Holidays in Cornwall

Welcome to Holidays in Cornwall. We created this website to provide inspiration for your holiday to Cornwall.

Whether you’re looking for a family friendly hotel, somewhere you can learn to surf or a restaurant for a romantic meal for two, we hope you discover all the information you need on this website to have the holiday to remember in beautiful Cornwall.

Please browse through the articles on this website for inspiration and information for your visit. And if you do discover a special hidden gem or some other venue or destination we have not yet featured, please let us know so we can share your tips with other readers.

Cornwall Holidays | Ruby Boyd | January 13, 2014 | Leave a comment | Cornwall holidays

The Best Tail-Wagging Dog-Friendly Attractions in Cornwall

Visiting Cornwall especially during spring or summer can be so much fun especially if you decide to bring your canine friend along. It’s always a great way to strengthen that special bond between pet parents and their respective Fidos. But if you’re concerned that your dog may not feel welcome in some of the attractions in Cornish lands, we’ve got you covered. You’ve got to try these tail-wagging paw-fect Cornish attractions that will get your dog jumping for joy.

Family on holiday on the beach in Cornwall

Tintagel Castle

Steeped in Arthurian legends and Merlinian wizardry, Tintagel Castle provides a historical adventure for every member of the family, both bipedalled and the 4-legged. It’s always a great and enchanting way to start your Cornish adventures with your dog as they get to walk through the fabled walkways of the castle. Too bad they won’t understand the significance of this fortress, but you will.

Pencarrow House

It may not be as majestic as the other Cornish structures of the land, but the Pencarrow House is still steeped in history and made even more stunning by its Georgian architecture. But the real draw for four-legged friends is the property’s woodland, fruit orchards, and gardens which the Molesworth-St. Aubuyn family happily welcomes to roam free. There are designated shady spots as well as a complimentary dog treat. Water bowls are placed in strategic locations so your pooch can have ready access to fresh drinking water.

Seal Sanctuary

A favourite among animal conservationists and young kids, the Seal Sanctuary within the region’s Area of Outstanding Beauty is named as one of the country’s top dog-friendly attractions. Orphaned, injured, and sick seals often seek refuge in the sanctuary’s grounds and are cared for by the organisation’s team of seal rescuers.

Trengwaiten Gardens

Located in Penzance, the Trengwaiten Gardens is a full 25 acres of carefully curated and cultivated plant life in a sheltered garden that will have you gasping for breath. Your dog will simply love smelling the leaves and blooms of plants in different hues and varieties. The best part of the experience is that your dog won’t get any of the fleas, ticks, and even mosquitoes that most gardens have. For the rest of your family, the garden’s bookshops and tea room should be fascinating, especially when taken with the unrivalled view of Mounts Bay.

Tehidy Country Park

You can always let your dog roam free without a leash at the Tehidy Country Park in Camborne. Known for its picturesque landscape that is actually blanketed by 250 acres of woodland and snaked by 9 miles of paths and trails, the Tehidy is a favourite when it comes to weekend family picnics and other small social gatherings. There are a few off-limit areas for dogs, but your pooch is generally welcome to find its happiness in the woods of Tehidy.

Staying in Cornwall With Your Dog

Cornwall is such a wonderful destination to visit with your dog. As well as many dog-friendly attractions, there are loads of pooch perfect pubs and cafes, as well as wonderful holiday homes where pets are most welcome. For an extensive list of dog friendly places to stay in Cornwall visit Dog Friendly Retreats which lists thousands of holiday cottages, houses and apartments where you can bring a dog and feel right at home in this beautiful county.

There are other Cornish attractions that allow pets. Unfortunately, man’s best friend is not usually allowed in the main attractions; more or less they are only allowed in the surrounding grounds. But these Cornish places we’ve listed not only allow your furry friend; they welcome it with open hearts.

Cornwall Attractions | Ruby Boyd | June 3, 2019 | Leave a comment | Cornwall dog friendly pets

Exploring the Cornish Coastline with the Best Coasteering Locations

The rugged Cornish coastline is home to one of the most famous outdoor adventures of not only Britons but also international travellers. The art of coasteering allows you to explore the untamed beauty of the Cornish coastline, climb up steep and jagged-faced cliffs, jump into and swim in the water, and explore the various caves dotting the cliffscape. It’s the perfect adventure for the adrenaline-junkie as well as those who would like to try something totally different. If the culinary world has its surf ‘n turf, this is its adventure equivalent. Here are some of the best coasteering locations in Cornwall you’ve definitely include in your bucket list.

