If you’re planning a vacation or weekend getaway to see the most amazing places in the UK, these are some of the best things to do while visiting Cornwall.
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Welcome to Cornwall
You can say Cornwall is a full package. It has beautiful landscapes, historic houses and castles, mining and maritime heritage, Celtic history, myths, and legends. Here are some of the best places to visit and see in Cornwall.
Visit St. Michael’s Mount Tidal Island
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A trip to Cornwall isn’t complete without a visit to St. Michael’s Mount. You can go by foot at low tide via a cobbled causeway or by boat. St. Michael’s Mount is a tidal island with a historic castle and subtropical gardens. Once there, visitors can wander through the medieval castle rooms, marvel at ancient artifacts, and explore the island’s lush gardens. Don’t miss the village harbor and the island café for lunch with splendid views.
Explore Tintagel Castle’s Legendary Past
This castle has links with the legend of King Arthur. Walk among the castle ruins that still cling to the cliffs, find early-medieval remains, and meet Gallos - the life-size bronze statue of an ancient king who keeps watch over the wild seas below.
Head to sea level to stroll along the sandy beach and venture into Merlin’s Cave. Uncover tales of King Arthur at the exhibition in the visitor center, and enjoy a spot of locally sourced lunch at the Beach Café.
Explore Cornwall’s Best Beaches
Cornwall’s top beaches are perfect for sunbathing, surfing, and scenic walks. From golden sands to rugged cliffs, these coastal paths offer something for everyone.
Walk the Sands at White Sand Bay
The beaches of Whitsand Bay offer over three miles of stunning golden sand stretching from Rame Head west to Portwrinkle, and are considered one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. This beach is never crowded so you can enjoy a peaceful snorkeling and diving time revealing the fascinating marine life.
Catch Waves at Perranporth Beach
Surrounded by tall cliffs and rolling dunes, this vast sandy beach has something for everyone, whether snorkeling, sunbathing, or a splash about in the surf. Because the beach is so huge, it will feel like you have the place to yourself even if there are others around.
Early morning you’ll probably see a few horses and their riders having a paddle in the surf and there’s a welcome café for a coffee stop halfway along.
Enjoy Family Time at Carne Beach
It is situated on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula and is a great place for walkers and those seeking a more sedate place. Popular but never too busy, it is the best places to visit in Cornwall for family activities and dog walks.
Learn more about beaches in Cornwall here.
Visit the Royal Cornwall Museum
At this place, you can find collections and archives that celebrate Cornwall and Cornish culture, to create a space at the heart of Cornwall where ideas can be discussed and challenged, and become a place for sharing knowledge, learning, creativity, and ambition.
Cycle The Trails Around Bodmin Moor
Take a 133-mile round-trip through the scenic Cornish Countryside. Step back in time as you experience the era of steam travel at Bodmin Railway. The 1950s train station is equipped with a gift shop and café, Cornish Rail Coffee Co, located at mainline stations Bodmin Parkway, Liskeard, and Penzance. It is important to pre-book tickets online to guarantee seats, especially during peak season.
Discover more historical sites and landmarks here.
Outdoor Adventures in Cornwall, United Kingdom
Explore Cornwall’s stunning coastline, rugged cliffs, and scenic countryside. From surfing and hiking to kayaking and cycling, Cornwall offers endless outdoor adventures for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
Ride Electric Bikes in North Cornwall
The best way to explore this place is by riding a bike. The route takes you to some of the southwest’s most remote, wild, and spectacular sites. This area is extremely beautiful but can be hilly, and this is where the electric bikes come into their own. With an electric motor assisting while you pedal, you will be able to explore the area in comfort, giving you more energy to take in the surroundings!
Surf the Waves at Fistral Beach in Newquay
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It is a great experience you must do if you visit Cornwall. Don’t worry about heavy equipment, you can book the swimsuits and surfboards for two hours for a reasonable price. The staff is great, friendly, and helpful.
Leap into Cornwall’s Coasteering Spots
It is highly recommended for travelers. Cornwell has caves, beaches, rapids, and dramatic scenery to make it the best place to go coasteering in Cornwall. A professionally qualified coasteering guide takes you to a hidden spot off the usual tourist trail. All required equipment is provided, and the route allows you to try out wild swimming, climbing through sea caves, traversing natural rapids, and leaping into secret plunge rock pools.
Explore more outdoor activities here.
Things to Do in St. Austell Cornwall
Explore The Eden Project’s Unique Biomes
It is impossible to talk about St Austell without mentioning the Eden Project. It is Cornwall’s most famous attraction located a couple of miles outside St. Austell and is a must for anybody visiting the area, or Cornwall in general.
