Why visit Cornwall?
The stunning coastline
Cornwall’s gorgeous coastline is a real draw for first-time visitors – and with more than 400 miles of beaches, cliffs and coves to explore, it’s got plenty to keep you coming back time and again. Pick sweeping sandy stretches like Hayle or Perranporth for a family break, head out to the Lizard Peninsula if you like quieter bays, or opt for ever-changing views with walks on the South West Coast Path, which runs all the way along the county’s coastline.
Surf’s up in Newquay and Bude
If you’re planning to go surfing in the UK, Cornwall is an excellent destination to pick. Both Newquay and Bude are well known as first-rate surf spots for all levels of experience – the waves are reliable and big enough to please experienced riders, and there are lots of calmer corners and surf schools for taking your first steps on the water.
Follow in legendary footsteps
The story of King Arthur, the fifth-century warrior king, is steeped in myth and legend. Was he Cornish or Welsh? A real person or a fictional character? Decide for yourselves as you follow the Arthurian trail around north Cornwall, taking in spectacular locations like the castle at Tintagel and Dozmary Pool – said to be the residence of the famous Lady of the Lake. There’s even an app to help you seek out these spiritual spots.
Cornwall for foodies
From the humble Cornish pasty to the celebrity-owned restaurants in Padstow and Port Isaac, Cornwall is certainly a place where travellers can eat very well indeed. It goes without saying that the seafood is excellent in this coastal county, but did you know you can also try locally grown tea (at Tregothnan) and sip award-winning Cornish wines (from the likes of Camel Valley)? Just make sure you know which way to dress your scone before you settle in for a cream tea (jam first, then cream – it’s a matter of real importance around here).
Essential Cornwall attractions
Don’t know where to start? Have a look at some of Cornwall’s top attractions and see which ones take your fancy.
* Walk among the iconic ecosystems and domes of the Eden Project (near Par)
* Wait until low tide to stroll through the sea from Marazion to St Michael’s Mount
* Catch a seafront show at the Minack Theatre, on the coast at Porthcurno
* Keep going west, west, west until you get to Land’s End
* Have an art-filled outing to the Tate gallery and Barbara Hepworth Museum in St Ives
* Take subtropical strolls at Trebah Garden (near Falmouth) and Lost Gardens Heligan (close to St Austell)
Unexplored Cornwall
Peaceful waterways
Cornwall welcomes around four million visitors per year, but it’s still got plenty of quieter corners to explore. Head for the Helford river, near Falmouth, for crowd-free rambles on the banks or to hire kayaks for peaceful paddling days. Alternatively, set off in search of the waterfall that cascades onto the beach at Nanjizal.
Quiet coastal corners
Regular visitors to Cornwall are unlikely to run out of places to visit along the coast, but if you’re in need of fresh inspiration, try these ideas. Done Land’s End? Go to Cape Cornwall next. Fancy a fishing village that’s not Fowey or Mevagissey? Get over to Gorran Haven or Coverack. Intrigued by the history? Aim for the Tin Coast, near West Penwith, to discover the atmospheric remnants of the county’s once-thriving tin mining industry.
Make off to the moors
If you really want to escape the crowds, head to Cornwall’s least-populated area: Bodmin Moor. Here among the heather and the grazing ponies are plenty of places to walk, with lakes, neolithic standing stones and unusual rock formations galore along the way. This rural area is also an International Dark Sky Landscape, so it’s a great place to go for stargazing – if that’s of interest, have a read of our guide to dark sky camping.
Things to see and do in Cornwall
There is so much to do in Cornwall that you may struggle to fit it all into one visit, however to help here are a few of our top recommendations:
- Visit some of the most beautiful beaches the UK has to offer
- Minack Theatre
- Eden Project
- The lost gardens of Heligan
If travelling with young children we also recommend:
- Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary
- Flambards
- Pirates Quest Adventure Golf
Here’s how
There’s a huge variety of places to stay in Cornwall, so how do you pick the one that’s right for you? Start by thinking about what style of holiday you want: some people will need somewhere easily accessible and packed with kids’ activities, while others will prefer wild camping in a remote area. Cornwall glamping options are all here too, as are plenty of motorhome pitches and caravan parks. Use the filters on this page to select the features that matter to you, read our guide to picking pitch types, check out our selection of best campsites in cornwall, or browse one of our popular collections below.
* Dog-friendly campsites in Cornwall
* Cornwall campsites with swimming pool
* Places to have a campfire in Cornwall
* Cornwall pitches with electricity
Reckon Cornwall might be a little too far away? Check out other parts of south-west England like Devon, Dorset or Somerset.
And before you set off, have a look at our camping guide for all the top tips you need to make your holiday run smoothly: it covers everything from how to pack for a camping trip to an easy method for building campfires.
