65 Best things to see & do in Cornwall

The Eden Project has transformed an old china clay pit into a spectacular global garden.

Gigantic ‘biomes’ – futuristic conservatories, one of which is the largest conservatory in the world – house different climatic zones (tropical, Mediterranean, temperate), which work in tandem to explain the evolution of Man’s relationship with plants.

Constructed from hexagonal panels that clip together like a giant Meccano set, the vast and remarkable biomes are entirely self-supporting (with no internal supports) and built using a thermoplastic that repels dirt and helps maintain a consistent environment within.

There’s also specially commissioned art, summer concerts, winter ice-skating and – the latest addition – England’s longest zip wire, with remarkable views across the whole complex.

This superb 360-mile walking route – between Minehead in Somerset and Poole in Dorset, and incorporating the entire coastlines of Cornwall and Devon – takes in some of Britain’s most dramatic and unspoilt coastline: from craggy cliffs to golden beaches, hidden coves to secret caves. Throw in a smattering of heritage – from castles to tin mines, smugglers legends to U-boat bases – and picturesque villages for refuelling, and you’ve got the most outstanding long-distance walk in Britain.

The South West Coast Path website divides the path into shorter and one-day sections. It also offers themed walks aligned to specific interests: heritage, geology, wildlife and culture. The area has a rich smuggling history, leaving a fascinating legacy of tales and legends. Treasure Trails has specially-designed smuggler-themed treasure trails for families to follow that you can download (for a small fee). Several are on the South West Coast Path.

Cornwall is renowned for fresh and locally sourced food – attracting foodies from the world over.

Ingredients and flavours are strongly influenced by its coastal location and farming heritage. The region is especially known for outstanding seafood, with dishes such as fish and chips, crab sandwiches, and Cornish pasties being popular staples. It’s home to several artisanal cheese makers, producing award-winning cheeses such as Cornish Blue and Yarg, and produces the world’s best clotted cream.

In terms of drinks, Cornwall is known for its brewing and distilling industries, with a number of exceptional local distilleries producing award-winning spirits, beers and ales. The region also boasts a burgeoning wine industry, notably for award-winning still and sparkling wines, and excellent cideries.

Cooking styles vary from simple to exotic and environments from casual to smart, although the emphasis is on excellent produce, simply cooked, and served in a laid-back beach café or gastropub.

With dramatic land- and seascapes, a clement climate and an endearing legacy of legend and folklore, Cornwall is a destination made for exploration on foot or two wheels. The opening of the Cornish Way in 2000 – a superb 180-mile trail between Land’s End and Bude – has made that both possible and wonderfully simple.

There are six trails as follows: the Mineral Tramways, The Camel Trail, the Coast-to-Clay Trail, the First and Last Trail, the Engine House Trail, the North Cornwall Trail, and the St Piran Trail.

Each is worthy in its own right, but if you want to cover the whole route, the Way officially starts in Bude and finishes at Land’s End. (Note, the route splits at Truro, with one fork heading north via Padstow, and the other heading south via St Austell, before joining again at Bodmin). Unless you’re an avid hiker or cyclist coming for a cycling or walking holiday, you’ll probably only get time for one or maybe two trails.

For a hiking experience, however, choose the most challenging of the six legs – the Coast and Clay Trail, between Truro and Bodmin via St Austell. For heritage, pick the Engine House Trail, littered with old foundries and 19th-century engine houses.

Pick one of six interlinking trails, or tackle the whole route, exploring unspoilt Cornish countryside, stopping in at picturesque villages and discovering Cornwall’s pioneering industrial heritage.

This spellbinding tidal island is famous for being connected to the mainland by an ancient causeway ­– a raised cobbled walkway on the sea bed – that’s covered by water at high tide, cutting off the island.

The island itself is home to a spectacular castle and a small village. The castle’s history dates back to the 12th century when it was built as a monastery by Benedictine monks. Over the years, it has served as a place of pilgrimage, a fortress, and a stately home.

