identification and how to cook what you find. By booking a session you’re also supporting a good cause – the kitchen helps combat food poverty by providing free wild food education to local families in need.

Spot naïve art in St Ives

The clear light and picturesque scenery of Cornwall have long drawn artists – from the impressionists of the Newlyn School of the 1880s to the abstract artists of the St Ives School in the 1940s. The local creative heritage was a factor in one of Britain’s most prestigious art institutions, the Tate , opening a beach-side outpost in St Ives in 1993. 

Among the wealth of works, hunt out pieces by St Ives resident Alfred Wallis . A retired fisherman, he was entirely self taught. Working at his kitchen table, he used marine paints on bits of cardboard boxes to capture quintessentially Cornish scenes. His unaffected, instinctive style chimed with artists wanting a fresh approach after the horrors of WWI and he later became lauded for creating evocative naïve folk art. Head for the gallery’s ongoing Modern Conversations display and hunt out Wallis’ Schooner under the Moon and The Hold House Port Mear Square Island Port Mear Beach – then stroll outside onto Porthmeor Beach itself and look for the similarities between Wallis’ work and the scene today.

Give a little back with a beach clean

While Cornwall’s beaches are genuinely gorgeous, they’re as hit by plastic pollution as any others around the world. Cornish environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage began campaigning to clean up seas in 1990 but now cites plastic as the new sewage. As well as backing organized coastal litter picks and inspiring people to stage their own , the charity also has a map of Cornish beach boxes where you can stash any trash you’ve collected. An ideal opportunity to explore Cornwall’s endless beaches and do good deeds for the environment at the same time.

Blast across Falmouth Harbour by boat

Cornwall’s shoreline is a string of beautiful beaches and bays and few things beat exploring them by boat. One of the very best Cornish boat trips is this 20-minute voyage from the busy port of Falmouth  across vast Falmouth Harbour to the exclusive yachting haven of St Mawes . Here cottages cluster around a sandy harbor and the well-preserved 16th-century St Mawes Castle overlooks the scene. Many trippers explore the village and enjoy a meal or drink in one of the many classy restaurants and pubs. If you can though, walk north beside the water for just over 2 miles to the less-visited village of St Just In Roseland. There you’ll find a sleepy tidal creek and an exquisite 13th-century church – the graveyard here is ablaze with color in summer and spring.

Lose yourself among the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Cornwall’s mild microclimate – an effect of the Gulf Stream as it skirts the coast – means you’ll find a wealth of exotic gardens, particularly along the south coast. But the romantic history of the gardens at Heligan lends them a touch of intrigue that’s hard to beat.

Forgotten and overgrown since the outbreak of WWI, the once-glorious gardens of this historic estate were almost lost to time. It wasn’t until 1990 that the chance discovery of a door in the ruins led to the Lost Gardens being found and restored to their former splendor.

Explore the China Clay Trails

Walkers rightly adore the Cornish stretches of the mighty 630-mile South West Coast Path for epic hiking and cracking views. Cycling families love the 18-mile Camel Trail , especially the flat, scenic, 6-mile stretch between Padstow and Wadebridge. But for fewer crowds and a unique insight into Cornwall’s past, head to the Clay Trails . Fanning out from St Austell, this network of 3-to-5 mile walking and cycling paths leads right into the heart of China clay country – an area mined for kaolinite for centuries. 

Trails snake beside immense clay tips (dubbed the Cornish Alps), working clay pits, drying chimneys, luminous blue lakes and glittering turquoise dams. Wildlife has reclaimed much of the landscape, so your insight into industrial heritage comes complete with buzzards and kestrels, wildflowers and vivid yellow gorse. One of the routes even passes right by the Eden Project – a suitably environmentally friendly way to arrive.

Get cast away on an uninhabited Scilly isle

The Isles of Scilly sit 28 miles west of the end of mainland Cornwall – an exquisite archipelago of five inhabited islands. White-sand beaches, azure seas, a mild microclimate and a slower pace of life make them one of Cornwall’s most appealing places. Fleets of boat trips fan out from the main island, St Mary’s , to the other four inhabited isles. Tresco is the most visited thanks to the subtropical Tresco Abbey Garden . St Martin’s has arguably the best campsite on Scilly . Bryher’s rugged western shore is home to the smart Hell Bay Hotel . Rugged St Agnes has the Turk’s Head , the UK’s most south-westerly pub. Each island is richly rewarding to explore. But the best tip is to arrange to be dropped on uninhabited Sampson by the Isles of Scilly Boatmen’s Association . The twin hills and sweeping beaches of this eerie outcrop were home to a handful of farmers and fishermen until the mid 1800s. Today you can explore their ruined homes and boat sheds between swims in crystal clear seas.

This article was first published Feb 5, 2020 and updated Jul 7, 2022.

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Cornwall , Places & Things To Do · July 8, 2022

How to Plan a Trip to Cornwall (+ 7 Day Cornwall Itinerary)

If you’re visiting cornwall for a holiday or road trip, make sure you make the most of it by being organised & planning ahead.

There’s nothing worse than going on a trip somewhere and wasting loads of time faffing about because you’re unsure what to do and you haven’t planned in advance (or worse – get home afterwards and realised you missed out on the best bits!).

This is why I would strongly recommend planning ahead and creating an itinerary for your trip to Cornwall. It doesn’t have to be hour by hour strict and formulated – but having a rough idea of the things you want to do and see on each day is really useful, and you can adjust as you go.

Table of Contents:

How many days do you need to visit cornwall, when is the best time to visit cornwall, 1. decide how to get to cornwall, 2. book your cornwall accommodation, 3. research the best places & things to do in cornwall, 4. plan out your cornwall itinerary, 5. (make a rainy day plan), 6. create a packing list, 7. prepare for your trip before you leave.

But first, here are some FAQs and things to consider when planning your trip…

It really depends what you want to do during your trip and how many days is actually viable for you! It is possible to do a whistle-stop tour of a specific area in 3 days, and if you don’t mind driving around a lot, it is possible to touch on the key highlights in a week or 10 days. But you might be knackered afterwards and you’ll miss a lot if you try to cover a larger area in a shorter space of time!

When visiting a new place in the UK (like our recent trip to the Lake District), I try to remind myself that we can always come back again in the future to do another part/section of that area, if it’s too stressful to fit it all into one visit.

So for example in the 7 day itinerary that I’ve put together, I’ve just included all of the highlights of the SOUTH of Cornwall (from Newquay downwards). It just means that you might want to consider another trip at some point to cover the NORTH of Cornwall.

It really just depends on how much rushing around you really want to be doing and how important it is for you to see as much as possible (or if you’d rather a more relaxing trip)!

Peak season in Cornwall is always July and August due to school holidays, so if you’re able to avoid these times that would probably be best as the roads, towns and beaches won’t be quite as busy.

My favourite months in Cornwall are the shoulder months, like May, June, September and October. Cornwall is beautiful in late Spring and early Autumn, and it still stays pretty warm at these times (just not QUITE as busy!).

Okay, now onto the step by steps of how to plan your visit to Cornwall…

There are several options for how to get to Cornwall, and which one is right for you will depend on what you plan to do once you get here. If you’re going to be hopping around to lots of different places, you will want a car to make sure you can access everywhere you need.

However if you’re staying in one area (eg. Newquay, or St. Ives), you might be fine with using public transport like trains and buses to get around. Getting the train to Cornwall is the most environmentally friendly option, if that works for you during your trip as well.

Cornwall also has an airport in Newquay as well, so if you’re unable to drive or get the train there are links from major cities in the UK down to Newquay airport as well.

Accommodation in Cornwall gets booked up pretty far in advance, so I’d suggest booking this as soon as you can. There are so many amazing places in Cornwall to choose from, from luxury hotels and holiday villages, to quirky glamping options and budget friendly camping options.

Check out my ‘Where to stay in Cornwall’ section on my blog for my personal recommendations!

Top tip: Always book direct with the hotel/holiday park/campsite as they’ll usually price match any booking sites!

Research is so key when putting together a plan for your trip to Cornwall, because you want to make sure you’re making the most of your visit! I personally love scouring Instagram hashtags of locations to get inspiration, and of course remember to check out the categories on my blog to help you too:

• View my personal recommendations of the best restaurants in Cornwall
• View my suggestions for the best beaches and coast path walks in Cornwall
• View my recommendations for activities and things to do in Cornwall

It’s also really important that you have somewhere to STORE all of this research and information that’s easily accessible while you’re on the go, and so you can reference it easily when planning your itinerary. I use my Travel Planner templates whenever I’m going on a trip to somewhere new so I can easily add links and ideas on the lead up.

This is the fun part! Now that you’ve collected all your research for the best places and things to do in Cornwall, you’ll want to create an itinerary for each day of your trip.

As I say, this doesn’t have to be a rigid plan with precise timings if that’s not your style, but having a list of at least ideas for what you’ll do on each day means you’ll waste less time and truly make the most of the time you have here.

I love using my Travel Planner templates for planning out my itineraries because you can add dates and details, share with friends & family to collaborate, and also view them in calendar view as well!

If you’re looking for my recommended itinerary for a 7 day trip to Cornwall, I’ve built this in to my ‘Cornwall Travel Planner’ template so it’s ready to go (but it’s also customiseable too) – plus a 100+ item packing list too!

The one downside of planning a staycation to Cornwall is that there is of course the potential for rain during your trip. A little bit of rain shouldn’t put you off this beautiful county though, and it’s still possible to do plenty of coast walks and outdoor activities in the drizzle, however for those days when it’s absolutely tipping it down and stormy, you probably will want to have a back-up plan in place!

You can download my free guide to Rainy Ideas in Cornwall below for inspiration :)

Once you know what you’ll be getting up to and where you’ll be going on your visit to Cornwall, it’s time to pack! I personally find it helpful to have a packing list with everything on it that I can check off as I go along, making sure we have all the essentials for the trip.

In my Cornwall Travel Planner template I’ve included a 100+ item packing list with everything you could possibly need on your holiday, specifically tailored for Cornwall!

Obviously everyone’s needs will be different depending on who’s going on your trip and what you’re doing and where you’re staying, but I’ve tried to include all possibilities in the list (including stuff for babies, dogs, and camping if you need! You can easily remove sections of the list if need be).

Depending on your situation and how long your trip is, there are certain things you’ll want to do before you leave – such as emptying the fridge, sorting care for your pets, or even putting together a play pack for the kids so they don’t get bored and rowdy in the car or on the rain! Again, having a place where you can store all of these reminders and checklist items can be useful so it’s all in one place (and I’ve built this in to my travel planners as well).

Introducing the Cornwall Travel Planner & 7 Day Itinerary!

Plan out your next Cornwall adventure with this customisable travel planner,  with built-in 7 day suggested itinerary!

Store your trip info, inspiration, to do lists and plan your full Cornwall itinerary in detail using this template built in Trello. Access and reference easily on the go thanks to the Trello app too! (You’ll receive a video tutorial showing you how to use and customise the template too).

Buy Now for £6.99

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September 20, 2023 at 6:22 am

It’s fantastic guide if you planning a trip to Cornwall! Your tips and insights are incredibly helpful for anyone looking to make the most of their visit to this beautiful region. And yes, having a backup plan for rainy days is a must in the UK! Your advice is spot on, and I’ll definitely keep it in mind for my next Cornwall adventure. Here one advice https://writinguniverse.com/free-essay-examples/drunk-driving/ what better not to do. Thanks again for the valuable information!

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Finding the Universe

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A 1 Week Cornwall Itinerary + Tips for your Cornwall Trip

Last updated: December 15, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 5 Comments

The county of Cornwall in the UK has beautiful beaches, lovely countryside, and some spectacular coastal vistas. So it should come as no surprise that a trip to Cornwall is a popular option for both holidaymakers in the UK and visitors from overseas. Today, I’m going to share a suggested detailed Cornwall itinerary with an overview of things to do in Cornwall in a week.

I actually grew up in Cornwall, and spent many of my formative years exploring the county. More recently, since our time living near Bath in the UK, Cornwall has been a nearby county for short breaks.

I think Cornwall has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family getaway with some beach time, a more active holiday featuring surfing, hiking, or cycling, or want to explore some ancient historical sites, Cornwall has something for you. It’s also home to a massive range of accommodation options, from cosy remote cottages to seaside bed-and-breakfasts.

In this post, I’m going to share with you everything you need to plan the perfect trip to Cornwall.

First, I’m going to answer some questions about Cornwall that you might have. Then, I’ll share a suggestion of an itinerary for a week in Cornwall. This list of things to do covers a range of activities that should easily fill a week in Cornwall, but you can of course adjust it to your own timeframe and interests.

Finally, I’ll share some advice to help you get the most out of your Cornwall trip, including tips on where to stay in Cornwall.

We’d suggest also looking at our guide to things to do in Cornwall , which has a comprehensive list of ideas for what to get up to in this beautiful English county.

Let’s get started with this guide to things to do in Cornwall in a week!

Where is Cornwall?

Cornwall is a county in England, found in the very south west of the country. It borders Devon but is otherwise essentially a long peninsula, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s around 230 miles from London, 150 miles Bristol, and 300 miles from Manchester. If you are coming here from London, you are looking at a 5 hour drive or train ride from the capital.

How To Get to Cornwall

Our recommended option for getting to Cornwall is to drive. This will give you the greatest flexibility in terms of sight seeing when you are there.

Cornwall is well connected by road with a mix of dual carriageways and motorway connecting the county to the rest of the country. Do be aware though that it is a popular destination and at certain times of year, particularly around school holidays, the roads can get quite congested.

From London it’s around a 5 hour drive, and from Bristol it’s around 3 hours. Of course, these drive times will vary depending on which part of the county you are visiting.

Cornwall is also well connected by rail, with a fast rail connection running from London to Penzance in just over 5 hours. You can also reach Cornwall via train from many other parts of the country. Check train timetables and book your train tickets online here .

You can also travel by coach to Cornwall from locations around the UK. This will generally take a bit longer than the train, but might be a better option depending on where you are travelling from. You can check coach prices and timetables across a number of operators here . We also recommend National Express and Megabus , both of which offer a wide range of routes across the country.

You can also fly to Cornwall from other parts of the UK as well as some overseas locations. The main airport in Cornwall is Cornwall Airport in Newquay. You can then either rent a car or use public transport to get around.

Another option for getting to Cornwall is to take a guided tour. These usually run for a number of days and will generally include your transport and tour guide, as well as accommodation. For example:

• This 5 day tour from London includes Devon and Cornwall as well as a number of other popular attractions in the southwest. We’ve taken multiple tours with Rabbie’s and always had a great time.
• This 7 day tour from London includes Cornwall as well as Devon, the Isle of Wight and many other attractions along England’s beautiful south coast

How to Get Around Cornwall

You have a number of options for getting around Cornwall, which are:

• Driving yourself
• Taking public transport, which includes bus and train services
• Taking a taxi
• Taking a tour

Driving yourself in Cornwall

The easiest way to get around Cornwall is to drive yourself. This will give you the most flexibility for sightseeing.

Most visitors to Cornwall who drive do so in a car or a motorhome. The latter is a popular option if you want to camp or have more flexibility over where you stay. If you want to hire a motorhome, we recommend checking prices on the Spaceships website and Motorhome Republic , which should give you a wide range of options.

If you do drive in Cornwall, there are a few things to bear in mind. First, many of the roads in Cornwall are single track country lanes, so if you aren’t used to driving on these you might want to read my guide to driving on single track roads .

Second, at certain times of year the roads do get busy with holiday traffic. If you are visiting at a busier time of year, prepare to spend a bit more time travelling between locations due to the possible traffic.

Finally, for visitors with cars, parking can often be an issue at busy times of year. Most attractions, including the picturesque villages, do have parking lots available which operate on a paid basis. Be sure to bring plenty of coins for these, as they don’t all accept card or mobile phone payments.

Note that many attractions in Cornwall are operated by the National Trust, including a number of beaches and coastal areas, and National Trust members get free parking at these car parks.

If there is an attraction you are visiting and it’s a busier time of year, we’d recommend giving yourself plenty of time to find a parking spot.

If you’d rather not drive, you still have a number of other options for getting around Cornwall.

Public Transport in Cornwall

The public transport network in Cornwall is quite comprehensive. A bus network covers the majority of the county. In addition, many of the pretty coastal towns like Looe, Falmouth and St. Ives are connected to the fast mainline rail line with scenic branch lines. You can see a map of these here .

You can certainly get around the majority of Cornwall by public transport, however it will definitely take longer than driving yourself. Depending on the type of trip you want to do, and the amount of sightseeing you have in mind, you might find it works for you or doesn’t. For timetables and journey planning, see the traveline south west website here .

There are also specific tourist buses in Cornwall, which can be an excellent option. For example, the Lands End Coaster operates from St. Ives to Lands End, stopping at a number of scenic points along the way, and connecting with the St. Ives and Penzance train and bus stations. This is an open top hop on hop off route, and is a great way to get around this part of Cornwall without a car.

Similar hop on hop off bus services in Cornwall include:

• the Atlantic Coaster , operating between St. Ives, Newquay and Padstow
• the Falmouth Coaster , which operates around Falmouth
• the Lizard , which runs from Helston around the Lizard peninsula

FirstBus also runs a series of buses under the DayTripper network name. These routes are specifically designed for visitors and link up attractions across Cornwall by bus, including locations like the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Eden Project, Lanhydrock and many more.

Prices for the DayTripper service are very reasonable, and give you access to the whole network. You can find out more and book tickets for these services here .

Overall, it is certainly possible to tour the majority of Cornwall by public transport, and arrive in Cornwall by public transport. So don’t feel you need a car to have an amazing adventure in Cornwall!

