Planning a road trip to Cornwall is a great idea! Cornwall is a gorgeous area on the south west coast of England and is one of the most popular destinations in the UK. There are ample stunning spots in Cornwall which are worth visiting. Moreover, it is rich in deep blue waters, cute villages, ultimate sea-view restaurants, homely pubs, beautiful landscapes and so much more.
In this guide, we have highlighted some of the best places which we would highly recommend visiting in Cornwall.
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The Ultimate Cornwall Road Trip
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
Where to Stay in Cornwall
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Padstow, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
It’s worth noting that the best way to get around Cornwall is by car. The roads are narrow and winding and most car parks are paid. There is a public transport system however buses can be quite infrequent.
Best Places to Visit in Cornwall
Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave
Your trip to Cornwall isn’t complete unless and until you’ve visited Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave. This is the ultimate and the most historic destination every visitor to Cornwall visits. It is also surrounded by a cool bridge and it is known that crossing this bridge and walking onto that would bring good luck to you.
Port Isaac
Nestled on the Atlantic Ocean in Cornwall, Port Isaac is a tiny fishing village that you just can’t miss due to its picturesque quality. So, plan a visit to Port Isaac as this historic harbour bring delight to you as you can gaze at the local fisherman fishing and catching their prey for the day.
Alongside this tiny village, there are streets where local vendors are sitting and selling their stuff. Moreover, you will find some best delights of Cornish seafood here so mark your steps to Outlaw’s fish kitchen and taste the amazing food.
St. Ives
St. Ives evolved in the 20th century from a fishing harbour to England’s prettiest seaside resort. To be precise, St. Ives is located on a narrow peninsula in the Celtic sea. There is so much to do at St. Ives. It has ample beaches which are regarded as the “best” in the world. Moreover, this town is home to the best sculptors and probably the best artists. This is not it. St. Ives has the best food set up offering world-class dining to the visitors.
One of the best views to explore St. Ives deeply is to opt for a boat from where you can appreciate the beauty of the destination and also grab a chance to explore the rocky home of grey Atlantic seals.
St. Michael’s Mount
If you are visiting Cornwall and not visiting St. Michael’s Mount, then you are probably committing a big mistake that you will regret later. This is one of the ultimate places to visit in Cornwall. Why? Because in the apt weather, this destination is seriously majestic. St. Michael’s Mount is an island with thousands of years of history. And you know the best part? Gazing at the hidden path once the tide comes in.
The surroundings of St. Michael’s Mount are surrounded by intimated and curated gardens and hence this is maintained by the St. Aubyn family and a small community of islanders. To make the most of your visit, look at the tide timings and visit it by that time to capture beauty and beautiful memories.
Newquay
Newquay is one of the best destinations to visit in Cornwall. This is the second home for surfers as it is blessed with six amazing beaches. Well, mainly Newquay is famous for surfing but there’s so much more to do here as it has seven miles of sandy coastline.
You can even bring in your friends who will be your company on the beach so that you can play, and enjoy a beach adventure with your company. On the other side, if you are visiting Newquay with your sweetheart, you can enjoy a cosy time together in a cute bed and have an exotic breakfast together. Take Cornwall scenic drives together holding hands and making the most of your romantic evenings.
Falmouth
Falmouth is the ultimate holiday destination for holidaymakers. This is because here you can enjoy a variety of activities such as walking, swimmnig and enjoy the many cute cafes.
Lands End
Land’s End is the most southerly point on mainland UK and a perfect spot for watching the sunset. It’s a great idea to bring binoculars along with you so that you can look out for wildlife along the coast and out at sea. On a peaceful day, you can even be lucky to have a look at basking sharks and pods of dolphins.
It can be very windy at Lands End so we would recommend making sure you have warm layers.
Best Beaches in Cornwall
There are many beaches in Cornwall but some of them are ultimately beautiful. Moreover, there is so much more to do in Cornwall on these beaches and make the most of your day. Cornwall is home to beaches and beach life in Cornwall is very popular. As there is no end to the number of beaches in Cornwall, it has become a lot more difficult to know where to head start first. And that is why we are here.
Explore the best beaches of Cornwall below:
Bude Beach
If you are looking to surf and make the most of your adventurous time, then you must head towards Bude. This is located between Devon and Cornwall and hence is on the north coast. If you are a night person, then you must go to Bude beach as here you will find peace, tranquillity and hence a lot of outdoor activities which will keep you busy throughout the day and night as well.
