Holidays in Cornwall

Magical countryside and breathtaking coastal views, wonderful towns and villages to explore – there is so much to see and do during your holidays in Cornwall, whether you’re here for a short break, a long weekend, or a family summer holiday.

There are many small fishing towns and villages along the coast that make for the perfect place to while away a day in the sunshine on your holidays in Cornwall. Try Mevagissey with its picturesque shops and galleries hidden down narrow lanes, Mousehole with its safe sheltered beach, or Polperro with its notorious smuggling history, which you can learn all about in the local museum.

For something a little more lively, head to Penzance, with its shopping quarter consisting of a mix of high street and independent stores. Once you’re shopped out, take a walk on the wide promenade for views out across the water to St Michael’s Mount, and see if you can spot any dolphins following the boats into the fishing port at neighbouring Newlyn.

Art lovers have plenty of choice when it comes indulging their passion on holiday in Cornwall, but make sure to put St Ives firmly at the top of their ‘to visit’ list. This coastal town was a hotspot for artists like Alfred Wallace and Barbara Hepworth during the war years, and today still attracts many painters and sculptors with its exceptional light and bohemian atmosphere. The Tate St Ives is, of course, a good place to start, but don’t forget to explore all the smaller galleries and independent studios in the area too.

Newquay is renowned as a destination for surfers, located on the blustery Atlantic north coast with nine sandy beaches – including the popular Fistral Beach – and some impressive waves. The town is also known for its lively nightlife, making it a great spot for those who want to enjoy a drink and a dance once the sun goes down.

If some of the towns and villages you visit on your holidays in Cornwall look familiar, it may well be that you’ve seen them on TV. The recent series of Poldark, for example, was filmed at locations including Charlestown, Porthgwarra and Padstow, while fans of Doc Martin should definitely visit Port Isaac – aka Port Wenn – even if it’s just to take a selfie outside the Doc’s surgery.

And that’s just a start – from Bodmin to Boscastle, Falmouth to Fowey, Launceston to Lostwithiel, there are so many towns and villages to explore on your holidays in Cornwall that you’ll just want to keep coming back.