All the essential information you need to enjoy Cornwall safely and responsibly.

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Whether it's flying, driving, catching the train, or hopping on the coach, it couldn't be easier to get to paradise.

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Truro Visitor Information Centre

A helping hand

The teams at our Visitor Information Centres are on hand to help you with your queries, both before and during your stay. Call or email to find out more about Cornwall whilst planning your holiday, or pop in and see the friendly teams throughout your visit.

Whatever your query, big or small, they will do their best to help you.

See below for details.

Boscastle

You will find the Visitor Information Centre located in the National Trust Shop (The Harbour, Boscastle, PL35 0HD).

Email: boscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Telephone: 01840 250010

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/boscastle

Bude

Address: The Crescent Car Park, Bude, EX23 8LE

Email: budetic@visitbude.info

Telephone: 01288 354240

Website: www.visitbude.info

Falmouth

Address: Fal River Visitor Information Centre, Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth, TR11 3DF

Email: info@falriver.co.uk

Telephone: 01326 741194

Website: www.falmouth.co.uk

Fowey

Online only.

Email: info@fowey.co.uk

Website: www.fowey.co.uk

Isles of Scilly

Address: Schiller Shelter, Porthcressa Bank, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, TR21 0LW

Email: info@visitislesofscilly.com

Telephone: 01720 620600

Website: www.visitislesofscilly.com

Penzance

You will find the Penzance Visitor Centre in the National Trust Welcome Centre (Station Road, Penzance, TR18 2NF)

Email: enquiries@bookpenzance.com

Telephone: 01736 335530

Website: www.bookpenzance.com

Perranporth

Address: Westcott House, St Piran's Road, Perranporth, TR6 0BH

Email: info@perranporthinfo.co.uk

Telephone: 01872 575254

Website: www.perranporthinfo.co.uk

Redruth

Address: Redruth Town Council, Civic Centre, Alma Place, Redruth, TR15 2DA

Email: hello@discoverredruth.co.uk

Telephone: 01290 210038

Website: www.discoverredruth.co.uk

St Agnes

Online only.

Email: hello@st-agnes.com

Website: www.visitstagnes.com

St Austell

Address: St Austell Train Station, Station Approach, St Austell, PL25 4LA

Email: staustelltic@gmail.com

Telephone: 01726 63513

Launceston

Address: White Hart Arcade, Broad Street, Launceston, PL15 8AA

Email: info@launcestontic.co.uk

Telephone: 01566 772321

Website: www.visitlaunceston.co.uk

Liskeard

Address: Foresters Hall, Pike Street, Liskeard, PL14 3JE

Email: tourism@liskeard.gov.uk

Telephone: 01579 349148

Website: www.visitliskeard.co.uk

Looe

Address: Looe Community Hub, Millpool Car Park, West Looe, PL13 1AF

Email: welcome@looetowncouncil.gov.uk

Telephone: 01503 262255

Website: www.visitlooe.co.uk

Newquay

Address: Municipal Buildings, Marcus Hill, Newquay, TR7 1BD

Email: newquay.tic@newquay.town

Telephone: 01637 838516

Website: www.visitnewquay.org

Padstow

Address: The Mariner's Clock Building, South Quay, Padstow, PL28 8BL

Email: info@padstowtic.co.uk

Telephone: 01841 533449

Website: www.padstowlive.com

St Ives

Address: St Ives Library, Gabriel Street, St Ives, TR26 2LS

Email: info@visitstives.org.uk

Telephone: 01736 796297

Website: www.stives-cornwall.co.uk

St Mawes and The Roseland

Address: Millennium Rooms, The Square, St Mawes, TR2 5AG

Email: enquiries@roselandinfo.com

Telephone: 01326 270440

Website: www.stmawesandtheroseland.co.uk

Sennen Cove

Address: The Old Boathouse, Sennen Cove, Penzance, TR19 7DF

Email: info@old-boathouse.com

Telephone: 01736 871215

Website: www.old-boathouse.com

Truro

Address: 30 Boscawen Street, Truro, TR1 2QQ

Email: tic@truro.gov.uk

Telephone: 01872 274555

Website: www.visittruro.org.uk

Wadebridge

Online only.

Email: website@visitwadebridge.co.uk

Website: www.visitwadebridge.co.uk

When on the beach be aware of the tide times, especially high tide, as you might get caught off-guard, unable to return the way you came and face the dangers of rocks, cliffs and strong underwater 'rip' currents.

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Bude, Cornwall

Beach Safety

We all enjoy spending time on Cornwall’s beautiful beaches, but there are some dangers that you need to be aware of, including rip currents, tides, and overexposure to the sun.

There are many ways that you can limit the dangers at the coast, including:

  • Knowing your flags
  • Telling someone where you are going
  • Swimming at a lifeguarded beach
  • Reading notices at beach entrances
  • Knowing the risks
  • Spending time in the shade
  • Wearing sun protection cream

See our beach safety guide for more information.

Coastal Walk near Port Isaac
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Coastal walks

Cliff walks

Popular coastal paths and headland walks present great opportunities for walking and enjoying the scenery. However, there is always danger from coastal erosion, falling rocks and from the risks of falling over the cliff edges. The South West Coast Path is maintained to reduce these risks but every care should be taken, especially in poor visibility. The Coastguard service should be alerted in the event of danger to life - call 999 and ask for Coastguard or Ambulance as required.

