Cornwall

Province ·🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Population 565,968

Area 3,587 km²

Time zone Europe/London

Official website www.cornwall.gov.uk

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Explore Cornwall

Cornwall's Absolute Essentials

Cornwall’s landscape is defined by its rugged Atlantic coastline and rich industrial heritage. This selection features the iconic tidal island of St Michael's Mount and the medieval ruins of Tintagel Castle, famously linked to Arthurian legend. Botanical innovation is showcased at the Eden Project’s geodesic biomes and the restored Victorian grounds of Heligan. Historical sites range from the Iron Age courtyard houses of Chysauster to the 16th-century artillery fortress of St Mawes. Coastal highlights include the turquoise waters of Kynance Cove and the granite cliffs of Land’s End.

15 places

Editor's Choice Cornwall

Explore Cornwall’s diverse heritage through its most significant landmarks and gardens. This selection features the Eden Project’s massive biomes built in a reclaimed clay pit and the restored Victorian landscapes of The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Historical sites include the unique circular shell keep of Restormel Castle and the Iron Age courtyard houses at Chysauster Ancient Village. Mount Edgcumbe House completes the journey, offering a Grade II listed stately home surrounded by expansive parkland overlooking Plymouth Sound.

5 places

Cornwall's Coastal Gems

Cornwall’s 250-mile coastline features diverse geological formations, from the serpentine rock of Kynance Cove to the white shell-sand of Porthcurno. This collection includes world-renowned surfing hubs like Fistral Beach and sheltered family spots such as Porthminster. Many locations, including Nanjizal and Pedn Vounder, are accessible only via the South West Coast Path, offering secluded coves and natural rock arches. The list spans the rugged Atlantic north coast and the calmer, wooded estuaries of the south.

20 places

Cornwall's Heritage Trail

Cornwall’s landscape is defined by diverse historical layers, spanning from Neolithic burial chambers like Tregiffian to the 19th-century Angarrack Viaduct. This trail features medieval strongholds such as Tintagel and Restormel Castle, alongside Henry VIII’s artillery forts at St Mawes and St Catherine’s. Prehistoric sites, including the Lanyon Quoit dolmen and the Iron Age courtyard houses of Chysauster, offer insight into ancient settlements. The collection also highlights the 9th-century King Doniert’s Stone and the stately Mount Edgcumbe House.

20 places

Cornwall's Castles and Ruins

Cornwall’s rugged coastline and rolling hills are home to a diverse collection of fortifications spanning over a millennium. This list features legendary sites like Tintagel Castle, associated with King Arthur, and the tidal island fortress of St Michael’s Mount. It includes Henrician artillery forts like St Mawes and St Catherine's, designed for coastal defense, alongside well-preserved Norman ruins such as Restormel and Launceston. Beyond military structures, the collection highlights historic estates like Mount Edgcumbe and Port Eliot, showcasing centuries of architectural evolution and landscape design.

10 places

Cornwall's Ancient Wonders

Cornwall’s landscape is marked by thousands of years of human history, ranging from Neolithic chambered tombs to Iron Age settlements. This collection includes the iconic Tintagel Castle, associated with Arthurian legend, and well-preserved megalithic structures like Lanyon Quoit and Trethevy Quoit. Notable features include 'fogous'—mysterious underground stone-walled passages found at Carn Euny and Halliggye—and the unique courtyard houses of Chysauster Ancient Village. These sites offer a direct link to the region's prehistoric and medieval past.

13 places

Historic Religious Sites

Cornwall's religious landscape spans centuries, from the 11th-century Norman masonry of St Materiana to the 19th-century Gothic Revival spires of Truro Cathedral. This collection includes St Michael’s Mount, a medieval priory on a tidal island, and St Germans, built on the site of a Saxon cathedral. These sites showcase unique regional features such as Grade I listed 15th-century stonework, sub-tropical churchyard gardens in St Just, and historic links to the Cornish language in Paul.

12 places

Viewpoints and Peaks

This collection highlights Cornwall’s diverse topography, from the granite cliffs of the far west to the high tors of Bodmin Moor. It includes the iconic tidal island of St Michael’s Mount, the serpentine rock formations of Kynance Cove, and the Iron Age fortifications at Kenidjack Cliff Castle. Coastal landmarks like Land’s End and Cape Cornwall showcase the region's maritime and industrial heritage, while inland peaks like Caradon Hill and Hawk’s Tor offer expansive views across the moorland.

10 places

Cornwall's Museums and Galleries

This collection spans Cornwall's industrial and cultural landscape, from the UNESCO-listed tin mines of Geevor and Levant to the maritime history of Falmouth. Visitors can explore Porthcurno’s role in global communications, the smuggling lore of Jamaica Inn and Polperro, and the marine conservation efforts at Padstow’s lobster hatchery. Artistic highlights include contemporary works at Kestle Barton and the Falmouth Art Gallery. Architectural landmarks range from the Tudor defenses of Pendennis Castle to the 1930s Arthurian halls in Tintagel and the Georgian elegance of Lawrence House.

15 places

Enchanting Gardens

Cornwall’s mild climate supports a diverse array of horticultural styles, from the futuristic biomes of the Eden Project, built in a former china clay pit, to the restored Victorian landscapes of The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Valley gardens like Trebah and Glendurgan feature subtropical plants and provide access to the Helford River, with the latter housing a historic 1833 cherry laurel maze. Trewidden Garden offers a collection of ancient tree ferns and camellias, showcasing the region's long history of botanical exploration.

5 places