Explore the gorgeous coastline of South West England and discover the best places to visit in Cornwall. This staycation hotspot boasts incredible beaches, breathtaking scenic walks, and picturesque towns and villages. Enjoy this pick of the most beautiful places in Cornwall and create the perfect itinerary for your holiday.
Explore the Beaches of Newquay
Visitors to Cornwall must see at least one of the 15 stunning golden beaches located along the coastline of Newquay. The following beaches have restrictions when it comes to dogs, so if you want all the adventure, without the pooches, head for one of these gorgeous locations.
Tolcarne Beach – You’ll find lots of rockpools here at low tide, as well as super soft sand, perfect for picnics and sunbathing, and surf lessons for all ages.
Lusty Gaze Beach – This cove was recently named Britain’s Best Beach by The Sunday Times. It was once a working mine but has been transformed into a stunning beach resort, complete with a bar and restaurant.
Dog-friendly beaches in Newquay
Great Western Beach – ideal for families, this beach offers plenty of coves and secluded spots for children and dogs to explore.
Whipsderry Beach – perfect for avid explorers, this beach has coves and rockpools, but does require navigation of some steep steps to access.
Fistral Beach – This long stretch of coastline attracts surfers from all over the world and is overlooked by pretty cliffs and rocks. Fistral is a hit with adventurous visitors.
Polzeath and Padstow Highlights
Situated at the head of the Camel River, this attractive fishing village is a popular holiday resort. Some of the many attractions include:
- Prideaux Palace – An Elizabethan country house with deer park and gardens.
- The Camel Trail – a picturesque 17 mile route popular with walkers and cyclists
- Boat trips – whether you want to go seal and dolphin spotting, or you want to book a romantic sailing trip, there are plenty of activities to enjoy.
- The village of Rock – hop on a boat and cross the Camel River to Rock, the resort famed for being a popular holiday spot for the Royal Family and celebrities.
- The National Lobster Hatchery – A conservation project that allows visitors to learn more about the breeding programme and witness the release of lobsters into their natural habitat.
- Trebetherick – This village is the final resting place of Poet Laureate, John Betjeman and is the perfect place for a very quiet getaway.
Truro the Cathedral City
Mainland Britain’s most southerly city, Truro is Cornwall’s only official city, and is packed with attractions such as:
- The Royal Cornwall Museum
- Truro Cathedral
- Music Nostalgia – a must for music fanatics, you will find this shop nestled in Tinner’s Court. Records, CD’s, and music DVDs of all genres are available at this hidden gem.
- The Lane Gallery – A cooperative of around 19 local artists display and sell their creations here, including jewellery, paintings, and sculptures.
Best Places to Visit in Cornwall with Children
The Eden Project – the world-renowned Eden Project is an educational charity that is home to huge biomes, including the largest rainforest in captivity. Eden is an accessible, dog-friendly attraction with an art trail, interactive horticultural exhibits, zip-wire activities, and even ice-skating in winter. There is something for everyone at Eden, making it one of the best things to do in Cornwall.
The South West Coast Path – older children and keen walkers will enjoy exploring the “three sides of the Lizard” during this fairly level walk on the coast which begins and ends at the Lizard Village Green. During this walk you may catch sight of migrating birds and keep a lookout for seals and choughs. During your walk you will pass the Lighthouse and lifeboat station, and you can pop into the Marconi Museum. Walk further towards the village of Cadgwith and you’ll come across the arch of rock known as the Devil’s Frying Pan. Named because it’s said to resemble an egg frying when the waves are bubbling and high, the arch was formed when the roof of a cave collapsed.
