Cornwall, nestled in England's southwestern corner, is a land of captivating contrasts. Its rugged coastline, stretching over 300 miles, is punctuated by golden sandy beaches, hidden coves, and picturesque fishing harbors. Inland, you'll find rolling countryside, ancient moorland, and a rich history dating back thousands of years. Add to this a distinct cultural identity, a thriving food scene, and the mildest climate in the UK, and it's easy to understand why Cornwall has become one of Britain's most beloved holiday destinations.
In this guide, we'll explore Cornwall's stunning beaches, charming coastal villages, and unique attractions, helping you plan the perfect Cornish getaway.
Cornwall's Magnificent Beaches
Cornwall boasts over 300 beaches, ranging from vast expanses of golden sand to intimate, sheltered coves. Here's a selection of the very best:
Porthcurno Beach
Often appearing in lists of the world's most beautiful beaches, Porthcurno is a small but spectacular cove on Cornwall's far western tip. Its fine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters could easily be mistaken for a tropical paradise. The beach is sheltered by high cliffs, creating a natural suntrap, and the coastal views are breathtaking.
Above the beach sits the remarkable Minack Theatre, an open-air amphitheater carved into the granite cliff face with the sea as its backdrop. Time your visit to take in a performance at this unique venue for an unforgettable experience.
Kynance Cove
On the Lizard Peninsula, Kynance Cove combines dramatic rock formations, white sand, and vibrant turquoise water to create one of Cornwall's most photogenic locations. During low tide, you can explore the interconnecting caves and islands with evocative names like The Parlour and Drawing Room. The cove's serpentine rock formations, with their distinctive red and green coloring, create a striking contrast with the azure sea.
The steep walk down to the beach is well worth the effort, and a small café perched above the cove offers refreshments with magnificent views. Note that Kynance is best visited at low tide when the beach is at its most expansive.
Fistral Beach, Newquay
Consistently rated as one of Europe's top surfing destinations, Fistral Beach is the center of Cornwall's surf culture. This wide expanse of golden sand is backed by dunes and offers consistent waves that attract surfers of all levels from around the world. The beach hosts numerous surfing competitions, including the Boardmasters Festival, which combines surfing with live music.
Even for non-surfers, Fistral offers a vibrant atmosphere, beautiful sunset views, and plenty of facilities, including surf schools for beginners, restaurants, and cafés. The beach's western end is dominated by the distinctive headland of Towan Head with the historic Headland Hotel (featured in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl's "The Witches").
Perranporth Beach
For sheer space and scope for exploration, Perranporth's three-mile stretch of golden sand is hard to beat. At low tide, it connects with neighboring Penhale Sands to create an enormous playground of beach, dunes, and rockpools. The beach's size means it rarely feels crowded, even in peak season.
Perranporth offers excellent swimming conditions with lifeguard coverage during summer months. The beach's unique feature is The Watering Hole, famously the UK's only proper pub on a beach, which hosts live music events and serves food and drinks with uninterrupted sea views.
Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
Situated in the artistic hub of St Ives, Porthmeor combines natural beauty with cultural significance. This Blue Flag beach offers golden sand and excellent swimming conditions, with lifeguard coverage from Easter to October. It's popular with both families and surfers, with the Porthmeor Surf School providing lessons for all ages and abilities.
What makes Porthmeor unique is its proximity to the Tate St Ives art gallery, which overlooks the beach and celebrates the town's artistic heritage. After a day of sun and surf, you can explore the gallery or wander through St Ives' cobbled streets, browsing independent shops, galleries, and excellent restaurants.
Coastal Villages and Towns
Cornwall's coastline is dotted with characterful settlements, from tiny fishing villages that seem frozen in time to vibrant towns with thriving arts scenes. Here are some must-visit coastal communities:
St Ives
With its Mediterranean-like quality of light, St Ives has attracted artists for generations, and today it remains a center for art and creativity. The town is home to the Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, and numerous independent galleries and studios.
Beyond its artistic credentials, St Ives offers narrow, winding streets lined with cottages, a picturesque harbor with turquoise waters, and no fewer than five beaches within walking distance of the town center. The quality and variety of restaurants, cafés, and ice cream shops make it a food lover's paradise, with seafood being a particular specialty.
Port Isaac
This tiny fishing village on Cornwall's north coast has found fame as the setting for the TV series "Doc Martin" (as the fictional Port Wenn), but its authentic charm extends far beyond its television appearances. Port Isaac's harbor is surrounded by whitewashed cottages and narrow, winding streets – including Squeezy Belly Alley, one of the narrowest thoroughfares in Britain.
The village maintains its working fishing heritage, with fresh catches landed daily. Seafood enthusiasts should try to secure a reservation at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw or its more casual sister establishment Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, both holders of Michelin stars. Alternatively, simply enjoy fish and chips on the harbor wall while watching the fishing boats come and go.
Mousehole
Pronounced "Mowzel" by locals, this quintessential Cornish fishing village on the south coast was described by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas as "the loveliest village in England." Its perfectly formed harbor is sheltered by two sturdy stone piers and surrounded by narrow streets and alleys lined with granite cottages, artists' studios, and small shops.
Mousehole is particularly magical during its famous Christmas lights display, when the harbor and village are illuminated with hundreds of colored lights and floating displays. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants like 2 Fore Street or The Old Coastguard, or simply relax on the small, sheltered beach within the harbor.
