Cornwall

General Visiting

The cornwall CoastlineCornwall is a county located in the South West of the United Kingdom and is one of the most popular holiday destinations in England. With the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the English Channel to the South, Cornwall is an ideal location with beautiful coasts and scenery.

There is so much to see and do, too much to include here! The fabulous beaches, intriguing history and ancient myths, family attractions and stunning countryside are all reasons why so many tourists visit Cornwall each year.

Beaches

Cornwall has the longest stretch of coastline in the UK so as you can imagine it has many fantastic beaches. There is so much variety, from popular sandy beaches to secluded havens which are ideal for nature lovers.

Due to the shape and the location of Cornwall you are never far away from the seaside. Some notable beaches worth visiting include; Porthcurno which is surrounded by cliffs and has clear blue seas and golden sands, Sandymouth Beach which is in North Cornwall and offers great sunbathing, clean sands and rock pools and Porthmeor Beach on the North of St Ives and is great for surfing and families alike.

With so many beaches it can only be expected that there are also some fabulous resorts in Cornwall with Newquay being one of the most well known. Newquay has four fabulous beaches and a lively night life. Surfers come from far and wide to experience the superb waves created by the Atlantic Ocean, making it the 'home' of surfing in the UK. Newquay is also great for families and has many attractions in and around the town.

The History of Cornwall

The sea and the coast have always been prominent in the history of Cornwall in particular with smuggling which was rife in Cornwall as portrayed in Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of the Daphne Du Maurier novel Jamaica Inn. However the history of Cornwall goes much further back and visitors to the county can experience its magic by visiting the many standing stones, the ancient monuments of a time gone by.

The Mên-an-Tol is a great example and is said to have curative powers by traveling through the holed middle stone. However it has to be the mystery of Cornwall's Celtic past which makes it such a magical place to visit. Although influenced by the Romans and the Saxons, Cornwall's Celtic ties are strong and evident to visitors, even today, especially with the legend of King Arthur.

Things To Do

As a popular tourist destination Cornwall has many attractions to keep its visitors entertained. Some places to visit include:

Lands EndLands End

A large outdoor attraction located on the Western Point of Cornwall with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. There's much to see and do. You could have a drink and a meal at The First and Last Inn so named because of its location and with a notorious smuggling past.

Or take a walk on the cliff top where you can use the talking telescopes to spot basking sharks, dolphins and grey seals. Other attractions include The Last Labrynth a multi sensory theater show, Air Sea Rescue a motion theater presentation, and Greeb Farm a great attraction for the children.

The Isles of Scilly

A cluster of over a hundred small islands, six of which are inhabited, located 28 miles South West of Lands End. The islands have sandy white beaches in a sub tropical climate and they are a haven for bird and marine life. Tourists can arrive either by air or by boat and there is a wide range of accommodation available.

The Eden ProjectThe Eden Project

The world's largest greenhouse comprising of domes which are made out of hundreds of hexagons and a few pentagons. The purpose of the Eden Project is to emulate different climates and plant environments from around the world including the 'Rainforest Biome' with abundance of tropical plants and the 'Mediterranean Biome' with olive trees and grape vines.

Tintagel Castle

This 13th century castle owned by the English Heritage is enchanting and full of myths and legends. The castle is strongly associated with King Arthur who is said to have been born where the ruins of the castle stand today. It is also said to have been the main residence of King Mark of Cornwall the uncle of Tristan and the husband of Iseult. On the beach below the castle there is a magical cave known as ‘Merlin's Cave' which adds to the mystical atmosphere. Merlin's Cave

Padstow

A picturesque harbour town in Cornwall. In recent years Padstow has become even more popular due to the quality restaurants owned by the famous British chef Rick Stein. His award winning Seafood restaurant features dishes on the menu fresh from the sea. People come from miles around to sample his delicious recipes or to stay in one of his exclusive hotels. Padstow itself has much character and charm and is well worth a visit.

St Michael's Mount

St Michael's Mount really is unique. It is a medieval castle on a small island location just off the Cornish coast. Visitors to the castle can either access St Michael's Mount by boat or, if the tide is in, walk across the sandy causeway.

Jamaica's Inn and Bodmin Moors

Jamaica's Inn was originally a coaching inn on the main road to London. The Inn was immortalised by Daphne du Maurier's book and later by Alfred Hitchcock movie adaptation. Today the inn is a hotel and it's not just famous for it's smuggling history. In fact many people visit in the hope of spotting one of the ghosts which are said to haunt the Jamica Inn. The inn also has a museum devoted to smuggling artefacts and a memorial room dedicated to Daphne Du Maurier as well as two bars which both serve food.

Jamaica's Inn is located on Bodmin Moors. The moors are startling beautiful and have some dramtic scenery. There are many prehistoric stone formations which have endured the test of time and are still standing proudly today.

Falmouth

The town of Falmouth Is a popular tourist resort with exotic plants, sandy beaches and an energetic center with interesting shops, restaurants and galleries. Falmouth is well known for its port which flourished in the eighteenth and nineteenth century due to its strategic location. The National Maritime Museum is a popular and award winning attraction in Falmouth which is well worth a visit.

So as you can see Cornwall offers so much to see and do. If you are going to the UK it is well worth visiting in particular during the summer months. You will discover a County that is rich in its history but also has the luxury of modern attractions and amenities.