Free Cornwall Travel Guide & Mobile App

Explore Cornwall with free travel guides. Discover regional history, expert tips, proposed trips, and audio guides on web or mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Cornwall
Cornwall photo 2
Cornwall photo 3
All photos

Explore Cornwall's Atlantic beaches, mining heritage, fishing towns, coastal paths, gardens and distinctive Cornish food across England's far south-west.

Cornwall occupies the far south-western tip of England, projecting into the Atlantic between the English Channel and the Celtic Sea. Its long, deeply indented coastline alternates between high cliffs, sandy bays, fishing harbours, tidal estuaries and windswept headlands. Inland, the scenery changes to granite moorland, hedged farmland, wooded valleys and old mining country. The county is large enough for travel times to matter: the fishing ports of north Cornwall, the western peninsula, the south-coast creeks and the Bodmin Moor uplands each reward separate attention.
Read more about Cornwall
The principal urban centres are Truro, Cornwall's cathedral city and administrative centre, and the larger resort and harbour towns of Newquay, Falmouth, St Austell, Penzance and St Ives. Each has a different character. Newquay is associated with surfing and a lively summer economy; Falmouth combines a working port, maritime history and a university presence; St Ives is shaped by beaches, galleries and modern British art; while Penzance provides a useful base for exploring the far west. Smaller places such as Padstow, Fowey, Port Isaac, Mousehole and Falmouth's neighbouring villages add distinct local identities rather than functioning as interchangeable postcard settings.
Cornwall's cultural character reflects its position at the edge of Britain and its historic links across the Celtic Sea. The Cornish language, revived after a long decline, remains part of the county's public and cultural life, while place names often preserve older Celtic forms. Medieval churches, coastal engine houses and granite farm buildings sit alongside contemporary galleries, theatres and craft studios. The county's industrial heritage is especially visible in the former mining districts around St Just, Redruth and Camborne, where tall engine-house ruins recall the period when Cornish tin and copper transformed the landscape and connected local communities to global markets.
The coast is central to the Cornish experience, but it is not one uniform shore. North-facing beaches are popular for surfing, the western coast is marked by exposed cliffs and mining landscapes, and the south coast has calmer creeks, wooded inlets and sheltered harbours. The South West Coast Path links these environments, although some sections are strenuous and exposed. Inland, Bodmin Moor offers open walking among granite tors and prehistoric remains, while gardens such as the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan demonstrate how Cornwall's mild, maritime climate supports ambitious planting.
Food is another expression of place. The Cornish pasty has roots in the county's mining communities, and local menus commonly feature fish, shellfish, dairy produce, seasonal vegetables, bread and cakes such as saffron cake. Visitors will find everything from harbour cafés and traditional pubs to contemporary restaurants in the larger towns. Cornwall is best approached at a measured pace, allowing for weather changes, narrow lanes, seasonal congestion and the fact that the most rewarding coastal viewpoints are often reached on foot.

When is the best time to visit Cornwall?

Best: June–August · 19–21°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January9100
February980
March1180
April1370
May1660
June (best)1960
July (best)2160
August (best)2170
September1970
October1690
November12100
December10110

Getting to and around Cornwall

How to get there

Newquay Cornwall Airport is the county's main commercial airport and has a limited range of domestic and seasonal international connections, so many overseas visitors also travel via larger airports outside Cornwall, particularly Bristol, London or Exeter, before continuing by rail or road. The main railway reaches Cornwall along the Great Western route, with Truro, St Austell, Bodmin Parkway, St Austell, Camborne, Penzance and other stations providing access to different parts of the county. The A30 is the principal road through much of Cornwall, while the Tamar Bridge connects the county with Devon and the rest of England.

Transportation

Rail services run along the main line from Plymouth through central and western Cornwall, with branch lines serving destinations including Falmouth, Newquay, St Ives and Looe. Buses connect the larger towns with many coastal and rural communities, though services can be less frequent outside the main tourist season. A car is convenient for dispersed beaches, moorland sites and former mining districts, but narrow lanes, limited parking and summer congestion require patience. Walking and cycling are rewarding on selected routes, while taxis are useful for filling gaps in rural or evening transport.

