With a fusion of wild moorland and sweeping golden beaches, Cornwall offers a sense of real authenticity; a place where Mother Nature is at her most beautiful, unadulterated form. This most south-westerly county will have you spending days hiking across rugged Bodmin Moor, exploring picturesque fishing villages and wandering the extensive coastline with flasks of tea in hand.
North Cornwall
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, North Cornwall plays host to The Atlantic Coast which stretches over 40 miles from Bude to Perranporth. There are various towns and villages intertwined among the cliffs, taking shelter from the sea. It is renowned as a popular destination for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies alike, flaunting enormous bays which are perfect for extreme sports enthusiasts.
“Around Mawgan Porth, we consider ourselves spoilt for choice when it comes to food and beaches! A beautiful hour-long, clifftop stroll brings you to Watergate Bay, a bite to eat at The Beach Hut is a must. If you fancy burning off your lunch, you can hire wetsuits and boards and take to the surf on the mile-long beach. Mawgan Porth itself has something for everyone. The horseshoe bay is dotted with great places to eat; The Scarlet Hotel offers fine dining with stunning views; ‘Catch’ is renowned for its seafood platters whilst The Merrymoor Pub offers traditional family food. Slightly inland, ‘Retorrick Mill’ has a loyal following with delicious wood-fired dishes a speciality! Heading up the windy coast road to Padstow, the beaches are unbelievable, Treyarnon Bay has a giant natural rock pool brilliant for swimming and Constantine and Harlyn are surfing hotspots” - Christina and Jonathan Brown – Owners of The Looking Glass
Where to stay: The Limit, Galleon, Saphir Beach House
South Cornwall
The South Cornwall coast is full of contrasting landscapes with rolling green hills that flow into shorelines filled with sandy coves, where the sea is tamed by a plethora of harbour towns and esteemed gardens. If it is the inland you crave, then there are many charming market towns to explore and become captivated by.
"I feel privileged to have been born and bred in such a beautiful place in Cornwall. There is a real sense of community where I live and we are so fortunate to have the majestic coastline and beautiful beaches of Whitsand Bay. Rame Head, Mount Edgecumbe Country Park and the quaint unspoilt villages of Millbrook, Kingsand and Cawsand are also all on our doorstep. Whitsand Bay is a vast stretch of coast with a collection of beaches - the most popular being Main Beach at Tregonhawke which has Cliff Top Cafe at the top and The Eddystone Cafe and Surf Life School on the beach. The beaches are accessed via steep cliff paths but it's worth the journey to find golden soft sand and good surf." - Tina Peters - Owner of Tempest
Where to stay: Islander, Raffia, The Botanist
West Cornwall
It is here where you will find the remnants of a wondersome ancient heritage of a different world, as you explore every nook and cranny that yesteryear Cornwall has to offer. Small fishing villages that confront a never-ending blue horizon emphasise the historic individuality that the county has compared to anywhere else.
"For the freshest fish and shellfish, forget the supermarkets and either go to the outlets opposite the fish market in Newlyn or the crab and lobster sheds in Newlyn Coombe. Better still, wander down to Mousehole harbour and chat to a village fisherman who may be able to catch your supper on the day you eat it! The idea of a “best beach” is very personal – for someone who wants acres of flat sand then I’d head to Marazion at low tide or for a tiny fishing cove I’d recommend Penberth. Mousehole has safe, sandy harbour beaches which are ideal for children and for rock pooling you can’t beat the lichen-covered granite boulders overlooked by ‘Holanen’." Tim Hubbard – Owner of Holanen
Where to stay: The Redes, Nevada, Atlas House
The Moors
Bodmin Moor is where you will discover the true primitive foundations that Cornwall is formed on. This AONB is home to many a wild pony, who spend days foraging across the granite covered moorland. You will never forget the first time you set your eyes upon the panoramas that the high ground provides.
"This area of Cornwall has the perfect balance of good road connections via the A38 or A30 at Bodmin to suit all the pursuits you may be looking for. It's beautifully positioned between the north and south coast, giving access to coastal walks, fine beaches and moorland. There are walks and cycle tracks nearby at Cardinham Woods and Lanhydrock, both with cafes for refreshments, and a visit to Lanhydrock House is a must. The London Inn, St. Neot and the Halfway House in Twowatersfoot are two of the best pubs around. Also, locally to us, you can purchase game fishing tickets from local angling clubs for use on the rivers Camel and Fowey." Irene Eliot - Owner of Damselfly
Where to stay: Arcalia, Valency Wood, Pixie Nook
