The Best Eight Places to Visit in Cornwall

I love Cornwall! It is my home and I am sad to be leaving it this September. There is so much to love about this part of the world, and whether you live here or just visit every now and again, there will always be something that you haven't done yet. One thing I mean to do before leaving is to visit St. Michael's Mount. I can't believe I've never been there!

Here are some of my favourite things to do in Cornwall. If you haven't been to these places, add them to your bucket list!

1. Land's End – Avoid the tacky tourist trap of the Land's End amusement park and instead follow the coastal path. The area is outstandingly beautiful and you will quickly leave the crowds behind. There are some fantastic old buildings to explore at Lands End and nearby Sennen too.

2. The Camel Trail – The River Camel flows from Bodmin Moor to the sea at Padstow. Much of its length is neighboured by the Camel Trail, a cycle path/footpath on the old railway line. You can hire a bike and cycle along the the beautiful estuary between Padstow and Wadebridge, and even further beyond if you fancy a more challenging ride.

3. The Eden Project – The Eden Project is fairly expensive to enter (~£20 if you book in advance online), however if you Gift Aid your fee then you get free entry for a year. People with a Cornwall or Devon postcode can get a Local's annual pass for £5 during the winter months. Winter is the best time to visit Eden in my opinion; the plants are stunning inside the biomes and there is a lot more going on, from storytelling to mulled wine! The festival of lights in the run up to Christmas is stunning, and between October and Easter there is an ice skating rink for a small additional cost.

4. Beaches – Avoid Newquay like the plague. It is far too crowded and you're likely to step on broken glass left by the numerous drunken stag and hen parties. If you want a family friendly beach, head a few miles down the coast to Perranporth, a small tourist town with a large beach and several places to eat. For a more secluded spot, we prefer Treyarnon Bay, which is a pain in the bum to get to but worth it in the end!

 

 

5. Pencarrow House and Gardens – Pencarrow is a stately home with fantastic grounds. I've never actually been in the house, but every year during May the gardens are alive with rhododendrons and bluebells. It's a magical place to visit.

6. Bodmin Moor – The moor is the antidote to the busy crowds during the Cornish summer. I like to escape to the moors for a circular walk around some of the most beautiful (but sometimes bleak) scenery in Cornwall.

7. Boscastle – I fell in love with this little village when Mum and I hiked some of the Cornish coast last month. Don't just visit the village - take a walk up the coast on either side for stunning views!

8. The South West Coast Path – Find the sea, join the coast path and just keep walking! Mum and I plan on taking two cars next time we go, so that we can park one at the destination instead of having to turn round halfway through the day to return to the start!

What do you love most about where you live? Anywhere I should add to my bucket list?? :)