Cornwall Travel Guide
There’s a reason Cornwall is one of the UK’s best summer holiday destinations. This gorgeous region is home to rugged coastal walks, beautiful sandy beaches and magical castle ruins. Not to mention some of the best seaside grub around too. In this Cornwall travel guide, I share my favourite places to visit in Cornwall.
Where to Stay in Cornwall – Hotels and accommodation have recently reopened in the UK. There are many picturesque hotels in Cornwall. It’s important to stay safe and follow the government’s guidelines. The updated guidelines for hotels can be read here.
Best Places To Visit in Cornwall
St Ives
The best place to visit in Cornwall is the beautiful seaside town of St Ives. Whilst in the summer St Ives is a popular spot, it doesn’t lose its charm or beauty. You’ll be greeted with a beautiful bay, sailing boats bobbing in the sea, and sea lions swimming in the clear waters. St Ives has some of the best fish and chip shops I’ve been to, and is also home to the Tate St Ives art gallery.
St Michael’s Mount
St Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s most iconic places to visit. This majestic tidal island is set out at sea and looks like a magical place from a fantasy book. When the tide is out, you can walk straight across the wet sand to see the parish built on the island. When the tide is high, you can pay a little fishing boat to take you over to the dock. You currently need to book tickets to visit St Michael’s Mount on the National Trust website.
Tintagel Castle
Another magical destination in Cornwall are the castle ruins of Tintagel. Tintagel Castle, set high on the cliff-tops above the rough sea below, is thought to be the birthplace of King Arthur. One of the caves is rumoured to be the home of the wizard Merlin. Stop by a little Cornish pasty shop on your way through the village.
Falmouth
Falmouth is a Cornish coastal town known for its deep natural harbour and really nice coffee shops. I’d especially recommend checking out Beacon Coffee and Espressini Artisan Coffee if you’re in town.
Padstow
Padstow is the top destination in Cornwall for food-lovers, and is famously home to restaurants owned by the chef, Rick Stein. The charming fishing port and close-by sandy beach make for a perfect day-trip in Cornwall.
Porthtowan
If you love getting off the beaten track, head down to Porthtowan. You’ll find a beautiful surf beach and rugged coastal walks along the clifftops. It gets windy here, so make sure you’ve got a jacket to hand.
Getting In and Out of Cornwall
By Car – I’d recommend going by car to Cornwall if possible. There are regular bus routes through Cornwall, but many of the beaches and most beautiful spots are better reached by car.
By Train – Trains run regularly from London Paddington to Newquay. The route takes just under 5 hours. However, if you plan to go deeper into Cornwall and really explore, it’s better to travel by car.
Know Before You Go
Climate — The best time to visit Cornwall is during the UK summer from June – September. This is the time of year when you’re most likely to get sunny days and good beach weather. However, it can be windy, especially along coastal walks, so I recommend taking a windbreaker or light raincoat with you.
ATMs — There are ATMs in all the main towns in Cornwall. Though cards are regularly accepted, there are a few farm shops and other places that still only accept cash.
This Cornwall travel guide was written in collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own honest opinions and all the recommendations here come from my own personal experience.