Cycling in Cornwall

Another option if you are feeling fit is to cycle. You can either bring your own bike, or you can hire one. The county is popular with cyclists and there are a number of cycle routes, some of which you can see here .

Taxis in Cornwall

You can also take a taxi to get from place to place. There are a number of providers, and your accommodation provider will normally be able to advise on a good local operator. Just bear in mind that this can be a pricey option if you need to move around a lot.

Guided Tours of Cornwall

Another option as mentioned above is to join a guided tour from a larger city like London to visit Cornwall which will include a guide and all your transportation. These trips may just focus on Cornwall or may include a number of locations around the southwestern part of England. For instance this 5-day tour includes a visit to several locations in Cornwall and Devon plus a visit to Stonehenge.

Or you can arrive in Cornwall yourself but take tours – either individual day tours or a longer tour. For example, you can put together a custom tour like this if you have a specific destination in mind that you want to visit during your time in Cornwall. Or you can book a multi-day tour that will pick you up from the airport or your hotel like this one .

See more tour suggestions further on in this planning guide.

What is There to do in Cornwall?

There is a huge amount to see and do in Cornwall, certainly something for everyone.

The county is known for its spectacular coastline and gorgeous beaches, meaning it’s popular with beach goers, swimmers, and surfers, as well as people who enjoy walking, camping, and cycling.

There’s lots more beyond stunning beaches and coastline though. From cute fishing villages through to historical sites and attractions, delicious food, and interesting museums, Cornwall really does have something for everyone. See our list of things to do in Cornwall for more ideas!

How Long Should I Visit Cornwall For?

We’d recommend visiting Cornwall for at least three days, such as over a long weekend. However, a better amount of time would be around a week which would give you more time to see more of Cornwall’s highlights.

To give you an idea of what to do during that week, see our suggested itinerary below for a week in Cornwall. Of course, should you choose to stay for longer, there’s plenty to keep you occupied!

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Cornwall?

The most popular time of year to visit Cornwall is over the summer months of July and August. This is when the weather is most likely to be warm, and also coincides with the majority of school summer holidays in the UK. With lovely beaches and swimming, Cornwall makes for a popular holiday destination for families.

If you’d prefer to avoid some of the crowds but still get some warmer weather, then the months of May, June and September would be our suggested time to visit. These months should be a little less busy, whilst still affording you plenty of good weather to enjoy the outdoors.

Of course, Cornwall can be visited at any time of year, it’s just a question of preparing for the weather and dressing appropriately. It’s also worth being aware that even if you visit in the summer months, rain and cooler weather is very much a possibility. So always be prepared, and perhaps plan for some indoor attractions for part of your visit just in case!

1 Week Cornwall Itinerary Ideas

First, I’m going to share a suggested itinerary for a week in Cornwall, and then I’ll go into more detail about the recommended featured attractions so you can make a plan that suits you.

• Day 1 – Tintagel Castle, and the fishing villages of Boscastle and/or Port Isaac
• Day 2 – Hiking on Bodmin Moor & visiting Charlestown Port and its museum
• Day 3 – Eden Project
• Day 4 – Coastal Hike or Beach Day
• Day 5 – Land’s End, Geevor Tin Mine, & Mousehole
• Day 6 – St. Michael’s Mount and Lizard Point
• Day 7 – Coastal Hike or Beach Day

Detailed Guide to Things to do in Cornwall in a Week

To help you plan your time in Cornwall, we’ve put together this list of suggested attractions that you could fill a week in Cornwall with. Of course, there is plenty more to see and do in Cornwall, so you could definitely spend more time in the county or fit more in to your week.

Alternatively, if you’d rather spend more time on the beach or relaxing, that’s fine too! You could just pick one or two of the attractions that interest you, and spend the rest of your holiday how you wish.

Here are our suggestions for some of the attractions you might consider visiting during your Cornwall trip. These are arranged in approximately the same order that they appear in our Cornwall itinerary above, although we have grouped some attractions together like the fishing villages or beaches as you might not want to visit all of these.

Tintagel Castle

If you like legends or castles (or both!), then you’re going to want to include a visit to Tintagel Castle on your trip to Cornwall.

Found on the northern coastline of Cornwall next to the village of Tintagel, this ruined medieval-era castle is closely linked to the legend of King Arthur. This connection was re-enforced and romanticised in the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, as well as a number of other Victorian-era writings.

Whether or not you believe the legend, Tintagel Castle is well worth a visit. It’s actually on a small island-like peninsula, which is connected to the mainland by an impressive bridge. There aren’t a lot of castle remains to be seen, but those that are there are interesting. A walk around the island is also very rewarding, and the views up and down the coast are spectacular.

Tintagel Castle is operated by English Heritage, and it’s free for members. Otherwise there’s a fee to visit. You can find out more about prices and opening hours on the official website here .

Tintagel Castle is close to Bodmin Moor as well as the fishing village of Boscastle (see the entry on fishing villages for more on this). There are also a number of beautiful hiking trails along the coast here.

Fishing Villages in Cornwall

Fishing has been central to the Cornish economy for centuries, and it is still very much a part of modern Cornish life.

Many of the villages in Cornwall are located where they are due to natural features that make for a good harbour. The village then spreads around this harbour which remains the focal point and heart of the community. The result is usually a very picturesque village clinging to the edge of the land, which has both historical and cultural significance.

We highly recommend visiting at least one of these cute fishing villages in Cornwall. They’re picturesque and pleasurable to walk around, and they also often have nice shops and restaurants where you can pick up a souvenir or locally produced meal.

There are of course many cute fishing villages dotted all around the Cornish coastline to choose from. Some of our favourites include:

• Polperro – found on the south-east Cornish coast, Polperro is a beautiful little fishing village. The coastal walk to Looe via Talland Bay is also excellent.
• Charlestown – on the south coast of Cornwall near the town of St. Austell, Charlestown is a beautiful 18th century fishing village and commercial port used to export china clay. The harbour is beautiful and is usually home to a number of tall ships, and there’s a fascinating museum here that tells the story of shipwrecks around the world. It’s also been a filming location for a number of movies and TV shows, including Poldark .
• Mousehole – found on the south west Cornish coast near the town of Penzance, Mousehole is a really gorgeous fishing village with a range of local shops and a pretty pale sand beach. It’s been an important fishing location from at least the 14th century.
• Port Isaac – one of the most popular fishing village to visit in Cornwall, partly due to it featuring in the Doc Martin TV series as the village of Portwenn. Found on the northern coast of Cornwall, this has a beautiful natural harbour and lovely coastal views, but expect it to be busy.
• Boscastle – the tiny village of Boscastle on the northern Cornish coast is famed for its stunning natural harbour which is formed by a narrow inlet. Much of the village and surrounding lands are owned by the National Trust , who have an informative visitor centre on site.

Of course, there are many more picturesque fishing villages to discover in Cornwall, and part of the fun of a trip here is to discover some of these for yourself.

Most of these fishing villages are near some of the other attractions in our list, so we’d recommend combining a visit to one of these fishing villages with another stop or two.

For example, Mousehole is near Land’s End and Geevor Tin Mine, whilst Boscastle and Port Isaac are quite close to both Tintagel and Bodmin Moor.

Bodmin Moor

One of my favourite memories from my time growing up in Cornwall were the various walks we took on Bodmin Moor. This is a large expanse of granite moorland which cover 80 square miles of the county, and it’s a wonderful place to hike and enjoy nature.

There are a number of features which make Bodmin Moor an interesting place to visit. First, being a granite moorland means that it is home to a number of “tors”. These are basically large freestanding granitic outcrops which jut out of the ground. The highest of these is Brown Willy, which is the highest point in Cornwall at 1,368ft.

As well as hiking and the fun photography opportunities that the rock outcrops present, another reason we enjoy Bodmin Moor is to see the ponies that roam freely. There are around 1,000 of these present on the moor, and with their thick fur and shaggy manes they are very pretty.

Overall, spending half a day or more on Bodmin Moor is a day well spent in our opinion. There are plenty of hikes to choose from, and the views from the tops of the tors across the county are spectacular. It’s also a great place for star gazing, and I in fact watched the 2020 comet from the top of one of the peaks here.

Eden Project

One of Cornwall’s most well-known visitor attractions is the Eden Project. The site consists of two massive enclosures which are formed from a series of overlapping geodesic domes.

The largest of the two enclosures is the tropical biome. This covers an area of almost four acres, and is home to what is essentially an indoor rainforest. It’s the largest indoor rainforest in the world, and within you’ll find a huge range of tropical plants, from coffee and bamboo to banana and rubber. As you would imagine, this biome is kept at a warm and humid temperature year round.

The Mediterranean biome is smaller, at 1.6 acres, and inside you’ll find a range of temperature climate plants such as olives.

As well as the two massive covered biomes, the Eden project is also home to a large outdoor botanical garden. This has Europe’s second largest redwood forest, as well as a great many other plant species.  There are also a number of art installations on site.

All in all, there is lots to see and do at the Eden Project, and you could easily spend a half day or longer on site. You can find out more about opening hours and admissions fees at the official website here .

Take a Hike

An activity we always enjoy when we travel is taking a walk or a hike. Cornwall is a wonderful place for everything from a gentle stroll to a multi-day hike. The coastal paths in particular are fantastic, offering endless vistas and secluded coves and beaches to explore.

Good options include the hike from Portreath to Hayle, which provides the opportunity to see seals around Godrevy lighthouse, or the shorter coastal hike from Looe to Polperro.

We also love the stretch of coastal path from the Botallack mine ruins through to Pendeen Lighthouse, which has a number of interesting old mine buildings as well as lovely coastal views and bird viewing opportunities.

There are also inland walks of course, including walks across Bodmin Moor as I mentioned earlier in this guide. One popular walking / cycling trail near Bodmin Moor is the Camel Trail which follows the Camel river along a former railway line.

If you’re looking for some walking inspiration, this list of walks is a great starting point.

Land’s End

In our opinion, no visit to Cornwall is complete without a visit to Land’s End, the most westerly point in both Cornwall and England. There is just something about standing on the beautiful coastline here, and getting that “edge of the world” feeling.

Land’s End is a busy tourist attraction. That’s not anything new though – tourists have been coming here to see the western edge of England for at least 300 years! So as long as you are up for some crowds, we think you should follow in their footsteps.

There are a few things to do at Land’s End. First, there’s the famous signpost which you can pay to have your photo taken at. Next, there’s a little museum which covers the history of the “End to end” route, which is basically the journey from Land’s End in England to John O’Groats in Cornwall. This is a route that has been covered thousands of times over the years via a wide range of transportation methods.

If you are visiting with family, there are some fun attractions geared to kids and families. These include Arthur’s Quest , a 4D film experience , and a 200 year old farm where you can interact with a number of animals.

There are also shops, places to buy snacks and food and of course, magnificent coastal views to enjoy. Land’s End itself is free to visit, but parking and most attractions do have a fee. Find out more on the official website here .

Land’s End is close to Mousehole, a popular fishing village, as well as Sennen Cove, a stunning beach. It’s also close to the next attraction on our list, and combining these two activities into one day out would make for a fun filled day!

Mining History

As well as fishing, another natural resource has been exploited in Cornwall for thousands of years, and that is tin. Tin is a metal which has been mined in Cornwall since at least 2150BC, with the last tin mine closing in the county in 1998.

The heyday of Cornish mining was the 19th century, with tin and copper being the primary metals mined. At the time, this was one of the richest mining locations in the world, and at it’s peak over 600 steam engines were powering over 2,000 mines across Cornwall.

Tens of thousands of men were employed in the Cornish mines, with many of these men later to emigrate overseas when the Cornish mining industry began to decline.

Today, the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. This recognises both the sites themselves, as well as the expertise that was exported worldwide.

To understand some of the history and heritage of mining, we would recommend visiting one of the preserved mines in Cornwall.

There are a number of these that you can visit, with our recommended mine being the Geevor Tin Mine . Found in the St. Just mining district around 30 minutes drive from Land’s End and Penzance, a mine has operated here since the late 18th century. The Geevor Tin Mine itself was operational from 1911 until 1990.

It’s operated today as a museum and heritage centre, and is the largest preserved tin mining site in the UK. There’s an excellent museum on site, and you can walk through many of the buildings to learn about mining and life as a miner. In addition, you can walk through “Wheat Mexico”, an 18th century underground mine.

There’s a fee to visit Geevor Tin Mine, and you can read more about opening hours and prices on the official website here .

Go to the Beach

A huge draw for visitors to Cornwall, especially those with children, are the spectacular beaches on offer all around the coast. Cornwall has over 250 miles of coastline, and over 300 beaches to choose from! So wherever you are in the county, you’re likely to be quite close to a gorgeous beach.

Many of these beaches feature gorgeous golden sands and turquoise waters, and many also offer safe swimming (although the water isn’t going to be quite as tropical a temperature as they look!).

In addition, many of the beaches in Cornwall, particularly those on the north side of the county, offer excellent surfing conditions. Cornwall is a very popular surfing destination in the UK, and it’s a good place to learn to surf as well.

If you’re looking for a beach in Cornwall, this site has a good list where you can filter by things like whether or not the beach has a lifeguard or toilets nearby.

St. Michael’s Mount

Just off the southern coast of Cornwall near the town of Marazion is the island known as St Michael’s Mount . This island is accessible at low tide across a granitic causeway, and is home to a medieval church and a castle, as well as a community of people.

You might be thinking this sounds somewhat familiar. There is an island just off the French coast called Mont St. Michel , which is also home to a famous abbey and a church. This is not a coincidence, as the same order of Benedictine monks were responsible for developing both islands into places of worship.

Today, St. Michael’s Mount is managed by the National Trust, and is open for visitors. At low tide you can walk across the causeway to the island, which takes around 15 minutes, or you can take a boat. On the island you can explore the garden, castle and church.

Entry to St. Michael’s Mount is free to National Trust members, otherwise there’s a fee for visiting. You can read more on the official site here . We’d recommend allocating at least three hours to your visit.

Lizard Point

Continuing south from St. Michael’s Mount will bring you on to the Lizard Peninsula and the Lizard Heritage Coast area. There are many beautiful beaches and coves in this area, such as Poldhu beach, as well as some excellent coastal walks.

One popular attraction on the Lizard Peninsula is the Lizard Point. This is the most southern point of mainland Britain and England, and is a popular tourist attraction. It’s free to visit and is operated by the National Trust.

Another interesting location that is worth a visit on the Lizard Peninsula are the Marconi sites. These include the Marconi Centre and the Lizard Wireless Station at Bass Point. It was from here that Marconi undertook wireless experiments, and from where he broadcast the first transatlantic radio message.

The Marconi Centre is open for visitors and is free, with donations appreciated.

Where to Stay in Cornwall

Cornwall has a huge range of holiday accommodation options, from hotels and B&B’s to self catering cottages to glamping and camping sites. You can pick a cute seaside village to stay in, or somewhere more central.

In our experience, properties closer to the sea or a good beach tend to be more expensive, whilst those inland can offer better value for money. If you visit during the busier summer months, expect to pay more and plan to book well in advance as properties can go fast. Cornwall can be a pricey destination as it is very popular.

When it comes to location, Cornwall is not huge, but it can take a couple of hours to drive from one end to the other. So you will have to decide if you prefer to pick a location to base yourself from for the duration of your holiday, or if you want to move around a bit if you are there for a longer period of time.

If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing around the county, you might want to split your time between two base locations so you can explore different parts of Cornwall from different locations and reduce driving time.

There are pros and cons to each approach. If you pick a single central location you won’t have to pack up and relocate part way through your trip and it can save you money as longer stays can be more cost effective than shorter stays.

We enjoy staying in the area around Bodmin as this puts us close to many attractions, but if you want to be closer to beaches you’d probably prefer a more coastal location.

It is good to think about if you want to be able to walk to a beach or to restaurants, or if you prefer to be in a more rural spot and perhaps want to cook your own meals. This will help you narrow down your lodging time and location preferences.

As I mentioned, there are a number of different accommodation options. I’ll cover some recommendations for each category below.

Hotels & B&Bs in Cornwall

Here are some well-reviewed hotels and B&Bs across a variety of budget located in different parts of the county that we think could work for our itinerary:

• St. Christopher’s Inn – Newquay is a popular haven for surfers, and this hostel is well located by Towan Beach. It also has it’s own surf school if you’re looking to learn. Both private and shared rooms are available, most with en-suite, and there’s a bar and restaurant.
• The Pityme Inn – found in the town of Wadebridge under two miles from Polzeath beach, this well-reviewed 3* Inn offer en-suite accommodation with an on-site restaurant and bar.
• Clifftop Ensuite Double B&B -situated in the heart of Newquay right on the beach front, this well reviewed B&B offers good value simple accommodation with everything you need on your doorstep
• The Jamaica Inn – this inn on Bodmin Moor, which dates from 1750, was made famous by a Daphne du Maurier novel of the same name. A popular attraction in its own right, the property features en-suite rooms as well as a bar, restaurant and museum. A great option on Bodmin Moor. We’ve stayed here and enjoyed it.
• The Plume of Feathers – found in the central village of Mitchell, this well rated 16th century coaching inn is well situated for exploring most attractions in Cornwall. Rooms are en-suite and there’s an on-site bar and pub
• Primrose House St. Ives – just metres from Portminster Beach in St. Ives this highly rated guesthouse in an Edwardian Villa offers boutique en-suite rooms, some with sea views. A fantastic location and a lovely property
• The Penellen Bed and Breakfast – this four star beach front B&B in Hayle offers spectacular views from it’s en-suite rooms.
• The Wellington Hotel – this 3* hotel is just 10 minutes walk from the fishing village of Boscastle and is well located for exploring some of north Cornwall’s attractions. Lovely en-suite rooms get great reviews and there’s an award-winning restaurant on site as well as a bar.
• Crown House & Lodges B&B – a well reviewed 3* B&B in the south west of Cornwall near the town of Helston. Convenient for The Flambard Experience, the property has en-suite facilities and offers a shared lounge and kitchen for guests.
• The Lewinnick Lodge – set on a stunning clifftop location just minutes drive from Newquay, this boutique hotel offers incredible views and luxurious accommodation.

