4 Reasons To Visit Cornwall

Cornwall is a county in the southwest of England that’s famous for its spectacular coastline and its unusually good weather. As you might imagine, the two above facts combine to make Cornwall an exceedingly popular destination for English people looking to enjoy a no-fly holiday! But is it worth the hype? Absolutely! Read on to discover four unmissable reasons to visit Cornwall.  

1. Explore St Ives — A Quintessentially English Seaside Town

In need of an ice cream and a day at the beach? St Ives is an unmissable seaside town in Cornwall that’s famous for beautiful beaches and a thriving arts scene. St Ives was originally a small fishing village and the locals have worked hard to preserve the town’s charm despite its growing popularity. While you’re in town, you can visit the Tate St Ives art gallery which displays work by local artists. The nearby Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden are also managed by the Tate.

2. Discover Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle is legendary for being the supposed birthplace of King Arthur. As little is known about England’s mythical Once And Future King, it’s hard to separate the fact from the fiction. But Tintagel Castle is worth visiting regardless — a set of majestic cliff-top ruins overlooking a turbulent sea below. I visited Tintagel Castle as a small child and was scared both by the cliff edge and by the caves on the beach below! One of the caves is thought to be the home of Merlin.

3. Visit The Eden Project — The World’s Largest Indoor Rainforest

The Eden Project has to be seen to be believed! A series of futuristic bubbles house an enormous indoor rainforest as well as a Mediterranean environment. You can see a variety of rainforest plants in the tropical biome, including banana trees, coffee plants, rubber trees and bamboo. The smaller Mediterranean biome features grape vines and olives. If you’re interested in plants native to England, you can also visit the outdoor botanical garden. In the botanical garden, you’ll find plenty of plants from Cornwall.

Both children and adults can learn a lot about the importance of protecting the environment by visiting the Eden Project. The site is built on a reclaimed clay pit and the plants (and toilets!) are all watered by a rain collection system. The biomes are powered by nearby wind turbines.

Tickets for adults are £27.50, while tickets for children aged 5 to 18 are £14. Children under 5 go free and there’s also a student discount available.  

4. Surf The Waves Of Porthtowan

Cornwall is renowned for having some of the best surf beaches in the UK. Fistral Beach is probably the most famous spot for surfers, but there are also plenty of lesser-known options. Watergate Bay is a good place for beginners, while intermediate surfers rave about the consistent conditions at Sennen Cove.

I’ve never managed to get much beyond beginner-level surfing, but I enjoyed giving it a good go on the beaches around Porthtowan. If you visit Porthtowan in the autumn, rather than the summer, then you’re likely to get better surf conditions plus far smaller crowds on the beach. You can read more about Porthtowan here.  

When’s the Best Time To Visit Cornwall?

Cornwall is a popular holiday destination, so it can be difficult to find accommodation during high season (mainly July and August). If you want to visit in the summer, which is when the weather is best, then you should book in advance. Cornwall can get very crowded in the summer months, so it’s also worth considering a visit during the off-season. You can often get a beach to yourself in late September or early October and if you’re lucky, the water can remain warm for a good few weeks after summer ends.

This post was written in collaboration with Stay In Cornwall, where you can find and rent holiday homes in Cornwall. All opinions expressed are our own!