The Cornwall Travel Guide looks at visitor attractions and places of interest in the county along with providing useful tourist information for travellers. Cornwall is the most southerly county in the UK and is long established as a favourite holiday destination for tourists, it has many miles of unspoilt coastline and countryside along with national parks, historic attractions and remains including world heritage sites making it an attractive place to visit. Cornwall is helped by a mild climate and higher than average rates of sunshine, the elements and environment all seem to be in Cornwall's favour.
Overview and Attractions
Cornwall has always appealed to those that want to enjoy a relaxing break in peaceful, tranquil surroundings, with the absence of large noisy cities in the vicinity, it certainly is a place you can relax and unwind. The Cornish are proud of their culture and traditions and efforts are being made to preserve this. Indeed at one stage Cornish maintained its own version of Gaelic language, and Cornish folklore and customs remain among the most unique and attractive features that set the county apart from the rest of the UK.
Cornwall is often described as essentially having two parts, these are spilt between the two coasts. The South Coast is characterised by its warm air and mild climate and the north coast boasting a more rugged coastline and the environment here ensures it is a surfer’s paradise with many flocking here to enjoy the waves. The best known town in the North Coast is Newquay, known to many as the top surfing spot in the UK. The town has grown in to a popular tourist attraction in itself and is now a very popular resort. There are some great beaches here including Fistral beach that hosts both national and international surf competitions. Among the surfing community Watergate Bay and Tolcarne are the other favoured beaches.
Falmouth has played a leading role in Cornwall's long and distinguished maritime history. Its location meant it was earmarked for development and the harbour is the largest in Cornwall. Falmouth attracts many visitors drawn to its beaches, great shopping and mild climate. The National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth charts the maritime history of the area, there is a cafe and museum shop. A visit here is an enjoyable and educational one.
The South West Coast Path takes walkers through some breathtaking scenery, past small villages and Tintagel, the legendary home of King Arthur's castle of Camelot. There are schools of thought that are less convinced about the link with King Arthur but the ruins of 12th century Tintagel Castle are certainly noteworthy. The castle is situated on rocky headland above the pounding surf, it is deemed a very romantic spot and one look with tell you why. Tintagel is famed as a romantic place of legends. Indeed legend has it that one of these was King Mark's nephew Tristan fell in love with Yseult, but their ultimately doomed romance is part of Tintagel's story.
The remains of the 13th-century castle are awe-inspiring. There are many questions and legends that are to this day still unanswered regarding Tintagel. It all adds to the mystic and romance of the place. The 'Searching for King Arthur' magical mystery audio visual tour takes visitors to the castle, it's history and legends, this great site makes for a fascinating trip.
Cornwall has more than its fair share of ancient remains. One such is the Iron Age settlement at Chysauster, there is a cluster of 8 huts at the foot of Castle-an-Dinas. The prehistoric tomb of Lanyon Quoit, located near Madron, is another worthwhile site to visit. The Quoit contains the remains of a Neolithic chambered tomb dating back from approximately 2500BC.
More spectacular are the striking medieval remains of St Michaels Mount, a fanciful castle perched atop an island in across from Marazion. The medieval remains St. Michael's Mount make for a wonderful sight, perched on top of an island in Mount's Bay, the Mount, is administered by the National Trust, it is an island at high tide, but is accessible by a stone causeway at other times. St. Michael's Mount is a strange mix of house, religious retreat, and castle. It was a pilgrimage centre back in the middle ages that then became a fortress and later a house to the St. Aubin family.
Inside the castle there are family rooms, with paintings by Gainsborough among others. The house contains a weapons collection and 18th century clothes worn by the St. Aubin family. The island is assessable by boat, or at low tide via a long causeway from the mainland, followed by a steep climb up to the house.
Cornwall has the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape world heritage site. The site is located primarily across Cornwall & West Devon and contains mining landscapes that are historically significant. The technological advances brought the area to the fore in both the 18th and 19th centuries, there are a number of interesting sites visitors can explore further.
Among the sites is the Gwennap Pit located in Redruth, Cornwall, it is an open air amphitheatre that boasts a pit measures of some 85 metres in diameter, with tiered grassy seating. Geevor Tin Mine is located on the west coast of the county and is the largest preserved mine in the UK, visitors can get an understanding in to Cornwall's mining history and heritage and discover more about the local area.