As you can see, there are plenty of options to consider, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. For many more options, click here to see all the listings for Cornwall on booking.com.

Self-Catering & Holiday Cottages in Cornwall

There are of course a lot of options when it comes to accommodation in Cornwall. Our preference for a week long trip like this would be to book a self-catering cottage. Sites we’d suggest you try out include:

• Snaptrip’s Cornwall Listings . Snaptrip searches many of the holiday cottage booking providers in the UK to get you the best price
• Sykes Holiday Cottages Cornwall listings – we’ve used Sykes on a stay in Cornwall before and found a lovely rural property through them on our last visit
• The Plum Guide Cornwall properties – the Plum Guide focuses on really high quality properties, and whilst they don’t have the breadth of choice, they certainly have some fantastic options on their books
• Booking.com Cornwall listings – our favourite for booking hotels when we travel, booking.com also have a wide range of holiday cottages available

If you are looking for a holiday cottage and need more options to choose from, see our guide to the best holiday cottage booking websites in the UK for more choices.

Glamping Sites and Campsites in Cornwall

Cornwall is of course a very popular destination for camping, with a wide range of campsites available. These range from basic sites with limited facilities where you need to bring all your own accessories, through to higher end Glamping sites where you can hire cabins or yurts.

There are of course many options to choose from, here are some well-rated suggestions.

• Fir Hill Glamping Yurts – just near Newquay, this campsite offers lovely yurts which feature real beds and kitchenette, as well as access to shared facilities including bathrooms, BBQ facilities and lounge.
• Looe Yurts – these are found just near the fishing town of Looe. A small number of comfortable yurts are on offer with real beds and log burners. Shared facilities include bathrooms and a kitchens.
• Tehidy Holiday Park Wigwam Camping Cabins – if you love the idea of camping but prefer a real bed, en-suite facilities and luxuries like a TV, then check out these beautiful and highly rated camping pods in the south west of Cornwall.

Of course there are hundreds more options to choose from. Useful resources for finding campsites in Cornwall include the Cool Camping website and the UKCampsite website .

Tours in Cornwall

If you have a specific interest in a particular subject or attraction, you might want to book a tour that includes this attraction. A tour can be a great way to get insights you might not otherwise be able to get, plus they are usually a lot of fun.

In addition, depending on where you are travelling from and how you plan on getting around, you might find that booking a tour is a great way to visit a number of attractions without having to drive yourself.

There are a number of tours in Cornwall, which range from just a few hours to multi-day tours. Here are some to consider when you are planning your Cornwall trip.

Day Tours in Cornwall

• This 1 hour hot air balloon flight will give you a unique perspective as you float over Cornwall and it’s sure to be an experience you won’t forget!
• Poldark lovers will enjoy this private full day tour of many of the filming locations from the show. Tours can also be totally customised to your preference.
• If you’d like to put together a totally custom private tour, this tour will let you do just that. A great option for a day out with a tour guide that’ll save you from driving or having to plan public transport
• This full day private tour covers both the Doc Martin filming locations and Tintagel Castle, as well as a number of other scenic locations in Cornwall.
• This full day private tour visits many of the attractions on and around Bodmin Moor, with a focus on some of the Neolithic sites in the area as well as a number of other scenic locations

Multi-Day Tours of Cornwall

• If you’d like a longer tour of Cornwall which also includes your accommodation, check out this 3 day private tour which can be fully customised to your interests. Departures from locations around Cornwall.
• This 5 day small group tour from London includes Devon and Cornwall as well as a number of other popular attractions in the southwest. We’ve taken multiple tours with Rabbie’s and always had a great time.
• This 7 day small group tour from London includes Cornwall as well as Devon, the Isle of Wight and many other attractions along England’s beautiful south coast

Further Reading

Well that’s it for our Cornwall guide! We hope you find it useful in helping you plan a trip to Cornwall, and gives you some ideas for what to do.

Before you head off, we did want to share some other content that you may also find useful or inspirational for future trips.

• We have a comprehensive guide to things to do in Cornwall , to give you lots of ideas for your trip
• For holiday accommodation in the UK, check out our favourite websites for booking holiday homes in the UK and Ireland
• If you’d like budgeting advice, see our guide to how much it costs to travel in the UK
• We have a guides to things to do in many cities around the UK, including things to do in Bristol , things to do in Portsmouth and things to do in Stratford upon Avon
• We have tips for driving in the UK , if that’s a new experience for you
• Looking for more UK inspiration? Check out our 1 week UK itinerary , 2 week UK itinerary , and 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary for some ideas!
• Getting online when travelling can be daunting – check out our guide to getting online when travelling  to help you figure out the best options for your trip
• If you’re interested in getting better photos when you travel, take a look at my  online photography course , where I’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting better photos – whatever camera you have!
• If you want a physical (or digital!) book to accompany your travels, then Amazon do a good line in  UK Travel Guides . We can recommend the Lonely Planet Guide to Devon & Cornwall , as well as the DK Eyewitness Guide to England’s South Coast

And with that, we come to the end of our guide to visiting Cornwall for around a week! As always, we’re happy to hear your comments and answer any questions you might have. Just pop them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

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There are 5 comments on this post

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30th October 2022 at 11:56 am

Hi we r thinking of going next summer but stay in one place for 3 days and go out travel places here and there and go to next place same again travel here and there we want to see coast from start to finish and flying in to Bristol where would u recommend us to stay on our first trip and second trip ? Start to finish then back to Bristol airport

Laurence Norah says

31st October 2022 at 11:04 am

So your plan is similar to how we spent a recent trip to Cornwall. We’d recommend staying in the west of the county for 3 nights and the east for the other 3 nights. So for example, around Bodmin puts you in a good location for many of the sights of east Cornwall, and around St. Ives will let you explore the west. Of course, there are more options but that should give you some areas to look in.

Have a great time in Cornwall!

31st October 2022 at 4:46 pm

Thanks for this reply much appreciated it x

Robert says

10th June 2021 at 4:26 pm

Hi we are heading to Lizard Point next week and staying at Little Trehvas Campsite for 5 nights I was reading your beautiful trip guide and noticed you said single track roads are they in or around this particular area we will be visiting? Thanks

10th June 2021 at 4:41 pm

So the road out to the campsite you are staying at (the A3083) is a normal dual lane road. However, many of the roads on the Lizard are single track, such as the one that continues on past your campsite down to Cadgwith Cove, and the one down to Kynance Cove. So yes, they are definitely around that area.

In addition, as soon as you get off the main “A” roads in Cornwall you are very likely to come across single track roads. For that reason you need to be very careful when following a Satnav or using Google Maps, as these will often take you on what they think is the fastest route, even if it involves multiple single track roads. Sticking to signposts can often yield better results if you want to avoid the single track roads.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance, and have a lovely trip to Cornwall!

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The best places to visit in Cornwall, from coast to cove

These are the best places to visit in Cornwall, from seaside villages to remote islands

Cornwall may be one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, but in such a sprawling and varied county it can be hard to know the best places to visit. From magnificent castles, to spectacular headlands, to a cluster of beautiful, remote islands, the south west county is one of the most stunning parts of the country, with a tonne of amazing things to see. Luckily, we've rounded up some of the best places to visit in Cornwall here, so you can save yourself the pain of digging through an old guidebook you found in the Airbnb. 

We recommend seeing the area by car – aside from a few trains its public transport system is famously shoddy, plus it means you can access all those hard-to-reach, remote spots down windy country lanes – just watch out for locals speeding around those bends. So fire up the engine and get down to some of the spots mentioned below. We can picture the seagulls stealing your sandwiches already. 

RECOMMENDED:   🏖️  The best beaches in Cornwall 🥧  The best attractions in Cornwall 🏘️  The best Airbnbs in Cornwall

This guide was recently updated by Time Out writer   India Lawrence , who is originally from Cornwall .  At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines .

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Beautiful places to visit in Cornwall

1.  Isles of Scilly

Small, quiet and extraordinarily beautiful, the Isles of Scilly are a low-lying archipelago strung out across the Atlantic, some 28 miles off Land’s End – the last dots of land before North America. Basking in the warmth of the Gulf Stream in summer, the islands paint an exotic scene: softly curving, silver sand beaches are splashed by clear, shallow waters and a shock of weird and wonderful flowers and plants, many of which would struggle to survive in any other part of the country, run riot. Fiery red-hot pokers and purple-headed agapanthus, natives of Africa, make themselves at home, and the waxy ‘cactus roses’ of aeoniums, originally from the Canaries, crawl over garden walls.

2.  The Lizard

South from Helston, the peninsula takes on an altogether more untamed character. The underlying serpentine rock, a greenish metamorphic stone, is covered by dour, dramatic sweeps of heathland (collectively named the Lizard National Nature Reserve), whose unusual geological make-up means it is home to some of Britain’s rarest plants. The swathes of pink-flowering Cornish heath (Erica vagans), at its prettiest in summer, are particularly glorious. On the coast, there are towering cliffs and rousing seas, preposterously pretty fishing villages and tempting sandy coves. Most visitors gravitate inexorably to Lizard Point to spend a few moments as the most southerly person in mainland Britain.

3.  Rame Peninsula

Cornwall’s ‘forgotten corner’ – as the Rame Peninsula is often dubbed – is also one of the county’s most beautiful areas. Bafflingly overlooked by tourists and travel guides, the southeastern tip of Cornwall, on the Devon border, is the stuff of daydreams: romantic creeks, historic country mansions and snug waterside villages that give way to wild, unspoilt cliffs. It is perhaps the out-of-the-way location and the proximity of Plymouth across the water that has saved this small peninsula from development – most people dart straight over the Tamar Bridge rather than detour into the meandering country lanes, which culminate in a breathtaking dead-end when they reach the sea.

4.  Mevagissey

Mevagissey is an ancient port and fishing village that dates back to the 14th century. In the 19th century, pilchards were the main catch here, and fish were salted and stored in cellars in the town and exported. The painted cob and slate houses cling to the hillside overlooking the two harbours, and the old fish cellars have been converted into tourist-oriented shops and eateries. These days, the fishermen supplement their income by taking visitors out on fishing trips; there is shark fishing for the adventurous and mackerel trips for families who want to catch their own supper.

5.  Mousehole

On a sunny morning, before the summer crowds throng the harbour walls and car-owners make misguided attempts to navigate its minuscule streets, Mousehole (pronounced Mowzel) seems too perfect to be true. Its tiny harbour is fringed with soft, yellow sand, while the granite cottages huddling together behind are made all the more irresistible by carefully tended window boxes and the odd cat peeking out. But even if Mousehole has, by dint of its beauty, become a tourist magnet, with cramped fisherman’s cottages attracting mindboggling offers, the village has retained plenty of character and has a strong sense of community year-round.

6.  Marazion

Home of the frankly magical St Michael's Mount – a castle on an island that can only be reached on foot during low tide – Marazion makes for an excellent day trip. After spending a few hours getting lost on the ancietnt cobbled streets of the mount (construction began on the site in 1135), you can also walk the coastal path, sunbathe on Marazion Beach (weather permitting) or visit Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. 

7.  St Ives

The approach to St Ives by train (a journey holidaymakers have been making since the line was built in the 1870s) is a veritable sight for sore eyes. The single-carriage train chugs along the curve of St Ives Bay, opening up glorious vistas of golden sands and treating you to a bird’s-eye view of the UK’s most perfect seaside town: a pretty old granite harbour scooped out of the bay, filled with water the colour of lime cordial, and a tangle of cottages and lanes nudging each other for space. Long a magnet for artists, on account of the extraordinary quality of light, St Ives still has a wonderfully exotic feel. The vivid colours rebel against the restrained English palette, and its island-like setting means there are soft, white-sand beaches and glimpses of the sea at every turn. A scattering of Cornish palms – not to mention the more recent arrival of frothy cappuccinos, fancy restaurants and fluffy white towels–combine to make it all feel considerably more French Riviera than Cornish Riviera. 

8.  Looe

In contrast to upscale Fowey, with its multi-million-pound riverside properties and chichi interiors boutiques, a feel of pre-gentrification British seaside prevails at Looe, with buckets and spades, fudge and bags of chips unashamedly courting the summer trade. What it may lack in sophistication, however, it does make up for with a fantastic town beach and a memorable setting – not to mention the bonus of landing some of the freshest fish around, thanks to its day boats.

9.  Falmouth

The seat of the county’s first and only university, hotly tipped as Cornwall’s boomtown and home to the new-this millennium National Maritime Museum, Falmouth has the feel of a town that’s on its way up. Where other Cornish seaside towns tend towards old-fashioned bucket-and-spade charm or cutesy chic (St Ives, Padstow, Fowey), Falmouth has a more youthful, cosmopolitan air, thanks largely to the creation of University College Falmouth, which specialises in arts, design and media. There is now a plethora of hip bars and cafés and a full calendar of festivals and events.

10.  Fowey

You can swiftly identify a newcomer to the south Cornish coast by his stated intention to visit ‘Fowee Hall’. It is pronounced ‘Foy’, and the place is as intriguing as its name. With its steep winding streets and busy little port, located at the mouth of the river of the same name, this natural harbour is always busy with visiting yachts and boats. Regatta week in Fowey, usually the third week of August, is considered one of the best local regattas in the country; the spectacular Red Arrows display over the harbour is a highlight. With its classy boutiques, galleries, delis and cafés, and smartly painted houses, Fowey makes a well-heeled base for trips upriver and out to the nearby beaches. Taking to the water is a must. It is thought that Kenneth Grahame drew inspiration for The Wind in the Willows from the creeks and quiet waters of the Fowey estuary, and most of Fowey would agree with Ratty’s sage advice to Mole: ‘There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.’

11.  Penzance

The best way to arrive in Penzance is by train. Partly for the feeling of having escaped to the end of the line, but also because when the track emerges from the Cornish countryside onto the curve of Mount’s Bay, it reveals a perfect view of the town on the hill above. The commercial centre for the western district of Penwith, Penzance was once a fashionable seaside resort – the trappings of which can still be seen in the fading but elegant architecture along Cornwall’s only seaside promenade, notably the art deco Jubilee Pool.

12.  Padstow

An unparalleled destination for gastronomy, estuary views and coastal charm, Padstow is the epitome of fishing-village-turned-chic. A warren of cobbled streets leads to the hubbub of the harbour, an animated mix of crabbers, netters, working boats, yachts and pleasure cruisers, with slate-hung, red brick and grey stone cottages trimming the edges, accommodating pasty shops, boutiques, chippies, pubs and increasing numbers of classy restaurants. The Tourist Information Centre by the quay is a good starting point for exploration.

13.  Morwenstow

Ducking out of the bullying Atlantic gales, between Bude to the south and Hartland Point to the north, Morwenstow fits tidily into a small wooded combe close to the Devon border. The tiny hamlet is most famous for its connection to the eccentric, opium-smoking Victorian vicar Reverend Stephen Hawker, who served at the parish church and is credited with introducing the Harvest Festival in English churches. Hawker’s presence looms in the stepped mock-Tudor gables and Gothic windows of the Morwenstow Vicarage, where each chimneypot mimics the spire of a church. The Grade I-listed church itself, set against the ocean backdrop, is a memorable sight.

14.  Newlyn

Almost joined to Penzance to the south, Newlyn nevertheless retains its own identity, with a history strongly linked to art and fishing. Despite the decline in the fishing industry, this is still the county’s biggest fishing port and the site of the Newlyn Fish Festival, held over the August bank holiday. In contrast to Mousehole, a few miles around the coast, Newlyn has the look and feel of a working port, and anyone interested in fishing should take a closer look at the harbour – or at the very least, invest in some gleaming fish or fresh Newlyn crab from W Stevenson and Sons on the main street.

15.  Bodmin

The sober, no-frills town of Bodmin is the largest of the settlements around the moor. An important religious centre in the Dark Ages, thanks to the foundation of a priory at St Petroc in the sixth century, the town has an impressive 15th-century granite church dedicated to the saint. Bodmin was also once the county town of Cornwall before judicial and administrative powers moved to Truro, as evinced by some important-looking public buildings in the centre. Beyond the old-fashioned high street there is a handful of visitor attractions, including the foreboding Bodmin Jail on the outskirts and the quaint Bodmin & Wenford Railway.

16.  Newquay

While the discussion about its reputation as a magnet for boisterous young boozers rages on – the police calling for a clean-up, others enjoying the funfair – Newquay’s natural assets retain an indelible appeal. For an idea of the raw materials that first made Newquay a resort, make your way to the western side of the harbour; from here, you can take in the entire sweep of cliff-vaulted beaches across the bay.

17.  Helston

The only town of any size on the Lizard Peninsula is the pretty country town of Helston, famous for its annual Flora Day celebrations held on 8 May (unless it falls on a Sunday or Monday). During this ancient festival, the town is decorated with bluebells and gorse, and schoolchildren dress in white and wear garlands in their hair. Festivities include the play-like ritual known as the Hal-an-Tow, in which St Michael slays the devil and St George slays the dragon, and culminate with the processional ‘Furry Dance’, in which townsfolk dress up in their finery and dance in and out of the houses. Amid the springtime revelry, much Cornish ale is imbibed.

