Cornwall
5
Day Itinerary •
UK
Five days in Cornwall gives you the full extraordinary range of England's most southerly county, from the turquoise harbour of St Ives and the dramatic serpentine coves of the Lizard Peninsula to the extraordinary Eden Project biomes, the restored Victorian kitchen gardens of Heligan and the finest fishing harbour atmosphere in England at Mevagissey. This route covers every dimension of Cornwall from the Penwith peninsula and the Fal estuary through the dramatic north coast to the unique geology of the Lizard and the extraordinary garden attractions of the china clay country. Five days revealing why Cornwall is the most visited county in England outside London.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Train to Penzance from Paddington, 5 hours
Getting Around
Car essential. A30 and A390 are main routes
Budget Per Day
Approx 95 to 280 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, coastal and moorland walking
DAY 1
ST IVES AND THE PENWITH PENINSULA
MORNING
ST IVES, THE FINEST ART TOWN IN BRITAIN
St Ives is the most extraordinary art town in Britain, its extraordinary harbour of turquoise water, the Tate St Ives gallery in its extraordinary clifftop building, the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden and the extraordinary maze of cobbled streets above Porthmeor beach making it the finest small town in Cornwall. The beach at Porthmeor below the Tate is the finest surfing beach in west Cornwall. Tate entry approx 12 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PORTHCURNO AND THE MINACK THEATRE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY OPEN-AIR THEATRE IN BRITAIN
The Minack Theatre carved into the granite cliff above Porthcurno is the most extraordinary theatre in Britain, its extraordinary stone seating carved by Rowena Cade from 1932 onwards above the Atlantic with Porthcurno beach and the Logan Rock headland as the backdrop. Performances run May to September. Entry to the theatre grounds approx 7 pounds. The beach below is the finest in west Cornwall. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LAND'S END AND THE SENSATIONAL ATLANTIC HEADLAND
Land's End is the most south-westerly point on mainland Britain and the finest Atlantic headland in England, its extraordinary granite cliffs dropping 60 feet to the sea with views to the Isles of Scilly on clear days. The coastal path north from Land's End to Sennen Cove passes extraordinary sea stacks and blowholes. The first and last house in England is the finest novelty in Cornwall. Entry to headland free, car park approx 7 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Botallack mine engine houses perched on the cliff edge between St Just and Pendeen are the most dramatic and photogenic tin mine ruins in Cornwall, their extraordinary position directly above the Atlantic surf accessible by a 10-minute walk from the Botallack car park. The ruins are particularly extraordinary at sunset when the light turns the granite gold. The Crowns engine houses below the cliff accessed by a steep path are the finest. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Blas Burgerworks, St Ives Outstanding breakfast in the finest independent cafe in St Ives. Local eggs and Cornish sourdough. | Lunch: The Beach Restaurant, St Ives Outstanding seafood lunch above Porthminster beach. Local crab and mackerel extraordinary. | Dinner: The Gurnard's Head, Zennor The finest pub in Cornwall. Outstanding seasonal food, local ales and extraordinary cliff-top location.
DAY 2
THE FAL ESTUARY AND ROSELAND PENINSULA
MORNING
FALMOUTH AND THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM CORNWALL
Falmouth has the third deepest natural harbour in the world and is the finest maritime town in England, its extraordinary National Maritime Museum Cornwall the finest small maritime museum in Britain. The extraordinary collection of small boats, the tidal zone basement where the sea enters the museum and the extraordinary Fal estuary views from the tower are remarkable. Entry approx 15 pounds. The Falmouth Arts Centre is the finest independent arts venue in Cornwall. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE ROSELAND PENINSULA AND ST MAWES, THE FINEST HIDDEN PENINSULA IN CORNWALL
The Roseland Peninsula across the Fal by the extraordinary King Harry Ferry chain ferry is the most extraordinary and least visited peninsula in Cornwall, its extraordinary coastal villages of St Mawes and Portscatho, the extraordinary Castle of St Mawes built by Henry VIII and the Roseland Coast Path making it the finest hidden area in the county. The King Harry Ferry carries cars and operates year-round. Ferry approx 9 pounds per car. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE HELFORD RIVER AND FRENCHMAN'S CREEK
The Helford River is the finest drowned river valley in Cornwall, its extraordinary wooded creeks, the hidden village of Helford only accessible by foot or boat and the extraordinary Frenchman's Creek immortalised by Daphne du Maurier making it the most atmospheric hidden landscape in the county. The walk from Helford village to Frenchman's Creek and back through extraordinary oak woodland takes 2 hours. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Creeks of the Fal estuary accessible only by foot or kayak, particularly Lamouth Creek and Pill Creek near Feock, are among the most extraordinary hidden places in Cornwall, their extraordinary silence, the wildlife and the complete absence of any development making them unlike any other landscape in the county. The Fal River rowing gig clubs operate from Truro and Falmouth. Kayak hire from Truro approx 30 pounds per day.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Espressini, Falmouth The finest coffee in Cornwall and outstanding pastries at the best independent cafe in Falmouth. | Lunch: The Ferry Boat Inn, Helford Passage Outstanding Cornish pub lunch above the extraordinary Helford River. Local mussels and crab. | Dinner: The Wheelhouse, Falmouth The finest seafood restaurant in Falmouth. Outstanding locally caught fish and Fal oysters.
