Cornwall, United Kingdom
Overview
Cornwall, a land of rugged coastlines and charming villages, offers breathtaking coastal walks and dramatic cliffside views. Explore historic castles, quaint harbors and experience the unique Cornish culture, known for its art, music and delicious pasties.
Best Time to Travel
Best Months
May to September
During May to September, Cornwall enjoys the warmest and driest weather. Expect average temperatures between 15-20°C, with plenty of sunshine, especially in July and August.
Months to Avoid
November to March - Cold, wet, and many attractions are closed or have reduced hours. Strong winds are also common.
Consider visiting during other months
Peak Season
July and August
Expect larger crowds and higher prices
Top Things to Do
St. Agnes Heritage Coast
Tintagel Castle
Newquay Zoo
Macdonald's Farm
The Meadows (Tavistock Park)
Central Park
St Michael's Chapel
Saint Werburgh's Church Wembury
Lusty Glaze Beach
Caerhays Castle
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Bodmin Jail Attraction
National Trust - Buckland Abbey
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Dartmoor Prison Museum
Truro Cathedral
Trerice
Tavistock Parish Church
Saint Winwaloe Church & Poundstock Gildhouse
St Catherine's Castle
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
The Headland
The Cornwall Hotel & Spa
Future Inn Plymouth
Scarlet Hotel
St. Mellion Estate
China Fleet Country Club
Old Custom House, Padstow
Recommended Hotels
The St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa
St Ives
Luxury hotel boasting breathtaking views of St Ives Harbour, complete with a spa and fine dining.
The Greenbank Hotel
Falmouth
Historic hotel with stunning waterfront views in Falmouth, offering elegant rooms and a renowned restaurant.
Hotel Meudon
Mawnan Smith (near Falmouth)
Set in beautiful sub-tropical gardens leading down to Bream Cove, offering a tranquil escape and delicious food.
The Lugger Hotel
Portloe
Charming 17th-century smuggling inn nestled in the picturesque Portloe cove, offering character and coastal charm.
Watergate Bay Hotel
Watergate Bay
Contemporary hotel overlooking Watergate Bay, known for its surfing culture, stylish design, and excellent dining.
Premier Inn Newquay (Seafront)
Newquay
Reliable budget option with comfortable rooms and a great location on Newquay's seafront.
Recommended Restaurants
Prawnography
Seafood
Falmouth
Serving fresh, locally-sourced seafood with a focus on prawns, this vibrant street food stall offers delicious and affordable bites. Perfect for a quick and tasty lunch.
The Seafood Bar
Seafood
St Ives
A stylish and modern seafood restaurant offering a wide array of fresh catches prepared with a contemporary twist, overlooking St Ives harbour.
Rick Stein's Cafe
Seafood/British
Padstow
A more casual option from Rick Stein, serving classic seafood dishes and British favourites in a relaxed setting. Ideal for lunch or a casual dinner.
Kota Restaurant
Modern European/Asian Fusion
Porthleven
A Michelin-starred restaurant offering innovative and beautifully presented dishes with a unique blend of European and Asian flavours, using locally sourced ingredients.
The Hidden Hut
Local Cuisine
Porthcurnick Beach
A unique outdoor eating experience serving up delicious, hearty lunches cooked over a wood fire. Check their website for the daily menu and event details.
La Pineta
Italian
Newquay
Authentic Italian restaurant serving classic pasta dishes and pizzas with a Cornish twist, using fresh, local ingredients. Family-friendly atmosphere.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 - Cornwall has its own language, Kernewek, a recognised minority language related to Welsh and Breton, which experienced a revival in the 20th century and is now taught in some schools.
Fact 2 - The legend of King Arthur is strongly linked to Cornwall, with Tintagel Castle being popularly regarded as his birthplace, drawing heavily on Geoffrey of Monmouth's historical fiction.
Fact 3 - The Eden Project, a world-renowned ecological attraction in Cornwall, contains the largest rainforest in captivity, housed in a giant biome that recreates a rainforest environment.
Fact 4 - Cornwall boasts the longest coastline in Britain, stretching over 400 miles and offering diverse landscapes from rugged cliffs to sandy beaches.
Fact 5 - 'Mazey Day,' part of the Golowan Festival in Penzance, features the 'Obby 'Oss', a unique processional dance with origins possibly linked to ancient fertility rites, where dancers wear elaborate costumes and masks.
Fact 6 - St Michael's Mount, a tidal island topped by a medieval castle and church, is accessible by a causeway at low tide and by boat at high tide, creating a dramatic and picturesque landmark.
Fact 7 - Cornwall is the birthplace of the pasty, a savoury pastry filled with meat and vegetables, originally designed as a convenient meal for tin miners, with a thick crust to hold onto with dirty hands.
Fact 8 - Cornwall is home to some of the darkest skies in the UK, making it an excellent location for stargazing, and designated as an International Dark Sky Park on Bodmin Moor.