Free things to do in Cornwall include hiking the stunning South West Coast Path, exploring picturesque fishing villages like St Ives (Down-a-Long lanes), discovering hidden beaches (Bamaluz), exploring ancient sites (Cheese Ring), and visiting free museums like the Museum of Cornish Life<
Takedown request
View complete answer on sykescottages.co.uk
What not to miss in Cornwall?
These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveller reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
What are the most beautiful places to visit in Cornwall? Some of the top scenic spots include St Nectan's Glen, Tintagel Castle, Kynance Cove, and Bodmin Moor — each offering unique landscapes and experiences.
If you're planning your first trip to Cornwall, I am sure St. Ives and Penzance will make a great impression with beautiful sandy beaches, lots of charming independent shops and delicious fresh food.
What is the best town to use as a base in Cornwall?
If you only have a few days to spare, Newquay is the perfect base. Located on Cornwall's Atlantic coast, Newquay has easy access to top attractions like cycling the Camel Trail, learning to surf on Fistral Beach, or wandering the shops and restaurants of Fore Street.
Cornwall offers a treasure trove of activities. Try thrilling water sports, explore historical landmarks, and wander picturesque gardens. Unwind on sandy beaches, make memories at our family attractions, and join guided tours to uncover the secrets of Cornwall.
Cornwall is famous for its iconic Cornish Pasty, a savory pastry filled with beef, potato, swede, and onion, and its legendary Cream Tea, featuring clotted cream and jam on scones. Other famous foods include Stargazy Pie (fish pie with heads sticking out), unique cheeses like Yarg, sweet Saffron Buns, spicy Fairings biscuits, and fresh seafood, all supported by a thriving modern food scene with celebrity chefs.
Emmet (alt. spellings emmit, emit) is a word in the Cornish dialect of English that is used to refer to tourists or holidaymakers coming to Cornwall. There is debate over whether the term is pejorative or not.
St Ives: it's Cornwall's top tourist town for a reason! Land's End: the landmark attraction is over-touristy, but the coastline around Land's End is well worth hiking around.
Cornwall has several beaches often compared to the Caribbean for their turquoise water and white sand, with Porthcurno, Kynance Cove, Carbis Bay, and Porthminster Beach being top contenders, offering stunning scenery that feels tropical despite the cooler UK climate, especially in summer when the water is clearest.
While Cornwall is generally considered safe, areas with higher crime or antisocial behavior (ASB) often cited include Bodmin, Liskeard, Newquay, Penzance (Quay area), St Austell (Central), Redruth, and Camborne, often due to poverty, deprivation, or issues linked to substance abuse and street drinking, though these areas aren't inherently "dangerous" and many residents find them safe, especially compared to other UK regions. Specific hotspots for ASB can include town centers like Truro's, and deprivation is higher in areas like Penzance Quay and St Austell Central.
Truro's high street is the place to go shopping in Cornwall, with the usual big high street names, as well as indie women's clothes shops like Bishop Philpott and Busby & Fox. Trevails is Cornwall's largest independent clothing shop, and Truro also has branches of Seasalt and Joules.
You need at least 3-4 days for a quick taste of Cornwall, but a week (7 days) allows for a more comprehensive exploration, covering key highlights like Land's End, St Michael's Mount, and the Eden Project without being too rushed, with 10 days or more ideal for deeper dives into different regions like the North or South coasts. The best duration depends on your pace, focusing on a specific area (West Cornwall in 3-5 days) or tackling the whole county.
What is the prettiest seaside village in Cornwall?
Cornwall's prettiest coastal villages include iconic spots like Mousehole, Port Isaac, and Polperro, known for their picturesque harbours and traditional cottages; charming alternatives like St Mawes, Mevagissey, and Fowey with their sailing scenes; and rugged gems such as Boscastle, Cadgwith, and Zennor, offering dramatic scenery and authentic Cornish feel, often featured in travel guides for their unique beauty.