DAY 3
BODMIN MOOR AND THE NORTH CORNWALL COAST
MORNING
ROUGH TOR AND BROWN WILLY, THE FINEST MOORLAND IN CORNWALL
Rough Tor at 1,312 feet is the second highest point in Cornwall and the finest moorland summit in the county, its extraordinary granite tors and the remains of a Bronze Age settlement on the ridge giving the finest view over Bodmin Moor. The adjacent Brown Willy at 1,375 feet is the highest point in Cornwall. The 3-mile walk from the Rough Tor car park crosses extraordinary open moorland with wild ponies and ancient standing stones. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TINTAGEL CASTLE AND THE FINEST CLIFF CASTLE IN BRITAIN
Tintagel Castle on its extraordinary sea-girt promontory is the most dramatically sited castle ruin in England, its extraordinary position on a near-island connected to the mainland by a narrow neck with 300-foot cliffs on three sides giving it a legendary association with King Arthur that predates any historical evidence. The extraordinary new footbridge across the chasm is the finest piece of new heritage infrastructure in Britain. Entry approx 14 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ROCK AND PADSTOW, THE FINEST ESTUARY IN CORNWALL
The Camel Estuary between Rock and Padstow is the finest estuary in Cornwall, its extraordinary combination of the finest fish restaurant town in the county at Padstow with the extraordinary beach at Rock accessible by the ferry giving the finest afternoon in north Cornwall. The Camel Trail cycling path along the former railway from Padstow to Bodmin is the finest cycling route in Cornwall. Ferry approx 4 pounds return.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Cheesewring on Stowes Hill above Minions on Bodmin Moor is one of the most extraordinary natural granite formations in Britain, a stack of naturally balanced granite slabs eroded into the shape of a giant cheese press rising 15 feet above the extraordinary moorland. The Hurlers stone circles in the adjacent valley, three Bronze Age rings of standing stones, are the finest prehistoric monument in Cornwall. The walk from Minions village takes 20 minutes. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Woods Cafe, Cardinham Outstanding woodland cafe breakfast in the extraordinary Cardinham Woods near Bodmin. | Lunch: Stein's Fish and Chips, Padstow Rick Stein's finest casual offering. Outstanding Cornish fish and chips above the harbour. | Dinner: The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow Rick Stein's finest. Outstanding locally caught seafood. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 4
THE LIZARD PENINSULA, ENGLAND'S MOST SOUTHERLY POINT
MORNING
KYNANCE COVE, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COVE IN ENGLAND
Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula is the most extraordinarily beautiful cove in England, its extraordinary serpentine rock stacks of red and green, the white sand beach exposed at low tide and the extraordinary natural arches and caves giving it a tropical appearance entirely unlike anywhere else in Britain. The clifftop walk from the National Trust car park gives the finest view. The beach is accessible for 2 hours either side of low tide. Entry free, parking approx 8 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
LIZARD POINT, THE MOST SOUTHERLY POINT IN MAINLAND BRITAIN
Lizard Point is the most southerly point in mainland Britain and one of the finest headlands on the Cornish coast, its extraordinary serpentine geology, the working lighthouse and the extraordinary Housel Bay below giving it a character quite distinct from Land's End. The coast path west from Lizard Point to Kynance Cove is 2 miles of the finest cliff walking in Cornwall. The lifeboat station at the point is the finest in Cornwall. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CADGWITH COVE AND THE FINEST WORKING FISHING VILLAGE IN CORNWALL
Cadgwith is the most extraordinary and best preserved working fishing village in Cornwall, its extraordinary double cove of thatched cottages and pulled-up fishing boats giving it an atmosphere entirely unchanged from a century ago. The extraordinary Cadgwith Cove Inn with its Friday evening folk singing is the finest pub experience in Cornwall. The short clifftop walk to the Devil's Frying Pan blowhole is extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Roskilly's organic farm near St Keverne on the Lizard makes the finest ice cream in Cornwall from their own herd of Jersey cows, their extraordinary range of flavours including clotted cream and honeycomb sold from the farm shop with views over the extraordinary Lizard plateau. The walk from the farm through the extraordinary Trelowarren estate to the Helford River takes 2 hours through ancient oak woodland. Entry free. Ice cream approx 3 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ann's Pasties, Lizard The finest Cornish pasty in Britain. Outstanding traditional Lizard pasties baked fresh daily. | Lunch: Kynance Cove Cafe Outstanding Cornish lunch above the finest cove in England. National Trust owned and run. | Dinner: The Cadgwith Cove Inn Outstanding pub dinner at the finest inn in the Lizard. Local seafood and Cornish ales.
