Generally speaking, there isn’t much going on when it comes to holidaying in Cornwall. Pick a nice spot near a nice beach, head down the A30 until you reach it, then the rest will take care of itself until it’s time to head home.
It may be a bit oversimplified, but it’s a tried and tested method that millions of visitors adopt every year. While there’s nothing wrong with lounging by the sea for two weeks, Cornwall has so much more to offer.
The vast majority of tourists head to the beach, and for good reason. Of course, as well as the incredible beaches, there’s also the always wonderful South West Coast Path, picturesque seaside towns and some of the country’s best fish and chip shops.
But there is a hinterland full of amazing places to explore that is largely overlooked by visitors. Here you’ll find magnificent trails for walking and cycling, ancient heritage sites and plenty of beautiful scenery, and you’ll often have them all to yourself, even in the height of summer.
Of course, choosing where to go is often the tough part, but whether you’re after a long weekend away, there’s no shortage of travel companies (many based in Cornwall) to help you plot an itinerary. season or a summer getaway with the family. To get you started, here are the 10 best Cornish holidays to try this year.
Surf with your family
Cornwall’s north coast is one of the best surfing destinations in the UK, with dozens of fantastic beaches to suit all ability levels. One of the best for families is Watergate Bay, a quiet little spot just above Newquay, where the Wavehunters surf school offers two-hour group sessions for ages six and up.
They provide all the kit and a brief introduction to the basics before you head out on the water to catch some waves. The school partners with the Watergate Bay Hotel, an airy beachfront resort with 80 comfortable rooms, three restaurants and a Swim Club spa and fitness centre.
How to: Wavehunters (01637 860840) offers two-hour surf lessons from £45 per person; Rooms at Watergate Bay Hotel (01637 860543; watergatebay.co.uk) from £220, B&B.
Take a walk around the lizard
If you’re looking to walk along Cornwall’s 422 miles of coastline, you really can’t go wrong. Even though it is diverse, every inch of the road offers unlimited beauty. However, the road from Mounts Bay to Lizard Point is particularly appreciated for its breathtaking views; On one side, a riot of living gorse; On the other side, the sea crashes against granite cliffs.
Western Discoveries runs a four-night walking tour starting in Marazion, finishing 35 miles away in Coverack, and stopping at the honeypot villages of Porthleven and Mullion. Five nights of bed and breakfast are included, as are bag transfers.
How to: Western Discoveries (01736 362763; westcornwallwalks.co.uk) offers the Marazion to Coverack walking holiday from £620, B&B.
Sing and sail in Falmouth
The bustling port city of Falmouth has a rich maritime history and remains one of the South West’s leading sailing destinations to this day. For those who want to share some of this sailing tradition, VentureSail Holidays is offering space on its traditional sailing yawl, Escape, for the Falmouth Classics Regatta this June.
The four-day itinerary also coincides with the town’s annual Sea Shanty Festival, where acts from around the world gather for a weekend of exciting marine music and fun festivities.
How to: VentureSail Holidays (01872487288; VentureSailHolidays.com) offers a four-day Falmouth Classics & Sea Shanty Festival cruise from £595 per person from 14 June 2024.
Pedal west
Cycling enthusiasts have always been drawn to Cornwall’s wild west, with its windy coastal roads, rugged terrain and panoramic sea views. With many steep climbs and hair-raising descents, this area is not for the faint of heart, but there are a few companies that will help ease the way.
One of these is Cornish Cycle Tours, which offers a five-day West Cornwall itinerary, starting in Porthleven and following the coast clockwise through Penzance, Sennen, St Ives, Redruth and Falmouth. The package includes accommodation at each stop as well as the option to ride an electric bike.
How to: Cornish Cycle Tours (01637 889 156; cornishcycletours.co.uk) offers a five-night West Cornwall Cycle Tour from £717 per person, including accommodation.
