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Are you planning a trip to Cornwall this summer? This will be one you won’t forget. Cornwall has it all when it comes to beautiful beaches, scenic coastal walks, history and good food.
We have put together our top 20 things to do in Cornwall to get you inspired on making the most of your trip from swimming in tidal pools to trying some of the local delicacies. Sand between your toes and the smell of fresh sea air - what more could you want!
Travelling by car is a great way to travel around Cornwall and our itinerary for a 2-week road trip gives you a detailed day by day itinerary. If you’re not sure what to pack we’ve also put together a packing list.
If you’re looking for more Cornwall inspiration, check out our best walks along the South West Coast and the best Cornish beaches.
We’ve also written some in-depth reviews of our experience of unique Cornish stays along the coast including the magical Kudhva and beach lofts at Watergate Bay Hotel.
CORNISH PASTY
The origin of the Cornish pasty was made for the miners, fishermen and farmers as an easy lunch. Typically filled with potato, swede, onion and beef these Cornish delicacies are a tasty treat and best enjoyed with a great ocean view.
KYNANCE COVE
Kynance Cove is a beautiful tidal beach with a unique landscape on the Lizard coast. Expect to find incredible turquoise water and dramatic views from the cliffs above. The coastline is made of green and red stone unique to the Lizard peninsula. Please note that the tide comes in quick on this beach and you can easily get cut off, make a note of the tide times to ensure this doesn’t happen to you. We also recommend once the tide comes in to climb up past the cafe to see the beach from the cliffs above which is one of our favourite viewpoints. The Lizard coast is scattered with numerous coves and Kynance is king.
LIZARD COAST
From incredible coves and beaches to postcard fishing villages, the Lizard Coast has it all. Walk to Lizard point first and explore the old Lifeboat station, this is a great spot to look out of seals and birds. We were amazed by the amount of succulents clinging onto the vertical rock and the colour of the clear blue sea. You will find a cafe and some ice cream shops at this point and the Lizard Point is the most southerly point of Mainland UK.
PEDN VOUNDER
Is this the best beach in Cornwall? Cornwall is home to more than 300 beaches! If we had to choose just one beach from all of the beautiful beaches we visited it wouldn't be easy. Pedn Vounder would certainly a contender, the beauty of this beach really means it has to be on your list of places to visit in Cornwall. Read our article on what to expect and how to get to Pedn Vounder. Please note access to this beach is difficult and it is a known nudist beach so please respect this.
PORTHCURNO
The next beach along from Pedn Vounder is Porthcurno, another spectacular Cornish beach. It is perfect for families, with easy access and has a lifeguard during the summer months. Spend the day enjoying the warm golden sand and dramatic cliffs loom over the turquoise water. Have you ever dreamed to watch a play under the stars? If so, head over to the incredible Minack theatre to make you dreams come true. You can also just visit the theatre and gardens during the day and tickets cost around £6.50 per person.
ST IVES
We could have written a whole blog just about all the bakeries in St Ives. The winding streets and beautiful boutique shops are enchanting, throw in some incredible Cornish beaches and fantastic bakeries and you have a winner.
THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN
It is no surprise the The Lost Gardens of Heligan won Best UK Leisure and Heritage Attraction for 3 years in a row. Located in St Austell, these unique gardens will have plenty to keep you entertained with over 200 acres of gardens with many gems including a suspension bridge across the jungle, intricate victorian glass houses and a kitchen garden which produces seasonal fruit and veg.
THE EDEN PROJECT
The Eden project is an impressive site, showcasing sculptures and plants from around the world. This is a great day out, full of plenty to do including a biplane across the project for an adrenaline rush. It’s well worth a visit to these futuristic gardens which are iconic and you can read about our experience at the Eden project.
COVERACK
A quaint fishing village, Coverack has a small, picturesque harbour with a few shops and a great spot for an ice-cream break. There is a beautiful beach and on a warm day is perfect for watersports and sunbathing.