Levant Mine and Beam Engine is located in Pendeen and is owned and looked after by the National Trust. Visitors can see the oldest working steam beam engine in the county. Visitors can also see a restored steam engine and go on underground tours to learn more about the mine and those that worked here in the past.
Land’s End is the most westerly point of mainland England and attracts plenty of tourists each year with most wanting a picture by the signposts to various locations around the UK and the word.
Among the most famous is the sign to John O'Groats in Scotland the most northerly part of the mainland that is some 874 miles away. The Land's End hotel has sound and light shows, a suspension bridge, exhibition halls, play areas and a Lost Labyrinth attraction. The cliffs at Land's End are around 200 feet above the crashing waves. It makes for a great sight, Land's End has its own legends too.
Trewithen House and Gardens is set amidst enjoyable woodland gardens and parkland. The house at Trewithen was begun in 1730 by Philip Hawkins, whilst the south front was done in 1763. The interior has a number of family rooms with furniture and paintings that has been collected by the Hawkins family over the generations.
The major attraction here are the splendid gardens, the gardens were landscaped in the 19th century but have since been altered again. Many more shrubs were added and overall it is thought the gardens with its woodland are one of England's finest examples of landscape gardening. There are formal gardens near the house and a Walled Garden housing tender plants. Trewithen has even created its own namesake plant, the Trewithen Blue, or Ceanothus arboreus.
For those that like to relax aboard a cruise, Newman’s Cruises offer a number of cruises on their passenger boats. There are cruises that take you to the famous 500 year-old thatched Smugglers Cottage. Cruises are benefiting from a new fleet and offer a range of trips to a range of destinations around the coast. Given the large coastline Cornwall has it is not surprising cruises around the coastline are popular among visitors, with many interesting trips available whilst you relax and enjoy the ride.
The South West Coast Path travels right through Cornwall coming from Devon and going right round the Cornwall coast. This presents walkers with a wealth of opportunities in many locations to enjoy the Cornish coastline, come up close to the wildlife and really appreciate the wonderful surroundings on offer here. There are many short walks of a few miles to try, visitors can be more adventurous and try longer walks too, if the mood takes them.
Theatre fans can visit the Keay Theatre that hosts a wide variety of community and professional events in great surroundings. The Keay brings together performers, designers, musicians, directors and others with the aim to take the arts all over Cornwall. There is a bar where you can enjoy a drink at intervals in the shows, the shows include theatre performances, comedy, music and presentations, the theatre is an enjoyable place to see live performances in relaxed surroundings.
Visitors looking for a traditional countryside pub with charm and character could try the Codgwith Cove Inn, a traditional pub and restaurant. Located in the picturesque village of Cadgwith, there is also accommodation available here. The food is made freshly to order using local produce, it is a great way for visitors to experience Cornish food. There is a folk night and a Cornish singing night for visitors to enjoy. This charming pub makes for an enjoyable place to relax enjoy some food and drink and be entertained
Fistral Blu is a restaurant and bar located in Newquay that boasts the most spectacular views and unique sunsets in Cornwall that over look Fistral Beach, it certainly makes for a stunning view at any time. The food served varies from Spanish Tapas to fresh local seafood, seasonal dishes and desserts. This stylish restaurant benefits from having a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Those wanting a snack can try the Beach Cafe, you can also enjoy being on the terrace and enjoying the sun and vibe of the beach lifestyle. They also cater for parties and special occasions.
The gentle rather relaxed reputation of Cornwall means it is not known as a night time hot spot. However the town of Newquay has gained a reputation as a vibrant place for nightlife where the nightlife has gone from strength to strength and many in the region flock to Newquay when looking for a great night out. Newquay has the Beach Nightclub in the centre of the town’s nightlife area, it boasts a great atmosphere in the club. There are plenty of bars here for you to enjoy a wide range of drinks. There are drinks promotions on most of the time, there is a party atmosphere here that gives the place a great vibe. There is a range of music played on different nights to suit different tastes. Music played included Rock, 70s, Funk & Soul and Dance among others. There are various DJs on show playing their tracks.
Cornwall has plenty to offer tourists, there are ancient remains and a fascinating history in the county, with great scenery arguably among the best seen in the UK. The many miles of coastline with are also a haven for surfers in Newquay, which also boasts the most vibrant nightlife in the region. There are castles, stately homes and gardens along with an unspoilt countryside for all to enjoy. Cornwall is famous for its tranquillity and relaxed pace of life, it is perfect for visitors looking for a place to get away from it all and relax.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
