Top 10 Places to go in Cornwall
- 1. St Michaels Mount – https://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/
- 2. The Minack Theatre – https://www.minack.com/
- 3. The Lost Gardens of Heligan – http://heligan.com/
- 4. Kennall Vale Nature Reserve – https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/kennall-vale.htm
- 5. Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary – https://paradisepark.org.uk/
- 6. Pendennis Castle – http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
- 7. Kynance Cove – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kynance-cove
- 8. The Camel Trail and Padstow – https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/cycling/north-coast/padstow/camel-trail
- 9. National Maritime Museum – https://nmmc.co.uk/
- 10. Eden Project – http://www.edenproject.com/
1. St Michaels Mount – https://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/
St Michael’s Mount is a picturesque island just off the ancient town of Marazion. Accessible by boat or the causeway at low tide, the mount is home to a community of local people and a spectacular medieval castle, surrounded by stunning, exotic gardens that can be visited separately. It’s a wonderful day out, with fantastic views and interesting history.
2. The Minack Theatre – https://www.minack.com/
There is something magical about the Minack Theatre set on the golden cliffs near Porthcurno. The summer season of plays, musicals, and operettas runs from May to September but with fantastic gardens and stunning views you need not go to see any kind of production simply sit on the amphitheatre steps and watch the sunset.
3. The Lost Gardens of Heligan – http://heligan.com/
After the house at Heligan was used as a convalescent home during the first world war the gardens were neglected until the family could no longer cope with their upkeep. They were brought back to their former glory by Tim Smit (of The Eden Project). Within Heligan are several gardens including four walled gardens, Japanese and Italian gardens and the ‘Jungle’ with its sub-tropical plants.
4. Kennall Vale Nature Reserve – https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/kennall-vale.htm
Certainly not one of the well know Cornish attractions but Kennall Vale is a beautiful woodland with fascinating remnants of its industrial past as a gunpowder factory. Located between Redruth and Penryn, and now a nature reserve, the woods around the River Kennall are dotted with old granite ruins. There is an easy to walk trail without too many hills or steps so a wonderful peaceful walk with the water running right next to you.
5. Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary – https://paradisepark.org.uk/
Paradise Park carries out conservation work on native UK species, including the Cornish Chough, Otters, Owls, and Red Squirrels.
It is also home to rare and endangered parrots, and a fun farm so this is an excellent and informative day out for any family.
6. Pendennis Castle – http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
Built by Henry VIII to defend the harbour, the castle is one of a pair with St Mawes Castle. Both have a wide round tower along with additional quarters all of which are open to the public. Pendennis is maintained by English Heritage and also features several reconstructions showing life in the castle over the ages. There is plenty to see and do whilst your there. But if you’ve had enough history there is also the Ships and Castles Leisure Centre just behind the Castle with a leisure pool and slides.
7. Kynance Cove – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kynance-cove
Kynance Cove, snuggled under towering cliffs and less than two miles from Lizard point, is one of the most-photographed coves in Cornwall. Sparkling turquoise water, pristine white sand, offshore stacks and islands and numerous interconnected caves to discover make this the explorers paradise. The National Trust have recently built a toll road and car park, making Kynance more accessible. Lifeguards patrol the beach in summer, where strong currents can make swimming dangerous.
8. The Camel Trail and Padstow – https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/cycling/north-coast/padstow/camel-trail
Without a doubt this is one of the best known of Cornwall’s recreational trails. Following the route of the former North Cornwall Railway there are no steep inclines along the 17 mile route, this makes it perfect of a stroll or cycle. The trail begins in Padstow before passing through Wadebridge and on to Bodmin and then to the village of Blisland on Bodmin Moor. You can join the trail from many places along the way and there are plenty of cycle bike hire shops. The scenery along the trail is stunning and there is plenty of wildlife to spot too. In Padstow itself are many different shops and attractions making this a great day out for all the family.
9. National Maritime Museum – https://nmmc.co.uk/
Set in the new building right on the docks is the National Maritime Museum. It has twelve galleries set over three floors and an extensive library so there’s lots for the whole family to see and do. Exhibitions cover all things nautical including the history of the boat, the port’s history, weather, wildlife and more interactive displays like the boating pool with its fans to provide all the wind needed to sail model boats. The Look Out at the top of the tower offers great views over the harbour and estuary and, with binoculars and telescopes so you can see far and wide.
10. Eden Project – http://www.edenproject.com/
The Eden Project is a collection of giant, multi-domed greenhouse, containing plants from various regions of the globe. There are hundreds for different plants and trees to see and a waterfall within one of the ‘biomes’. As well as all the plants, there is also an education/environmental centre.
