You really should visit Cornwall!

There are many wonderful and amazing things to see in Cornwall. Because there are so many places and sights to see it can be hard to fit them all into one visit. Because of this, we have decided on our favourite place in Cornwall as well as a few runners up to give you a place to start on your first time or if you are returning for another holiday.

Runners Up

Sennen Cove

Just down the hill from the town of Sennen is a beautiful cove with views full of sea and sunshine. This is also one of the most popular surf hotspots as the cove is known for its large waves and beautiful waters. The beach is great for bathing and there are flagged areas which move frequently to follow tidal movements so that you know where it is safe at all times. If you are more inclined to see the incredible views this cove has to offer you can head to the Pedn-men-du, a promontory located at the southern end of the bay, and use the lookout point. You will see spectacularly blue waters and clear skies for miles around. The granite cliffs below are also a popular attraction for those that enjoy climbing.

Praa Sands

The first thing you’ll notice when visiting this beautiful beach is how white the sand is, it’s almost blinding! The reason the sand is so white is because it is made from seashells that have been pulverised by the waves over millions of years. Located between the Lizard and west Penwith, this mile-long beach is perfect for families with children to entertain. The sand is perfect for sand castles and the shoreline is great for splashing around in. This is another great spot for surfing too as there are some surprisingly large waves that form further out. If this isn’t your scene there’s no need to worry as you could just grab a coffee and sit back on the beach soaking up the sun.

Roskilly’s Ice Cream

This quaint little farm is located in St. Keverne and is a great place to visit whether you have children or just love ice cream. You can visit the farm for free, that’s right free! You can walk around the meadows and relax by the ponds with a tub of fresh and organic ice cream that is made on site. You can even visit the cows that make the milk and see how it’s done yourself. A great place to let your children roam and explore while enjoying some of the best ice cream in Cornwall.

Minack Theatre

This is Cornwall’s world famous open-air theatre which is carved right into the granite cliff of Porthcurno Bay. This stunning and incredible feat of ingenuity looks like something straight out of a movie and overlooks the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The Summer season runs from May to September and includes drama, musicals and opera so make sure to visit during this time so that you don’t miss out. If the theatre isn’t your thing, you can always visit the sub-tropical gardens that are another favourite attraction at this incredible location. They grow on the open cliffside and provide a beautiful dash of colour to the Minack all year round. Another thing to look out for is the Rowena Cade Visitor Centre which tells the incredible story of how a girl from Cheltenham in the Victorian era grew up to build the internationally famous theatre. There’s even a café where you can relax and soak in the amazing views that Minack has to offer.

Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno, which is located in the far west of Cornwall, is described by many as being an absolute paradise. The area has won plenty of awards and if you visit this area it’s easy to see why. The sea turns a beautiful shade of turquoise in the sun and the sand is pearly white and soft to the touch. The incredible high cliffs on either side provide shelter to everyone enjoying the beach. The beach is very popular with families and has a stream that flows down one side where children can enjoy paddling while being safely watched over. Above on the cliffs is the amazing Minack Theatre, see above for more information, which gives an incredible view of Porthcurno and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is also dog friendly, unless you visit between the 1st of May and 30th of September when there is a seasonal ban, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for an adventure. Just a 30 minute walk away is the famous Logan Rock which is an 80 ton granite rocking stone. Also close by is the fascinating Porthcurno Telegraph Museum which tells the story of how Cornwall played an important role in the pioneering days of global communications.

Trebah Gardens

This beautiful sub-tropical ravine garden spans over 25 acres of wooded area and descends down to its own beach located on the Helford River. There is a natural spring at the top of the garden that drops into a Koi Pool surrounded by breathtaking colourful waterside plantings. A mixture of plants from the Mediterranean and southern hemisphere can be found here alongside Trebah’s grove which is full of huge Australian tree palms and ferns. There are also huge patches of bamboo and gunnera which give the garden a sense exotic wilderness. It has been rated as one of the best 80 gardens in the world! There is also an award winning Visitor Centre which houses a Mediterranean-style restaurant, terrace, plant and gift shop.

Porthleven

Porthleven is the most southerly working port in the entire United Kingdom. It has to offer some amazing views and an interesting granite harbour with plenty of buildings to explore and visit. The sea walls are huge and face south west into the prevailing wind making it a popular place for people to visit during the winter. Many come to watch the storms that cause huge waves which crash against the sea defences that are in place. This area has been inhabited for over a 1,000 years but the fishing village that is located here was started back in 1811 when the harbour first began construction. This place is very popular due to its location as it is close to many of Cornwall’s theme parks and attractions. The village is home to several restaurants, its world famous clock tower, a pier and a pretty little beach. It is always a great atmosphere and is a nod to the old world as it hasn’t been ruined by progress.

Gwithian Towans Beach

Gwithian Towans is always full of kites blowing in the wind and avid windsurfers riding their water blokarts. There are plenty of sand dunes with wild grass to lie on and relax while you watch all the commotion. When the tide is out, there is plenty of sand to play in and large rock pools and caves which are great for the little ones to explore.This beach is another popular surf spot as there is a constant flow of waves for people to catch and the ocean provides good all year round conditions. Seals are a regular sight near the beach as well as large colonies of seabirds due to the area being a breeding ground for guillemots, cormorants, razorbills and more. There is also a nice little café and bar, The Sunset Surf, which overlooks the beach and is open all year. They serve locally sourced and seasonal ingredients whenever it is possible for them to do so. Just a short walk away is the Jam Pot Café and Shop which is a former 19th century coastguard lookout. Here you can enjoy home cooked snacks and look out at the stunning natural views of St. Ives Bay.

Our Number One Favourite Spot

St. Michael’s Mount

Visit this fantastic island and you’ll see why we chose it for our number one spot. You can walk across the granite causeway and follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and, as legend has it, the mythical giant. All you have to do is hop onto a boat and travel to this sub-tropical island where you will discover a historical sights such as a medieval castle, a fortress, priory, harbour and home. You can stray from the mainland on foot or by boat to get up close and personal to the castle-topped island that is standing tall in Mount’s Bay. Come with the family or take a tour of the castle and gardens by yourself, either way you will have a magical time exploring all the sights. You can climb the castle turrets, straight out of an old movie, for amazing views and listen to live music on the greenery of the village that is close by. If you fancy a bite to eat, travel to the Island Café or the Sail Loft Restaurant which both serve fresh local food. Visit the sub-tropical gardens which can be found clinging to the granite slopes, the terraced beds of the gardens travel all the way down to the edge of the ocean and boast many exotic plants from places such as the Canary Islands, South Africa and Mexico.