18.  Launceston

Launceston (pronounced ‘Lanson’ locally), the ancient ‘capital’ of Cornwall, is a charming, richly historic market town. It acts as the traditional gateway between Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor and is one of the area’s most interesting inland towns for a wander. Although not much of the 12th-century town wall remains, evidence of Launceston’s medieval fortifications endures in the shape of Southgate Arch (originally one of three entries to the town) and the 11th-century castle, the seat of the first Earl of Cornwall. The 16th-century St Mary Magdalene Church, famous for its ornate carved exterior, is a striking sight.

19.  Hayle

Gently curving around the northeastern reaches of St Ives Bay are Hayle’s impressive (and much-touted) ‘three miles of golden sand’, reaching from the mouth of the Hayle estuary all the way around the bay to Godrevy Point, an epic spot guarded by the Godrevy Lighthouse (thought to have been the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse). A world away from the cuteness and crowds of St Ives across the bay, the beaches of Gwithian and Godrevy, joined at low tide, are altogether more elemental scenes, pounded by some of Cornwall’s best surf and with big open skies and sunsets.

20.  Truro

Located at the head of the Carrick Roads estuary, the capital of Cornwall has more than just a stunning Gothic Revival cathedral (which is almost certainly worth a visit). Head to Lemon Street Market to shop at independent boutiques or grab a coffee at the cute Fig Cafe. If you're a fan of digging around in second-hand shops, it's worth paying a visit to Enjoy Clothing , one of Truro's most beloved vintage stores. Or you can check out the Royal Cornwall Museum , showcasing Cornish arts and culture, or catch a show at the newly renovated theatre, the  Hall For Cornwall.

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Cornwall Travel Guide

When it comes to natural good looks, Cornwall sets the bar for UK holiday destinations. From long stretches of sand to the jaw-dropping scenery, this coastal county makes a fabulous retreat for anyone looking to escape the city scene. But most importantly, you quickly realise that you don’t have to fly around the world to seek adventures. With forests, castles, and beaches for days, Cornwall is the ultimate staycation – perfect for all ages. In recent years, Cornwall has come on leaps and bounds and found a newfound style. That being said, discover our range of beautiful  villas in Cornwall   to start planning your next holiday!

• HIDDEN GEMS

Cliffs tumble down to white sands; countryside opens out under blue skies and unspoilt Blue Flag beaches curve around the coastline. It’s a stunning backdrop for the likes of hiking, sailing and surfing. And thanks to Cornwall’s seriously long history, the landscape is flecked with historic sites from throughout the centuries. There’s a raft of attractions to be found alongside ancient monuments brought to life by tales of myths and legends. You can’t beat the Cornish coastline for a UK beach break.

When to Visit

With some of the highest year-round temperatures in Britain, you can visit Cornwall any time of year. The water is warmest in July and August when the days are largely blessed with beach weather. Cornwall’s summertime charms are no secret though, so it’s also when crowds are biggest and roads are busiest.

The south coast blooms in spring and the moors put on a show of colour in autumn. In winter, the rain may put brakes on any plans for long coastal walks. But you can have Cornwall’s spectacular scenery virtually to yourself.

Getting Around

• Airports: Flights to Cornwall land at Newquay Airport. With routes from across the UK and Ireland departing from the likes of London, Manchester, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
• Train: A number of Cornwall’s most popular spots, including St. Austell, Penzance and Truro, can be reached by train from London Paddington, while scenic branch lines can get you to some of the smaller Cornish towns via beautiful countryside.
• Boat: To skip lengthy road trips, you can cross some of Cornwall’s bigger rivers on the ferries, some of which carry cars and bikes as well as people.
• Bus: The 556 bus runs from the airport to the bus station in Newquay, and Cornwall’s bus network is generally pretty handy for getting around the main towns and villages, especially in summer.
• Car: Summertime traffic permitting, driving can be the quickest way to get around Cornwall. But expect some narrow country lanes. Big-name rental companies like Hertz and Avis operate throughout the area.
• Bike: Exploring Cornwall on two wheels is a great way to take in the scenery. Bike paths and quiet country lanes are in good supply, but you’ll need to be prepared for some challenging hills.
• Eden Project – Explore the world’s biggest indoor rainforest.
• Isles of Scilly – Discover the pretty islands of an unspoilt archipelago.
• Minack Theatre – Catch a show at this magical open-air performance space.
• Lost Gardens of Heligan – Be enchanted by some of the UK’s best botanical gardens.
• Newquay – Catch a wave in the surf capital of Blighty.
• Tate St. Ives – Peruse the best of Cornish creativity at this bold art gallery
• North Cornwall’s beaches – Unroll your towel on postcard-perfect Cornish sands.

Hidden Gems

• For a day trip off the beaten path, arm yourself with a map and compass and hike your way around inland Penwith, where a group of lonely prehistoric remains give a glimpse into Cornwall’s ancient history. Out in open moorland off the Morvah-Madron Road, you’ll find the Men-an-tol rock , nicknamed the ‘Devil’s Eye’. 
• Cornwall has a clutch of little-known beaches that remain crowd-less even in the height of summer. We love the secluded spots along the coast towards Looe , where the beaches of Lansallos, Palace Cove and Little Lantic offer peaceful solace away from the rest of the world.
• Out on the barren hills above Roche village, the remains of a tiny chapel atop Roche Rock make for a peculiar sight. Once the home of a hermit, or so the local legend goes, the chapel dates back centuries and you can still wander inside what’s left of it. There are superb views from here too.
• The upmarket seaside resort of Fowey oozes charm, with boutique shops and waterside pubs leading to a yacht-lined harbour. And its café terraces and pub gardens are the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.
• On a scenic stretch of the River Fowey that winds through the ancient oak forest of Draynes Wood, are the cascades and waterfalls of Golitha Falls. An area of outstanding natural beauty, the woodland is awash with bluebells in spring and full of butterflies in summer.
• Speaking of waterfalls, a secret one worth seeking out is St. Nectan’s Glen . The 18-metre tall cascade drops into a natural plunge pool that you can take a dip in. The leafy site is associated with pixies and King Arthur – so it’s much more than just a pretty place to swim.

Family Friendly

With legends of giants, fairies and knights; dramatic landscapes studded with ancient castles and mystical ruins; and beach days filled with rock pooling, paddling and building sandcastles, Cornwall is a magical holiday destination for children.The beaches are some of the cleanest in the country and the landscape makes a great backdrop for walks, boat trips and bike rides. Rainy days are taken care of at dozens of kid-friendly indoor attractions, which range from aquariums to world-famous eco sites. 

Best Family Activities in Cornwall

• At the Rick Stein Cookery School , under 18s can take a three-hour master class from the legendary chef’s team. They take nurturing an early interest in cooking pretty seriously here, and the classes cover everything from descaling fish to baking chocolate mousse.
•  There is ample opportunity to take to the waters of Cornwall and discover what lives beneath the waves. But there is nothing quite like seeing the natives up close. At the Cornish Seal Sanctuary , you can sign your youngsters up for a VIP meet-and-greet with the resident sea lions, during which they will help feed them their lunch.
• Young Instagram addicts can fill their feeds with selfies taken at the iconic Land’s End Landmark and the sweeping seascapes surrounding it. When they’ve had their fill, head out for a walk on cliff’s walking trails and check out the nearby family attractions, which range from a 4D film experience to a petting farm.

Best Heritage Sites for Families

•  All-action fairytale settings don’t come much better than St. Michael’s Mount . The tiny offshore island makes for an enchanting day out for youngsters, who’ll love scrambling to the hilltop castle, exploring the fortress and learning about the mount’s myths and legends. Even reaching the island is an adventure, with boat trips doing the honours when the tide is in.
•  Famous for its links to King Arthur, the remains of the 13th-century Tintagel Castle boast Dark Age ruins and ancient gardens, all overlooking a dramatic stretch of coastline. Kids love the sense of adventure, the fresh sea air and the rock pooling that come with days out here.
•  If you’ve got kids in your party who think all museums are boring, change their minds at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic . Packed with skulls, costumes and curiosities, there is plenty to entertain youngsters, who will be intrigued by Britain’s real-life history of witchcraft.

Adrenaline-Fuelled Activities

• Renown for surfing, but also a superb location for the likes of stand-up paddleboarding. Try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding with WeSup . Expert instructors offer one-to-one sessions for all abilities in the pretty bay of Gylly Beach.
• Kayaking is the perfect way to see some of Cornwall’s best and most remote vistas. Sign up for a tour with Koru Kayaking and tick off the scenic landscapes that inspired TV’s Poldark. They’re perfect for groups, with tandem kayaks for four people.
•  For a quirky and only mildly terrifying insight into Cornwall’s prison history, check in to historical Bodmin Jail for an overnight stay behind cell bars, complete with three-course dinner and expert insights from a local medium.

More Laid Back Things to Do

• England’s home-grown wines are making waves around the world and Cornwall’s vineyards are among the best. With award-winning vinos and a gorgeous setting, Trevibban Mill Vineyard’s tours and tastings make a great afternoon out for wine buffs and novices alike.
• With dolphins, whales and grey seals all swimming in its waters, Cornwall is a great place to catch a glimpse of Britain’s most diverse marine wildlife. And there are plenty of boat tours offering you exactly that. Catamaran trips run by Marine Discovery Penzance only allow a dozen passengers onboard at a time, guaranteeing you uninterrupted views of the creatures you come across as you sail around the Cornish coast.
• Organic, all-natural products are the perfect souvenirs to take home from Cornwall. And with expert Cornish craftspeople keen to show you how it’s done, you can even make them yourself. The fields of Green Cart Farm are awash with fragrant lavender, chamomile and rosemary, which you can use to create natural candles or perfume at a workshop held in the farm’s old-fashioned apothecary.

Food and Wine

From Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein to Cornish cream teas and the great Cornish pasty, the most famous names associated with Cornwall’s food scene are all worthy of their notoriety. But celebrity chef-run restaurants and giant pasties aren’t the only reason foodies flock to this region.Local ports ensure there is superb seafood on menus in fine-dining and casual eateries alike, classic pub fare is served with charm in thatched-roofed buildings, and seaside staples such as fish and chips are served up and down Cornwall’s windswept coastline.

The Best Restaurants in Cornwall

• A family owned restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef, Ben Tunnicliffe Sennen Cove serves casual food superbly cooked. And with huge windows overlooking a scenic stretch of beach, the setting is not too shabby either.
•  Jamie Oliver fans can dine out at the TV chef’s Cornish outpost at Fifteen Cornwall , where Italian dishes are given a Cornish twist and cooked by young chefs on Jamie’s award-winning apprentice scheme.
• For quality curries served in a fabulous clifftop sea-view dining room, head to Maharajah : Cornwall’s longest running and best-loved Indian restaurant.
• Sam’s Cornwall has branches all over the country, each with their own unique vibe. They all major in seafood, but our favourite is The City in Truro, which is covered from floor to ceiling in movie and music memorabilia and also does a great line in burgers and cocktails.

Dishes and Foods to Try in Cornwall

• For a pasty exactly as it should be, head to Padstow’s waterside Chough Bakery for the perfect mix of pastry-wrapped steak, potatoes, turnips and cream.
• Seafood is the ace in Cornwall’s pack and fish and chips are a British seaside staple, so a battered cod takeaway is a no-brainer dish to try while on holiday here. The Coddy Shack is a Cornish institution, with fish and chips to go, a sit-down seafood restaurant and an epic eating challenge all available under one roof.
• Drinking tea alongside freshly baked scones slathered in homemade jam and thick clotted cream is a Cornish must-do. You won’t have any trouble finding places to serve you a cream tea, but our top pick is the Woods Café , where they bake the scones themselves and you tuck into them in a lovely woodland setting.

The Best Foodie Experiences in Cornwall

• Jam making, whisky ageing and cider pressing go on behind the doors of Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm in Truro. Foodies can happily take tours of the farm with tasting opportunities on the way. And you can also visit the cellars or the sprawling apple orchard. 
•  Clink flutes of the famous Cornwall Brut while overlooking the scenic Cornish countryside at Camel Valley . Tours of the Bodmin-based vineyard offer wonderful insight into English wine making. Oh, and there’s plenty of chances to taste a glass or three.

Featured Villas: Lake Manor ,   Sandcrest Cottage ,   Mill Bay Barn

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The Perfect 3 Days in Cornwall Itinerary

Last Updated on January 29, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Cornwall is the southwesternmost county in England and is famed for its beautiful beaches, world-class surfing, and Cornish pasties. However, with a number of towns and cities in the county, it can be difficult to determine what to see and where to go if you’re planning a 3 days in Cornwall itinerary.

Cornwall is known to be the warmest area of England and has more sun year-round than virtually anywhere else in the country. With a culture distinct from elsewhere in England with strong Celtic roots, unique cuisine, incredible nature, beautiful beaches and fascinating history, Cornwall really makes for one of the best destinations to visit in the entirety of the country.

If you’re thinking of exploring this part of England, here’s everything you need to know about the best time to visit, where to stay, how to get there and where to go in Cornwall!

Table of Contents

When to Visit Cornwall

Arguably the best time to visit Cornwall is either in the summer season of July to August if you are happy to endure the crowds in order to be able to fully enjoy the surf and the beach. Not that in the high season, it can be hard to find accommodation or even a spot in a car park due to crowds.

Or, alternatively, visiting in the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October should allow you to enjoy the beautiful coastal walks and towns in Cornwall with a fraction of the crowds that visit this region in summer.

Visiting Cornwall from November to April might not be the best time to go as the weather is the coldest and rainiest you will get all year. However, there are a number of advantages of travelling to this part of the world in the offseason.

Accommodation prices are surprisingly affordable and tourist crowds are virtually non-existent. The obvious disadvantage of travelling in the off-season is that it makes it hard to enjoy the beautiful coastline of the area.

Not only will you not be able to dip into the water but you may experience very strong winds, making it hard to enjoy some of the coastal paths and walks on offer in the southwest of England.

Regardless of when you decide to go, however, Cornwall is an area that should be on everyone’s English travel wishlist .

Getting To & Around Cornwall

There are a few options for travellers looking to get from Cornwall. While this article will focus on the best way to get to Cornwall from London, the pros and cons of each method are relevant to travelling from other parts of England . There are four main options to consider: train, bus, car or guided tour

There are trains to Cornwall from all over England with one of the most popular routes being to travel from London to Penzance in Cornwall. The journey takes just over 5 hours and there are several trains a day (there is also a night train available).

If you want to get to other destinations in Cornwall such as Newquay or St Ives then that will usually require at least one change of train from London, though there are some direct trains available.

When travelling by train in the UK, it is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance as you can get much better deals when compared to booking a day or two before travel. Click here to browse train schedules.

Travelling to Cornwall by bus from London means adding at least 3 hours onto your journey time. Both National Express and MegaBus run routes from London with direct routes available to towns in Cornwall such as Penzance, Newquay and St Ives.

Unless you’re travelling on a tight budget, I personally wouldn’t recommend this option, particularly if you’re on a short UK itinerary. Click here to browse bus schedules.

In our opinion, the best way to get to Cornwall from London or anywhere else in England is to rent a car. While the journey time will be comparable to taking a train, having a car will allow you to have a lot more flexibility in exploring Cornwall.

You can also take a slightly longer but more scenic route along the A-30 that goes along the coast rather than on the highway. This London to Cornwall drive can be an incredible trip on its own and it can be well worth making a few stops along the way.

Public transport within region is limited so having a car will ensure you can visit all the great destinations that are on offer! It’s certainly the easiest way to get around Cornwall.

We rented a car at Heathrow Airport which is a cheaper option than renting a vehicle from the centre of London. We recommend browsing on Rentalcars.Com to find deals on car hire as they aggregate results across a number of suppliers.

It can also be a good option to take out an excess insurance policy from a third party like iCarHireInsurance to ensure you don’t need to pay any excess in the event that you need to make a claim.

If you’re staying in London and prefer to take a tour to visit Cornwall then there a few options available. Most of the tours available will be around 5 days round trip and include accommodation, transport, some meals and a guide. If this is something that interests you I suggest checking out this tour that combines Cornwall with Devon.

3-Day Cornwall Itinerary

While it is entirely possible to spend a week or more enjoying the villages in Cornwall, the nature, the beaches in Cornwall and historic sites, you can cover a lot of ground in just 3 days. If you’re looking for the ideal 3-day Cornish trip, we’re here to help.

Day 1 – Tintagel, Newquay & the Eden Project

The first day of this road trip to Cornwall sees you exploring some diverse areas of this beautiful region. Start by exploring a medieval castle with mythical roots, visit an incredible indoor rainforest, or maybe try your hand at surfing in one of England’s premier beach destinations.

Begin this day in the town of Tintagel, home to Tintagel castle , which, according to folklore, was the mythical birthplace of the one and only King Arthur. This ruined fortification is located on its own small island accessible by a footbridge that leads over the dramatic cliffs below. The views are absolutely spectacular and there is definitely a certain kind of magic that can be found here.

There is a well-maintained visitor’s centre at Tintagel where you can learn more about the history and myth of this castle, or you can just take the time to be moved by how incredible the scenery is.

Note that admission to Tintagel is ticketed, with several different price points for adults, students, children and concessions. Ensure that you wear good shoes as there is some beautiful natural scenery to explore in the area, along with the ruins of the castle and the visitor’s centre.

The Eden Project

From Tintagel and for a different taste of nature, head to the Eden Project which has a number of different biomes including the biggest rainforest in captivity. If you’re an adrenaline junky, it’s possible to zip line across the entire park.