Newquay

There are a number of coasteering outfits in Newquay that offer a variety of packages for those who want to try a different kind of adventure. Whether it is negotiating whirlpools or natural rapids, spotting an amazing marine life, or exploring the area’s vaunted smugglers’ caves, Newquay’s coast has it. It’s also the perfect spot for making that adrenaline-filled jump. They’ve got night coasteering, too. The area has different coasteering routes for different folks. The Point, The Big Island, and The Gazzle all provide unique adventures in themselves. You could try all if you want. Newquay is undoubtedly one of Cornwall’s best spots when the absolute outdoor adventure is spoken of.

St. Ives

Boasting of the clearest waters in the British Isles, the coast of St. Ives provides a spectacular array of things to do and explore. This is especially true if you’re the kind of adventurer who doesn’t mind swimming with the resident seals of the area as well as the occasional dolphins that seem to be happy around people. The rock formations in the St. Ives area are simply spectacular, frequently punctuated with caves and other unusual geologic features.

Falmouth

The coastline around Falmouth seems like it was made for exploration by rock or water. There are many coves and inlets to explore, including Maenporth Beach, Sunny Cove and Flushing Beach. The Falmouth area of Cornwall is a wonderful place to stay for a holiday. Try Cornish Holiday Cottages for the best choice of holiday homes in the area. Watch out for the tides here as the Fal estuary floods in and out from the sea a few times a day. So it’s sensible to go on a coasteering tour with a local company who can show you the best spots and ensure safety and enjoyment of this magical coast.

Lizard Peninsula

The Lizard Peninsula is home to some of Cornwall’s spectacular sceneries including the Mullion Cave surrounded by stacks of imposing volcanic rock in their foreboding black colour, lapped by warm waters down below. If you’re feeling adventurous, try your luck diving just off the Manacles rocks and feel the eeriness of the shipwrecks in the area. Whirlpools, jagged cliffs, and waterline caves abound. The waters are always inviting and the distant flicker of light on the shores can easily tell you you’re still safe and sound.

Land’s End

With granitic cliffs jutting skywards complete with their very steep faces, Land’s End is a favourite. The unique characteristics of the igneous rock formations allow for a much better grasp when scaling its faces. Head out some 1.6 kilometres offshore to the Longships and you’d be greeted with the mythical lost island of Arthurian legends – the Lyonesse. There are numerous caves, rocky coves, and sheer cliffs that have become the springboard for many coasteerers. The tranquil waters down below should help cushion the impact.

The entire coastline of Cornwall, washed by the waters of the Celtic Sea in the north and the equally tame English Channel in the south, is a haven for modern-day adventurers. It’s beaming for you to try.

Cornwall Activities Cornwall Towns | Ruby Boyd | May 16, 2019 | Leave a comment | coasteering. cornwall

Weird and Quirky Things to See in Cornwall

Cornwall is best known for its sandy beaches, fantastic coves, and picturesque attractions. But did you know that this county of the UK is actually home to some of the quirkiest, weirdest, and most unusual things you can find on the planet? Well, you’ve got to check these out for you to really believe it.

Victorian Murder Mystery

Have you ever wondered what it felt like to be a jury in a 19th century Bodmin courthouse? Well, the Victorian Murder Mystery gives you the chance to serve as one of the juries in the famous Matthew Weeks trial for the killing of Charlotte Dymond. Was it in a fit of jealousy? Or did the police simply take advantage of Weeks’ poor cognitive capabilities? It’s a re-enactment of the 1844 trial that includes a tour of the prison cells where Weeks awaited his judgment.

Museum of Witchcraft and Magic

Forget Hogwarts in the meantime and focus your sights on the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. You won’t see Harry Potter and the other kid wizards, but you’ll surely be feasting your eyes on the widest collection of artefacts related to witchcraft, sorcery, and magic. You’ll also get a lesson on the history of witchcraft including famous trials and modern-day witches. Be careful, you might be sitting next to one.

Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station

Home to some 60 or so satellite dishes, Goonyhilly doesn’t really come with a quirky nature until you ask locals about the names of the different dishes. Named after the many greats and legends of Cornish folklore, these satellite dishes provide a remarkable contrast to the sea of green in Goonhilly near Helston. It remains the planet’s most expansive satellite earth station, although only 25 of the dishes are left fully operational. See if you can identify Merlin, Tristan, and Guinevere.