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The Eden Project centers around the spectacle of its huge futuristic biomes built into the slopes of an old clay pit. But there is also a strong, environmentally-themed message here with the project being run by the Eden Trust, an educational charity.
At the Eden Project, you’ll discover the fascinating relationships between plants and people.
You’ll also find a full calendar of family events throughout the year and music festivals in the summer. As an educational charity, we run transformational social and environmental projects locally and internationally.
Tour Charlestown Harbour’s Historic Dock
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This place is the last open 18th-century Georgian harbor in the UK and is proud to be a UNESCO world heritage site. When you enter Charlestown Harbour you are transported back in time. The Harbour has a unique history and geography and remains a vibrant working port, with classic Tallships, beautiful beaches, and great places to see in Cornwall.
Discover the Lost Gardens of Heligan
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Heligan is one of the most mysterious estates in England. Today Heligan’s 200-acre site is home to a wonderful array of quirky and characterful gardens featuring old potting sheds, greenhouses, caves, and walled kitchen gardens. There are more palm trees and ferns here than anywhere else in the UK and any number of unique features such as rope bridges, the “Mud Maid”, the Melon Yard, and the Pineapple Pit. This is a place with genuine appeal to all ages and is a must-see if you are near St Austell.
Discover more things to do in St. Austell here.
Other Fun Things to Do in St. Ives in Cornwall
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St. Ives has everything you need for a holiday in Cornwall. A choice of beaches, stunning views, great surf, a wide range of places to eat, and some of the finest art galleries such as Tate St Ives in the UK. Here are some suggestions for things to do in St. Ives, Cornwall.
Watch Talented Kids Perform at Kidz R Us
Visit Kidz R Us theatre if you are in St Ives! It is an extraordinary youth theatre group that encourages the participation of Young people in the performing arts and behind-the-scenes crafts, both for their personal development and the benefit of the wider community The children are so talented and give their all to their roles. The show would give you goosebumps, and make you laugh, cry, and applaud like you’ve never done before!
Visit St. Ives Museum
This unique Museum contains many varied collections relating to the life and times of the town and country. It’s a museum for museum lovers and non-museum lovers alike! It is an alike exhibit, just a treasure trove of interesting, fascinating, and heartwarming features of life in the town over the years.
You will find it nostalgic, heartwarming, and exciting and feel like you have stepped back in time to a different world.
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden contains the largest group of Hepworth’s works, permanently on display where she lived and worked from 1949 until 1975. You can book your tickets in advance on the website, or for the day in the museum.
The museum and its knowledgeable welcoming staff will make your experience a great one that you will remember.
The museum also offers a children’s pack to make the visit of the museum worth it for all ages.
Discover more things to do in St Ives, Cornwall here.
Cornwall's Hidden Gems
Discover Cornwall’s hidden gems: from secluded beaches and fishing villages to historic sites and scenic trails. Explore the lesser-known treasures of this enchanting region and uncover the beauty and magic that lies off the beaten path.
Picnic Among Sculptures at Coventry Park
The artist Terence Coventry lived close to the seaside village of Coverack for more than 30 years before his death. He converted three meadows on his clifftop farm into a free sculpture park. Nowadays you will find about 25 astonishing monumental sculptures.
These huge artworks which include animal and human figures are both a celebration of his work as an artist but also his rural life as a farmer. There are rooks, owls, swallows, bulls, cows, horses, and dogs as well as people and his work captures their movements and mannerisms. This park is a truly wonderful and surprising gift to come across while walking and one of the best places to visit in Cornwall.
Walk Among Ancient Ruins in West Cornwall
In the far west, you can discover Chysauster and Carn Euny, two of the best-preserved Iron Age villages in Britain. At both of these sites, you can walk amongst the remains of stone courtyard houses built around 2000 years ago.
At Carn Euny you can go inside the fogou, an incredible subway tunnel and chamber built for a mysterious purpose. Both villages are cared for by English Heritage and Chysauster has a small visitors centre.
Learn About Witchcraft History in Boscastle
Situated in the picturesque harbor of Boscastle on Cornwall’s north coast is one of the UK’s most unusual and unique museums. Established in 1960 The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic holds an incredible collection of over 3000 objects and 7000 books. It is the world’s largest collection of paraphernalia and artifacts related to ritual magic and witchcraft.
There are numerous weird and wonderful items covering all aspects of folk magic and the occult. From Aleister Crowley’s ritual chalice, divination tools, and voodoo dolls. This museum is a riot for the senses and is famed for its strange exhibits.
See more hidden gems and things to do in Cornwell here.
