Out and About

Cornwall doesn't only offer visitors an amazing coastline - you can also immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. 

Cornwall boasts 12 separate Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These are precious landscapes whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to protect them. They include areas all around Cornwall's coast and hinterland. 

These areas include the Camel Estuary which is famous for its tidal river valley which at low tide provides essential habitats for its wildlife, Bodmin Moor with its wild expanses or rolling moorland and prominent tors, the Lizard Peninsula which is criss-crossed by a fascinating network of medieval enclosures and Bronze Age settlements, and the gently wooded creekside of the Helford River. 

You can find out more about Cornwall's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty by visiting www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk

There’s a variety of country parks such as Tehidy and Mount Edgcumbe or you can follow the many woodland paths at sites managed by the Forrestry Commission, such as Idless (Truro), Deerpark (Liskeard), Cardinham (Bodmin) and Coombe Valley (Bude), to name just a few.


Explore the countryside, either by two wheels or four legs.  Numerous cycle routes criss-cross the county; such as the Camel Trail or a Mineral Tramways Trail and if you’ve left the bike behind, there will always be somewhere you can hire one for the day.  With its fair share of bridleways, there will always be someone willing to show you the reigns - just make sure you have a sugar lump or two handy!

A wild, windswept and awe-inspiring granite moorland overlooked by the summits of Brown Willy (1377ft), Cornwall's highest point, and Roughtor (best approached from Camelford). First farmed over 4,000 years ago by bronze age settlers, Bodmin Moor is of one the last great unspoilt areas in the South West. 


The Tamar Valley is a lush and leafy stretch, now part of the World Heritage Site and a designated AONB.  A network of footpaths help you explore the area - or take it easy and catch the train or bus to view the quiet estuaries, waterside hamlets and dense woodlands from a different angle or hop on the Tamar passenger ferry to take a trip over to the village of Calstock. 

Cornwall boasts the longest stretch of coastline in the UK with almost 700km of stunning coastal scenery including more than 300 beaches.  This coastline forms a significant part of the South West Coast Path which offers visitors to Cornwall a huge choice of walks from gentle one hour strolls to week long hikes. We are priviledged to have two coastlines;  the Atlantic coast famous for its surfing beaches and huge expanses of golden sand, and the more gentle English Channel coast with hidden coves and tranquil creeks.

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