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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 has something for everyone.

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

Things to do in Cornwall

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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.

Go green at The Eden Project

VisitBritain/Eden Project

Eden Project

Woman propagating seeds in a green house at the Eden Project
The Eden Project

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

Discover the Lost Gardens of Heligan

VisitBritain/Ida Eriksson

Young woman walking across a rope bridge surrounded by trees
Lost Gardens of Heligan

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

Minack Theatre

VisitBritain/Sarah McNally

View from the top of the Minack Theatre
Minack Theatre

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

Get your tickets to Boardmasters Festival

VisitBritain/Getty Images/Mark Leary

Man in a wetsuit and carrying a yellow surf board walking in the sand dunes towards the sea, in evening sunlight
Boardmasters Festival

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

Explore the legends of Tintagel Castle

VisitBritain/Helena Bradbury

A woman stands at the top steps of a doorway at Tintagel with stunning coastline view beyond
Tintagel Castle

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

Visit Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

VisitBritain

Cornwall, England

Couple in the gardens examining sculptures with a guidebook
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

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

Book Tate St Ives

VisitBritain/Tomo Brejc

Cornwall, England

A man and woman standing outside the entrance of a gallery
Tate St Ives

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

See the Poldark filming locations

Getty Images/Gary Yeowell/ Digital Vision

Cornwall, England

Open water swimmersby the shore at sunset.
Poldark filming locations

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

Go wild at Fistral Beach

Kevin Britland / Alamy Stock Photo

Cornwall, England

Surfers at fistral beach in newquay, cornwall, england, britain
Fistral Beach

Taste of Scilly Festival

12th - 22nd September 2024

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

Find out more about the Taste of Scilly Festival

Danny North

A man posing behind a row of barbeque food at Taste of Scilly Food Festival on Tresco Island
Taste of Scilly Festival

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

Venture to Saint Michael's Mount

National Trust Images / David Noton

A person windsurfing off the coast of the castle on St Michael's Mount, Cornwall
Saint Michael's Mount

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

What’s on at Eden Sessions

Eden Project / Ben Foster

Cornwall, England

Eden Sessions
Eden Sessions

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

lan your trip to Tresco Island

Tresco Island / Ellie Tabron Island Images

Cornwall, England

Flowers growing on a hill overlooking a beach on Tresco Island, Cornwall
Tresco Island

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.

Go green at The Eden Project

VisitBritain/Eden Project

Eden Project

Woman propagating seeds in a green house at the Eden Project
The Eden Project

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

Discover the Lost Gardens of Heligan

VisitBritain/Ida Eriksson

Young woman walking across a rope bridge surrounded by trees
Lost Gardens of Heligan

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

Minack Theatre

VisitBritain/Sarah McNally

View from the top of the Minack Theatre
Minack Theatre

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

Get your tickets to Boardmasters Festival

VisitBritain/Getty Images/Mark Leary

Man in a wetsuit and carrying a yellow surf board walking in the sand dunes towards the sea, in evening sunlight
Boardmasters Festival

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

Explore the legends of Tintagel Castle

VisitBritain/Helena Bradbury

A woman stands at the top steps of a doorway at Tintagel with stunning coastline view beyond
Tintagel Castle

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

Visit Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

VisitBritain

Cornwall, England

Couple in the gardens examining sculptures with a guidebook
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

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

Book Tate St Ives

VisitBritain/Tomo Brejc

Cornwall, England

A man and woman standing outside the entrance of a gallery
Tate St Ives

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

See the Poldark filming locations

Getty Images/Gary Yeowell/ Digital Vision

Cornwall, England

Open water swimmersby the shore at sunset.
Poldark filming locations

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

Go wild at Fistral Beach

Kevin Britland / Alamy Stock Photo

Cornwall, England

Surfers at fistral beach in newquay, cornwall, england, britain
Fistral Beach

Taste of Scilly Festival

12th - 22nd September 2024

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

Find out more about the Taste of Scilly Festival

Danny North

A man posing behind a row of barbeque food at Taste of Scilly Food Festival on Tresco Island
Taste of Scilly Festival

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

Venture to Saint Michael's Mount

National Trust Images / David Noton

A person windsurfing off the coast of the castle on St Michael's Mount, Cornwall
Saint Michael's Mount

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

What’s on at Eden Sessions

Eden Project / Ben Foster

Cornwall, England

Eden Sessions
Eden Sessions

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

lan your trip to Tresco Island

Tresco Island / Ellie Tabron Island Images

Cornwall, England

Flowers growing on a hill overlooking a beach on Tresco Island, Cornwall
Tresco Island

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 foodie lovers.

Shutterstock / Hugh O'Connor

Devon, England

Idyllic Scene On Surfers Beach With Beautiful Beach Huts Reflecting In The Water

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

South West Coast Path/Roy Curtis

A person on a footpath on the coastal path near sea

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

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Horses and riders trotting through the shallow water.

Britain’s Ocean City offers a seamless blend of maritime charm and natural beauty; a cultural hub filled with award-winning museums and waterfront attractions.

Jay Stone

Plymouth, England

People paddleboarding near a dock in Plymouth

Small but mighty, Exeter is a city with seriously cool credentials.

Exeter City Council

A view down a shopping street in Exeter's Castle Quarter

Getting to Cornwall

Cornwall Newquay Airport welcomes direct flights from Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and Spain. It also receives international connections from around the world. There is a public bus service connecting the airport to Newquay and Padstow.

Direct trains from Bath and Bristol provide regular links to Cornwall with Great Western Rail. At the same time, 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 country.

National Express coaches link Cornwall with the rest of Britain. There is a National Express coach service connecting London Victoria to Newquay taking just over seven hours. 

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. Visit Cornwall has a useful interactive map to help plan your trip to Cornwall. 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.

By foot

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.

By bus

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.

By bike

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.