The Eden Project is more than just a botanical garden, it is absolutely massive and it’s perfect even for those who don’t ordinarily like this kind of attraction. There are countless different biomes and greenhouses, numerous outdoor gardens, a massive playground perfect for those travelling with kids and, of course, the zip wire and other adrenaline-pumping activities.

Plan to spend at least a few hours here before moving onto your next destination.

And finally, end your day in the charming town of Newquay, a quintessential seaside village that is a perfect place to explore and relax by the beach. There are countless fantastic restaurants in the town as well, including The Fish House , a well-renowned seafood eatery in Fistral Beach.

Newquay is also said to be the best surfing destination in the UK and the culture here may have you thinking you’ve arrived in a coastal town in Southern California or Australia.

There are countless surfing schools in Newquay that are there to teach you how to hit the waves, should that take your fancy, or you can just occupy yourself by watching the countless surfers from the warmth and safety of the sand (or a beachside bar!).

Day 2 – Penzance, St Michael’s Mount & Land’s End

Provided the weather works in your favour (and there is more of a chance of this in Cornwall than elsewhere in England), spend your second day of this Cornish road trip enjoying a number of Cornwall’s incredible outdoor sights and scenery.

Penzance & St Michael’s Mount

Begin your day in the charming town of Penzance. There isn’t all that much to see here in regards to tourist sites, however, the town itself is worth wandering through. There are a lot of points of interest around Penzance, however, that make it a great jumping-off point for day two of your time in Cornwall.

One such point of interest is the beautiful St Michael’s Mount which is one of the top places to visit in Cornwall. Located on a small island just a stone’s throw away from Penzance of the coast of the town of Marazion, the island is reachable by a man-made causeway that you can walk across at low to mid-tide (most of the day) and it only takes a few minutes to reach the island.

The main attraction of St Michael’s Mount would be the castle that lies on the island. Historically, the castle has been a counterpart of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy .

The castle on St Michael’s Mount dates back as far as the 8th Century CE when the structure was built as a monastery, however, it has been home to the St Aubyn family since about 1650.

Minack Theatre

From St Michael’s Mount, hop in the car and get ready to experience some of the best natural scenery that you’ll experience in all of England, not just on this visit in Cornwall. For a man-made wonder with some of the best views in the world, take a trip to the Minack Theatre .

It’s an open-air theatre that a Cornish woman carved out of the side of a cliff. It has spectacular views of the sea and puts on Shakespeare productions during the summer season. It’s worth a visit even if you don’t see a show, though, because both the theatre and scenery are absolutely breathtaking.

Land’s End & Cape Cornwall

Now it’s time to head a little bit further southwest until you can’t drive any further — that’s because you’ve reached Land’s End, the southwesternmost point of Britain! This area is more known for its incredible views and stunning scenery, boasting dramatic cliffs and turquoise blue water.

On a clear day, it is even possible to see the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago that lies about 40 kilometres off the coast.

Driving a bit further north, you will reach Cape Cornwall, which is England’s only cape and also boasts numerous walking trails and incredible views. If the weather is fine and you’re keen to get outside a bit, I highly recommend taking a walk around here to experience some of the most amazing views you will see in the region.

Day 3 – Mousehole & St Ives

After spending so much time out in nature on the first two days of this 3 days in Cornwall itinerary, your final day will be spent exploring some iconic Cornish villages.

Begin your day in the lovely town of Mousehole, a traditional fishing village that is sure to steal your heart. While there may not be a huge amount of tourist points of interest here, it is packed with charm and well worth a wander through.

There is also a charming harbour to enjoy along with a number of cosy cafes, cute shops and other places to take it. It’s a great peaceful stop that can take you a bit away from a lot of tourist crowds.

From Mousehole, it’s time to head to one of the most popular places to visit in all of Cornwall, St Ives.

The city of St Ives boasts a lively art scene and even has its own branch of the Tate . There are a number of great restaurants and shops there as well and the winding cobbled streets exude a classic English charm.

The city itself has a lot to offer including some wonderful beaches, plenty of art galleries, locals shops to browse, great restaurants and much much more.

There are also ample walking opportunities that begin and end in the city so if you’re keen to get out into nature just a bit more, make sure to find some hikes that you can go on to enjoy the scenery around this lovely village and this part of Cornwall even more.

There is enough to do in St Ives to keep you occupied for the rest of the day, especially if you’re interested in hitting the beach or going for a walk. There’s no doubt that visiting St Ives is one of the best things to do in Cornwall.

The city also makes for an excellent place to end this trip to Cornwall.

Have More Time?

If you’re looking to spend five days or even a week in Cornwall, there are plenty of ways that you can extend your time in this lovely region.

If you’re keen to get outdoors, then make sure to take advantage of all of the incredible walks that are on offer in the area., including tackling some of the gorgeous South West Coast Path. You also could allot one or two days for a surfing lesson and for time to spend just lounging on the beach.

If you’re interested in exploring more towns and villages, then there are countless more settlements in Cornwall worth visiting including the city of Truro or the coastal towns of Bude and St Austell, the latter of which is home to the famed Lost Gardens of Heligan.

All in all, there is so much to see and do in Cornwall that you can’t go wrong with any length of a Cornwall road trip itinerary.

Where to Stay in Cornwall

There are myriad places to stay whilst in Cornwall , from small cities to tiny fishing villages and if you have a car it doesn’t really matter where in the county you stay as you will have the freedom to go wherever you’d like.

If travelling in high season, it is highly advisable to book ahead as Cornwall is an extremely popular destination for both international and local tourists.

If you prefer to stay in a bigger town with a larger selection of restaurants or pubs around then staying in places like Penzance, Newquay or St. Ives are good options. Here are some suggested places in each town.

Chiverton House B&B – A cosy bed and breakfast run by a situated in the heart of Penzance. They offer a range of private rooms suitable for up to two people with all modern amenities.

The Dolphin Tavern – A traditional inn located right on the coast making it the perfect choice if you want to enjoy lovely sea views every morning. Breakfast is included in the room rate.

Cliff House – A great place to stay in Newquay that is well located in the centre of town and next to the beach. Rooms are suitable for couples or families with a great breakfast included in the room rate.

Selkies NQY   – Located a few minutes walk from the beach, this is a great luxurious option for couples looking for a place to stay in Newquay. Staff are friendly and there is a bar on site.

Palma Guest House – A seafront guesthouse overlooking the beautiful St Ives coast, this place has several lovely rooms to choose from and a great location within the village.

Lifeboat Inn – A chic inn overlooking Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, this hotel offers numerous well-decorated rooms, an on-site bar and an excellent breakfast each morning.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other places to stay in Cornwall!

Planning the perfect road trip around Cornwall isn’t a difficult task, with so many beautiful and historic places to visit. No matter how long you plan to spend in this incredible region of England, you’re sure to have an incredible time exploring the historic towns, beautiful nature, and stunning coastline.

Are you planning a Cornwall trip? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Great itinerary!! Can’t wait! we prefer to stay in one of the smaller quaint villages,as though pretending we live there! HaHa!

Where would you suggest for 2 nights or break that up.

Perfect itenary for us. Follow this on Easter long weekend. Thank you.

Thanks! Glad you found this helpful 🙂

Thank you very much. The itinerary sounds fantastic! Could not wait to follow your suggestion.

Hope you have a lovely holiday, Mola!

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Cornwall Travel Guide

There’s a reason Cornwall is one of the UK’s best summer holiday destinations. This gorgeous region is home to rugged coastal walks, beautiful sandy beaches and magical castle ruins. Not to mention some of the best seaside grub around too. In this Cornwall travel guide, I share my favourite places to visit in Cornwall.

Where to Stay in Cornwall – Hotels and accommodation have recently reopened in the UK. There are many picturesque hotels in Cornwall . It’s important to stay safe and follow the government’s guidelines. The updated guidelines for hotels can be read here .

Best Places To Visit in Cornwall

The best place to visit in Cornwall is the beautiful seaside town of St Ives. Whilst in the summer St Ives is a popular spot, it doesn’t lose its charm or beauty. You’ll be greeted with a beautiful bay, sailing boats bobbing in the sea, and sea lions swimming in the clear waters. St Ives has some of the best fish and chip shops I’ve been to, and is also home to the Tate St Ives art gallery .

St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s most iconic places to visit. This majestic tidal island is set out at sea and looks like a magical place from a fantasy book. When the tide is out, you can walk straight across the wet sand to see the parish built on the island. When the tide is high, you can pay a little fishing boat to take you over to the dock. You currently need to book tickets to visit St Michael’s Mount on the National Trust website.

Tintagel Castle

Another magical destination in Cornwall are the castle ruins of Tintagel. Tintagel Castle, set high on the cliff-tops above the rough sea below, is thought to be the birthplace of King Arthur. One of the caves is rumoured to be the home of the wizard Merlin. Stop by a little Cornish pasty shop on your way through the village.

Falmouth is a Cornish coastal town known for its deep natural harbour and really nice coffee shops. I’d especially recommend checking out Beacon Coffee and Espressini Artisan Coffee if you’re in town. 

Padstow is the top destination in Cornwall for food-lovers, and is famously home to restaurants owned by the chef, Rick Stein. The charming fishing port and close-by sandy beach make for a perfect day-trip in Cornwall.

If you love getting off the beaten track, head down to Porthtowan . You’ll find a beautiful surf beach and rugged coastal walks along the clifftops. It gets windy here, so make sure you’ve got a jacket to hand.

Getting In and Out of Cornwall

By Car – I’d recommend going by car to Cornwall if possible. There are regular bus routes through Cornwall, but many of the beaches and most beautiful spots are better reached by car.

By Train – Trains run regularly from London Paddington to Newquay. The route takes just under 5 hours. However, if you plan to go deeper into Cornwall and really explore, it’s better to travel by car.

Know Before You Go

Climate — The best time to visit Cornwall is during the UK summer from June – September. This is the time of year when you’re most likely to get sunny days and good beach weather. However, it can be windy, especially along coastal walks, so I recommend taking a windbreaker or light raincoat with you.

ATMs — There are ATMs in all the main towns in Cornwall. Though cards are regularly accepted, there are a few farm shops and other places that still only accept cash.

This Cornwall travel guide was written in collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own honest opinions and all the recommendations here come from my own personal experience.

Charlie Marchant

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Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary (& MAP)

Planning a Cornwall road trip? Want a map and itinerary to help guide your route and decide what to visit? No worries- we’ve shared our Cornish itinerary ideas here for 5, 7 10 or longer days, as well as 40 of the best places to visit in Cornwall- with a map!

Don’t forget to download your FREE Cornwall road trip planner below (complete with map and itinerary ideas)

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

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Why plan a Cornwall Road Trip?

Cornwall is one of our favourite places in England to road trip around.

The combination of Cornish coast, beautiful beaches, cute villages, history, incredible scenery and delicious cream teas is just too much to resist.

I was lucky enough to be based in Cornwall when I was stationed there in the Navy- so there are some secret places on this itinerary which you don’t often hear about until you live there… ssssh !

Here are some of our favourite places to visit in Cornwall, along with our suggested Cornwall road trip itinerary and a handy Map of Cornwall so you can plan your own trip! 

Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary- where to start

Like anywhere, planning a road trip to Cornwall takes a little time and research. There are so many beautiful places to visit in Cornwall (as you will see below) that if you only have a week to visit, you’ll need to plan your itinerary carefully.

Our suggestion is to not try and do too much. We spent 7 days in Cornwall with our motorhome, which made it easy to move around from place to place and explore. If you’re going to be staying in one area, we highly recommend hiring a car or a campervan, to make it easier to explore the Cornish roads.

Much of Cornwall is quite remote and public transport can be hit and miss, so having your own vehicle will make things much easier.

We recommend Europcar and Booking.com

NOTE: This is a HUGE Itinerary and post- over 4000 words! If you would like, you can download it:

Cornwall Road trip Itinerary for 7-10 days

We spent a week in Cornwall during October; (“we” being two adults and teenage girl. We travelled in our motorhome, using campsites and wild camping wherever possible.

Here’s the Cornish itinerary we did:

• Day 1- Mevagissey.
• Day 2- Falmouth and Pendennis Castle
• Day 3- St Michael’s Mount (although we had horrible weather, so we carried on to Land’s End instead of stopping. Stayed at Sennen Campsite
• Day 4- Land’s End/ Sennen, back to St Michael’s Mount and Minack Theatre
• Day 5- St Ives, Newquay, Perranporth and Boscastle. Parked at Tintagel Car Park overnight
• Day 6- Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave . Don’t forget St Nectan’s Glen if you have time.
• Day 7- Bude Beach

NOTE: We visited Cornwall with our teenager, who loves road trips, which means we did a lot of driving around. If you’re visiting Cornwall with younger kids, you might want to add more stops and cover less ground.

Cornwall trip planner for 5 days or a long weekend

You can easily enjoy a road trip around Cornwall for 5 days, or even a weekend. Just pick and choose your itinerary wisely and remember you won’t be able to drive as fast as usual due to the tiny Cornish roads, so plan accordingly and don’t take on too much.

Cornwall Road Trip Map – Cornwall Itinerary

Here’s a map of the places we visited in Cornwall during our 7 day Road Trip. We didn’t visit all the places listed below in one week- there’s far too many, but at least that gives you an excuse to some back again!

Hopefully, this map helps you plan your Cornwall travel and decide where to stay along the way.

Common Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary questions:

These are questions we and many other people have asked:

How long does it take to drive around Cornwall?

Like anywhere, your Cornwall road trip can be as long or short as you make it. The coastal road of Cornwall, from the Cornish border near Plymouth, stopping at St Austell, Falmouth, Lands End, St Ives and Bude, is about 200miles (320km) and you could possibly do it in a weekend if you didn’t sleep or stop very much.

Don’t forget, Cornish roads are NOT motorways- you will not be driving at 70mph. Heck, you’ll be lucky if you do a regular 30mph. So 200 miles on the Cornish coast will take you a lot longer than you expect!

Cornwall Trip Planner- How many days do you need in Cornwall?

We highly recommend going for as long as you can! Depending on where you are travelling to or where else you’re including in your England road trip , it can take a while to reach Cornwall, so at least a long weekend but ideally a week to really make the most of it!

How far is it from London to Cornwall?

The distance from London to Cornwall is about 250 miles (depending on starting and stopping point) and will take you about 4 and a half hours to drive on a clear traffic day.

TOP TIP: DO NOT TRY TO TRAVEL TO CORNWALL ON A BANK HOLIDAY! Or on the first day of a school holiday. Seriously- the roads are tiny, busy and sloooooow. You will regret all your life’s choices. Go earlier, later or ideally avoid the school holidays all together.

What is the best time to visit Cornwall?

There are plenty of good times to visit Cornwall, away from the busiest months of July and August. Personally, we love May, June and September- it’s also one of the best places to visit in Europe in Autumn .

Where to stay in Cornwall

Of course, what you include in your itinerary is up to you (and where you’re going to stay.) If you’re visiting Cornwall in the school holidays, we recommend choosing and booking your accommodation first, and THEN creating an itinerary for travel around the area which suits you. You can pick and choose from the ideas below as you wish.

Of course, there are a HUGE range of places to stay in Cornwall, from exclusive hotels with breathtaking views of the Cornish coastline, to cheaper B and Bs and AirBnBs.

Campsites in Cornwall

If you’re travelling by motorhome, campervan or car with tent, there are plenty of GREAT campsites to enjoy. Again, many of them are incredibly popular, so book as far in advance as possible.

We used Brit Stops and also stayed at Sennen Campsite (close to Lands End). For the rest of the time we found motorhome parking places as we travelled and stayed off-grid as much as possible.

Planning a road trip? You might find these useful:

• How to plan a UK road trip
• The best England road trip destinations
• 21 Fun car games for kids
• 12 ideas for unforgettable UK road trips

Best places to visit in Cornwall- 40+ ideas for you

Below, you’ll find 40+ places we love to visit in Cornwall, for different reasons. We’ve included many on the Cornish coast, as we love the beaches in Cornwall, but there’s plenty away from the crowds too.

So, in now particular order, here are some of our favourite places in Cornwall:

Historical & Famous Places to see in Cornwall

Cornwall is a land full of history. From Pirates and smugglers, to beautiful houses, castles and lighthouses, there are some incredible places to visit in Cornwall. Here are a few of our favourites:

Land’s End- a destination on every Cornwall Road Trip

You can’t go all the way to Cornwall and NOT go to Land’s End. It’s a long way to drive, I know, but such a beautiful place- and it’s the furthest west you can get on mainland England. Next stop- America!

There’s plenty of parking, as well as toilet facilities, cafes and trinket shops.

I love the fact that the year is changed on the Land’s End post so it always shows the year in your photos!

Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave

Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave were one of the highlights of our roadtrip to Cornwall. We were so lucky with the weather- especially in October half-term- but just LOOK at the colour of that water. 

Tintagel Castle is part of English Heritage, which you can join HERE for only a few pounds a month (it also gives you free access to famous places like Stonehenge (we saw the most INCREDIBLE sunrise at Stonehenge ever- see it here) 

Historic Places to see in Cornwall- St Michael’s Mount

St Michaels’ Mount is on the south coast of Cornwall- and well worth a visit. It’s on an island and is actually a twin to Mont St Michel (one of the most historic places to visit in France! )

You can walk out to the castle and back at low tide- just be careful about the tides as the water flows in very fast. If it’s not low tide, there’s a boat which you can take to get out and back.

We flew our travel drone out over the sea and got some spectacular shots of the castle in the sunshine.