DAY 5
EDEN PROJECT AND THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN
MORNING
THE EDEN PROJECT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GARDEN IN BRITAIN
The Eden Project in a former china clay pit near St Austell is the most extraordinary garden attraction in Britain, its two enormous biome domes containing the largest rainforest and Mediterranean environments under cover in the world. The extraordinary transformation of an industrial wasteland into the finest ecological attraction in Europe since opening in 2001 is remarkable. The outdoor gardens are extraordinary in spring and summer. Entry approx 32 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN, THE MOST ROMANTIC RESTORATION IN BRITAIN
Heligan near Mevagissey was the most extraordinary garden in Cornwall before abandonment after the First World War. The extraordinary restoration by Tim Smit from 1990 uncovered Victorian productive gardens, the extraordinary Jungle valley of tree ferns and bamboo, the mysterious mud maid and giant sculpture and the finest kitchen garden in Britain. Entry approx 18 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MEVAGISSEY AND THE FINEST FISHING HARBOUR IN THE SOUTH
Mevagissey is the finest working fishing harbour in the south of England, its extraordinary double harbour, the extraordinary aquarium in the original lifeboat house and the network of lanes behind the quay making it the most attractive fishing village in south Cornwall. The coast path from Mevagissey to Gorran Haven gives the finest clifftop views in the south of the county. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary lost harbour of Charlestown near St Austell is one of the finest Georgian industrial villages in Britain, its extraordinary intact 18th-century china clay port with tall-masted square-rigged vessels moored in the harbour giving it the most extraordinary film-set atmosphere in Cornwall. The harbour has been used in Poldark, Hornblower and numerous other productions. Entry to the harbour edge free. The Shipwreck Museum is extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Quarterdeck, Charlestown Outstanding breakfast at the extraordinary Georgian harbour of Charlestown before Eden. | Lunch: Eden Project restaurants Outstanding seasonal food using Eden-grown produce. The Core cafe is the finest. | Dinner: The Austell, St Austell The finest restaurant in St Austell. Outstanding local seafood and Cornish produce.
Where To Stay
St Ives, Nights 1 to 2 The Garrack Hotel or Carbis Bay Hotel. Approx 100 to 250 GBP per night. Falmouth, Nights 3 to 4 The Greenbank Hotel. Approx 90 to 180 GBP per night. St Austell, Night 5 Trevalsa Court or The Austell. Approx 80 to 150 GBP per night.
Top Tips
1. Eden Project tickets: book online. Entry queues can be 45 minutes without pre-booking in summer.
2. Heligan in spring: the Kitchen Garden in April with its asparagus and early produce is extraordinary.
3. Kynance Cove serpentine rock: the green and red geology is unique to the Lizard peninsula. Extraordinary geology.
4. Frenchman's Creek walk from Helford: wear waterproof boots. The creek path can be very muddy in wet weather.
5. Charlestown harbour: visit on a weekday morning before the day visitors arrive. Extraordinary atmosphere.
6. Lizard pasties from Ann's: arrive before 11am. The finest Cornish pasties in the county sell out by lunchtime.
Total Budget
95 to 275 GBP/day