Plan a trip to beautiful Cornwall in England
Located on England’s southwestern tip, Cornwall lies on a peninsula with a combination of lovely wild moorland and a plethora of beautiful sandy beaches. Right at the very tip is Land’s End, the most westerly point of England and a popular attraction.
photo/ topsy_toby98
The Cornish Riviera lines the southern coast of Cornwall and is made up of several quaint harbor villages. Meanwhile, the northern coast sports towering cliffs and oceanside resorts, renowned for vast beaches and excellent surfing and body boarding. The following is a brief breakdown of some of the most popular destinations in Cornwall, England.
- Harbor villages of Cornwall
Two of the most popular harbor villages on the Cornish Riviera are Fowey and Falmouth. Fowey, while picturesque in itself, is best known for being the home of Daphne du Maurier, the English author and playwright. In May each year, Fowey holds the du Maurier Festival, a celebration of arts and literature to honor the author. In August, the harbor town hosts the Fowey Regatta, a week of enjoyable sailing races, a carnival, children’s entertainment, crab catching, fireworks and music.
Falmouth is renowned for its deep natural harbour, which lies on the Fal Estuary. The quaint town also offers gorgeous beaches, including Gyllyngvase and Swanpool. For those with a love of boats, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall is located in Falmouth and offers interactive exhibits, as well as a full flotilla of model boats to view. History lovers will appreciate Pendennis Point, where the well-preserved 16th-century Pendennis Castle stands tall. The fortress was built by Henry VII.
- Northern coast destinations
The northern coast of Cornwall is a beautiful place to stop over and enjoy a comfortable stay in an Independent Cottage, giving the freedom to come and go as you please. This beautiful coastline stretches from the town of Bude to Perranporth, with many historic and fascinating places to visit along the way.
Tintagel is home to beautiful scenery, magical myths and fascinating scenery, especially at Tintagel Castle. The castle has been linked with the famous legend of King Arthur for many centuries and stands high on the cliffs of this rugged coast. The castle is split in two halves, but a new footbridge has been added to make it easier to explore both parts of this fascinating place, while gazing in awe at the views.
Foodies will particularly appreciate the busy town of Padstow, renowned for its seafood. This working fishing village serves up the freshest catch of the day at the many restaurants in town and around the harbor. For those who enjoy water sports, Mother Ivey’s Beach, located in Harlyn Bay, is the perfect spot for body boarding. However, the beach is also great for children to try their hand at the sport.
- Land’s End
Land’s End (Penn-an-Wlas in Cornish) is renowned as a legendary destination in Cornwall that has been spoken about since ancient times in Greece, where the promontory was named the “Belerion” or “Place of the Sun.” Back in the 19th century, people would stay at The First & Last Inn, prior to traveling the last stage of their journey to Land’s End along the narrow lanes.
Modern visitors can follow in their footsteps, taking in the spectacular views along the way and stopping over for lunch or dinner at the famous Land’s End Restaurant, enjoying a meal while gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean. Looking for souvenirs? No problem – head to The West Country Shopping Village to browse a selection of clothing, souvenirs, gifts and snacks.
Take a well-deserved break in Cornwall next year, enjoying the scenery, history and tasty food available all the way.
Author: Anne Sewell