Visitors can wander the streets, explore the castle and its gardens, and soak up the views, and of course, walk across the famous causeway.

Coasteering is the ‘sport’ of clambering and climbing over coastline, be it climbing cliffs, jumping off cliffs into the sea, clambering through canyons, running on beaches, or swimming in channels; Cornwall and Devon – with clement weather, clean seas, craggy cliffs and golden beaches – happen to be the best places in Britain to do it.

It’s not just for iron men and women – there are of course different levels suited to different physical abilities and ages (including kids), but you need a basic level of fitness and swimming ability. It’s physically challenging, and the water is (always) cold, but it’s a thrilling, rewarding way to explore the picturesque southwest coastline.

Active, adventurous kids will love coasteering, but most operators recommend over-10s only.

Receiving the biggest swells in the UK and offering year-round, reliable waves at postcard-perfect golden beaches, the north and west coasts of Cornwall offers the best surfing in the UK.

While Newquay is the undisputed surf central, with some of the best beaches and a lively surfing community, there are numerous others (less crowded) options, with a slew of good surf schools on hand to offer instruction and equipment for hire for beginners.

Due to its angle to the Atlantic Ocean, the south coast doesn’t get the same swells, and surfing conditions are average at best. Falmouth bay is your best bet, but if possible, stick to the north and west coasts.

Explore the beautiful landscapes Bodmin Moor in vintage style on this beautifully-restored heritage railway. Steam trains chug their way along a 13-mile round trip through woodland and rolling Cornish countryside, passing picturesque villages and alongside the idyllic River Camel. It starts and finishes at the beautiful heritage station of Bodmin General.

The railway was originally part of the Great Western Railway and was closed in the 1960s but was reopened as a heritage railway in the 1980s. It makes for a nostalgic journey that will appeal to all ages, enhanced by charming Victorian stations, vintage signage, and puffs of steam billowing from the engine

Check the events section on the website for special calendar events such as murder mystery evenings and Santa trains. Kids will love it – and go half price.

From wide arcs of golden sand and curling surf to secret coves uncovered at low tide, Cornwall’s beaches are heaven-sent for surfing, rock pooling, and building sandcastles. The water is never warm but it’s clear and clean, and the sand can be golden or even white.

The downsides in summer are the crowds and the traffic, but with 476km of coastline, and hundreds of beaches to choose from, you can always escape.

Tate St Ives owes its existence to the St Ives School, centred first around two artists and officers who had survived the Western Front, then Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Bernard Leach and co, who turned the West Cornish coastal town into an international centre of the modernist movement.

The exhibitions showcase the work of these artists as well as contemporary artists in residence – and the views from the top-floor café are knockout.

Don’t expect anything with the scope and scale of the Tate galleries in London; this is a tiny gallery by comparison. Check the website in advance to see what exhibitions are on.

The quality of light and elemental landscapes in Cornwall have long appealed to artists. The first ‘school’ of artists in Newlyn was founded in 1877, with painters working outside, in the Impressionist tradition. The Lamorna group followed, championing a bolder, brighter approach, and then during the Second World War, St Ives became a vital centre of Modernism.

There’s still a thriving art scene here, a large community of artists, and internationally renowned art museums, and galleries. It all makes Cornwall a surprisingly good place to admire and buy art.

Most visitors bypass Bodmin Moor en route to the coast, but they’re missing out; this 80 square mile patch of inland Cornwall boasts imposing granite ‘tors’, wonderful views across bleak moorland, and magical walks through wooded vales.

It’s also rich in history and folklore, with mysterious stone circles including the Hurlers, and legendary Arthurian sites such as Dozmary Pool, said to be the place where the sword Excalibur was clasped by the Lady of the Lake.

