A 1 week tour of Cornwall - barefootcornwall.com (2023)

updated in

31 mei 2023

1. Virgin Beaches

For starters, Cornwall has a long coastline, meaning there are countless beaches and seaside resorts dotted around the county. Not only that, you will also find great beach culture and everything that goes with it. Due to this aspect, it attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world every year.

2. Beautiful landscapes

As well as the beaches, Cornwall has beautiful scenery that is perfect for a peaceful holiday. There are plenty of rolling grassy plains and moors where peace and quiet can be found. There are also quaint towns, farmlands and gardens for you to explore.

3. Rich history

Cornwall also has a rich heritage, making it an attractive destination for those fascinated by history. It might even bring out your inner historian, even if you're not much into history!

4. Comfortable climate

In addition to the above aspects, Cornwall has a temperate climate characterized by mild winter temperatures and cool, breezy summers. Extreme weather conditions are rare here, making it a favorable tourist destination. Similarly, the sky remains clear and sunny for most of the year, which is a marked departure from the drab, overcast weather prevalent in the rest of England.

1. Bodmin Moor

Spanning approximately 80 square miles, Bodmin Moor is famous throughout the UK for its lush, grassy landscape, which is dotted with numerous granite outcrops.

Also known as 'towers', these outcroppings are beautiful to look at and provide excellent photo opportunities. After walking for a while, you can rest in the shadow of these towers and take some pictures while you are at it.

There are about a thousand of these tors in the wasteland. The tallest is Brown Willy, standing at 1,368 feet. Trust us, the view you get from the top is quite remarkable.

The night on Bodmin Moor also feels quite spooky and adventurous. And if you like stargazing, you'll love it here. That's because the night sky here is incredibly clear and free of light pollution. Thanks to all these aspects, a day of walking on Bodmin Moor is more than worth it!

2. Visserssteden in Cornwall

Fishing is an integral part of Cornwall's culture and economy. That is why you will find a large number of picturesque fishing villages throughout the region. However, there are a few that you should definitely visit on your trip.

Charlestown is one of those towns not to be missed when visiting Cornwall. This small fishing village, located near the South Cornwall town of St. Austell, was settled sometime in the 18th century. It has a harbor that was once used as an important trade and export center. There is also a fascinating shipwreck treasure museum here that you must visit.

Another city that you should definitely visit is Port Isaac, located on the north coast of Cornwall. At first glance it may seem a bit busier than other towns in the province, but it has a picturesque natural harbor and stunning coastal views to die for! You can also walk the Southwest Coast Path if you want to exercise your legs.

Boscastle is another small town on the north coast. This city is especially popular for its natural harbour, which exudes a fascinating atmosphere.

The last town we'll talk about here is Mousehole, which is near Penzance, on the South West part of the Cornish coast. This town has been an important fishing town since its foundation in the 14th century. In this sense, the scenic beauty, the local shops and the pale sandy beach are something you should definitely experience.

3. Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle is the perfect destination for those fascinated by castles and historical legends. Located on the north coast of Cornwall in the village of Tintagel, it is believed to be closely linked to the legend of King Arthur.

There are a number of poems and writings from the Victorian era that reinforce this fact. All these aspects give a mystical look to this medieval castle.

Even if you don't believe the legends it's worth a visit as the views all around are great too. There is a minimum entry fee unless you are a member of English Heritage, the organization that maintains the castle. In that case, your participation is completely free.

4. Eden Project

The Eden Project is one of Cornwall's leading ecotourism attractions. It consists of a series of overlapping geodesic domes that form two giant enclosures covering an area of ​​about four hectares.

The larger enclosure houses a small-scale, expansive tropical biome, while the smaller enclosure houses a temperate biome. You will find a wide variety of tropical and temperate plants and an artificial waterfall, really a feast for the eyes! Plus, there are plenty of activities and other attractions here that will keep you and your family entertained throughout the day.

5. The Lizard Peninsula

Traveling to the southern part of the county, you will come across the iconic Lizard Peninsula and the Lizard Heritage coastal area. This area has several beautiful beaches and coves, as well as hiking trails and picturesque coastal walks, which should satisfy the nature lover in you.

When visiting the Lizard Peninsula, Lizard Point should not be missed as it is the most popular tourist attraction in this region. It is the southernmost point of mainland Britain and offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

You can also visit the Lizard Wireless Station at Bass Point and the Marconi Center while you're here. If you want to know more about the history of wireless transmissions and radio, these places will certainly interest you.

6. Mount St. Michael, Marazion

Heading north from the Lizard Peninsula will bring you to the town of Marazion, from where you can visit St. Michael's Mount. This island is accessible at low tide via a granite road.

It houses a beautiful castle and a church from the Middle Ages. In fact, it was built by the same order of monks responsible for developing France's iconic Mont St. Michel church and abbey. Even the names are the same which further proves this aspect.

In addition to the island, you can visit the sandy beach of Marazion, a very popular destination among tourists.

7. Mines of Cornwall

Mining activities are an important part of Cornish culture as well as fishing. And while most of the mines are closed today, they have been converted into museums to showcase Cornwall's rich mining heritage.

In fact, the entire mining landscape of Cornwall and Devon has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are more than 2,000 such mines in this area, most of them related to tin mining.

However, the largest and most popular is the Geevor Tin Mine and Museum, which is located in the St. Just mining district. If you are interested in learning more about the mining culture in Cornwall then you must visit this place.

8. Lands End

Land's End is another popular tourist attraction in Cornwall and is the most westerly point in England. In our opinion, a trip to Cornwall doesn't feel complete without a visit to Land's End and Lizard Point, which we've reviewed previously.

Land's End is a few miles from the town of Penzance and is a relatively busy tourist spot. After all, it offers breathtaking views of the coast and the majestic Atlantic Ocean, which is why tourists flock here. So if you don't mind some people watching you can head here straight after a visit to Geevor or Mousehole tin mine.

After Land's End you can visit Cape Cornwall or one of the nearby sandy beaches. You can also explore the small seaside town of Sennen Cove, which is just as impressive.

9. Beaches of Cornwall

When it comes to beaches, you are literally spoiled for choice in Cornwall. There are plenty of spectacular beaches scattered along the Cornish coast, each with its own charm.

However, if you want to visit the best beaches in Cornwall, you must visit Newquay in North Cornwall. There are a number of glamorous beaches here, including Fistral Beach, Watergate Bay, Tolcarne Beach and many more. Here you can take part in a variety of water sports and experience Cornwall's thriving beach culture first hand.

Aside from Newquay you can visit the beaches of Perranporth and St Ives Bay if you have time. In these places you will come across some famous beaches such as Perran Sands, Porthmeor Beach and Gwithian Beach.

You will also find excellent beaches on the south coast such as Porthcurno Beach, Praa Sands and others. In short, Cornwall is the perfect destination for beach lovers.

10. Walks in Cornwall

In addition to the beaches, Cornwall also offers a wealth of walking opportunities for tourists. Both on the coast and inland you will find hiking trails where you can take a relaxing walk or a multi-day hike.

On that note, you should definitely consider walking along the South-West Coastal Path, which is arguably the longest and best walking route in the UK. It is approximately 630 miles long and covers the coastline of four different counties: Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. This means it runs along the Cornish coast, making it a must for walkers.

Of course you can't cover the entire trail in seven days, so you can go hiking in one of the smallest sections of this coastal path. Trust us: the views you'll see as you hike the trail will take your breath away!