Best attractions in Cornwall

Cornwall's attractions are distributed across a varied landscape rather than concentrated in one city. The north coast is known for surf beaches, cliff walks and harbour villages, with Newquay providing the largest resort setting and places such as Padstow and Port Isaac offering different maritime traditions. In the west, the former mining districts around St Just, Botallack and Redruth combine engine houses, cliffs and industrial archaeology, while Tate St Ives gives the county an important modern-art focus. The south coast brings sheltered harbours at Falmouth, Fowey and Polperro, together with gardens, maritime museums and boat trips. Major heritage sites include Tintagel Castle, St Michael's Mount and the atmospheric ruins of Restormel Castle. Inland, Bodmin Moor offers walking, granite tors and prehistoric monuments. The Eden Project near St Austell presents global plant environments in vast biomes, while the Lost Gardens of Heligan combine horticultural restoration with historic estate landscapes. The South West Coast Path links many of these experiences, though its terrain ranges from easy promenades to demanding cliff sections. Visitors should allow time for weather, tides and the slower roads of rural Cornwall.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Cornwall

Cornwall's most recognisable landmarks express its Atlantic setting and industrial past. St Michael's Mount, rising from Mount's Bay near Marazion, is a medieval island stronghold and church reached by a causeway at suitable low tides or by boat when available. Tintagel Castle occupies a dramatic headland associated with Arthurian legend and medieval Cornish history, while the granite remains of Restormel Castle overlook the Fowey valley. Along the western coast, engine houses at Botallack and nearby former mining sites stand above the sea, representing the technological and social importance of the international tin and copper industry. The Lizard's distinctive serpentine geology gives the southern peninsula a different visual character, and Land's End marks Cornwall's exposed western extremity. Truro Cathedral provides a prominent architectural focus in the county's main city, with its spires visible across the surrounding landscape. The harbour fronts of Falmouth, Fowey and St Ives are also significant working and historic landscapes, shaped by maritime trade, fishing, shipbuilding and tourism rather than by a single monument.

Show more landmarks

Explore Cornwall on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Cornwall

Cornwall's food culture is closely linked to mining, farming and the sea. The Cornish pasty remains the county's best-known speciality, while saffron cake, hevva cake, clotted cream and locally made bread appear in bakeries, cafés and tearooms. Fishing ports and coastal towns provide opportunities to eat fish and shellfish, although menus and landings vary by season and by harbour. Farm shops and markets commonly feature dairy products, meat, vegetables, preserves and apples, and many pubs serve straightforward local cooking alongside regional ales and cider. Falmouth, Truro, St Ives, Padstow and the larger resorts offer the widest choice of contemporary restaurants, cafés and international food, while rural inns provide a slower dining setting. Cornish food is not limited to seafood: inland farms, dairies and bakeries are central to the regional table. Visitors should distinguish established local products from generic dishes carrying a Cornish label, and should expect booking pressure at popular restaurants during the summer.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Cornwall

Evening life in Cornwall is shaped more by pubs, harbour restaurants, live music and seasonal events than by a large, year-round nightclub circuit. Falmouth has one of the county's most active evening scenes, influenced by its port, student population and concentration of pubs, bars and small music venues. Truro offers city-centre pubs, cocktail bars, restaurants and cultural performances, while Newquay combines resort nightlife with surf-oriented bars and late venues, particularly during the summer. St Ives, Penzance, Padstow and other coastal towns are better suited to relaxed drinks, dining and occasional live music than to an extensive club programme. Traditional pubs remain important social spaces throughout the county, including in villages where evening options may be limited and seasonal. Breweries, cider makers and occasional tasting events add variety, but visitors should check current arrangements and plan transport in advance, especially in rural areas where taxis and buses may be scarce after dark.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Cornwall