As well as myths and legends old and new, Bodmin Moor is recognised for its natural beauty and Bronze Age heritage – the moor is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Horseriding & Walking

If you prefer to explore on horseback, local stables Hallagenna Farm offer an excellent range of horse riding and pony trekking across the landscape for all abilities (plus accommodation for horse lovers). One route includes the famous Camel Trail.

See our recommendations below for two fine short walks up to see Bodmin Moor’s most famous ‘tors’.

This superb 18-mile multi-use (cycling, walking and horse-riding) trail follows the route of a disused railway line through spectacular Cornish countryside. Following the Camel River, the trail passes through woodland and across mudflats to the picturesque Camel Estuary that separates the towns of Padstow and Rock.

It’s mainly traffic-free all the way, easy to access, and packed with landscape and wildlife designations, and close to pretty villages for resting and refuelling.

Barbara Hepworth and her husband Ben Nicholson moved to Cornwall in 1939 and quickly became part of a local art movement of international repute.

Hepworth studied with Henry Moore at the Leeds School of Art and went on to become one of Britain’s foremost modernist sculptors and one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. Her early works are mainly of wood and stone, with larger bronze pieces later in her career. Many of her works are abstracted sculptures of the human form.

Her modernist sculptures are on display in the studio and garden where she lived and worked from 1949 until her death in a fire in 1975.

The site is managed by the Tate Gallery, but visiting remains an intimate experience, with tools and furnishings exactly as Hepworth left them.

The ‘Scillies’ are a Gulf Stream-warmed paradise 28 miles off Land’s End. Awaiting you at these gorgeous, unspoilt islands – some uninhabited, all surprisingly undiscovered – are white-sand beaches, exotic flora and fauna, turquoise seas and mild, sunny days.

For the adventurer, the islands offer a wealth of pristine land- and seascapes to explore, be it cycling country lanes, kayaking, walking, cycling, swimming with seals, or scuba diving in crystal clear waters. The coastline views en route are spectacular.

Remote as they are, the Isles of Scilly have nonetheless been inhabited since the Stone Age, with subsistence living being the way of life for islanders right up to the early 20th century.

The islands’ location in the path of the Gulf Stream ensures a milder, sunnier climate than mainland Britain and a stunning range of local flora. The whole of the Scilly Isles is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

When rugged coastline meets a wide, flat shoreline, you’re bound to get rockpools at low tide – and Cornwall has them in spades. Replenished by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, Cornwall’s rockpools are particularly rich in sea life.

Scouting and clambering over exposed rocks or in secret coves, seeking crabs, anenomes, starfish, blennies and other fascinating creatures left behind by the tide, is terrific fun, educational, and a good healthy outdoor activity. Best of all, these mini wildlife hotspots will keep kids – and big kids – occupied for hours.

Look out for Montagu’s blenny a small fish that has evolved to live in rock pools and has the ability to change colour to match its background, like a chameleon.

Since the mid-19th century, oystermen from Falmouth have earned a living dredging oysters in the Carrick Roads and surrounding rivers. Old laws still govern the practices of the oystermen to protect the natural ecology of the riverbeds and oyster stocks. Boats with engines are prohibited in the oyster fishery; instead sail-powered or hand-pulled dredges must be used.

This annual four-day foodie extravaganza, held at the start of the Falmouth oyster-dredging season, is a celebration of both Cornish produce and the traditional art of dredging by sail and hand punt.

Expect masterclasses from celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations, a Falmouth Working Boat race, a town parade, live music, sea shanties, oyster shucking, shell painting, and marquees overflowing with Cornish oysters, seafood, wine and ale.

This picturesque waterfront town on Cornwall’s southern coast has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of Poldark. It served as the main town and bustling port in the hit the BBC television series.

The period drama follows the life of Ross Poldark, a former British army officer, and masterfully captures the essence of Cornish history. Themes and storylines incorporate the Cornish tin’s industrial heritage, smuggling and piracy, the struggles of the working class, the clash between tradition and progress, and Cornish legends and folklore.