Best place to go in Cornwall? The Minack Theatre

The Minack Theatre is unlike anywhere else we’ve ever been- an open-air theatre carved into the cliff. 

I’ll be honest, we didn’t know what to expect and when we saw the motorhome parking was at the bottom of the cliff, we were so close to not bothering. But boy are we glad we did!! It’s SPECTACULAR- and so unique- definitely one of the best places to visit in Cornwall.

The Theatre is still a working theatre, and people travel from miles around to view a play there- if you’d like to do the same, make sure you book up well in advance as it’s very popular!

When shows aren’t scheduled, you can walk around the theatre and seating, have a picnic, take advantage of the cafe and enjoy the views. 

Restomel Castle

Restormel Castle   is a  13th Century Castle built in a circle which is in remarkably good condition! Open from April-October, it’s a beautiful place for a picnic, with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

Cotehele is one of my favourite National Trust properties. It’s a medieval house with some Tudor additions- and it’s really beautiful. There is also Cotehele Quay which has ‘Shamrock’, a Victorian sailing barge, and a beautiful tearoom right on the river. If you have time, be sure to add this stop to your Cornwall Road Trip itinerary.

This is a breath-taking Victorian country house. Seriously, there aren’t many estates left like this one. It’s another National Trust property , with plenty of activities taking place throughout the year.

Jamaica Inn- worth a road trip to Cornwall!

Cornwall’s most famous smuggling pub. Located high up on Bodmin Moor and made famous by Daphne du Maurier, Jamaica Inn has been there for over 300 years, welcoming weary travellers. Apparently, it’s haunted too- so I’ll let you decide if you want to stay in one of its 36 bedrooms! There is also a museum and a restaurant.

Pretty villages & towns to visit in Cornwall

You can’t visit Cornwall on a road trip without driving through at least one beautiful stone village. They’re EVERYWHERE. However, if you want some help with your Cornwall trip planning, here are a few of our favourites:

It’s hard to believe that this beautiful village is one of the main gathering for witches in the UK, but it’s true. It has a great witch museum, which is touristy in parts but really interesting in others.

Boscastle has endured horrendous floods twice in the last few years, with the worst being in August 2004. Waters reached over 2m deep in some places- you can see the markers on the buildings as you walk around. It’s incredible that no-one died.

Our favourites were the ice cream and the incredible pottery factory, which sold some beautiful and unique pieces.

Cornish road trips should always include Newquay. It’s beautiful and has one of the best surfing beaches in the UK. Although that has almost become a problem- it has become a mecca for Stag and Hen parties, as well as surfers and teenagers.

All these happy visitors give it a great party atmosphere and the nightlife is lively, but it is VERY touristy and sometimes can be far too crowded (although in fairness the same can now be said for many other parts of Cornwall too.)

Still there is a huge amount of accommodation options, from posh hotels to large houses for parties. See the latest deals here:

St Ives is one of the best summer holiday destinations in the UK – beautiful, quaint and with a couple of incredible white sandy beaches- possibly the best in Cornwall. However, it also has the downsides you expect from a Cornish town- it’s a NIGHTMARE to park and gets incredibly busy in the summer.

There is a park and ride on the top of a hill (which tolerates motorhomes during the day but doesn’t encourage them). Don’t expect to be able to park near the beach unless you get there first thing in the morning; even then I think there is now a waiting limit on the parking of a few hours.

Still, it’s definitely worth a visit- the harbour and the beaches alone are worth the effort.

If you do get the option to stay in St Ives for a couple of days, here are some great options for you:

Here are some other activities to do in St Ives:

Tate St. Ives

If you like museums, the Tate St Ives  art museum is well worth a look. Even if you don’t the views from the gallery are spectacular or you could always enjoy an ice cream and sun yourself on the beach for a few hours!

Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Museum St Ives

If you haven’t heard of her, no judgement- I hadn’t either! But her sculptures are beautiful. This museum is small, but interesting if you enjoy crazy sculptures in the garden… (don’t we all??!!)

Newquay or St Ives- which is better?

Many people wonder whether they should visit Newquay or St Ives. The answer is: it depends on what you want.

St Ives is more ‘arty’ and general has a quieter crowd. Newquay is party town- lots of stag and hen parties and more families and a younger, surfer crowd.

Both places are ‘cool’ in their own way, but one is more overtly loud and proud than the other.

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Tintagel village is famous for being the home of King Arthur’s Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s cave, but there is so much more to it than that.

The village is built from built Cornish stone and is full of cute houses, shops and delicious tea rooms (as is most of Cornwall!) There are also a couple of decent pubs too, including the Cornishman Inn which has a pub garden and serves great food. 

Don’t miss King Arthur’s Great Halls in the village itself (the stained glass window is incredible) and the fitter of you must make the walk up to St Materiana’s Church, which stands proudly on the headland overlooking the Castle and the breathtaking views out to sea. 

Talking of sea views, if you’d like to stay in Tintagel for a night, head to the Camelot Hotel. This building looks impressive, the decor is opulent and the views from the bedrooms are insane. Well worth the (pretty steep!) price. 

My Mother-in-law used to talk about Mevagissey all the time- it was one of her favourite places in Cornwall. And honestly, it’s one of ours now.

It’s VERY touristy, and some of the shops are crazy expensive, but it’s such a beautiful village with a cute harbour and DELICIOUS pasties. (Most places in Cornwall have delicious pasties, but these seemed to be even better. Or maybe we were just hungry!) Again, here are some of the best places to stay in and near Mevagissey.

Ferry from Mevagissey to Fowey 

This is a lovely way to see more of the coastline from the water and is a great trip on a calm, sunny day (I wouldn’t advise it if the weather is bad- being on that sea in a storm can be miserable- I speak from experience!!)

You can take a ferry from Megavissey to Fowey, which takes about 40 minutes and runs daily from April- September, weather permitting. In 2018 returns cost £14 and cycles were £8. Well-behaved dogs go free!

I love Falmouth. It’s one of our favourite places in Cornwall. Falmouth is a big city, but everything feels very ‘seaside resort’ and relaxed.

It’s the third deepest natural harbour in the world and there’s so much history to explore- if you get a chance, visit the area for at least a couple of days so you can try to see everything. There are plenty of wonderful hotels and guesthouses if you don’t have a van or tent- have a look at the latest deals here:

Pendennis Castle 

Positioned on the headland with impressive views, this castle is well worth a visit (although possibly not if you’ve already been to St. Michael’s Mount- it’s not got the same ‘wow’ factor.)

Having said that, this castle was very important in both World Wars and there are exhibitions which are pretty interesting. It’s run by the English Heritage, so worth becoming a member. Find out more HERE

National Maritime Museum

This museum now has 3 floors and 12 exhibitions, so it’s not for the faint-hearted or as a quick ‘looksee’, but if you are at all interested in the sea, naval history, the history of the boat or want to sail model boats on the lake inside, it might be just the place.

Take a ferry ride 

This is one of my favourite ways to explore any harbour- and Falmouth has several great options. My personal favourite is St Mawes- Falmouth ferry, which passes some beautiful parts of the harbour, including Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle. You might even see some dolphins! More info can be found  HERE

Skinners Brewery.

In Truro, just outside Falmouth, you’ll find Skinners Brewery – an award-winning producer of pale ales and bitter. You can book a tour, enjoy an evening of live music, or just sample some of their famous brews!

Places of Nature to visit in Cornwall

Any good Cornwall itinerary should include plenty of time to enjoy some of the ‘great outdoors’. Cornwall is a county made for being outdoors- from beautiful beaches to the wildness of the moors, and everything in between. Some of the best things to do in Cornwall involve getting out and about in nature.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan 

Near Mevagissey is a real-life secret garden- the Lost Gardens of Heligan. It was literally found 25 years ago through a secret door, which led to the entire estate being renovated and is now open to the public.

The play areas and outdoor attractions are mostly seasonal, but many parts are still open over winter.

Visit The Lizard… (but only if you have time on your Cornwall Road Trip )

the Lizard is the most southerly point in the UK and it’s beautiful if you catch it on a nice day. There are some lovely Cornish coastal walks and the wildlife is stunning. But then, that’s true of most of Cornwall.

As a ex-Naval aircrew who used to be based down in RNAS Culdrose, I get quite excited by the Lizard (we did all our navigation training using the Lizard as a reference point!)

But honestly, if you’re going to any of the other cliffs on your Cornwall Road Trip, it’s probably not worth your time unless you REALLY want to visit the most southerly point in the UK. The Lizard is a National Trust property- click here to find out more.

Secret places to visit in Cornwall- St Nectan’s Glen

St Nectans Glen is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe. It’s near Tintagel Castle, so you can tie the two in together for a great day out.

This breathtaking series of waterfalls is nestled into a secret gorge and the whole area looks like something out of a fairytale.

To get there, you walk along a path through beautiful woodlands, often following the path of the river, before suddenly arriving in front of the magnificent St Nectan’s Kieve- the main waterfall.

St Nectan’s Kieve is 60ft high and falls through a hole in the rock. It used to be a basin, but the water eventually eroded it into what you see today. 

Many people are unaware of the existence of St Nectan’s Glen- so it’s a lot less crowded and ‘touristy’ than other places in the area- especially in summer, although it’s open most of the year. 

For the best experience, arrive early in the morning and try to be first on the trail so you can experience St Nectan’s Kieve by yourself (and get the best photos!)

Climb Brown Willy- Cornwall’s highest point

Who wouldn’t want to climb Brown Willy…..?!?!?! (oh go on, I know you’re smiling at that one! I couldn’t resist putting this just before the fertility hole below…..!! )

It’s Cornwall’s highest point, which I know isn’t saying much, but it’s a nice stretch of the legs on a summer’s day and the views from the top are magnificent.

Men-an-Tol stone at Morvah- a bit of magic on your Cornwall trip

This is one of those fun things that is STILL on our list, as we didn’t get a chance during this visit. This stone is thought to be from the Bronze Age, making it around 3,500 years old.

There are actually 4 stones in the area, but only one has the hole through the middle. Passing through this hole is said to aid fertility, both for women wanting children and farmers wanting crops… who am I to argue??!

Places to see in Cornwall- Eden Project

The Eden Project is one of the most family-friendly things to do in Cornwall – kids of all ages love it.

There are different sections showcasing jungle, desert and other diverse nature settings. But there is also a zip line (I love ziplines!) Also, big bands regularly play there (think Blondie, Bryan Adams, Muse and Tom Jones!)

Dozmary Pool

This is said to be the pool where the lady of the lake resides. Apparently, it was here that King Arthur received his sword, Excalibur. The pool was once thought to be bottomless, but sadly it’s become much shallower in recent years. In 1976 it dried up completely!! Still, for anyone interested in Arthurian myths and legends, it’s a nice addition to your Cornwall road trip.

Bodmin Moor- road trip to Cornwall legend!

Bodmin Moor is definitely the stuff of legends. Wet, windy and wild, it’s the highest part of Cornwall, and if you can catch it on a good day it’s spectacular.

In 1983, a report was given to the police of a ‘wild beast’ said to be haunting the moor, with ‘sharp teeth like those of a leopard’. Those reports still continue today- don’t say I didn’t warn you…

Golitha Falls

While you’re at Bodmin Moor, visit the nearby Golitha Falls. If this isn’t a place which can convince you of fairies and magic, nothing will!

Bedruthan Steps

Apparently, a giant used to use these steps as a shortcut across the bay… (hmmm, now where have I heard that before!?? Oh yes, at Giant’s Causeway on our Ireland road trip )  Whether you believe in legends or not, this bay is STUNNING with clear turquoise waters and soft sands. Just beware- getting down to it takes some effort, which is why it stays fairly quiet, even in high summer.

Best Beaches in Cornwall

Some of the best places to visit in Cornwall are the beautiful beaches. And they also house some of the best things to do! Beachlife in Cornwall is literally a way of life for many, from surfers to beach combers (and, of course, pirates and smugglers!) You’ll enjoy many sea views on your Cornwall trip, but try to make time for a visit to a beach- or at least a walk on one of the many Cornish coastal paths.

Bude- Cornwall’s best surfing beach?

Bude is right on the border between Devon and Cornwall and is on the North Coast, which is the best side for surfing if that’s what you’re looking for.

The nightlife is much more relaxed than at Newquay and there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy, including a sea pool cut into the rock at Summerleaze Beach. Bude has twice been voted best UK Coastal destination – so it does get busy during the summer. If you have time, combine a trip to Bude with a North Devon road trip and enjoy more of the incredible beaches and coastline.

Porth Joke- Cornwall’s best secret beach?

Talking of beautiful Cornish beaches, here’s a secret gem not many people know about.

This tiny cove has incredibly soft sand and, most importantly, is relatively quiet throughout the year- despite the popularity of Newquay only a short distance away.

We were recommended to add Porth Joke to our Cornwall road trip itinerary as somewhere to get away from the people- even in high summer.

The beach is a short walk from the car park and there are no toilets, cafes or other facilities, which is probably why it remains so empty all year round, but it’s definitely worth the effort. 

It’s sheltered on 3 sides, so you’re fairly well protected from the wind, but you can still enjoy some of the famous surf. It’s quite shallow, so safe for swimming or snorkelling (but please be aware of rip tides which are common all along this coastline- don’t let children go too far offshore.) 

There is no shade, so I highly recommend taking a parasol if you’re going to spend the day (and you are definitely going to want to spend the day!) 

Bring a cooler with lots of drinks and food (yes, you’ll need to carry it from the car) and settle down to do nothing but listen to the surf, paddle, poke at rock pools and watch the sunset. Sheer magic. 

Perranporth Beach

Beautiful beach with lots of sand, and a great arch for your Instagram photos. We love it because of this cool arch, the gorgeous sand and the fact that it’s dog-friendly all year around.⁠

Nanjizal Beach- Song of the Sea Cave

This is one of the prettiest coves in all of Cornwall. There are caves and even a waterfall to enjoy as you head to the beach. Directions can be found HERE

Lusty Glaze Beach

I couldn’t not include a beach with a name like Lusty Glaze Beach !! This beach near Newquay is privately owned but you can visit for free. The high cliffs give it some great protection and it offers a huge variety of activities including climbing, abseiling, a restaurant and a creche!

Dogs are banned from May-September. The beach can be accessed at low tide by walking around the headland, or reached by many, many steps (368 apparently!), so plan accordingly!

Fun Activities to do in Cornwall

There are plenty of fun things to do in Cornwall- some more energetic than others! We’ve already included some of the best places to visit on your Cornwall trip, but here are a couple of other fun activities that you can add to your Cornwall trip planner.

Zipwire at Adrenalin Quarry near Liskeard

I love ziplines and this one looks AMAZING!! It zips you 490m across a quarry, over a lake and through/ over various vegetation, at speeds of up to 40mph.

There are twin zip-wires, so you can race your friend! Apparently, they’ve had riders as young as 3 and as old as 90- sign me up!! At Adrenalin Quarry , there is also a wipeout Aqua Park, coasteering, a giant swing and axe throwing!

Surfing is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Cornwall- and there are PLENTY of places to get involved. You want to head to the north coast for the better beaches and waves, and if you’re visiting in school holidays I’d recommend booking in advance.

For a fantastic beach with surfing, visit Westward Ho! (yes, the exclamation mark is part of the name). This is one of the safest beaches in Cornwall, and there’s plenty of places to eat, facilities, play areas and surf schools- perfect for some outdoor exercise to keep fit on your road trip !

Silly Surfing for Charity

Every June for one weekend only, Porthmeor Beach (next to St Ives) becomes…well… a bit silly! Surfers dress up in fancy dress and surf; there’s an open-air cinema, as well as many other attractions.

Tickets for the open cinema and other events sell out in advance, so if you’re planning to go please book early. All proceeds currently go to the charity Surfers against Sewage. Porthmeor also has the open cinema at other times throughout the year- you can find out more HERE

Watch silver ball hurling at St Columb Major

I’m a sucker for bizarre and crazy things (like these bizarre European traditions and events!) but this may be the craziest yet. It happens once a year in early February and…well… I’m really not sure I can explain the rules.

Shopkeepers barricade their doors and windows and thousands of spectators flock to watch fully-grown men fight for a ball and try to get it…somewhere. The ‘pitch’ is about 20 square miles, making it the largest pitch for any ball game in the world. Now there’s a fact for the pub quiz!

Fun Places to visit with kids in Cornwall

Here are some ideas for places to take kids (both young and old!) when visiting Cornwall!

Newquay Zoo and animal wildlife park

Like most zoos, it’s a great place to bring the whole family and has a wide range of animals. A current list can be found on their website HERE

Lappa Valley Steam Railway

I’m a sucker for a good steam railway, but honestly, this one is more geared towards younger children. However, there’s also crazy golf, canoeing and playparks, so it’s a great day out to get them exhausted!

Pirates Quest

This is an indoor attraction, which can come in VERY handy in Cornwall (seriously, go prepared for rain.) This exhibition is an hour-long history of piracy, depicted by real-life actors and interactions. It’s only seasonal, so check if it’s open on their website HERE

Flambards Theme Park

One for the kids or a rainy day, but this theme park will put a smile on anyone’s face. There are rides, exhibitions and indoor attractions- perfect whatever the weather!