Evening life in Cornwall is shaped more by pubs, harbour restaurants, live music and seasonal events than by a large, year-round nightclub circuit. Falmouth has one of the county's most active evening scenes, influenced by its port, student population and concentration of pubs, bars and small music venues. Truro offers city-centre pubs, cocktail bars, restaurants and cultural performances, while Newquay combines resort nightlife with surf-oriented bars and late venues, particularly during the summer. St Ives, Penzance, Padstow and other coastal towns are better suited to relaxed drinks, dining and occasional live music than to an extensive club programme. Traditional pubs remain important social spaces throughout the county, including in villages where evening options may be limited and seasonal. Breweries, cider makers and occasional tasting events add variety, but visitors should check current arrangements and plan transport in advance, especially in rural areas where taxis and buses may be scarce after dark.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Cornwall

Shopping in Cornwall is strongest in its market towns, independent coastal centres and food-producing communities rather than in large metropolitan retail districts. Truro provides the broadest conventional choice, including high-street shops, department-store retail and independent businesses, while Falmouth and St Ives are particularly noted for galleries, studios, books, clothing and craft-led shops. Penzance combines everyday shopping with antiques, art and small independent retailers. Coastal towns such as Padstow and towns around the Lizard offer local food, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and maritime-themed goods, though prices and stock vary with the season. Farm shops and farmers' markets are useful places to find Cornish cheese, preserves, chocolate, biscuits, cider and other regional produce. Galleries and makers' studios sell paintings, pottery, glass, woodwork and jewellery, reflecting Cornwall's long relationship with landscape and the arts. A genuine Cornish pasty or packaged local food can travel more easily than fragile craftwork, but visitors should check customs and airline rules when taking food abroad.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Cornwall, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Cornwall essentials