Charlestown itself has a rich history of shipbuilding and was once a thriving commercial centre during the 19th century. The atmospheric narrow streets feature historic buildings and well-preserved Georgian architecture, against a backdrop of typically rugged Cornish coastline. The perfect setting for Poldark’s many trials and tribulations.

The tin industry played a vital role in the development of Cornwall, from the early Bronze Age until the 20th century. At one time, Cornwall was one of the world’s leading producers of tin, and the industry shaped the region’s economy, culture, and landscape. The industry was based on the mining of tin and other minerals, such as copper and arsenic, and the processing of these minerals into metal.

The industry declined in the 20th century due to a combination of factors, including competition from other countries, falling prices, and the depletion of reserves. Its legacy, however, can still be noticeably seen in the region’s abandoned tine mines – some of which have been restored and preserved – that pepper the landscape.

This grade-II listed Tudor mansion originates circa 1300 and is located in the magnificent Tamar Valley of Devon and Cornwall. It is one of the least altered Tudor houses in the UK, with most of its original oak furniture still in place alongside hanging tapestries, arms and armour, pewter and brass.

More than 1,000 acres of beautiful grounds surround this National Trust-protected property, with miles of historical countryside trails stretching down to the River Tamar.

This family-run, state-of-the-art vineyard, set in some of Cornwall’s most beautiful countryside, has been producing award-winning wines since 1989. With south-facing slopes and mild climate of the Camel Valley, conditions are perfect for growing grapes; the result – high-quality sparkling wines that have won numerous awards, including the Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2019.

Sparkling wines produced include their flagship Cornwall Brut and Pinot Noir Rosé Brut, and Annie’s Anniversary – a single-vineyard wine made from vines exclusively pruned by co-founder Annie Lindo for over 30 years. They also produce a range of still wines, including Bacchus Dry, Pinot Noir Rosé, and Atlantic Dry. All of their wines are made using traditional methods and are crafted with care, resulting in wines that are crisp, refreshing, and elegant.

Book ahead for guided tours of the vineyard and the chance to wine taste of some of England’s best wines. Well-behaved children are permitted.

Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the pioneering Leach Pottery in St Ives went on to become the world’s most influential pottery studio; Eastern and Western ceramic traditions and the use of locally sourced materials continue to influence ceramic artists to this day.

It still trains potters from around the world, and you too can learn the art of pottery here from the best in the business. They offer a selection of workshops ranging from a 2-hour tasting session, to evening classes and 5-day courses. Adults only (18+)

There’s also a museum and gallery and shop if you want to explore the history of pottery, and a shop to purchase some first-rate, hand-crafted ceramics.

Original created by the Tremayne family in the mid-19th century, these once glorious gardens fell into neglect during the First World War. 70 years later, in 1990, they were ‘rediscovered’ and intelligently restored to their original state.

This ‘garden’ now sustainably manages a patchwork of traditional Cornish habitats – including ancient woodland, hay meadows, grazed pasture, and wetlands – to preserve Cornish wildlife and maximise its biodiversity.

Employing the traditional techniques of cultivation, they offer a unique and fascinating insight into traditional gardening and Victorian life on the Heligan Estate. Highlights include a sub-tropical jungle of exotic specimens and unrivalled collections of camellias and rhododendrons.

This delightful 40-acre National Trust garden is best known for its year-round display of colourful blooms – notably camellias, rhododendrons, photinia and azaleas – and rare plants and shrubs, in shelterbelts that were created 200 years ago.

The site takes in a water tower, four summerhouses, lawns, beds, and an additional 375 acres of parkland and woodland with extensive walking trails. Set on a peninsula, there are lovely views over the estuary and Falmouth throughout – which may be enjoyed from the tea room in the manor house.

