History & Heritage in Cornwall

Delve into Cornwall's rich history and heritage at captivating attractions. Wander ancient castles, delve into mining heritage, and uncover tales of legends. Click here to read more or see below for results.

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History & Heritage, Food & Drink

Looe Harbour Coffee Shop & Heritage Centre

A visit to our purpose-built Heritage Centre in The Old Sardine Factory on the Quay in West Looe offers a unique experience immersing you in the story of the harbour, river and bridges.

LooeRead more
History & Heritage

Jamaica Inn

Immortalised in Daphne du Maurier's eponymous tale of wrecking, rogues and pirates, this historic coaching house has welcomed travellers crossing Bodmin Moor for nearly 300 years.

Bodmin Read more
History & Heritage

Delabole Slate Quarry

Come and visit the oldest working slate quarry in England. One of the most important Industrial Heritage sites in Britain today.

CamelfordRead more
History & Heritage, Family Attractions

Museum of Cornish Life

The museum houses one of the largest social history collections in the South West, and ranges from archaeological evidence of the earliest settlers to the Lizard Peninsula.

HelstonRead more
History & Heritage

Charles Causley Trust

The Charles Causley Trust aims to keep alive the memory of the late Charles Causley, to raise the profile and appreciation of his work, and to promote writing and the other arts.

LauncestonRead more
Walking, Arts & Culture, History & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Family Attractions

National Trust Botallack

On the wild Tin Coast, part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and Poldark filming location.

St Just in Penwith, Land's EndRead more
History & Heritage

Prideaux Place

The Prideaux family can trace their ancestry back to the 11th century when they were Lords of Prideaux Castle at Luxulyan.

PadstowRead more
History & Heritage

Cornwall Family History Society

The society was formed in 1976 and now has a great many active members. Many live outside Cornwall with members in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and other countries.

TruroRead more
History & Heritage

St Germans Priory Church

Much original Norman stonework remains, notably the twin towers of different designs and an imposing carved west doorway.

Whitsand Bay, Looe, LiskeardRead more
Nature & Wildlife, Family Attractions, History & Heritage

Wheal Martyn Clay Works

The UK's only china clay museum, set in 26 acres with woodland walks and access to the Clay Trails for walking and cycling.

St AustellRead more
History & Heritage, Arts & Culture

Penlee House Gallery and Museum

Built in 1865 as a gracious Victorian home, Penlee House has been converted to create a first class gallery and museum set within an attractive park.

PenzanceRead more
History & Heritage, Insider Recommendations

Cornish Legends

They capture the imagination, tug at the heart strings and leave you mystically pondering the truth – but perhaps mostly excitingly Cornwall’s many and varied legends cast a whole new light ...

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History & Heritage, Gardens

Caerhays Castle and Gardens

Caerhays Castle and Gardens is located in a sheltered valley overlooking Porthluney Cove on the south Cornish coast halfway between Truro and St. Austell.

Mevagissey, The RoselandRead more
History & Heritage, Gardens

Pencarrow House and Gardens

The gardens range from formal landscaping to ancient woodlands. There is plenty to explore, and with so much variety we are perfect for family days out in Cornwall.

Bodmin , WadebridgeRead more
Tours, Family Attractions, History & Heritage, Experiences

Cornwall Underground

Join Cornwall Underground Adventures to explore the secret world of Cornwall’s mining past.

St Just in PenwithRead more
Activity
Things to do
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FAQs

Everything you need to know to plan your perfect Cornish getaway.

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  • Spoilt for choice!

    St Ives alone has five wonderful beaches, with both Porthminster and Porthmeor being awarded Blue Flags in 2022. Across the bay you will find three miles of golden sand stretching north from the Hayle Estuary. Then there's Porthtowan and Portreath just up the coast...

    Sennen Cove right down near Land's End is another popular stretch both with surfers and families, whilst Mount's Bay provides endless walking and is often home to kite surfers.

    There's also countless small secret coves, ideal for hiding away in, we would tell you where they are, but they wouldn't be secret then!

  • Yes... loads!

    The mild climate caused by the Gulf steam means the south side of Cornwall has some fantatstic gardens to visit. Perhaps the best known are the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey. Come in the spring and be blown away by the colours...

    Down near Falmouth there's Trebah and Glendurgan, sitting side by side and running down valleys to the Helford Passage, there a must if your in that area.

    Smaller gardens such as Pinetum Park and the Hidden Garden are on the outskirts of St Austell. as is the Eden Project, not technically a garden, more a environmental wonderland!

    And if you're in the far east of Cornwall, a visit to Mt Edgcumbe Country Park should be on your list, and allow a day to do the place justice. The formal gardens are amazing, and then there's the deerpark and all the rest of the surrounding countryside.

  • Dogs are restricted on the designated beaches at the times listed below Cornwall Council enforces restrictions at the following beaches which are all part of a Public Spaces Protection Order. Other privately owned beaches may have their own local restrictions in force.

    Please note: Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches have longer restrictions due to the requirements of the Award status. In addition there are three protected wildlife areas that are subject to individual restrictions.

    Find out more
  • Often, and quite literally, bypassed, mid Cornwall is overlooked by visitors who are understandably seeking coastal charms. Next time, however, pull over, stop for a while and allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by the pastoral beauty of this underrated area… There's still plenty of pretty villages, lots of heritage, tucked away attractions and Cornwall's only city, Truro.

  • The A30 runs down through the centre of Cornwall, leaving the M5 at Exeter. It enters Cornwall at Launceston, crosses Bodmin Moor and passes Bodmin. Once past there roads branch off to St Austell and Newquay and a little further on, Truro.

    The A30 continues past Penzance all the way to Lands's End.

    Leaving Exeter, the other major road into Cornwall is the A38. This crosses the Tamar Bridge at Plymouth and serves the towns and villages of south-east Cornwall before terminating at Bodmin where it joins the A30.

    Coming down the North Coast, the A39 (also known as the Atlantic Highway) is good for access to Bude, Wadebridge and Padstow, and all the lovely north coast beaches. It continues onto Truro and eventually Falmouth.

    The A390 is the main road serving St Austell, running from Tavistock in Devon, across the Tamar at Gunnislake and onto Liskeard. From St Austell it continues down to Truro.

    Running north. and adjacent to the Devon/Cornwall border, the A388 runs from Saltash up to Launceston.

    The A94 runs from Falmouth to Penzance via Helston where the A3083 runs down to Lizard Point.

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