Cornwall, England: where it is, what to see and when to go

Cornwall represents the south-west of Britain and is a narrow peninsula with a milder climate than the rest of the country. Famous for being one of the most beautiful parts of England, it offers visitors a range of natural wonders, quaint fishing villages and historic residences, as well as enchanting landscapes and expansive countryside, unspoilt beaches and steep cliffs overlooking the sea, lush gardens and important archaeological sites.

If you are planning to explore this magnificent destination, here are some tips to help you plan your trip.

Travel information: useful info

• Inhabitants: 565,968

• Capital: Truro

• Languages: British English

• Local currency: British pound (£) / Exchange rate: €1.00 = £0.90

• Climate: temperate oceanic, the mildest and sunniest in the UK. Average annual temperature varies from around 11.6° inland to around 9.8° in the Isles of Scilly

• Distance from Italy: 2,226 km (2 h 50 min flight to Bristol)

Where it is and how to get there

Cornwall is a county of England and lies at the tip of the south-west peninsula of Great Britain. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and also includes the Isles of Scilly, located 45 km from the coast.

The best way to reach Cornwall from Italy is to land over London, then take an internal flight and arrive at Newquay Airport, one of Cornwall's main towns. The internal flight costs on average from £25.00 one way (€27.64) - compare flights.
Alternatively, you could consider a bus from London to Newquay. They leave about every two hours and the journey takes on average 8 hours (£69.00/€76.29 ticket). The train is faster, but after about 4 h you have to change at Par and travel for another 50 min or so, the costs are about the same. The expense and time are greater than by internal flight, which remains the most recommended means.

The main cities

1. Truro: the administrative capital of Cornwall, it is mainly a marina and an important destination for surfers; it is also home to a beautiful medieval cathedral

2. Falmouth: an ideal base for exploring Cornwall's south coast, offering many bars and bistros, beautiful beaches and the county's finest maritime museum

3. Newquay: coastal town chosen by the British as a summer holiday destination because of its twelve sandy beaches. It is the surfing capital of England and an excellent base for exploring the whole county (it has an airport)

4. St Ives: considered to be the Saint-Tropez of Britain, it fills up with sailboats and tourists in the summer due to its lively social life

5. Tintagel: a village on the north coast, it is considered to be the birthplace of King Arthur. Its castle is one of the county's most fascinating and atmospheric destinations.

10 things to see: places of interest in Cornwall

Tintagel - Merlin's Cave

Tintagel - Statue of King Arthur

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1. Tintagel: a very scenic spot, overlooking the sea, and also quite atmospheric as this is where the story of King Arthur is said to have begun. History and myth meet at Tintagel Castle, in an enchanting and timeless place

2. Port Isaac: a picturesque village famous for several films and TV series (Doc Martin and Grace Weed), but which has not lost its authenticity, common to so many villages on the British coast

3. Polzeath and Porthleven: two of the best places in Cornwall to surf, the former more suitable for those who have just started surfing, the latter more suited to experts

4. St Ives: often compared to Saint-Tropez, it is one of the British people's favourite seaside resorts during the summer, a season when it fills up with tourists who often sail there

5. Land's End: as its name suggests, is the extreme south-western tip of Britain. It is a fantastic place from both a natural and scenic point of view, with its sheer cliffs and rare species of both animals and plants

6. St Michael's Mount: located off the south coast of Cornwall, it is a small tidal island, meaning that at low tide it is connected to the mainland. There is a village on the island with a magnificent castle at the top of the mountain and a 15th century medieval church.

7. Chapel Street-Penzance: this is the oldest street in Penzance, full of historic buildings and famous as one of the 'most haunted places in the county'. Look for the figure of a smuggler with a gun on the rooftops!

8. Lost Gardens of Heligan: an 80-acre park in the heart of Cornwall, a complex of English and Italianate gardens, flower terraces and even a jungle, all set in an epic fantasy atmosphere

9. Eden Project: at a former quarry, a rainforest and a Mediterranean biome grow under huge domes. In this complex there is also a large outdoor garden with local plant species and an adventure park

10. Newquay: known for its beautiful beaches and inviting clear Atlantic waters, it is famous everywhere for surfing, many of the world's competitions take place here

Main itineraries in Cornwall

Thebest way to visit Cornwall is on the road, so you can savour the true essence of Cornwall in a slow way, without missing any of the scenery, scents and glimpses of the ocean.

Cornwall is also a land of myths and legends, so why not visit it following in the footsteps of the mysterious characters who are said to have inhabited it?

So let's find out which are the most popular itineraries in this fascinating land, depending on the time available and your interests:

1. In the footsteps of King Arthur: the historical-literary tour includes a visit to Dartmoor Nature Park, a stop at Tintagel where, according to tradition, the legendary King Arthur was born, and then on to Land's End, the westernmost tip of Britain, St. Ives and St. Michael's Mount

2. Cornwall on the road: the tour includes a visit to Port Isaac before continuing on the road to Porthcurno, driving along the coast and stopping to admire the headlands and cliffs. Stop off at Penzance and Porthlevel, then Falmouth, between beaches and castles

3. Cornwall with children, between legends and nature: departure from Tintagel, a fairy-tale place par excellence, then a stop at the numerous castles such as Launceston Castle, Saint Mawes Castle and Pendennis Castle, until arriving at St Michael's Mount where you can discover the legend of the giant Cormoran

What to do in Cornwall: excursions and tours

When to go? Info on climate and best time

• Climate: oceanic but temperate, fairly mild and rainy throughout the year. Temperatures average 10°, hardly ever falling below zero. It is one of the sunniest areas in the UK due to the influence of the Gulf Stream.

• Best time: summer, especially June and July, when temperatures are warmer and there is less rainfall

• Periodto avoid: autumn and winter are the times when rainfall is most frequent and heavy

How much does a holiday in Cornwall cost? Prices, offers and advice

A trip to Cornwall could be quite expensive, especially if you decide to go during the high season, i.e. between June and September. This area of the UK is in fact very busy during the summer period, which leads to higher prices for accommodation and activities.

A convenient choice could be to rent a car and stay in small, characteristic B&Bs, located in the towns and villages on the coast and in the inland areas. As for airline tickets, if booked in advance with low-cost airlines or by taking advantage of last-minute offers, they could represent the lowest expense.

Alternatively, if you are short on time and don't know how to organise your itinerary, you can take part in a 5-day tour of Devon and Cornwall from London, including accommodation, breakfast and minibus transport for the duration of the trip!

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €76.00 per room - see offers

• Cheap flights: to London from €20.00 - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: Return flight + 5 days/4 nights from €376,00 per person - look at the offers