This former prison, built in the 18th century, once housed some of the most notorious criminals in British history behind its imposing walls. Today, is oiffers a fascinating glimpse into the dark and mysterious world of Georgian and Victorian crime and punishment, with real-life tales of intrigue, scandal, and daring escapes.

Sign up for one of the award-winning 2-hour heritage tours and hear all about arsenic poisoners, arsonists, murderers and the mutinous hanging crowds. Or try a 4-hour night-time paranormal investigation i.e. ghost hunt (18+ only).

If you’re really keen, you may even consider staying on-site at the 70-room, 5-star boutique hotel, housed within the jail’s walls.

This Cornish headland is famed for being the westernmost point on the British mainland – the ‘end’ of the UK. Aside from cliff-top walks, and a reasonable visitor centre, there’s not much else to see or do.

This impressive Jacobean mansion – completely refurbished in high-Victorian style after a devastating fire in 1881 – offers an insight into the lives of the wealthy Victorian Agar-Robartes family. There are 50 rooms to explore, plus spectacular gardens famed for magnolias. Staff dress up on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, enhancing the Victorian experience. Open daily.

Celebrity Chef Rick Stein’s Cornish empire now extends to four restaurants, three shops, a cookery school and an assortment of rooms in Padstow; a pub in St Merryn and two eateries in Falmouth.

This award-winning restaurant and Cornwall institution opened in 1975, is the big fish. It serves up an exciting selection of globally influenced dishes such as sashimi of Cornish scallops, salmon, sea bass and brill, palourde clams a la plancha and Singapore chilli crab – using the finest, freshest seafood, caught locally in Cornwall and the surrounding waters.

This lovely 12-mile trail from Truro to Bodmin, consisting of 9 smaller trails, was first opened in 2005 to enable visitors to explore a unique area of Cornwall that was home to Cornwall’s China industry.

The trail takes in a number of top sights including Trelissick Gardens, the River Fal and King Harry Ferry, the fishing villages of Portloe and Megavissey, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Lanhydrock House. There is also a link to the Eden Project. The views across Cornwall’s china clay country around St Austell are beautiful.

If you are staying in the Padstow area, grab the kids and head to Treyarnon Bay Beach and spend an afternoon crabbing on the quay. You can buy crablines and bait when you get there. Great fun for all ages.

A highly-regarded distillery producing award-winning gin using only locally-sourced and organic botanicals, and a traditional copper pot still. Book in for tours of the production process, onsite tastings – and the chance to make your own bespoke bottle of gin.

Professional forager, ecologist and cook Caroline Davey has been widely featured in the press and on TV – including the BBC’s Countryfile – such is the popularity of her wild food foraging and cooking school.

The courses, which include gourmet weekends for serious food lovers, can involve gathering seaweeds and seasonal herbs, flowers, salads and vegetables from beaches, cliff tops, woodlands and hedgerows, cooking modern dishes with professional chefs, and feasting together after.

There’s no minimum age but it’s unlikely to appeal to young children – but older kids with an interest in food, nature and cooking will love it.

This beautiful and tranquil subtropical garden on the Helford River nestles between three of Cornwall’s valleys. Created in the 1820s, it’s renowned for its beautiful collection of exotic trees and shrubs, and stunning river views. There are winding paths to wander, a laurel maze, a small beach, and a giant rope swing for kids. Closed Mondays.

Cornwall’s history, from smuggling to food production to exporting minerals, has always been closely tied to the sea. This family-friendly museum at Falmouth aims to preserve and showcase that rich heritage, featuring interactive displays and educational events.

This 18th-century tin mine – preserved exactly as it was since the last miner left in 1990 – it’s a must for anyone wanting to learn about Cornwall’s former tin industry. There’s an on-site ‘Hard Rock’ museum, and the chance to explore underground passageways. Open Sunday-Thursday, great for families.

This family-run organic farm produces a range of sumptuously delicious organic dairy products, including ice cream, yoghurt, and milk – using milk from their own herd of Jersey cows.