Travelling with kids? You might find these useful:

• Best children’s car games
• Quiet and fun activities for kids while they travel

Cornwall Road Trip Tips

To really make the most of your Cornish road trip travels, you’ll need several things:

• A Vehicle. Personally, we love travelling by motorhome. If you don’t have your own, you can always hire a motorhome or campervan to give yourself more flexibility for your trip. If not, hire a car and use hotels. We recommend Europcar and Booking.com
• We highly recommend joining the National Trust and English Heritage – even if it’s just for a month if you’re visiting from abroad. They will save you a lot of money if you visit more than one property and the money goes to a great cause- protecting our Nation’s heritage.
• Lastly, don’t forget that there aren’t any motorways in Cornwall. The roads are small and can be very (very!) busy, especially in summer. Plan accordingly and don’t expect to be driving at 70mph anywhere. The weather can also turn quickly, going from warm and sunny to raining and foggy. Be prepared for all eventualities, whatever the weather forecast may say!!
• Most of all, enjoy your Cornwall Road Trip! It’s a stunning part of the world and I hope you have an amazing time. Let me know how you get on.

Want to save this list for later? Here’s the pin. Enjoyed this post? We’d love it if you shared it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Thank you!

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

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20 comments.

We missed visiting Cornwall on our last trip to the UK. Perhaps next time. This will surely come in handy. Great post and super helpful!

Hope it helps when you finally get there!

Wow, this really inspires me to return to Cornwall. I’ve had some fabulous trips there in the past but for some reason I’ve been nipped across the border into Wales more recently instead of heading down to the southwest. Must make my way back in 2019. So much inspiration for new places to try – and a happy reminder of just how much I love Perranporth.

I know- we loved Perranporth too!! But we also love Wales, so I understand your predicament!!

I love your way of writing, put a smile on my face. And that sunset picture, OMG you really wouldn’t think that was in England! Really enjoyed this post and it does make me want to visit Cornwall, my in-laws went last year and really loved it too.

Thank you- I appreciate that. 🙂 I hope you make it to Cornwall soon!

I’ve been to England several times, but I haven’t had the chance yet to make it to Cornwall. I’ve always heard such amazing things about that part of England and now I know why. It looks incredible! I’m definitely saving this for when I can visit the area. I didn’t know there was so much to do in that area. Thanks for sharing!

You’re welcome- hope you get to visit one day.

Can you believe that I’ve lived in the South West of England for a year but never made it down into Cornwall?! I’m so gutted – this post is amazing. There’s so much more to see than I thought (I thought it was just beaches tbh!) how silly of me. Lusty Glaze beach reminds me of a beach back in Australia! Except I suppose it’s a bit more nippy than Aust 😛 Looks stunning though, let’s hope i get to do my own Cornish roadtrip one day 🙂

Nooooo!! You need to go next summer- May/ June is good normally.

Cornwall looks amazing! I once had a roommate from Cornwall…so neat to see some pictures of where he was from! (Being a huge English Lit nerd I always think of it as the birthplace of King Arthur, haha!) I hope I can visit one day. <3

I hope you get there too- it’s a gorgeous part of the world.

Hi Kat and Jade – loved your home movies of the Cornwall trip and it’s really inspiring me! I am coming from France in August to hire a motorvan from Plymouth and do a week moving around Cornwall. I will be with my wife and 3 kids so thought to play it safe at first and have booked a camping place near Lands End for the first 3 days but then thought about going where the road leads us for the rest of the time – including some of the places you mentioned like Falmouth or Bude. But I have a question cos I have no experience of motorhome in UK; do you think we will be alright to find a place to park or pitch up as we move along in August or do you think it’s really necessary to book places in advance? I know it’s a difficult question but if you could just give a sense of how flexible and open it is in Cornwall to find a place to stay spontaneiouly in Cornwall? thanks so much Andy

Thanks for this have saved and downloaded to really go through later. I am so excited to go to Cornwall but we only have 4 days!

Hi Kat I too LOVE Cornwall and agree with most of your suggestions. I’d just like to add a couple of suggestions – first off, Lamora Cove – on the way to Lands End from Marazion (where St Michael’s Mount is). Beautiful cove and cliff top walks. Secondly, if you decide to take in a show at the Minack wrap up warm – whatever time of year it is… I’m talking long John’s, fleeces, coats AND blankets. Trust me – we made the mistake of just a couple of layers!! And finally the Minack theatre overlooks, IMHO, the best beach in Cornwall (and possibly also some of the best history), Porthcurno

Wow! What a great road trip with some amazing places to see and things to experience! I’ve always heard wonderful things about this part of England. Time to make that trip!

Hope you make it one day- it really is beautiful.

This is a great itinerary. I always forget just how big Cornwall is. I have only done St Ives and Lands End so looks like I will need to go back and plan another trip. We got so close to St Michael’s Mount but never saw it which is a shame.

Oh no! How sad to get so close and not see it. Hopefully next time!

There is definitely a great deal to find out about Cornwall. I really like all the places you mentioned.

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Visit Cornwall

Welcome to Cornwall Travel Guide. We want you to use our website to plan your visit to Cornwall. We feature evertyhing from best places to eat, stay and visit.

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Getting Here

It won't take long to get to paradise, just choose your way to get here!

Great Western Railway (GWR) operate high speed train services frequently from London Paddington station including the Night Riviera Sleeper service to Penzance. There are also direct trains daily from Bristol and beyond using Cross-Country.

Once in Cornwall, there's a great rail network for getting around the county, perfect for those car-free breaks. Explore the corners of Cornwall from St Ives to Looe, sit back and enjoy the scenery on the Tamar Valley Line or head to the beach at Newquay or Falmouth.

Park-and-ride schemes are in place at Liskeard (for Looe) and St Erth (for St. Ives).

Night Riviera Sleeper Service

The Night Riviera Sleeper service runs between London Paddington and Penzance. The comfortable cabins have everything you need, including USB and plug sockets, a wardrobe, a sink, and storage space.

The on-board lounge bar is open for drinks and snacks throughout the journey, and you can even order room service!

It takes less than five hours to get from London to the heart of Cornwall by either train or car. Drive along the M4 motorway from London, or M6 from Manchester, and then the M5 to Exeter and finally either the A30, that is mostly dual carriageway, or the A38 passing Plymouth and Saltash into South East Cornwall. Alternatively if you enter Cornwall from North Devon, there is the scenic A39 Atlantic Highway running through Bude, which you can join from Junction 27 on the M5.

There can be a high volume of traffic during peak season, school holidays, and on weekends. Travelling overnight or outside peak rush hours is recommended to avoid long delays.

To plan your journey, use the AA Route Planner for a tailor made travel plan with timings and mileage - just click on the link below.

Please be aware that Sat-Navs can lead you to some wonderful places in Cornwall, many of them down narrow country lanes with high hedges and few reversing points. Please follow local road signage to help get you to your destination.

Coach and bus

National Express operate a full service into Cornwall as far as Penzance, Megabus also go to a few towns including Newquay and Falmouth.

Coach travel times from London or Birmingham to the city of Truro are around 7-8 hours

Many tour operators offer coach holidays to Cornwall, contact your local travel agent for details.

Flying to Cornwall can offer an attractive and shorter alternative to the journey by train or car.

Newquay Airport is served by a variety of routes from across the UK and beyond. For more information, please visit the Cornwall Airport Newquay Website or call 01637 860600 or e-mail [email protected]

The Airport offers year-round onward connectivity to the Isles of Scilly with Skybus.

Exeter Airport is also withing easy reach of Cornwall via the A30 and A38.

Plymouth is the closest ferry port to Cornwall, being just across the River Tamar. Brittany Ferries offer services from Roscoff in France and Santander in Northern Spain into Plymouth as well as further services from France and Spain into Portsmouth and Poole.

In Cornwall already? Click on the link for our guide to public transport across Cornwall.

Everything you need to know to plan your perfect Cornish getaway.

Travel to Cornwall by car

It takes less than five hours to get from London or Birmingham to the heart of Cornwall by car.

Drive along the M4 motorway from London, or M6 from Manchester, and then the M5 to Exeter and finally either the A30, that is mostly dual carriageway, or the A38 passing Plymouth and Saltash into South East Cornwall.

Alternatively if you enter Cornwall from North Devon, there is the scenic A39 Atlantic Highway running through Bude, which you can join from Junction 27 on the M5.

Due to the high volume of traffic on Cornwall's roads during the summer months the main routes can become congested especially at weekends. Travelling overnight or outside peak rush hours is recommended to avoid long delays.

• To plan your journey use the AA Route Planner for a tailor made travel plan with timings and mileage
• For information on possible delays or roadwork's throughout the UK or in Cornwall visit Traffic Watch
• Travelling to Cornwall with a caravan? Check out this Caravan Towing guide

Travel to Cornwall by coach and bus

National Express operate a full service into Cornwall as far as Penzance, Megabus s also go to a few towns including Newquay and Falmouth.

For information on public transport, including local bus timetables, once you are in Cornwall [click here].( https://www.firstbus.co.uk/cornwall/plan-journey/timetables ).

If you are bringing a coach to Cornwall, did you know Cornwall Council now offers a weekly coach rover ticket . This is available for all car parks where coaches are permitted and costs £16.60 for 24 hours or £55.35 for 7 days and £38.75 for 4 days.

You can drive via either the M4 and M5 to Exeter and then take either the A30 or A38 depending on where in Cornwall you are heading.

You can also use the M3 and A303 from west London.

Both National Express and Megabus operate coach's into Cornwall

Trains to Cornwall leave from Paddington Station

You can fly to Cornwall from both Gatwick and Heathrow (Jan 2023)

The North coast of Cornwall is a wonderful place to come for a holiday. A very family-friendly area, it has long attracted visitors looking for a traditional “bucket-and-spade” holiday, as well as surfers, walkers and those seeking the more relaxed pace of life.

From Bude down to Sennen Cove, there are loads of long sandy beaches, including the popular ones at Newquay and St Ives, but there are also sections of high cliffs, great for walking or just watching the summer sunsets.

Cornwall's south coast tends to be quieter than the north with its vast sandy beaches and great surf. Instead you will find picturesque fishing villages, and the occasional sandy cove. Families can still enjoy a traditional “bucket-and-spade” holiday at places like Looe or Pentewan, whilst others might prefer the yachting meccas of Fowey, Falmouth or St Mawes.

With beautiful scenery around every corner and vibrant towns and villages full of great places to eat and drink, we are sure you will want to return again and again to the south coast of Cornwall.

Avoid the traffic jams, the arguments when the GPS sends you the wrong way and the general hassle of having to drive great distances...

GWR operate high speed train services frequently from London Paddington station including the Night Riviera Sleeper Service to Penzance. There are also direct trains daily from Bristol and beyond. More info from: nationalrail.co.uk

Once in Cornwall, there's a great rail network for getting around the county, ideal for when the roads are busy in the summer. Give the driver a rest and grab a cheap day return to St Ives or Looe. Sit back and enjoy the scenery on the Tamar Valley Line or head to the beach at Newquay or Falmouth. For more info, go to Great Scenic Railways

For National Rail enquiries telephone 08457 484950

The First Group co-ordinate bus services from many Cornish stations.

Park-and-ride schemes run in season at Liskeard (for Looe) and St Erth (for St. Ives).

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Hotels in Cornwall

Cornwall hotels

Long sandy beaches. 630 miles of coastal path to walk/run/cyle. Best weather in Britain. How could England's far southwest coastline not be the top destination for outdoor pursuits including surfing (what it's famous for), diving, kayaking and cycling? With a love of the outdoors comes a love of wildlife. Our hotels in Cornwall will put you close to all of the following: Newquay Zoo and its 130 species, Blue Reef Aquarium and its underwater shark safari and also Europe's busiest seal rescue centre.

Book hotels in Cornwall

For Cornwall breaks, you're booking a hotel in Cornwall for the coastline not the culture, right? At the Minack Theatre you get both. It's an outdoor theatre set on the rustic coast, and it's just 18.9 miles from our Hayle Hotel. The Eden Project is a very different type of theatre. The actors are basically plants � from all over the world. This includes banana trees, coffee, rubber and giant bamboo. It's all housed in a stunning location including a giant crater formerly used as a fictitious planet in the film Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Our St Austell Hotel is just 4.5 miles away from this otherworldly �garden.� If you've got the children this trip, then trade plants for penguins a plenty at the Newquay Zoo. It's less than a mile from our Newquay Seafront Hotel.

Things to do in Cornwall

With so many things to do in Cornwall, you're spoilt for choice. But let's say you've come to Cornwall for the wild coastal adventures. Take a break from sand and sun at Crealy Adventure Park. Thrill-a-second rides like Raging Rivers, The Beast and Viking Warrior await, and our Wadebridge Hotel is just 3.8 miles away when you've got nothing left. Rather keep to a nature theme? The Blue Reef Aquarium's a half-mile from our Newquay Seafront Hotel. And then there's the Seal Sanctuary which looks after injured or ill seal pups. It's situated in the rolling hills 15 miles from our Hayle Hotel.

Nearby attractions

• Boardmasters Festival
• Newquay Railway Station
• Newquay Beach
• Fistral Beach
• Truro Railway Station

Nearby locations

The best dog-friendly hotels in the UK for 2024

Plan a pet-friendly escape to the coast or country this year

For a small extra charge, you can take your four-legged friend on a country escape or coastal retreat, and they'll be provided with plenty of treats, from dog beds and bowls to personalised gift bags and special pet menus (including in-room dining and restaurant options). Some even have their own resident pets roaming around to make friends with, as well as concierge services that can arrange dog-sitting, scenic walks and other activities.

Whether you're looking for long stretches of serene sandy beach in Norfolk or Cornwall , high fells and woodland in the Lake District , chocolate-box charm in the Cotswolds , luxury spa breaks in the country, or relaxed pubs with rooms, we've rounded up the best dog-friendly hotels in the UK that will keep hounds happy as well as their humans. Your dog will love being brought along for the fun, especially if you pick a spot in which treats are waiting for them on arrival.

Check out the best dog-friendly hotels in the UK, including the likes of Fowey Hall , Gidleigh Park and Lainston House , among plenty of others. Think wag-worthy walkies mixed with chic interiors and top-notch food. Pawsitively perfect…

Lainston House, Sparsholt, Hampshire

Tucked away in 63 acres of rural Hampshire countryside, Lainston House is the perfect weekend escape for travellers and their furry friends.

This 17th-century luxury hotel is made up of homely style suites and bedrooms featuring plush four-poster beds, rain showers, a roll top or spa bath and panoramic views of the landscape.

After a day of R&R enjoying scenic walks and bike rides through the grounds with dog in tow, you can settle in for dinner at The Wellhouse – the hotel’s eagerly anticipated new restaurant.

Helmed by Phil Yeomans, the restaurant takes inspiration from the hotel’s impressive kitchen garden and celebrates the art of wood-fired cooking. Lainston House charges £40 per stay for dogs, which feels more than worth it.

Slebech Park, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

Head off into the Welsh countryside for a fabulous back-to-nature break with your canine companion along for the ride.

Stay at dog-friendly hotel Slebech Park , set at the centre of a 600-acre privately-owned estate with a commanding position over the upper reaches of the Daugleddau River Estuary, in the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park.

Your four-legged friend will receive their very own welcome pack including a bed, bowl and treats. There are three ground-floor rooms especially for guests with dogs, with an extra charge of £15 per dog.

With plentiful walks by the river, in meadows and mature woodlands on the doorstep, it's heaven for hounds. Pembroke Castle and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path are also just 17 miles away.

READ OUR REVIEW AND BOOK

Gidleigh Park, Newton Abbot, Devon

With its sprawling grounds on the northern edge of Dartmoor, this dog-friendly hotel has everything to impress both you and your pooch.

There are 107 acres for dogs to explore and heated kennels that are available for you to use at no extra cost. Gidleigh Park has two dog-friendly rooms: Lydford and Bellever, as well as The Pavilion, a cottage overlooking the croquet lawn.

The hotel has a £20 per night charge per dog and for this you'll receive essentials like a basket, biscuits and balls. Naturally, you'll want to experience Dartmoor's best walks with your four-legged friend and the friendly staff at Gidleigh Park will tell you about all the top spots.

Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire

Lucknam Park is an elegant country house hotel in Wiltshire, set within 500 acres of listed parkland. The Palladian mansion-turned five-star hotel is privately owned and is a pooch paradise thanks to is sprawling grounds.

The dog-friendly rooms are set up with a dog bed, blanket, food and water bowls, as well as a welcome basket with a toy, bag of treats, dog towel and fleece. Doggy room service can be ordered, and at turndown every evening dogs receive a special treat. A dog-sitting service is available for a small fee, plus a wonderful 'Map for Mutts' shows all the best walks around the 500-acre estate.

And for mum and dad? Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones and the slightly less formal Brasserie offer fine fare, as well as a remarkable Equestrian Centre and renowned spa that offers 111SKIN and Kloris treatments. Lucknam Park charges £25 per dog, per day.

The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa, Skipton, Yorkshire

With 1,400 acres to explore, not to mention the countless beautiful walking trails on the doorstep, there's no better place to escape with man’s best friend.

In addition to unique dining options, the pet-friendly property offers world-class spa facilities and treatments and a host of exciting, adventurous outdoor activities, such as fishing, e-biking, clay pigeon shooting and off-road driving experiences serving up a host of experiences to suit any member of the family.

No member need be left behind as The Coniston offers several dog-friendly hotel rooms as well as self-catering holiday cottages with private gardens to enjoy. Dogs can stay for a charge of £20 per night.

Pennyhill Park, Bagshot, Surrey

Just over an hour’s drive from central London, Pennyhill Park dates back to 1849, giving you plenty of history for your pet-friendly escape.

A wonderful retreat for four-legged families not wanting to travel too far for a pup’s first trip, if you're based in or around the city, Pennyhill Park combines 19th century grandeur with modern-day facilities.

You'll love the spa, three-hole golf course and Michelin-starred dining, while canine companions will love walking among centuries-old cedar trees and 123 acres of manicured grounds brimming with ponds.

