Explore Cornwall

Cornwall is fabulously diverse, from picturesque fishing villages to tin mines and ancient stone monuments - reminders of our Celtic heritage. Tales of piracy and smuggling will fascinate the explorer of Cornwall's past in lonely engine houses, great manor houses and castles.

Explore almost every type of visitor attraction you can think of from working farms, steam railways, fun parks, animal sanctuaries, and more, or discover a wealth of National Trust and English Heritage properties. Day trips to the Isles of Scilly or just a coastal excursion to see the seals and dolphins will delight the whole family. Water sports lovers will revel in the choice of activities that can be found, surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, coasteering, canoeing, and water-skiing.

Cornwall's climate makes it the home of fabulous sub-tropical gardens and a visit to one of them is a must, Trebah, Heligan, Tresco Abbey, on the Isles of Scilly, and the internationally renowned Eden Project. Enjoy a break in the spring to see some Cornish gardens at their very best and enjoy the mild weather that brings out the fabulous Cornish daffodils in every roadside verge and hedge.

Cornwall has a wide artistic and cultural heritage - poets and writers such as Dickens, Tennyson, Hardy, Sir John Betjeman, Winston Graham and Rosamunde Pilcher have all loved Cornwall. Artists including Barbara Hepworth and Bernard Leach found inspiration here too. Visit the Tate Gallery at St. Ives or the famous open air Minack Theatre at Porthcurno. A wealth of music and dance can be found at events and festivals throughout the year as well as in pubs and parks, on quaysides and cliff tops.

Traditional Cornish fare makes every Cornish holiday complete. The seas around Cornwall are amongst the cleanest in Europe so you can be sure the seafood will be unbeatable! Fish served up in a top restaurant, or from a quayside takeaway, may well have been caught that same morning. The world famous Cornish pasty and golden clotted cream will test your will power not forgetting the temptation of Cornish ales and cider from local breweries and don't forget to try traditional saffron cake and clotted cream fudge.  

No wonder Cornwall has been crowned Best Holiday Destination at the British Travel Awards 2011!