MOUSEHOLE
Another quaint, picturesque harbour town with winding streets and charming little cottages. Be aware that the streets here are very narrow and you can easily get stuck. Follow the bus route to Mousehole along Cliff Road. The sheltered harbour is a great bathing spot and also has a couple of small beaches within the harbour.
SURFING
Cornwall is one of the best places to surf in the UK, with a great variety of beaches to choose from that cater to beginners and advanced surfers. Many beaches cater for surfboard hire and lessons which we would really recommend. Check out the best surfing beaches guide here.
PADDLE BOARDING
Paddle boarding is such a fun relaxed way to get out on the water. Even if you are not confident or experienced enough to stand up on the ocean then kneeling is still a great way to paddle board. Wanting to explore that hidden cove? Then get out on a paddle board. There are plenty of great places to paddle board around Cornwall.
HIKING
The South West Coast Path is 630 miles long and starts in Minehead, Somerset and finishes at Poole Harbour in Dorset. After having read ‘The Salt Path’ by Winn Raynor, the book brought to light this spectacular route and you can walk the whole stretch but will most likely take your 7-8 weeks (current record is just over 10 days!). Cornwalls beaches can get busy during the summer at the popular spots, however if you’re willing to find some hidden gems then putting in some effort might reward you with it all to yourself! Read our guide to the best walks along this incredible South West Coast Path.
SWIMMING IN A TIDAL Beach POOL
There’s no better feeling than getting into ocean water, but have you ever swam in a tidal pool? Natural rock pools are filled with seawater during high tide and you can then access them at low tide. You can swim in the safety of calm water away and is a magic feeling!
FALMOUTH
The harbour town of Falmouth is a university town with great high street for shopping, food and is well known for it’s creative scene. You will find plenty of history around the harbour and Pendennis castle on the hill. Catch a boat across to St Mawes and if you have time, catch another across the Percuil river to St Just along the Roseland heritage coast for some incredible walks. We would recommend a stop at Gylly beach cafe for a bite to eat overlooking the Gyllyngvase beach. There are some rock pools here that are great for spotting crabs as the tide goes out.
GWITHIAN BEACH
Head east along the coast to the national trust Godrevy car park which also has toilets. The Towans/Gwithian beach is your destination and a perfect place to learn to surf, Gwithian surf academy offer lessons for beginners. You will find lots of kite surfing here too and a great spot for bodyboarding. There are hidden beaches that you can get to at high tide to avoid the crowds of the more accessible stretch of beach. Head towards the lighthouse and tip toe along the coast line to Mutton cove and see if you can find the sleeping seals on their own private beach.
BEDRUTHAN STEPS
Bedruthan Steps is an absolute must visit when in Cornwall. This north Cornwall beach is spectacular and lives up to every expectation. Bedruthan Steps is not far from Newquay and you can park in the Bedruthan national trust car park and will be the perfect end to an incredible Cornish adventure. Cornwall is packed full of incredible coves and beaches and Bedruthan certainly makes it into our list of favourites.
POLLY JOKE
Explore the beautiful coastline from Polly Joke beach and if you’re feeling adventurous all the way to Holywell Bay. This was possibly our favourite piece of coastline. There are so many incredible coves to explore that look they have been transported from a more exotic climate. If you are lucky you might spot seals sunbathing in small coves nearby.
CORNISH ICE CREAM
You will find ice cream in most places you visit and a huge choice of delicious flavours, it’s hard not to end up having them all. We tried a vegan chocolate cornish ice cream made with coconut milk which we have been on the hunt to find again!
TOURING BY MOTORHOME OR CAMPERVAN
The flexibility that a home on wheels offers is our favourite was to explore and Cornwall is no different. The ultimate way to explore the area is by campervan, stopping along the way to beaches, towns and with everything you need onboard. Check out our 2 week road trip itinerary to inspire you to hit the road in Cornwall.
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More Of COrnwall
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking to refuel after a day on the waves, Newquay’s food scene has options for everyone. Enjoy pizza while watching the sunset on the beach, savour gourmet meals, or delight in a traditional afternoon tea—all of this and more can be found in Newquay.