During the warmer months of the year, from spring through until autumn, there are dangers of over-exposure to the sun, which can result in sunstroke, sunburn, and long-term risks of skin disease. To prevent such dangers, it's important to use suitable sun protection creams and be aware of the added risks of dehydration when sunbathing. Extra care is required for babies and small children.

Dog Friendly

Your pooch is a welcome companion in Cornwall, though it is essential that you confirm your holiday accommodation provider's policy on accepting pets before you leave home.

Whilst there are many dog-friendly things to do in Cornwall, please consider what to do with your dog whilst visiting attractions or eating in restaurants that don't welcome pets, and how you are going to travel around Cornwall.

Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle, even for a short while, when its warm or hot outside. The temperature inside your car will double that outside in 6-10 minutes. Dogs will quickly suffer from heat exhaustion and possibly die. If you do see a dog left in a car on a warm day and it appears to be distressed, call the RSPCA on 0870 5555999 or the Police on 08452 777 444. They will take the appropriate action and, if necessary, break into the car to release the animal. If you have to leave a dog in a car for a short time, leave a note stating your time of return, and return on time. Otherwise, an embarrassing rescue operation may be launched by a concerned passer-by.

Help and advice

Dogs, particularly elderly ones, should be exercised in the early morning and late evening to avoid over-exertion in hot weather. All dogs are required by law to wear a collar and tag bearing the name and address of the owner. If you are on holiday, it is a good idea to have a temporary tag with your holiday address on it. If you lose your dog, please contact an appropriate local council as soon as possible. Dog bans operate on some Cornish beaches during the season, check our beaches pages for more detailed information.

If you have lost your dog please contact the Cornwall Council Dog Warden Service on 0300 1234 212 or you can now find details of dogs which have been handed into the Council or picked up by the Council’s Dog Welfare team online at the link below.

Victim of crime

Cornwall has one of the lowest crime rates in the UK. However, there are a number of ways to help reduce the risk of crime whilst visiting us. Where possible, leave valuables (such as large quantities of spending money) locked in your accommodation. Do not leave valuables on display within your car, keep them under seats or in the boot, well out of view. Use beach lockers where possible, or try and avoid taking valuable items to the beach. To report a crime, or for information and advice, you can call Devon and Cornwall Constabulary anytime on 08452 777444.

A message from Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly ICB

If you’re visiting us here in Cornwall, I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to you from all of us in the local NHS.

This really is a beautiful place to visit, and we hope you have a great stay, free from illness or injury.

We are here if you do need us, but you can save a lot of time and anxiety by remembering your prescriptions, having a well-stocked first aid kit and picking the best service for your needs.

There’s also advice on our website to help you care for minor issues yourself or find a pharmacy or minor injury unit.

Our local pharmacists can provide a few days emergency supply of most repeat prescriptions and help with many of the things we can suffer from in the summer, such as bites, stings, and sunburn – as well as those winter lurgies you might pick up if you stay with us during the colder months.

Your GP back home is also able to help for routine health issues. If it’s more urgent NHS111 is available 24 hours a day online or on the phone.

If you have a muscle sprain, strain or possible broken bone, check out the locations, opening hours and waiting times of our minor injury units and urgent treatment centre.

If you have a life threatening emergency, please call 999.

We hope not to see you during your stay, other than when we are out enjoying Cornwall’s stunning scenery.

However, if you have a heavy heart as you head home we’d love you to consider joining us.

There are hundreds of different careers within health and social care and we may have just the right job for you.

Hospitals in Cornwall

Anyone with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries should dial 999.

Cornwall is served by two main hospitals:

  • Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, Truro, TR1 3LJ Tel: 01872 250000
  • Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth PL6 8DH Tel: 01752 202082

There are also 12 community hospitals across Cornwall.

Remember your medication

If you take regular medication, don’t forgot to pack and bring them with you on holiday. Remember to ask for any prescription refills you may need before bank holiday weekends. But if you are unable to access your GP, you can get an emergency supply of most prescription medicines from your local pharmacy to tide you over. There are some medication exceptions, and you may have to pay for this service, but a pharmacy will be the quickest way if you do need an emergency supply.

Cornwall Council Car Parks

Electric Vehicle Charge Points

The Drive EV2 Project has brought new public access electric vehicle charge points to Cornwall. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council. The charge points have been installed in Cornwall Council car parks in 42 locations. There are fast charging units, as well as rapid charging units.

Charge points can be located using maps such as Zap-Map (UK) and E-connect.

Users pay to use the charge points. The cost of charging is set by SWARCO at market rates and covers the operation and maintenance throughout the contract.

Car parking charges may apply when using Electric Vehicle (EV) bays in Cornwall Council's car parks and on street within pay and display bays. Please refer to car park signage for charges.

For more information on the locations of the charge points and how to use them, please refer to the guide below.

Cornwall Recycling

Please recycle

In Cornwall we take our recycling very seriously as we hope you do at home. In order to help us keep Cornwall free from litter and environmental damage, we would ask you to recycle the following items during your stay:

  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Cardboard
  • Brochures
  • Metal drinks and food cans
  • Plastic bottles
  • Textiles
Our Regions

Discover your Cornwall

Long sandy beaches, hidden coves, rugged moorland, quaint fishing villages, deep wooded valleys, bustling seaside resorts, industrial heritage, rocky headlands, colourful gardens, idyllic rivers and a bijou city, Cornwall has a bit of everything for those who want to explore.

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