Cornwall is a county that pulls you back again and again. Home to rugged coastal paths, sandy golden beaches, a wealth of local artists and world class restaurants, as well as some very surf-able waves, there is something for everyone. When it comes to things to do in Cornwall, the options are boundless and any holiday can be tailored to suit those looking for outdoor pursuits, foodie havens, beach days or cultural excursions.
How many days do you need in Cornwall?
Cornwall is an entire county so you're never going to cover the entire thing unless you spend a month or more there. Choose an area or town to base yourself around and spend anywhere from a long weekend to a fortnight exploring and you'll be sure to discover some gems. The longer you can spend there, the more you can explore but Cornwall is a place that invites multiple trips to unearth new things to do.
When is the best time to travel to Cornwall?
Being coastal – and having some unbeatable beaches – Cornwall is idyllic on a hot summer's day. If you can accidentally time a trip with a heatwave, then you're in for a great visit but the UK coast is wonderful at any time. If crashing waves and lashing rain are appealing, a visit in late autumn or early spring can be very restorative, but you'll certainly find it a bit emptier than during the peak months of June through September.
Cultural things to do in Cornwall
It’s worth venturing down to south-west Cornwall to take in a show at the Minnack Theatre. There is nowhere more atmospheric to catch a play than this open air theatre set into the side of the rugged cliffs, the waves lapping the rocks below. The creation of the Minnack Theatre was the life work of Edwardian artist Rowena Cade who created it from nothing after getting involved with an open air production of Midsummer's Night Dream in 1929. Today the theatre puts on over 200 shows a year which include plays, operas, music and children’s events. The season runs from Easter to October and booking is essential. The Rowena Cade exhibition onsite is interesting too. minack.com
Anyone of an artistic bent should head to St Ives where the light has been attracting artists for centuries. The Tate St Ives is worth a visit for the architecture alone, built on the site of a former gasworks; the imposing rotunda designed by architects Eldred Evans and David Shalev echoes the design of what was there before. Situated just above Porthmeor Beach where surfers catch waves and children play it is a tranquil spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of St Ives. Exhibitions include works from the Tate collection as well as that of contemporary artists. Nearby is the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden which is managed by the Tate. Take in the fantastic bronzes of the late Dame Barbara Hepworth, who was one of Britain’s most preeminent Modernist sculptors. Get an intimate peek into her former home, studio and garden. Quite rightly the bronzes in the garden remain where she left them giving a unique insight into how she arranged her work. tate.org.uk
Newlyn has been a mecca for artists ever since Stanhope Forbes set up the Forbes School of painting in 1899. The Newlyn Art School opened in 2011 and offers a wide range of short courses taught by the very best artists working in Cornwall today. newlynartschool.co.uk
For potters a trip to Cornwall is incomplete with a visit to The Leach Pottery Museum, which is situated in Higher Stennack in the former home and studio of Bernard Leach - widely considered to be “the father of British Studio Pottery.” Leach set up the pottery in 1920 with Japanese potter Shoji Homade and scores of potters, studios and apprentices have passed through its door. Take in the exhibitions, book a course or simply pick up some beautiful stoneware in their shop. leachpottery.com
Gardens to visit in Cornwall
This 200 acre estate is a jewel of a day out. The Pleasure Gardens contain a remarkable collection of Camellias and Rhododendrons that were introduced to Heligan before 1920 and the Jungle garden on a steep sided valley has its own microclimate. Here it is at least 5 degrees warmer than in the Northern Gardens which allows for an impressive selection of exotic plants from across the globe. Giant Rhubarb plants, avenues of palms and one of the longest rope bridges in Britain add to the drama. In the Lost Valley woodlands giant sculptures such as the Giant’s Head and the Grey Lady keep little ones entertained as do the Rare Breed Park on the farm. heligan.com
Located in a former clay mine, The Eden Project is the ultimate regeneration project. This huge barren pit has been transformed into a global garden. Explore inside the huge Rainforest Biome, home to the world’s biggest indoor rainforest or chill out in the fragrant and colourful Mediterranean Biome. Complete with 30 acres of outdoor gardens containing contemporary garden ideas. This is an awe inspiring place that successfully explores our relationship with plants. edenproject.com
Seaside things to do in Cornwall
Gwynver beach in south-west Cornwall is right next to the more famous Sennen beach which is popular with surfers and sunbathers alike. Here you can enjoy the glorious white sand far away from the madding crowd. At low tide the beach joins with Sennen beach. The walk down is a little testing but also romantic and magical.
Trevone is one of Cornwall's best kept secrets, sandwiched between Padstow and Harlyn Bay. It offers a sandy expanse of beach on one side with a rocky outcrop on the other, divided by a huge jutting black rock formation. At low tide, you can walk around from one to other, otherwise the coastal path drops you onto the rocks, where you'll find Trevone Natural Sea Pool nestled amongst the rocks. It's constantly filled with seawater and always absolutely freezing but the locals love it and a swift (or long) dip can be very refreshing.
The Sennen surf school is situated on the yellow-white sands of Sennen Beach. This is the place to learn how to ride a wave taught by expert instructors who include British surf champions and sponsored riders. Courses run from April 1st to October half term. sennensurfingcentre.co.uk
If you fancy a wild swim but it's too blustery by the coast, head inland to Gold Diggings Quarry near Bodmin (or stop off en route to or from the very end of the county). The former quarry is a deep, blue, cold place to cool off, and you can jump in too if you're feeling brave.