Connect with nature in Bodmin
Cornwall is full of beautiful places where you can take a meditation workshop or yoga retreat, but Cabilla does it a little differently. This year, the rural retreat at Bodmin Moor is offering Dirty Weekend packages that take a more earthy approach to reconnecting with nature. Along with yoga sessions and sound baths, guests get to experience things like helping replant temperate rainforest (while learning all about this enticing but sadly threatened habitat) and getting an up-close look at Cabilla’s species reintroduction project (including an audience member). They will also be stuck with some vital conservation work. along with two resident beavers, Sigourney and Jean-Claude).
How to: Cabilla (cabillacornwall.com) offers two-night Dirty Weekend packages from £425 per person, including accommodation and all meals.
Choose your Cornish adventure
With so much to see and do, the hardest part of a Cornish holiday is getting everything together. To help you meet as much of your wish list as possible, Experience Cornwall Tours offers a 5-Day Deluxe Tour Package. It allows you to choose from a list of pre-determined day trips, with some of the country’s top attractions including Mount St Michael, Eden Project, Tintagel as options.
Tour guide and transportation are included, as well as entrance fees and lunch each day (although accommodation is not provided).
How to: Experience Cornwall Tours (01872 396143; experiencecornwalltours.co.uk) offers a 5-Day Deluxe Tour Package from £113 per person per day.
Walk on the wild side
With an abundance of marine life and rare bird species, Cornwall is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Naturetrek offers five-day holidays centered around Cornwall’s native species to help you make the most of your critter-spotting adventure.
This program includes a twilight tour in search of Eurasian beavers, a seven-hour catamaran cruise to see dolphins and minke whales, and coastal walks in areas where the rare mountain crow, a symbol of Cornwall, can be spotted. The package is based in Falmouth and surrounding areas, which includes most meals as well as accommodation at the Penmorvah Hotel.
How to: Naturetrek (01962 733051; Naturetrek.co.uk) offers a five-day Cornwall – Beavers, Choughs and Cetaceans holiday from £1,295 per person.
The wind is next to the sea
When it comes to a good old-fashioned family getaway by the sea, few hotels can match Carlyon Bay. The sumptuous art deco resort near St Austell has something for everyone: a sea-view championship golf course, an attractive spa, an attractive outdoor pool, tennis courts, 250 acres of gardens, a private beach and miles of stunning countryside.
There are many different packages to choose from, but families looking for summer holiday inspiration should consider the Family Summer Holiday offer, which includes unlimited use of spa and leisure facilities as well as a free daily round of golf.
How to: Carlyon Bay Hotel (01726 812304; carlyonbay.com) offers Family Summer Holidays from £185 per person per night for room only.
Paint something on Scilly
Since the early 19th century, artists have flocked to Cornwall in droves, attracted by the dramatic landscapes and unique light. This trend continues today, with a vibrant arts scene developing across the borough, maintained by institutions such as the Newlyn School of Art. This year the school is organizing a series of picture holidays at Tresco, the second largest of the Scilly islands and home to the famous subtropical gardens of Tresco Abbey. Four-day courses include a daily painting lesson, a visit to the Abbey gardens, a trip to one of the neighboring islands and half-board accommodation at the New Inn.
How to: Newlyn School of Art (01736365557; newnartschool.co.uk) offers a four-day Tresco Picture Holiday for £675 per person.
Join a seafood masterclass
The North Coast town of Padstow has become a center for fine seafood dining in recent years. At the center of it all is Rick Stein’s collection of restaurants (four restaurants in Padstow alone).
Anyone who enjoys the captivating cookery episodes of the popular BBC series Rick Stein’s Cornwall, and those willing to learn some culinary skills should consider the Gourmet Vacation package at the Seafood Restaurant. This package includes two nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, along with a three-course dinner and a Cook-Your-Own Dinner course at the on-site cooking school.
How to: Seafood Restaurant (01841 532700; rickstein.com) offers a Gourmet Holiday package from £686 for two adults.