Currency and Payment
Cornwall uses the pound sterling, written as GBP or £, like the rest of the United Kingdom. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in towns, accommodation, attractions, cafés and supermarkets, although a small amount of cash remains sensible for rural stalls, honesty boxes, traditional events and places with unreliable mobile reception. Cash machines are less common in remote villages than in larger towns, and some may charge a fee. Visitors should not assume that every coastal kiosk or seasonal business accepts the same payment methods.
Safety
Ordinary visitor precautions are appropriate in Cornwall, particularly in busy resorts, car parks and crowded summer areas. The more distinctive risks are environmental: unstable cliff edges, falling rocks, mine shafts, fast-changing weather, strong surf, rip currents and slippery coastal paths. Follow warning signs, keep away from cliff edges and supervise children near water. If driving, allow extra time on narrow lanes and avoid blocking passing places. Walkers should carry suitable footwear, water and a charged phone, while checking tide and weather conditions before coastal excursions.
Emergency Situations
Call 999 or 112 in an immediate emergency for police, fire or ambulance services; these are United Kingdom-wide numbers rather than Cornwall-specific arrangements. Coastguard assistance is accessed through the same emergency numbers, as is help for serious incidents on the coast. For a non-emergency police matter, call 101. Give a clear location, using a named road, beach access point, coast path marker or What3Words reference if available, since cliffs, coves and moorland can make exact positions difficult to identify. Do not enter the sea to assist someone in difficulty.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to marked paths around cliffs, mining remains and protected landscapes, close gates, and take rubbish home when bins are scarce. Respect working harbours, fishermen's equipment and private farmland rather than treating every coastal area as an open attraction. Ask before photographing people, homes or small community events, and follow local restrictions on dogs during seasonal beach bans. In pubs and restaurants, queue politely and check whether service or discretionary tipping is already included. At churches, holy wells and other heritage places, behave quietly and do not climb monuments or remove stones.
Local Tips
Choose bases according to the coast you want to explore: north Cornwall suits surfing and dramatic beaches, the south coast offers sheltered creeks and historic harbours, and the far west is particularly strong for mining landscapes and exposed walking. Visit popular sites early or late in the day during peak summer, and keep an alternative plan for wet or windy weather. Local buses can be valuable on linear coast-path walks, but verify the return journey before setting off. In food shops, look for Cornish produce rather than assuming every item marketed as local was made in the county.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHello[heh-loh]
GoodbyeTaa-ra[tah-rah]
YesAye[ai]
NoNaa[nah]
Please/You’re welcomePlease[pleez]
Thank youThank you[thangk yew]
Excuse me/SorryS’cuse me[skyoos mee]
How are you?How be ye?[how bee yee]
Fine. And you?Right. An’ you?[rait. an' yoo]
Do you speak English?D'ye speak English?[d'ye speek ing-glish]
I don't understandI don’t get it[ai dont get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu, please?[kan ai see thuh men-yoo, pleez?]
I don't eat meatI don’t eat meat[ai dont eet meet]
Cheers!Cheers![cheerz]
I would like to pay, pleaseI’d like to pay, please[ai'd laik to pay, pleez]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Go away![go ah-way]
Call the Police!Call the coppers![kawl thuh cop-pers]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![kawl a dok]
I’m lostI’m lost[ai'm lost]
I’m illI’m poorly[ai'm poor-lee]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to buy...I’d like to buy...[ai'd laik to buy...]
I’m just lookingI’m just looking[ai'm just looking]
How much is it?How much be it?[how much bee it?]
That’s too expensiveThat’s too dear[thats too deer]
Can you lower the price?Can ye lower the price?[kan yee loh-er thuh prys?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time be it?[what time bee it?]
It’s one o'clockIt be one o'clock[it bee wun o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past (10)[half past (ten)]
MorningMornin'[mor-ning]
AfternoonAfternoon[af-ter-noon]
EveningEvenin'[eev-ning]
YesterdayYesterday[yes-ter-day]
TodayToday[to-day]
TomorrowTo-morrow[to-mor-row]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[for]
5Five[fiv]
6Six[siks]
7Seven[sev-en]
8Eight[ait]
9Nine[nin]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where be a/the...?[whehr bee a/thuh...?]
What’s the address?What be the address?[what bee thuh ad-dress?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ye show me (on the map)?[kan yee shoh mee (on thuh map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When be the next (bus)?[when bee thuh next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[a tik-it (to....)]

History of Cornwall

Prehistoric Monuments and Early Communities

Cornwall preserves substantial evidence of prehistoric settlement, farming and ritual activity. Stone circles, standing stones, barrows and hillforts occur across the moors and uplands, while settlements such as Chysauster near Penzance reveal the organisation of later prehistoric and Romano-British communities. The landscape was not an empty wilderness: fields, pathways and defended sites show long-term management of the land. Bodmin Moor and the Penwith peninsula are particularly important for visible prehistoric remains, although many monuments are integrated into working farmland and open countryside. Their survival helps explain why Cornwall's cultural landscape predates its medieval castles, ports and mining industry by thousands of years.

Roman and Post-Roman Cornwall

Roman influence reached Cornwall without producing the dense urban network found in parts of southern and eastern Britain. Cornwall remained a predominantly rural and locally governed landscape, with trade links extending along the western seaways. After Roman administration ended, the south-west retained strong connections with other Brittonic communities, including those across the sea in Brittany and Wales. Early Christian sites, inscribed stones and medieval traditions preserve traces of this transition. The period contributed to Cornwall's later sense of a distinct western identity, although political structures and cultural boundaries changed repeatedly during the centuries between Roman rule and the Norman conquest.

Medieval Earldom, Stannary Rights and Christianity

In the medieval period Cornwall developed institutions that reflected its mineral wealth and distance from England's political centre. The earldom, and later the Duchy of Cornwall, exercised important authority, while the stannary system regulated tin mining and gave miners particular legal arrangements. Medieval churches, holy wells and wayside crosses remain widespread, and pilgrimage shaped places such as St Michael's Mount and St Nectan's area near Tintagel. Norman and later medieval rulers strengthened castles and boroughs, including those at Restormel, Tintagel and Launceston. Cornwall's ports also traded with Ireland, Brittany, Spain and other parts of the Atlantic world.