Visitors can explore the farm and learn about the farming and production processes, as well as tucking into some homemade food and drink at the on-site cafe.

The Croust House restaurant, in an old milking parlour, has a dedicated kids’ menu and 24 flavours of ice cream.

Blessed with more than 40 different minerals, especially lucrative tin and copper, Cornwall became the richest part of Britain in the early 19th century, pioneering global development of the mining industry. As Poldark fans will know, in the late 19th century, increasing foreign competition depressed prices making mining less and less economical. The industry entered a period of steady decline, and the last mine, South Crofty, closed in 1998.

The Mineral Tramways Heritage Project has been working to preserve Cornwall’s central mining district, a scenic landscape of lovely Cornish countryside that’s studded with (safe) abandoned mines, mining villages and other heritage sites.

A 60km network of multi-use trails now crisscross the area, many following the original tramway and railway routes once used to transport ore and supplies to and from the many mines to the coastal ports. It’s easy going, and packed with local wildlife.

This permanent collection contains over 200 works by major British artists including Sir Frank Brangwyn, Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Sir Alfred Munnings, Henry Scott Tuke and Dame Laura Knight. The Gallery also puts on a varied temporary exhibitions programme

A 100-year-old preserved tin mine showcasing the history of mining (and the Mineral Tramways generally); much of the original mining equipment remains. It includes the Mineral Tramways Discovery Centre, with displays and information about the old mineral tramways, the mines, the ports used by the industry and the people involved with the trade.

One of the most visited places on the moor is Jamaica Inn, the legendary coaching house in Launceston where Daphne du Maurier wrote her excellent 1936 tale of smugglers, rogues and ruffians set in wild, rugged Cornwall landscapes.

This medieval fortress located on the rugged north coast is believed to have been built in the 13th century and was associated with the legend of King Arthur. It partially destroyed during the 16th century, but its ruins still stand and you can see the remains of the Great Hall and the Inner Ward. Stop by the visitor centre for histories and legends.

A buzzing weekly farmers’ market held every Wednesday and Sunday on Lemon Quay. Here you’ll find everything from fermented foods to raw chocolate, chilli jam to craft beer. A great opportunity to sample local Cornish produce, and snack on Cornish ‘street food’.

This 15-mile traffic-free, multi-use trail combines scenic beauty, views and heritage. Running from Portreath Beach on the north coast to Devoran on the south, it passes through Cornwall’s former central mining district – a landscape studded with (safe) abandoned mines – following the original tramway and railway routes once used to transport ore and supplies to and from the many mines to the coastal ports.

The coast-to-coast route passes through the Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve, a former mine site that has heathland, woodland, ponds and a variety of local wildlife. You’ll also pass under the giant Carnon stone viaduct.

It’s easy going for all abilities – and a great way to learn about Cornwall’s mining heritage, admire the scenery, and see the local wildlife.

If it’s adrenaline you want, head to the specialist adventure activity centre at privately owned Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay, for thrills including abseiling, coasteering, assault courses (above and below ground), and a 120ft high, 750ft long zip wire.

Cornwall is famous for cider, and Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm produces award-winning cider the old-fashioned way. The farm offers tours and tastings where you can learn about the cider-making process, and sample different ciders. They also have a farm shop and restaurant selling locally-produced treats.

This popular annual festival showcases the best of local Cornish food & drink, in one of Cornwall’s loveliest towns.

As you’d expect, food stalls sell locally sourced and made produce, from fresh seafood to artisan cheese. There are live demonstrations from top chefs, plus live music and entertainment.

This family-owned winery and orchard produces a range of award-winning still and sparkling wines, as well as apple juice and cider. The offer guided tours of the vineyards and orchards, that end with wine tastings in the on-site tasting room.

Every August, the British Fireworks Championships light up the skies above Plymouth, with the world’s best pyrotechnic teams competing over two days with spectacular sound and light shows. 

