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10 top places to visit in Cornwall

Updated: Mar 24


In no particular order here are 10 places to visit in Cornwall having lived in Falmouth and explored the Cornish countryside and coastline in all the seasons.

A detail of an illustrated map of Cornwall by James Illustrates featuring Padstow - Simple fish and chips on the harbour wall, or serious fine dining, Padstow has it all. Along with Pentire point, The Doom Bar, The river camel, Harlyn, Newquay, Porthcothan, Carnewasm Mawgan Porth and teh Celtic Sea.
Padstow - Simple fish and chips on the harbour wall, or serious fine dining, Padstow has it all.

  1. Padstow, the town that put Cornwall on the foodie map. Think Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. It still has a working harbour and sits at the head of the Camel Estuary, a great place to explore.

A detail of an illustrated map of Cornwall by James Illustrates featuring Newlyn - The Huer watched for herring at Newlyn bay, Lands End, Mount's bay, St Ives, Zennor, Marazion, Praasands, Penwith Heritage coast and Sennen cove
Newlyn - The Huer watched for herring at Newlyn bay

  1. Newlyn on the shore of Mount's Bay, it is the largest fishing port in England and is the home of the Newlyn School of Art.

A detail of of an illustrated map of Cornwall by James Illustrates featuring the Helford river, Maenporth, Falmouth, Mullion cove, The lizard, St Mawes, Flushing and Penryn.
Helford river

  1. The Helford River meanders through west Cornwall, Daphne du Maurier based her novel Frenchman’s Creek here. Plus, Helford village has been named one of the most beautiful villages in the UK according to Conde nast.

Detail of a Cornwall illustrated map featuring The Lizard Peninsular - Kynance cove. Ruan major & Minor and Marconi!
The Lizard Peninsular - Kynance cove. Ruan major & Minor and Marconi!

  1. The Lizard Peninsula Is  Britain’s most southerly point and looked after by the National Trust along with Kynance Cove, which was a favourite of Tennyson’s, is often named one of the most beautiful places in the UK – The Lizard is also famous for the local serpentine stone.

Detail of a Cornwall illustrated map by James Illustrates featuring Porthcurno for the Minack - Shakespeare & Salty waves, Lands End, Mounts Bay, Longships Lighthouse, Sennen Cove, Newlyn bay and Mousehole.
Porthcurno for the Minack - Shakespeare & Salty waves

  1. The Minack is a world famous open-air theatre well worth a visit. It’s stunning location offers panoramic views of the coastline, you can just wonder round but it’s amazing to see a show here too. right next to the Minack Theatre is Porthcurno beach One of the loveliest beaches in Cornwall

Detail of a Cornwall illustrated map by James Illustrates featuring Penzance, Lands End, Porthcurno, the Minack Theatre, Mout's Bay, Sennen Cove, Newlyn, Marazion, St Michael's Mount and Praa Sands.
Penzance - Be there pirates at the end of the line?

  1. Penzance is A town with spectacular views of mounts bay,  home to the art deco Jubilee pool and lively art galleries, second-hand book sellers and bijou boutiques. 

Detail of a Cornwall illustrated map by James Illustrates featuring the Roseland Heritage Coast, Caerhays Castle and Gardens, John Nash, St Mawes, Falmouth, Par and Fowey.
The Roseland Heritage Coast

  1. The Roseland Peninsula Is an unspoilt landscape of cliffs, creeks, woods and beaches separated from the rest of Cornwall by the river fal. St Mawes is the main harbour town with Rows of cottages leading up to St Mawes Castle, a Tudor fort with views out to sea.

Detail of a Cornwall illustrated map by James Illustrates featuring St Michael's Mount - Mounts Bay, Marazion, Predannack Wollas, Praasands and Comelian and Cormoran.
St Michael's Mount - Mounts bay and Marazion

  1. St Michael’s Mount is the English twin of the French monastery Mont-Saint-Michel, a National Trust property linked to the beach by a giant causeway. There’s a tiny harbour village populated by about 30 people.

Detail of a Cornwall illustrated map by James Illustrates featuring St Ives, Zennor, Newlyn, St Just, Penwith, Hayle, Godrevy, Porthmeor and Porthminster Beaches.
St Ives - Magical light meets modern art

  1. St Ives is Well known for the Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Museum, this is one of Cornwall’s prettiest towns with picture perfect cobbled streets, harbour and sandy beaches, what more could you want.

Detail of a Cornwall illustrated map by James Illustrates featuring Land End, Porthcurno, The Minack Theatre, Sennen cove, Penwith Heritage coast, St Just and Newlyn.
Lands End - Longships lighthouse and Sennen cove.

  1. And finally Land’s End, Britain’s most south-westerly point and one of the country’s most famous landmarks. From the 200 foot high granite cliffs you can gaze across to the Longships Lighthouse, and on a good day, the Isles of Scilly.


Why not take a look at my full illustrated map of Cornwall here, you can purchase it as a print or tea towel!

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