After a long walk, your furry family member can relax with their favourite treats back in the room or enjoy being pampered by the in-house team of dog-loving pet sitters. Pennyhill Park charges £50 for a dog, per day.

Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham, Kent

Set back from tree-lined lanes in the heart of Kent, this Grade I listed Manor House sits in 22 acres of parkland perfect for pooch exploring.

Chilston Park is a place of timeless elegance, dating back to at least 1100 with many original artefacts on display. With former owners ranging from prestigious politicians to respected writers, its past is kept alive with portraits and architectural detailing, while its modern amenities add luxury.

Recommendations for short strolls and lengthy hikes are on-hand, as well as wellies by the front door for wet weather. In similar style to their owners, pampered pooches will enjoy a real sense of arrival, being treated to comfortable bedding and tasty snacks.

Sit back and relax in the hotel’s pet-friendly bars, terraces and lounges and enjoy food and drinks in comfort knowing your furry best friend is content by your side. There's a £20 a night charge per dog.

The Dog at Wingham, Wingham, Kent

When it comes to this one, the clue is in the name, and this authentic gastropub with rooms has to be one of the most dog-friendly hotels in the UK. You and your pooch will be warmly welcomed, and your dog can even dine with you in the bar and on the terrace – a great touch for any pet owner.

The Dog at Wingham , set in the picturesque village of Wingham, has been an inn since 1549, and boasts a contemporary country-chintz interior. An award-winning chef and local suppliers create a stellar food offering too. The ideal place for a relaxed yet high-standard stay were everybody's made to feel comfortable. And there are lots of dog treats dotted around the building for seriously happy hounds.

There's an extra charge of £25 per dog, per stay.

The Noel Arms, Chipping Campden, Cotswolds

Set in the chocolate-box charming village of Chipping Campden, the dog-friendly Noel Arms is one of the oldest in the Cotswolds. Indeed, it's believed Charles II stayed here during the English Civil War.

Today, it's the perfect spot for taking a break with your four-legged friend. There are eight pooch-perfect rooms and you can even dine with your dog in the bar, conservatory or the lovely terrace coffee shop. Guests can enjoy country walks a-plenty and browsing in antique shops in town and nearby Stow-on-the-Wold. The Noel Arms charges £15 per dog, per stay.

The Forest Side, Grasmere, Lake District

Everything's a little bit spellbinding at the Forest Side , from the magical location in the Lake District landscape to the fairytale-worthy Gothic mansion.

And the best bit? Your canine companion doesn't have to miss out on the magic, as this dog-friendly hotel has a warm welcome for four-legged friends. Interiors ooze modern country charm, and there's six rooms ready and waiting for Rex to sniff and snuggle in. They get their very own welcome pack, which includes a personalised welcome letter, a dog bed, two dog bowls (water and food) and a selection of tasty treats.

With gently rolling valleys, high fells and vast forests on the doorstep, there's plenty of choices for wonderful walkies. Routes around nearby Grasmere, Rydal, Loughrigg, and the Langdales offer an array of options. You can even have two dogs per room so everyone's included. Dogs can go for £25 each, per stay.

Lympstone Manor, Exmouth, Devon

Lympstone Manor is a luxury country house hotel set in a Grade II listed Georgian mansion, which has long held a position in the staycation circuit. It opened in 2017 after being restored and renovated by Michael Caines MBE, one of the most celebrated chefs in Britain.

Once a private home, the hotel is set in 28 acres of Devon countryside with unrivalled views of the Exe Estuary. Recognised as one of the most romantic hotels in the UK, it's the perfect escape for a couple’s trip with the pup.

The dog-friendly rooms come set up with a dog bed, towel, torch, and dog bowl and have their own private terraces. Dogs can stay for £30 per night.

Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

Canine companions are looked after just as well as their humans at dog-friendly Woolley Grange . For an extra charge of £15 a night, furry friends can stay with you and will receive dog beds, towels, bowls, and a couple of biscuits on arrival.

The Jacobean manor house is situated near Bath and offers an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a spa that's family-friendly yet infinitely relaxing – you won't want to leave.

The hotel grounds and surrounding countryside are brilliant walking country, and there's s a dog shower in the grounds complete with hose, dog shampoo and towels for mucky mud removal. Up next? Kick off your wellies and put your feet up in the lounge with afternoon tea and a roaring open log fire.

South Lodge, Horsham, West Sussex

A family-friendly country escape that welcomes everybody, including members with waggy tails, this dog-friendly hotel in Sussex has incredible views over the South Downs and 93 acres in which to run as wild as they like.

It's wonderfully wholesome stuff; sink into the sofa by a crackling fire, play boardgames, head to the state-of-the-art spa or sip on a vintage from the vast wine cellar at South Lodge .

For £40 per dog, your pooch can enjoy exploring the surrounding countryside with you, and there'll be a dog bed, towel, water bowl and a welcome treat waiting.

The Rose & Crown, Snettisham, Norfolk

If you're looking for pooch perfection, you've found it at The Rose & Crown in Snettisham, which has received many awards and accolades over the years.

This dog-friendly hotel is located in an idyllic spot with access to the glorious, endless North Norfolk beaches, where dogs can roam on the sand in many spots throughout the year.

Snettisham Beach is just down the road, and there's also historic houses, castles, and ancient churches to visit to keep you busy.

The 16 rooms in the charming whitewashed building are modern and comfortable, while you're also guaranteed great grub, as it has picked up plenty of awards for food, including classics like prawn cocktail and steak with hand-cut chips. The Rose & Crown charges £15 per dog, per night.

Fowey Hall, Fowey, Cornwall

This laidback yet luxurious dog-friendly hotel blends contemporary chic with coastal charm – and welcomes everybody, including children and dogs.

At Fowey Hall , your four-legged friend can relax with you in your dog-friendly room and the lounge, and will adore running along the nearby sandy coves, like the beautiful spot of Readymoney.

On arrival, you'll find everything you need for your furry friend, including a dog blanket and dog bowls as well as a personalised little gift bag containing dog treats, dog tennis balls, and poop bags. Fowey Hall allows a maximum of two well-behaved dogs for £15 per dog, per night.

Four Seasons Hotel, Winchfield, Hampshire

Fancy a little luxury for you and your best friend? They deserve it – as, of course, do you. Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire welcomes canine companions with open arms. The concierge team is able to arrange dog-sitting and activities, and there's even a resident black Labrador, Oliver Beckington, for them to play with.

Your dog-friendly hotel room will have a dog bed, dog bowl, food and treats and personalised spring water and grooming products on arrival so your pooch can be as pampered as you. Indeed, you can even order your pet's dinner through the In-Room Dining team from a special pet menu.

When tummies are good and full, theres 500 acres of glorious parkland for dogs to run and roam. And you'll love the restored, 18th-century manor that seamlessly blends legacy and heritage with 21st-century modernity – perfect for a countryside escape. The hotel charges a one-time deep cleaning fee of £35 per dog, per stay.

St Michaels Resort, Falmouth, Cornwall

St Michaels Resort overlooks the beautiful Blue Flag Gyllyngvase beach – a playground for dogs and dog-owners alike. The resort has four dog-friendly room options including the sea view suite, offering spectacular vistas of the bay beyond. Upon arrival, all four-pawed guests are greeted with treats, bed and bowls for use throughout their stay .

For non-furry guests? There's the UK’s first Cornish sea-salt steam room, an outdoor barrel sauna, the largest hydro pool in the South West, alongside the Swedish hot tub and treatments. And, of course, all those bracing coastal walks, which are just as good for you as they are for your dog. The hotel charges £20 per dog, per night.

The Fish Hotel, Broadway, Cotwolds

The Fish sits on the 400-acre privately owned Farncombe Estate in the beautiful North Cotswolds, overlooking the picturesque village of Broadway.

Tails will be wagging at the idea of so much space on the doorstep of this dog-friendly hotel and there's even a dog agility course within the grounds to keep Fido happy.

There are plenty of dog-friendly room options, including family suites and cool treehouses. And each dog receives its own cosy dog bed in the room, two dog bowls, doggie treats and a dog towel.

You can relax in the bar and lounge with your pooch and have a choice of dining from the bar or restaurant menu in your room.

Alongside the 68 design-led rooms is Hook, a seafood-inspired restaurant by culinary director Martin Burge, a screening room and The Original Muck Boot Company’s boot room where you'll find wellies for loan – perfect for those dog walks.

Dogs aged one year and over are welcome to stay for an extra £30 a night.

The Retreat at Elcot Park, Berkshire

Set in a manor house that was once owned by the mother of Percy Bysshe Shelley, the Retreat at Elcot Park is a dog-friendly hotel near the market town of Newbury in Berkshire, with expansive grounds for pets to roam and plenty of walking trails to explore nearby. For the owners, there’s a spa and an outdoor pool to relax at as well. Dogs are welcome for £30 a night (with a maximum of two pets per room), which includes a welcome pack. They’ll be allowed in the Orangery and the Atlas Room, but not the hotel’s Yu Pan Asian restaurant or its 1772 brasserie. The pet-friendly rooms have handy external access, and the grounds – as well as the hotel itself – are beautiful.

Gara Rock, Devon

With its blustery cliff-top setting on the edge of the South West Coast Path, the remote Gara Rock in Devon is an idyllic British seaside retreat – and the good news is that it’s extremely pet-friendly. Along with the scenic coastal trails on your doorstep for both you and your pooch to enjoy, there are wide expanses of beaches for splashing about in with abandon (the dogs may find the temperatures a little less daunting than the humans). Awaiting you when you find yourselves in need of sustenance is the ‘Garavan’, on hand to dispense coffees, drinks and snacks for owners, with water bowls and pet-friendly treats available too. Before returning to your room, pooches can clean up using some Bramley shampoo at the outdoor shower. Dogs are welcome in designated suites, including some that have outdoor space.

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10 UK beaches that look like they’re abroad

W hen most us think of holidays, what immediately springs to mind is flying abroad to find tropical beaches, historic cities or countryside retreats.

While many Brits look to foreign climes for their taste of sun, sand, sea or city break, they’re missing out on what’s right under their noses. The UK is blessed with an enviable number of picturesque destinations, whether you’re looking to explore a new town, take a stroll in a National Park or spend a day by the seaside.

And, with the cost of living crisis having closely followed the “end” of the Covid-19 pandemic, not to mention a desire for sustainable travel options, plenty of travellers are reconsidering their holiday habits and looking within the UK for their next trip.

If you’re one of millions of Brits planning a holiday closer to home this spring or summer, take a look at our list of UK beaches so idyllic they look like they belong on the Med.

Durdle Door, Dorset

In 2001, the Jurassic Coast became the UK’s first Unesco World Heritage site. The 96-mile section of coastline stretches from Exmouth to Studland Bay in Dorset , and Durdle Door is the jewel in the coastal crown.

The famous limestone arch (pictured) was forged through waves eroding a hole in the rock and is one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, as well as being one of the most popular beaches on this list (and a dog-friendly one too).

Achmelvich Beach, Scotland

Located in the north-west of Scotland , Achmelvich Beach offers the kind of white sand usually reserved for tropical climes – but is just three miles away from Lochinver.

The beach is a great place for wildlife spotting, with a range of birds, porpoises, dolphins and even minke whales sometimes visible from the shore. It’s also popular for those enamoured of water sports such as fishing, windsurfing, kayaking and water skiing.

Kynance Cove, Cornwall

Visit Cornwall reckons that Kynance Cove is “ probably the most photographed and painted location in Cornwall ”, and for good reason.

Famous for the dark red and green serpentinite rock that makes up its cliffs – and which tempted Queen Victoria once upon a time to install a fireplace made of it – the beach sits on part of the Lizard coastal walk. Nevertheless, it’s the white sand and turquoise sea that really attract thousands of visitors per year.

Pentle Bay, Tresco, Isles of Scilly

To be fair to other UK beaches, Pentle Bay’s sub-tropical climate gives it the edge on the rest of the British Isles.

Found on the island of Tresco within the Isles of Scilly, Pentle Bay has previously been named as one of the best beaches in the UK and has even made it onto a Wall Street Journal list of “ Under-the-Radar Beaches” .

Praised by the publication for “bone-white beaches” and “turquiose if chilly sea”, Pentle Bay is one of numerous excellent beaches on the Isles but shines due to its wild, untouched appearance and the fact that it can often be found empty, even in high season.

Great Bay, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly

Staying within the temperate Isles of Scilly , the island of St Martin’s is home to another superb UK beach that could have any visitor thinking they were in the Azores .

Back by green hills, the rugged, rocky coastline of Great Bay gives the impression of an Atlantic destination only reachable by multiple hours of flying, rather than one just a short distance from the Cornish coast.

Great Bay has been widely praised as one of the Isles’ best beaches, but the islands offer plenty of choice, as well as laying claim to being the UK’s warmest location.

Fistral Beach, Cornwall

Fistral Beach has become famous within the UK as a popular beach for surfers. The Cribbar – a nearby reef – can generate waves up to 12m high and attracts experienced surfers from all over the world.

Its popularity as a water sports destination has led to it being overlooked by the non-surfers among us. As a result, few have given this famous beach the credit its aesthetics deserve. The high cliffs, headlands and sand dunes provide a dramatic backdrop, while long stretches of golden sand and blue sea await both surfers and onlookers.

Read more on  UK travel :

• The best UK holiday destinations for families
• 12 places you won’t believe are in England
• The best wild swimming spots for quick dips, short stays or a week-long holiday

Barafundle Bay, Wales

Wales may not be the place that springs to mind when it comes to golden sand dunes, pine trees and crystal-clear water, but Barafundle offers them all.

Look out towards the sea if you want to feel like you’re in the Caribbean , or look back towards land to feel like you’re on an Atlantic island.

What’s more, the isolated location (half a mile from the town of Stackpole) and the subsequent lack of facilities mean that this Pembrokeshire beach remains untouched, so visitors can enjoy a less crowded experience than at many other UK hotspots.

Holkham Beach, Norfolk

Another beach that has been saved from commercialisation, Norfolk ’s Holkham Beach boasts a seemingly endless expanse of sand and sea. Backed by forest to shelter you from those days when the sun is too much, the sheer size of this unspoilt landscape will have you feeling like you’re abroad.

Here, the attraction is the natural setting, with the grassy knolls and pine woods that sit behind the beach similar to some beaches in the US.

Portmeirion Beach, Wales

If charming, Italian-style Portmeirion village itself wasn’t enough of an attraction, Portmeirion is also home to an impressive beach. It may not have the white sands or turquoise waters you’ll find at some of other entries on this list, but the scenic backdrop – and it’s uniqueness within the UK – make this a worthwhile visit.

Located in northern Wales, the beach here is one that benefits from its setting: the pastel buildings and classical architecture of the village are intertwined with classic British woodland to give the entire location a UK-meets-Italy feel .

Luskentyre Sands, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Named as one of the 34 best beaches in the world by Condé Nast Traveller , Luskentyre isn’t as easy to reach as some beaches in this list, but it’s more than worth the extra effort to get there.

With golden sand and almost incredibly blue water, this is a UK beach where the scenery and geography lend themselves equally to sunny relaxation days or stormy hiking ones.

That said, visit on a warm summer’s day if you want to try and convince yourself that you’re somewhere in the Indian Ocean rather than in Scotland (but best to pack a waterproof, just in case).

Read our reviews of the  best UK hotels

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Four new driving laws in UK now in force

Some drivers could face fines if they ignore the new road rules

• 18:11, 2 JUN 2024

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Drivers are being warned about four new driving laws that could result in hefty fines if ignored. The changes, which kicked off from Saturday, will be particularly felt in three Scottish cities where petrol and diesel drivers will be impacted by the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZ).

These zones, operating round-the-clock, will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras linked to local and national vehicle licensing databases.

Manchester Evening News reports how vehicles not meeting the required standards will be identified and fines issued. This rule will be enforced 24/7, throughout the year.

READ MORE - Baby's devastating diagnosis after being taken to A&E for cold sore

READ MORE - Spain introduces £170 fines for British holidaymakers buying cheap souvenirs

In other news, local authorities currently running e-scooter trials can now request modifications to the trial area and fleet size. Any approved changes will come into effect from today, according to Birmingham Live.

Here's a rundown of the four new laws:, reports the Manchester Evening News .

E-scooter trials

The Department for Transport (DfT) has revised its regulations regarding e-scooter trials across the UK, giving more power to local councils. Those presently undergoing e-scooter trials can now apply for alterations to the trial's geographical area and fleet size.

These applications can be made to the DfT up until 5th of April, with approved adjustments coming into force from 1st of June this year.

Low Emission Zone - Dundee

Dundee has become the second city in Scotland to enforce a low emission zone (LEZ), banning certain vehicles from its city centre. Glasgow recently announced it had collected over £1m in penalty charges from 33,000 drivers of non-compliant vehicles who entered the restricted zone, after becoming the first Scottish city to introduce such regulations.

Low Emission Zone - Edinburgh

From today, both Aberdeen and Edinburgh are expected to instate their Low Emission Zones (LEZs). University of Dundee researcher Prof Jill Belch suggests that it could take a couple of years for these areas to significantly impact the health of those living or employed within them.

Nevertheless, she predicts an imminent drop in acute asthma incidents. "The first thing we'll see is that the pollution levels will come down and that's great," she noted.

"But it's not just hospital admissions, it's the long-term effects with dementia and heart attacks."

Low Emission Zone - Aberdeen

Kicking off from today, LEZs in Aberdeen and Edinburgh will start to take affect. The scheme has been designed to combat city centre air pollution, largely due to road traffic emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

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