Stop for a swim at this Art Deco lido gem, with curving white walls, diving platforms, rows of cubicles, a baby pool and a warner geothermal pool (extra charge). Under 4s swim free. Right on the seafront, the pool is fed by the tide. Open end May to early September.

Carved into the granite like an ancient Greek amphitheatre, this open-air amphitheatre, built in the 1930s, overlooks the sweeping ocean off Porthcurno Bay. See the website for performances; you need to book tickets online, even if just going for the view.

This family-owned brewery, founded in 1851, produces a range of award-winning beers and ales using local ingredients, such as Cornish barley and spring water. They offer guided tours of the brewery, teaching you about the brewing process, ending with tastings. The brewery also runs a variety of events throughout the year, including beer festivals and live music.

This plough-to-bottle distillery, owned and run by the Dustow family, has mastered the art of transforming their potatoes into award-winning spirits, notably gin. You can book in for tours of the distillery and gin tastings, and courses to make your own custom bottle of gin.

A small family-run cidery that produces a range of high-quality, award-winning ciders. The cider is made using a blend of locally sourced apples, including rare varieties, and traditional methods. Book in for tours of the orchards and pressing facilities, followed by cider tasting. They also offer cider-making courses.

Tea lovers should head to this, the only tea plantation in the UK. It produces a range of fine teas, grown using sustainable and organic methods, from classic black tea to innovative blends like Manuka and Cornish Earl Grey. You can book in for tours of the plantation and learn about the history of tea in the UK, before a tasting in the on-site tea bar.

A boutique winery that produces a range of award-winning wines and spirits, including still and sparkling wines, vermouth, and gin. Book in for guided tours of the winery and vineyards, before a tasting of their products in the on-site tasting room.

Established in Cornwall in 2004 by a group of enthusiasts, Origin specialises in sourcing and roasting exceptional coffee. Book ahead for tours of their roastery in Helston, or head to their café at Harbour Head in Porthleven to sample the goods (with a slice of artisan cake).

Three miles west of Padstow, this lovely, long, dune-backed sweep of golden sand is one of Cornwall’s best family beaches and a good spot for novice surfers. It’s picturesque, safe, has lifeguards in summer and plenty of parking and facilities.

This privately owned beach is all about entertainment. During summer evenings it plays host to music and social events while during the day you’ll find surf lessons, coasteering, jet skiing, abseiling, a 750ft-long zip wire and kids’ activities.

This wide, two-mile arc of surf-sprayed sand is possibly the most fashionable, cosmopolitan beach in Cornwall, home to the Watergate Bay Hotel, Extreme Academy watersports school, and O’Neill Surf Academy. It’s a good all-rounder activity beach for all the family.

The most famous surf spot in Cornwall, this long sandy beach with reliable waves on the western edge of Newquay is home to the British Surfing Association and Fistral Surf School, and regularly hosts international competitions.

St Ives’ web of narrow streets is framed by these two postcard-perfect Blue Flag beaches. Porthminster, nestling under the cliffs, is broad and great for families. Porthmeor is deeper, with great rockpooling for kids and surfer-friendly waves.

Located just around the corner from Land’s End – but far enough from the tourist mayhem – this deep cove of white sand, tucked in among tall granite cliffs, is considered by many to be Cornwall’s most scenic beach.

This glorious mile of golden sand arches around from the lovely fishing village of Sennen Cove, only a mile’s walk – but a world away – from touristy Land’s End. Board hire and surf lessons are available.

This wide, spacious, Blue Flag beach – walking distance from Falmouth – has gently sloping white sands that give way to some of Cornwall’s best rock pools at low tide, with great facilities and lifeguards in summer.

Families and chocoholics will love these chocolate workshops, that see you designing, moulding and decorating a variety of chocolate treats (that you take home after). A brilliant group experience for all ages, with special activities even for the toddlers.