Maritime Trade, Privateering and Civil Conflict

Cornwall's harbours supported fishing, coastal trade and long-distance commerce, but the county was also exposed to warfare and political upheaval. During the English Civil War, Cornwall largely supported Charles I, and Royalist forces used the county's difficult terrain and local networks as Parliamentarian armies advanced westward. Earlier and later centuries brought privateering, smuggling and naval connections, particularly around ports such as Falmouth and Fowey. These activities should not be reduced to folklore: they were tied to customs duties, international conflict, seasonal employment and the opportunities created by a rugged coastline with many small landing places.

The Rise of Tin and Copper Mining

From the eighteenth into the nineteenth century, Cornwall became one of the world's most important centres of hard-rock mining, first for tin and increasingly for copper. Deep mines required advanced pumping technology, helping drive developments associated with Cornish engineers and steam power. Engine houses, spoil heaps, tramways and miners' settlements reshaped the landscapes around Camborne, Redruth, St Day, St Just and the Tamar Valley. Cornish miners later carried their expertise to mining regions overseas, creating global links that remain part of the county's industrial story. The decline of the industry left economic hardship but also a remarkably legible heritage landscape.

Railways, Tourism and the Coastal Resort

Railways reached Cornwall during the nineteenth century, improving the movement of minerals, goods and people while making the coast more accessible to holidaymakers. Resorts including Newquay, St Ives and Penzance developed alongside older ports and market towns, and bathing, scenery and mild weather became increasingly important to the local economy. The railway also supported artists and writers who were drawn to the unusual light, harbours and coastal forms. Tourism did not replace older industries immediately, but it gradually changed employment, architecture and land use, especially as mining declined and seaside travel became available to a broader British public.

Modern Cornish Identity and Cultural Renewal

Twentieth- and twenty-first-century Cornwall have been shaped by the decline of heavy industry, the growth of tourism, environmental protection and continuing debates over regional identity. The Cornish language has undergone a notable revival, supported by education, cultural organisations and public signage, while festivals, music, visual art and community events draw on older traditions without freezing them in the past. Former industrial sites have become places of interpretation, conservation and walking, and coastal communities continue to balance fishing, housing, tourism and environmental pressures. Cornwall today is both part of England and a region with a strongly articulated historical and cultural distinctiveness.

Cornwall in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Neighbouring regions of Cornwall

The closest regions to Cornwall, if you have time for more than one.

Explore more

United Kingdom
More of the region

Explore more of United Kingdom

Discover the United Kingdom: A blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities, offering a unique travel experience for every visitor.

Explore United Kingdom
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Cornwall

Explore Cornwall with Evendo - a 100% free, app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Discover and book everything in one place.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Discover the best of Cornwall with Evendo, your free, all-in-one travel guide app. Explore landmarks, book experiences, and enjoy local tips for an unforgettable trip.

  • History of Cornwall and travel essentials
  • Tons of good, local advice
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
  • 'Near Me' feature to see what's around you
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Planning a trip to Cornwall? Let Evendo be your ultimate travel companion. Our free, app-based travel guide provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Cornwall. Whether you're visiting the iconic St Michael's Mount, exploring the artistic haven of St Ives, or enjoying the stunning beaches of Newquay, Evendo has you covered.

With rich descriptions, images, local tips, and maps, you'll find it easy to plan and organize your trip. Discover hidden gems like the Lost Gardens of Heligan, dine at renowned restaurants such as Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, or take a scenic tour of the picturesque Lizard Peninsula. Evendo also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app, ensuring a seamless travel experience.

Our 'Near Me' feature helps you explore what's around you, no matter where you are in Cornwall. With curated local tips, you can experience Cornwall like a local. Plus, Evendo isn't just limited to Cornwall; it covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide. Download Evendo today and have the world in your pocket.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.