Free Things to Do in Cornwall
Are there free things to do in Cornwall? Absolutely! There are plenty of free attractions, historic sites, and busy local markets. Visitors can see Cornwall’s natural beauty and culture without spending a penny. Here are some of those free things to do in Cornwall:
Tour Roskilly’s Organic Farm
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Entry to The Roskilly’s Organic Farm is completely free, so visitors can enjoy the surroundings without a charge. Enjoy a peaceful walk around the farm, admire the beautiful countryside, interact with farm animals, and see the area’s unique natural beauty. Also, Roskilly’s is famous for its delicious organic ice cream. So, do not miss the chance to taste various flavors crafted from the farm’s dairy herd in their ice cream parlor. Purchase other organic products like cheese, meat, and other local goods at the farm shop.
Go to the Museum of Cornish Life
Nestled in the town of Helston, the Museum of Cornish Life stands as a beacon celebrating the cultural diversity and heritage of the region. Explore the most engaging exhibitions that bring to life Cornwall’s industrial past including mining, agriculture, and fishing. Revel in well-preserved traditional crafts, costumes, and historical artifacts—proof of Cornish resilience and creativity.
Marvel at the Minack Theatre’s Views
Discover more free and budget-friendly things to do in Cornwall in the Minack Theatre, an open-air experience like no other. Close to Penzance, it delights visitors with inspiring views of the Atlantic Ocean and a natural rocky stage complemented by pretty landscaped gardens.
Dive into its enriching past or simply embrace epic panoramas from various vantage points while enjoying amenities such as its visitor center full of insights about this space along with casual dining options at their café and exclusive finds at the gift shop. Although this is a free thing to do in Cornwall, booking is essential.
Things to Do in Cornwall in the Rain
When rain dampens Cornwall, explore its cozy cafes, historic castles, intriguing museums, and art galleries. Here are some indoor Cornwall tourist attractions to make your visit memorable despite the rain.
Discover Lanhydrock House Indoors
This late Victorian house is set in beautiful woodlands which are great for walking and cycling, but when it’s raining you’ll want to head straight for the house where you can explore both upstairs and downstairs, dressed as it would have been in the Victorian era. You may find the kitchens and pantries fascinating, as well as the nurseries and bedrooms upstairs.
Explore the three routes: Kitchen, Family, and Lady R’s Bazaar.
And enjoy The Long Gallery Ceiling at Lanhydrock. It is a masterpiece of Jacobean plasterwork, and currently, you can get up close to it along the scaffolding (one for adults and teens only). The ceilings depict dozens of Biblical scenes, birds, and mythical beasts.
Step Back in Time at Pendennis Castle
This castle was created for national defense under Henry VIII, between 1539 and 1547, as one of few artillery forts to be circular for 360-degree defense. For 400 years it watched over the Carrick Roads, an important dock in the River Fal estuary, and defended it from enemies invading England. Today you can explore its history through displays and exhibitions and they also host events for children during most school holidays to bring the history to life.
Have Cream Tea at Cotehele’s Café
Cotehele is an atmospheric Tudor house with Medieval roots, plus a mill on a historic quay. It is free to walk through the woodlands alongside the river – see this walk if you don’t mind donning your waterproofs. There are also lots of beautiful gardens and kids’ play activities but in this weather, you’ll probably find an hour or two for the house (don’t miss the tapestries) and then a cream tea in the café is good.
Discover more things to see in Cornwall in the rain here.
Things to Do with Kids and Family in Cornwall
Cornwall’s attractions have everything you need for fun-filled family days out. Here are some of the best things to do with the family in Cornwall.
Enjoy Pirate’s Quest Adventure Golf
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Travel back 300 years to the Golden Age of Piracy and tackle twelve swashbucklin’ holes of adventure golf! The indoor course winds through a selection of immersive 360˚sets. Explore the mystical caves and murky streets of 18th-century Cornwall, learn about local legends of giants and kings, pose for photos in the village stocks or at the ship’s wheel, and travel under the sea in search of a mermaid.
Rent Watersports Gear with Big Green Adventure
Big Green Adventure is an activity provider on Crantock Beach. Enjoy a day full of top-quality lessons at the surf school or rent in surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, bellyboarding & bodyboarding as well as beach safety courses to ensure you and your family stay safe.
Play Football and Golf with Family in Cornwall
It is a must-visit place on any trip to Cornwall. It is the first-ever park of its type in the U.K. This new innovative game uses the same rules as golf but instead of using a club players kick a football into a hole. It is no requiered football skill. Enjoy an enjoyable afternoon with your family!Discover other things to do with kids in Cornwell here.
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