65 Best things to see & do in Cornwall

Unique and fascinating ‘biome’ botanical gardens that explore the interaction between humans and plants.

A superb 360-mile coastal walking route, around Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset’s dramatic and unspoilt coastlines.

A superb hiking and cycling route for exploring 180 miles of Cornish heritage, wildlife and landscapes. The route links six excellent, more manageable trails together.

Foodie heaven – feast on outstanding fresh seafood, artisan cheeses and dairy, craft beers, ales, gins and ciders and the occasional Cornish pasty. All sourced and made locally.

A spellbinding, castle-laden tidal island, famous for its ancient access causeway ­that’s covered by water at high tide.

Postcard-perfect beaches, consistent swell, and excellent surf schools equal the best surfing in Britain – and the perfect place to give it a try.

Cliff jumping and climbing combine with orienteering and swimming in this fun-packed outdoor coastline adventure.

Explore the beautiful landscapes Bodmin Moor in vintage style on this beautifully-restored heritage railway – a picturesque 13-mile round trip through rolling Cornish countryside.

One of Cornwall’s biggest draws – from broad sweeps of golden sand to secret coves.

Internationally-renowned contemporary art gallery, an offshoot of London’s Tate, idyllically set overlooking Porthmeor Beach.

Exceptional light amd elemental landscapes have long made Cornwall a haven for artists. It now also hosts internationally renowned artists, museums and galleries.

Mystery and magic-steeped moorland in the middle of Cornwall, with wonderful views, walks and horse riding.

Picturesque 18-mile cycling trail that follows a disused railway line through wildlife-filled woodland and mudflats.

The former home and studio of Barbara Hepworth – one of Britain’s foremost modernist sculptors. Works in wood, bronze and stone, mainly of the abstract human form.

Gulf-stream warmed island paradise off Land’s End, with pristine land- and seascapes for adventurers to explore.

Discover a world of fascinating creatures in Cornwall’s tidal rockpools, some of Britain’s best. Endlessly entertaining – and educational – for kids.

Four-day foodie extravaganza, with oyster dredging, celebrity-chef masterclasses, live music and overflowing (sea)food stalls.

Picturesque and historic waterfront town that was the setting for Poldark – now a place of pilgrimage for fans of the hit BBC series.

Cornwall was once the world’s leading producer of tin – witness its legacy and learn its history through the region’s abandoned and preserved tin mines.

An authentic Tudor mansion preserved by the National Trust and surrounded by picturesque, romantic gardens.

One of England’s best vineyards, set in beautiful Cornwall countryside, producing award-winning sparkling wines.

Founded in 1920, the world’s most influential pottery studio has a museum, ceramic-selling shop and expert-led pottery classes.

Award-winning 19th-century gardens offering a fascinating insight into traditional Victorian gardening.

Delightful 375-acre gardens, known for year-round colourful blooms and spectacular views over the River Fal.

Former 18th-century prison offering a fascinating glimpse into Victorian and Georgian crime and punishment. Excellent heritage tours and night time ghost hunts.

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.

Iconic seafood restaurant in Padstow – flagship of the group owned by celebrity seafood chef Rick Stein – is a Cornwall institution.

A lovely 12-mile trail (with shorter subsections) from Truro to Bodmin that explores a unique area of Cornwall previously home to Cornwall’s China industry, and passes many top sights.

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.

Excellently run and fascinating foraging and cooking courses with professional forager, ecologist and cook Caroline Davey. A must for foodies.

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.

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

A scenic, wildlife-filled landscape, rich in Cornish heritage, offering a network of 60km superb walking and cycling trails. It’s also the place to learn all about Cornwall’s mining history.

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’.

Lovely 15-mile traffic-free cycling trail combining scenic beauty and views with Cornwall’s rich mining heritage.

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 most charming seaside towns.

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.