Padstow
On the north coast, Padstow has transformed over recent decades from a simple fishing port to a gourmet destination, largely thanks to the influence of celebrity chef Rick Stein, who owns several restaurants and businesses in the town. The harbor remains the focal point, lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, and surrounded by narrow streets of colorful buildings.
Food lovers will be in heaven with options ranging from haute cuisine to simple but superb fish and chips. Beyond dining, visitors can explore the working harbor, take a boat trip to observe marine wildlife, or cycle the scenic Camel Trail, which follows a disused railway line along the Camel Estuary to Wadebridge and beyond.
Falmouth
With the third deepest natural harbor in the world, Falmouth has a rich maritime heritage that continues to this day. Unlike many Cornish coastal towns, Falmouth offers a more urban experience with its multiple shopping streets, diverse dining scene, and vibrant cultural life, partly energized by its university population.
Attractions include the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, the impressive historic fortifications of Pendennis Castle, and several excellent beaches within the town limits. Falmouth's position on the Fal Estuary provides opportunities for boat trips, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding in protected waters.
Beyond the Beaches
While Cornwall's coastline is undoubtedly its star attraction, the county offers a wealth of other experiences to enhance your visit.
Gardens and Natural Wonders
Cornwall's mild climate allows for the cultivation of exotic plants that wouldn't survive elsewhere in the UK. The Eden Project near St Austell is the most famous horticultural attraction, with its distinctive biomes housing Mediterranean and tropical environments. Other outstanding gardens include the Lost Gardens of Heligan, rediscovered and restored after decades of neglect, and Trebah Garden, a subtropical paradise descending to a private beach on the Helford River.
For natural landscapes, explore Bodmin Moor with its rugged terrain, ancient stone circles, and granite tors, or take in the dramatic views from Land's End, Britain's most southwesterly point.
Historic Sites
Cornwall's history spans thousands of years, from prehistoric stone circles to medieval castles and industrial heritage. Tintagel Castle, perched dramatically on a rocky headland, is associated with the legends of King Arthur. St Michael's Mount, a tidal island crowned with a medieval church and castle, offers a magical experience whether approached by causeway at low tide or by boat when the sea covers the connecting path.
The county's mining heritage, recognized with UNESCO World Heritage status, can be explored at sites like Geevor Tin Mine and the iconic engine houses that dot the landscape around Penzance and St Just.
Cornish Cuisine
Cornwall's food scene has evolved dramatically in recent years, though traditional specialties remain popular. The Cornish pasty – a pastry filled with meat, potatoes, onion, and swede – originated as a portable lunch for miners. Cornish cream tea features scones served with clotted cream and jam (remember, in Cornwall, it's jam first, then cream!).
Seafood is naturally a highlight, with Rick Stein's establishments in Padstow leading the way, though excellent seafood can be found throughout the county, from fine dining restaurants to simple beach cafés. Other culinary stars include chef Paul Ainsworth in Padstow and the Outlaw brothers in Port Isaac.
Local producers offer excellent cheeses, notably Cornish Yarg (wrapped in nettle leaves), as well as gin, wine, and beer from breweries like Sharp's (makers of Doom Bar) and St Austell Brewery.
Practical Tips for Visiting Cornwall
Getting Around
Cornwall's rural nature and the remoteness of many beaches and villages make having a car the most practical option for exploring. However, be prepared for narrow country lanes, limited parking in popular destinations (especially during peak season), and heavy traffic on major routes during summer weekends and holiday periods.
For those without a car, the county has a reasonable bus network connecting major towns, though services to smaller villages may be infrequent. The main railway line runs through Cornwall from Plymouth to Penzance, with branch lines serving destinations including St Ives, Falmouth, and Newquay.
When to Visit
Cornwall enjoys the mildest climate in the UK, but also experiences significant seasonal variation in visitor numbers.
Summer (June to August) offers the warmest weather and longest days, ideal for beach activities, but also brings the largest crowds and highest prices. Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) provide a good balance of pleasant weather and fewer visitors, making these periods ideal for exploring coastal paths and enjoying beaches more peacefully.
Winter has its own charm, with dramatic storm-watching opportunities, cozy pubs with roaring fires, and Christmas lights in harbors and towns. Many tourist attractions remain open year-round, though some beach facilities and seasonal businesses may close.
Beach Safety
Cornwall's beaches are beautiful but can be dangerous if appropriate caution isn't exercised. Always swim at lifeguarded beaches (look for the red and yellow flags indicating safe swimming areas) and be aware of rip currents, which can occur even at apparently calm beaches. Pay attention to warning signs and flags: a red flag means no swimming is permitted.
Be mindful of tide times, particularly when visiting coves and beaches with limited access points, as it's possible to become cut off by rising tides. Local tide timetables are widely available in shops, tourist information centers, and online.
Conclusion
Cornwall offers a distinctive blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and laid-back charm that sets it apart from the rest of Britain. Whether you're drawn by the prospect of surfing world-class waves, exploring picturesque fishing villages, sampling gourmet local cuisine, or simply relaxing on a beautiful beach, Cornwall provides an escape that feels much further from everyday life than its location would suggest.
The county's unique light, changing sea colors, and varied landscapes have inspired artists and writers for generations. From Daphne du Maurier's mysterious narratives set on the south coast to modern TV adaptations like Poldark showcasing the dramatic scenery, Cornwall continues to capture imaginations.
Whatever your interests, Cornwall's combination of stunning coastlines, rich heritage, and warm hospitality creates the perfect setting for an unforgettable British seaside experience. As the locals say in Cornish: "Kernow a'gas dynergh" – Cornwall welcomes you.