Praa Sands Beach
As the name suggests, Praa Sands is a sandy beach and also a mid-sized beach which is located on the southern coast between the Porthleven and Marazion. Surfers from all over the world visit this beach as it has a lot of the best things for surfers of all levels.
Moreover, during the summer season, when the sea is usually flat and not on a high tide, it is probably the best time for the swimmers. There are a lot of other activities which can be enjoyed at this amazing beach such as exotic cafes, well-maintained and hygienic toilets, shopping hubs, campsites, and much more.
Perranporth
When you go to Perranporth, it will give you an ultimate feel of a seaside holiday feel. The nearby area of this beach is equipped with cafes, shops, and pubs, and hence this beach stretches up to two miles at low tide. Perranporth is a beach that remains crowded during the summertime. But this crowd can easily be avoided by just taking a walk away from the village.
Harlyn Bay
Well, Harlyn Bay is a beach which is located near Padstow, on the north coast. It is a spacious beach and you would never feel suffocated or choked when you are at this sandy beach. Furthermore, this is a famous beach for surfers and mainly the familiar who could spend a good time together.
As you are visiting with your vehicle here at this beach, you need to know that this beach has ample parking space so you don’t have to worry about it. You can even get your dogs over here as animals are welcome over here. Some basic facilities like hygienic toilets are also available at Harlyn Bay beach.
Places of nature to visit in Cornwall
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Do you know that the lost gardens of the Heligan are the most secret garden near Mevagissey? Well, this was found about 25 years ago through a secret door and hence is now open and accessible by the public.
Constantine Bay
Do you love to keep sitting in front of the beautiful clear water, gazing at the soft pale sand? If yes, then this place is waiting just for you. If you are willing to swim and looking to enjoy all the other activities in Cornwall, then this is an ideal place for your visit while you are on your road trip to Cornwall. So, go and get some usual seaside fun.
Porthcurno Beach
Did you know that Porthcurno Beach is an award-winning place in Cornwall? Well, this is one of the best places to visit in Cornwall as it is surrounded by soft white sand and is a picturesque destination. Moreover, the ones who are looking to rejuvenate themselves by relaxing on the beach can do so at this wonderful quiet destination.
Fun Places to Visit with Kids in Cornwall!
Cornwall has destinations to visit for everyone, whether it’s a kid, adult, or old age people. We’ve mentioned some good places below to visit with kids in Cornwall:
Blue Reef Aquarium
Visit Blue Reef Aquarium on your road trip around Cornwall if you are travelling with kids. There is loads for them to enjoy here.
Dairyland Farm World
Kids are always adventure lovers and hence, Dairyland Farm world is the place for them. It does not just have a play centre but also a mini museum which thrills every toddler. It has adventurous rides and also some indoor activities. So, this is a perfect option on rainy days as well.
Flambards Theme park
This theme park is good for younger children, adults, and even toddlers. You can play indoor and outdoor games at this amazing theme park. You can even explore dinosaur spotting, gentle rides, and more.
So, get set and go to explore the adrenaline-fuelled fun.
Before You Leave for Cornwall
Before you head off on your trip to Cornwall, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get to Cornwall?
Cornwall is located in the southwestern tip of England. It is easily reachable by public transport, including train and bus, with routes that take you from major cities directly to Truro.
If you are flying into the country, the closest airport will be Newquay Airport, however, you can still easily reach The Cornwall by bus and train from any other part of the country.
Where to Stay in Cornwall?
What Should I Pack for Cornwall?
What you need to pack for Cornwall will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and freezing rain.
The temperatures generally vary from 5 oC to 15 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, winds and warmer temperature. There are some rainy days, with maybe 10 in 16 days receiving rainfall, which might be more comfortable to have rain jacket with yourself.
During the Summer months in Cornwall, temperatures tend to range from 12oC to 19oC, with some days topping 22oC.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Cornwall, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance?
I know tavel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a guide to Cornwall. If you have visited Cornwall recently, let us know what you thought of the activities and beautiful buildings in the area. If you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own English adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our England content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
Now Read:
- 12 Things to do in Polperro, Cornwall – The Ultimate Guide
- The Best Things to do in Newquay, Cornwall – Don’t Miss These!
- The Best Things to do in Mousehole – Cornwall’s Best Village?!
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