Our Ten Favourite Places to Visit in Cornwall in 2025/26
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1
Charlestown
Charlestown – great for scenery with its two pebble beaches, Traditional & Warm Welcome pubs, fantastic restaurants and cafes and a wonderful coastal walk to Polkerris Beach. Film location for Poldark, Pirates of the Caribbean and Tom Hardy’s, Taboo.
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2
Polkerris
Polkerris – gorgeous protected beach and small harbour. Has a wonderful dog friendly pub The Rashleigh plus highly popular Pizza & Seafood Restaurant Sams right on the sand!
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3
Fowey
Fowey (pronounced Joy!) – like a good wine, just gets better every year. It boasts a wonderful variety of restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, shops and art galleries and not forgetting the stunning setting! You can hire a boat or take part in all types of water activity. It has a beach called Ready Money with stacks of history plus the SaintsWay a 27 mile trail from Padstow to Fowey - following the probable route of early Christian travellers making their way from Ireland and Wales to Brittany or Santiago de Compostella in Galicia, Spain. Most people choose to do the walk in two days, stopping in the Bodmin area.
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4
Polruan
Polruan, near Fowey – on the opposite side of the Fowey Estuary this cute typical Cornish fishing town has everything you need to get away from it all. This famous medieval Hall Walk from Fowey is a must. A circular 3.8 miles taking you through the little woods and past the 14th Century Lanteglos church where Daphne Du Maurier married ‘Boy’ Browning in 1932.
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5
Lusty Glaze Beach
Lusty Glaze Beach, near Newquay – possibly one of the most amazing beaches & restaurants in Cornwall. You have to visit this place to believe it. There are 83 steps that lead down to the beach & restaurant, but it will be worth it!
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6
Lewennick Lodge
Lewennick Lodge, Pentire, Newquay – fantastic cliff top restaurant and bar. Great food with breath-taking views out to the Atlantic. Nothing between here and North America other than gallons of blue stuff.
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7
St Michaels Mount
St Michaels Mount – World Famous landmark, Castle and Harbour with medieval pathways and sub-tropical gardens. We are so lucky to have this Iconic Island just 500 meters from Mainland Cornwall.
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8
Kynance Cove Beach
Kynance Cove Beach – a National Trust site and a sight for sore eyes. Kynance cove is possible the most photographed location in Cornwall and certainly in the UK. The white sand of the beach and crystal clear turquoise sea is like something from the Caribbean. It doubles up as Poldark’s beloved Nampara. At low tide there are sea caves and islands to explore.
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9
Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor – Great walks, oodles of Wildlife, peppered with historical land marks and a Geocaching Haven – with a stop off at the World famous Jamaica Inn for a hearty breakfast or warming lunch. It would be rude not to visit Cornwall’s most famous smugglers Inn as it’s on your doorstep…
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10
Falmouth Town & Port
Falmouth Town & Port and Pendennis Castle – A stunning Marina full of million pound yachts, stacks of history, great shops and restaurants, stunning sandy Gyllyngvase beach with award winning café plus the beautifully located artillery fort of Pendennis Castle, constructed by Henry VIII between 1540 and 1542. What is there not to like about Falmouth!?
Eating out
Our recommendations for places to eat, drink, visit, laugh and cry (with joy!) at – all are family & dog friendly
The Longstore, Charlestown – one of the best Steak & Seafood restaurants in Cornwall. Their menu also includes super yummy Vegetarian, Vegan & Non Gluten items. Never have we had a bad experience and we have frequented this wonderful establishment hundreds of times and for all types of event. Their wine list is also very impressive.
They have recently opened a sister restaurant in the City of Truro, perfectly located for pre or post Theatre visits at The Hall For Cornwall.
We hope you like our suggestions - we know Cornwall like the backs of our hands, so hopefully this little guide will help you make the most of your visit!
Lou Pearce – Founder, Cornwall Unlocked
