15 Things To Do For A Wonderful Weekend In Cornwall, England

The setting for many myths and legends, Cornwall was home to the star-crossed lovers Tristan and Iseult, and their nemesis, King Mark. A beautiful seaside land, Cornwall is known for Tintagel Castle which figures prominently in Arthurian legend.

Beyond the legends, travelers have been flocking to Cornwall for the secluded beaches and picturesque ruins for hundreds of years. A peninsula on England’s southwest coast, there is so much to discover, plan at least three days there, though really, it’s not enough. I think a week would be ideal.

The Cornish coastline also offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails, nature trails, and sub-tropical gardens. Nothing is very far away, so with a bit of planning it’s easy to enjoy all that Cornwall has to offer.

 

Cornwall Beaches

Beach lovers will find Cornwall a veritable paradise. With 300 miles of coastline, you can bet Cornwall is the perfect place for enjoying time on the beach.  Swim, surf, kayak, fish, hike, and search for seashells. Each beach has its unique features.

Most beaches have lifeguards and good parking, but it’s a good idea to check before you go. Every beach offers something different. Decide what you’d like to do, then plan accordingly.

Newquay’s Fistral Beach is known as the premier surfing beach in the UK. It is one of the best places to take a surf lesson no matter your experience level. However, I was recently in North Devon visiting a friend in the area. He told me that Newquay is a nice beach but independent shops have been replaced by imports and it’s quite crowded. There are many other places to take surf lessons so do your research. I recommend Saunton Sands in North Devon. You’d be about an hour away from the border of Cornwall. 

 

 

Kynance Cove 

One of Cornwall’s most photogenic beaches and least accessible. The car park is a ten-minute walk, not bad but then there are steps. Getting to the beach, the trail is a bit steep. However, if you are mobile and in reasonably good shape, it is worth the effort for the beautiful turquoise waters and white sands. There are no lifeguards at Kyance Cove so make sure you don’t go out at high tide.

Porthcurno is a popular beach area in south Cornwall, with many sheltered small coves and is very popular also.

Pednavounder Beach has sandy beaches with rock granite cliffs. Pednavounder is usually claimed as one of the best beaches in England.

Falmouth is a deep water port located at the mouth of the Fal Estuary. There are several popular beaches here, including Gyllyngvase Beach, Swanppol, Castle Beach, and Tunnel Beach.

 

Wonderful Things to do in North Cornwall

Tintagel Castle

In the 12th century, Tintagel became famous as the home of King Arthur due to British historian Geoffery Monmouth. 

Archaeologists have found the ruins of a very wealthy civilization that existed in the so-called Dark Ages. They mined tin which was abundant in the area and was in great demand in Europe and the East. Artifacts relating to a magnificent king such as Arthur have not been found leading researchers to conclude that it is unlikely that King Arthur was a real person. Nevertheless, the legend lives on.

The ruins of Tintagel Castle occupy a dramatic headland. Richard, Earl of Cornwall built his castle here in 1230. Steep cliff drop-offs and rugged terrain make it an intriguing and somewhat challenging site to visit. Also, be prepared for changes in the weather. When I visited it was very windy and cloudy and then it rained. A lot. Be ready for anything.

This strategic position made it an ideal fort and lookout for medieval kings. Tintagel Castle is managed by the English Heritage Trust. Booking a guided tour would be a good idea but either way, you will need to book tickets in advance to visit the castle ruins. 

Walk Looe to Polperro Path

 Whether you start in Looe or Polperro this hiking trail has excellent views with many historic sites along the way.  Hiking the trail takes about an hour and a half depending on how fast you walk and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery.  Legend has it that Jesus Christ visited an island just off the coast near Looe. True or not, there’s a lot of history along this coastal path.

Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the secluded coves along the way or mid-trail there’s a snack shop. However, most hikers stop for a quick bite to eat in Polperro at the journey’s end before catching the bus back to where they started.

Tip: Polperro is rated as one of the prettiest fishing villages in England (there are a lot of pretty fishing villages) so you’ll want to have your camera on hand when you arrive there. The path is a mix of flat and hilly but not too difficult. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. It is best to start the trail at Looe, where there is free parking available.

The Old Guildhall Museum And Gaol

This exciting museum provides great insight into the history of Looe.  The building is 550 years old and retains an original jail cell along with some instruments of torture such as a cat-o-nine-tails. There is also quite a lot of WWII history covered here. The museum and tea room are run by volunteers and the fee is a mere two pounds for entrance and free for children. 

 

Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing

Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing is another good activity for passing the time on a rainy day or any day. This former factory-turned-museum focuses on the town’s intriguing history, Including smuggling. 

The Eden Project

The Eden Project is one of Cornwall’s top tourist attractions. Here you will find the world’s largest indoor rainforest. Learn about nature and our relationship with the flora and fauna of the rainforest. Take a canopy walk through the treetops or admire the world-class architecture and ever-changing gardens on display.

Eden Project has special events going on year-round and the events calendar changes frequently. There are concerts, art exhibitions, lectures, educational activities, and even an ice rink in the winter. This is a wonderful place for all ages to enjoy.  The Eden Project is near Polperro. 

 

Port Isaac 

On the Atlantic Coast of Northern Cornwall, Port Isaac is another of the UK’s prettiest fishing villages. It has experienced many changes of fortune over the years going from a busy harbor to a fishing port. Today the main business is tourism though fishing is still important. Most of all, it is a popular spot to wander the narrow streets and enjoy the atmosphere. The Southwest Coast Path can also be picked up here and it is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

 

Things to do in South Cornwall

 St. Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount, an ancient tidal island, is a popular tourist destination located across from the village of Marazion on the mainland. The Mount is accessible by foot only during low tide. In addition to tourists, the island has attracted spiritual seekers and pilgrims since ancient times. Sadly, the island is not accessible to anyone with limited mobility.