Head out for some mackerel fishing around St Mawes with exxc.commercial fisherman James Brown on his 26ft Sea Mark, Madeline Rose. Take in local wildlife including cormorants near St Anthony’s Lighthouse and sometimes dolphins, sharks and whales in the bay. The fishing trips last 2 hours, for those wanting to go at a more leisurely pace, half and full day charters are available when one can sail along the River Fal stopping off for lunch in one of the riverside pubs. fishandtripstmawes.co.uk
The river Fowey is a simply stunning stretch of water and one of the best ways to explore it is via kayak, where you can paddle in and out of all the creeks and coves and see the area in the way it shows itself best.
Liddicoat Butchers in Lostwithiel has, in the opinion of many locals, the best pasties and sausage rolls – buy them for a picnic on the cliffs at Lantic Bay. Also good for picnics, Lerryn Village Shop serves cream teas, bacon sandwiches and ice creams. Get them and then walk on the medieval stepping stones across the river Lerryn at low tide.
Where to eat in Cornwall
Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær – who ran a brilliant home delivery service during the pandemic – have opened a restaurant near Helston. He is a great chef, formerly at Coombeshead and The Clove Club, before he ran the Cornwall Community Kitchen during lockdown and Lola’s Cornwall. His food is fantastic and the new café has been as popular as you'd expect with such a big name behind it. floranewyard.co.uk
Fowey is very up-and-coming on the UK food scene and one of the first restaurants to put it on the map was North Street Kitchen, a laidback local serving up the region's freshest ingredients in a modern, simple way. They're not reinventing the wheel here but rather dialling it back (think St John style), letting Cornish produce do all the talking. It overlooks the river Fowey and is guaranteed to be buzzing no matter the weather or time of year. instagram.com/nskfowey
For the ultimate outdoor beach cafe head to the Hidden Hut on the coastal path near Porthscatho above Portcurnick Beach on the Roseland Peninsula. In autumn and spring lunches consist of home cooked chowders and soups whilst in summer it's seafood and beach salads. Those in the know book tickets for the summer outdoor feast nights where punters come down with plates, picnic rugs and wine to feast on treats such as wood-fired sea paella or slow-roasted spring lamb all cooked outside on an open fire. Feast dates are released monthly and must be booked in advance. hiddenhut.co.uk
Open seasonally, Captain Hank's Crab & Snack Shack is the best spot for locally-sourced homemade crab sandwiches as well as other seafood and cakes, set right on the water's edge in Fowey. You won't find it in the depths of winter but in the warmer months, it's not to be missed.
This canary yellow old coaching inn is situated in Poldark country on the coastal path between St Ives and St Just. A great pit stop for walkers and gourmets alike. Head Chef Max Wilson rustles up imaginative dishes from seasonal, fresh local produce. Pig Cheeks, cuttlefish, mussels and red gurnard are regulars on the short menu as is local rump of beef, pheasant or baba ganoush. The rooms are suitably comfy if you're planning a blow out. gurnardshead.co.uk
The St Kew Inn in Bodmin is a perfectly unpretentious gem. Dating back as far as the 15th century, the building was originally used to house masons who built the neighbouring Parish. Today, the pub retains its sense of history, and serves delightful local dishes–heavy on fish and seafood. A truly delightful spot for a mouthwatering lunch in the very pretty gardens. stkewinn.co.uk
Everyone knows Padstow and everyone knows that Rick Stein owns every other restaurant, cafe and shop there. Most people head to either his café or the flagship restaurant but the real place to go is the fishmonger, which is just next door to the restaurant. On one side, it's a fish counter of local (or as a local as possible, of course the prawns and so on come from further afield) catch of the day, while the other half is bar seating and sharing tables where you can enjoy seafood platters, fresh crab sandwiches and Rick's wine for a decent price. It's a jolly spot for a decadent lunch that doesn't push the boat out too much. rickstein.com
Nowhere shouts holiday vibes more than the Portminster Beach Cafe, situated above Portminster Beach overlooking St Ives Bay. This white washed restaurant and pretty terrace are perfectly positioned to take in the glorious sea views. The Asian and Mediterranean inspired menu naturally includes lots of locally sourced seafood from hand dived scallops to Cornish crab pasta to the classic Portminster Monkfish Curry. Booking is essential in the summer. porthminstercafe.co.uk
The incredible feast nights at Nancarrow Farm near Truro are not to be missed, and can be combined with a stay in one of their huts. They grow as much as they can on the farmland and have become a popular wedding destination for their food-focused approach and charming setting.
Cathy St German's guide on where to shop in Cornwall
Watts Trading in Lostwithiel is an essential stop when you're in the area; I buy brushes and candles there. Over in Newquay, MMW Revolver stock cool clothes and homewares with a strong Hawaii vibe and they also deal in very good natural wine. Mole Valley Farmers have shops all over Cornwall, and the UK, and stock boots and all sorts of things you did not know you needed but really, you do. On a totally different note, New Dawn Traders is an absolute must and quite unlike any other shopping experience. It's a boat that delivers olive oil, chocolate, coffee, rum, pulses and more, bringing all of its cargo by sea. You order and have them delivered to you by a sail ship on the day of its next docking – it's fair trade and environmentally friendly shipping.
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