Fun fact: The castle is the home of the St. Aubyn family. They have a 999-year lease on the island and help manage it in coordination with the English National Trust. 

 

St. Mawes and Pendennis Castles

  Pendennis and St. Mawes protected the mainland from invasion by the French and Spanish during the time of the Tudor King Henry VIII. Today, these ancient castles are well-preserved examples of Tudor architecture.  Of the two, St. Mawes is the best preserved and most architecturally interesting, with a circular central tower and three lower bastions creating a cloverleaf shape. Both are on Falmouth Harbour.

 

St. Just in Roseland Church

If you love architecture and quiet places that invite contemplation, St. Just in Roseland Church is just two miles from St. Mawes. A 13th-century church located on the edge of a tidal creek and surrounded by sub-tropical gardens, it is a great place to stop for a picnic.

Cornwall’s only city

Truro is the only real city in Cornwall. Architecture geeks will love the Gothic architecture and narrow streets.  Truro is also where you can visit the Royal Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery. If you fancy a bit of urban sophistication with your beach visit Truro could be a good place for you to base yourself in Cornwall. From Truro, you can also catch the Falmouth Train line to Falmouth Town, where you can visit Pendennis Castle.

 

Tate St. Ives

Discover world-class art in St Ives. Visit the Tate St Ives Gallery, part of the Tate Gallery in London. The Tate has both permanent and temporary exhibits featuring British artists.  Local artist Barbara Hepworth has a gallery dedicated to her work as she spent a good part of her life working in Cornwall.

Notice the stained glass window by painter Patrick Heron has won awards for architectural design. Dedicated by H.R.H. Prince Charles in 1993,  the Tate Gallery is a work of art itself, overlooking the ocean. Afterward, walk the cobblestone streets of St. Ives and enjoy the fishing harbor, abundance of flowers, and fresh seafood.

 

Minack Theatre

 You may think you’re dreaming when you first see this open-air theatre as it looks like an ancient Roman theater carved out of granite. With the blue ocean providing a backdrop unlike anyplace else, Minack Theatre is the place to catch a performance of one of Shakespeare’s plays. I think even the Bard would approve. Minack Theatre is located on the south coast of Cornwall in Porthcorno, Penzance.

 

Trebah Gardens

 One of the best-known sub-tropical gardens in the world, and receives over 100,000 visitors per year. With over four miles of walking trails and a private beach, Trebah Gardens is a lovely day out for the whole family.

The beautiful gardens exist on what was originally a private estate that changed hands many times since its inception in 1838. It was eventually parcelled out and sold off.  

The history of its grounds was not always pretty—during WWII, the beach at Poldwiggin Cove located on the property, was the embarkation point for military troops preparing for the Normandy D-Day invasion. 

The restaurant on-site sources locally and only serves ten tables at one time. Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday they have featured menus like Friday Fish & Chips. There’s also a beachside cafe where you can order coffee or an ice cream. You should reserve a table in advance. Trebah Gardens is in Falmouth.

Trebah Gardens can be visited year-round.

 

Land’s End

Land’s End is mainland England’s most southwesterly point and as such it is a famous landmark and tourist destination. From Land’s End, you can walk one of the most beautiful trails in all of Britain, and that’s saying something! 

The Southwest Coast Path has many good lookout points from rocky cliffs and encompasses a lot of history as well. Since it is a landmark you’ll also find plenty of not so interesting touristy stuff such as trinket shops and a theme park for the kids. Still, it’s a fascinating place where the Gulf Stream meets the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 

The most southerly point in Great Britain is Lizard Point aka Lizard Peninsula, where the Atlantic meets the English Channel. Lizard Point is home to many historic shipwrecks. It is only a short drive from Penzance and Porthcorno Beach.

One of the best things to do at Land’s End is bird watching, as well as spotting other wildlife. If you’re traveling during the summer months you may want to avoid starting your coastal walk at Land’s End, instead starting at Cape Cornwall, and walking the coastal path towards Land’s End.

How to get to Cornwall

 train
From London, the easiest and the most scenic way to reach Cornwall is by train. All trains to Cornwall go through Plymouth Station. From Plymouth, you can connect with other transport to various stations throughout Cornwall.  First Great Western provides affordable and extensive rail service throughout England.

You can also take the night train from Paddington Station. Every night except Saturday, the Night Riviera Sleeper departs London for Cornwall at about 10:30 p.m. If you live overseas, you can buy your ticket online and then collect it from the self-serve machines at any of the main train stations in London.

 car
Driving is the best option, or maybe a combination of train and car. Be aware that in the summer months traffic and parking can be quite challenging. The roads are narrow and the hedgerows are high. If you’re not skilled with driving on the left side of the road you may want to hire a driver or take a driving lesson first. This is what I would do if I were going to Cornwall. 

 Ferry
Since Cornwall has such an extensive coastline ferries are a great way to travel from one port or harbor to the next. 

 Bus
Many places offer bus services as an option for driving to help clear traffic in some of the high tourist areas. However, as a way of truly getting around the area, the bus service may be limited. Check out the Visit Cornwall website for more on how to get around.

 Plane
For regional flights use the airport at Newquay, and then take a car, bus, or train to your next destination. You could also fly to the Bristol airport and rent a car there. 

Where to stay

Convinced that Cornwall is worth a visit? Consider south Cornwall holiday cottages for a convenient and relaxing place to call home while you are traveling in Cornwall.

 

Like this article? Want to see more about England’s beautiful coastline? Read: Beaches, Books, and The English Riviera