Bag O Rags

Fancy an authentic pirate bag? How about a quirky pirate’s hat? Well, whatever your pirate desires is you’ll most likely find them in the Bag O Rags. It is a shop that specialises in anything and everything about a pirate’s life. It’s quite unique in that the only pirates that we hear of today are those that roam the waters off Somalia. Bag O Rags is found inside the Ben Bones Locker, a boat that is moored in the Harbour of Penzance and is only open from April to September.

Halliggye-Fogou

Located in Trelowarren a few kilometres from Helston, the Halliggye Fogou is not really a weird place, except that it houses a dry stone defence platform underground. The really peculiar thing about it is that these defensive structures were built during the Iron Age. A long and claustrophobia-inducing tunnel leads to three underground chambers believed to have been dug and used by treasure hunters of the Victoria era. What is even more interesting is that there are a series of mysterious underground tunnels that are believed to have been built by the earliest settlers of Cornwall.

Who says Cornwall is all beaches and scenic countryside? It can have its quirky side, too.

Cornwall Attractions | Ruby Boyd | February 1, 2019 | Leave a comment | Things to do things to see

Top 5 Must-Try Cornish Dishes and Treats

You’ll never truly enjoy a Cornish holiday if you don’t sample some of its most famous dishes and treats. Known for their use of only the freshest local produce and ingredients freshly caught off the Cornish coast, these foods from Cornwall are a reflection of the region’s rich maritime and mining heritage where local fishermen and miners were treated to a feast of ingredients that were readily available without the fuss and flair of modern cuisines. Here are the top 4 must-try Cornish dishes and treats to complete your holiday vacation in Cornwall.

1. Cornish Pasty

A visit to Cornwall is never complete without tasting the Cornish Pasty. Sure, you can get this in other cosy restaurants in other parts of the UK as well the rest of the world but there is something magical about the way these baked goodies are produced in Cornwall. Known among locals as “oggies”, the Cornish pasty is a smorgasbord of flavours and aromas that can only come from the most succulent beef you can find, mixed with onions, potatoes, and swede, before meticulously folded and baked to give you its classic Cornish taste.

2. Stargazy Pie

With 80 per cent of Cornwall’s perimeter washed by the warm waters of the sea, fresh seafood is a staple. One of the best ways to enjoy this bounty from the sea, baked in the same tradition as the Cornish pasty, is devouring an entire serving of Stargazy pie. In case you’re wondering why they call it as such, you get the heads of fishes poking straight up the surface of the freshly baked pie, like the pillars of Stonehenge watching the night time sky. You’ve got herring, mackerel, or even pilchards sticking their heads, looking skywards, from a bed of thickened milk, white wine, boiled eggs, onions, potatoes, and bacon.

3. Cornish Cream Tea

While Cornwall is famous for its coastline, it is also home to some of UK’s famed dairy farms. As such, it is expected that they produce one of the UK’s most indulgent, creamiest, and freshest clotted cream. The best way to enjoy this is by ordering baked scones and strawberry jam while downing a piping hot cup of traditional English tea. Make sure to try the Cornish ice cream, too as this is essentially made from Cornish clotted cream. There are plenty of ice cream shops in Cornwall so you’ll get to taste different regional flavours.

4. Cornish Yarg

One of the best products from the dairy farms of Cornwall you really have to try is the Cornish yarg which is the region’s interpretation of creamy, fresh, and semi-hard cheese. Made from cow’s milk, pasteurised, and then wrapped in nettles, the Cornish yarg provides a very different cheesy experience: soft and creamy underneath the nettles and crumbly at the core.

With these delectable treats, not only are you filling your tummy with the region’s bounty; you are also taking in a part of the rich tradition and heritage of this part of the UK.

Cornwall Restaurants | Ruby Boyd | March 25, 2018 | Leave a comment | food and drink

Tips to Enjoying a Holiday in Cornwall without Breaking the Bank

Going on a Cornish holiday can be so much fun, especially if you’re going to go with your family or even your best buddies. Unfortunately, if you’re not really going to plan for it, you might end up spending more money than you have budgeted. You can still enjoy the great offerings of Cornwall without breaking the bank. Here are some tips for your consideration.

Skip the hotel and go for a hostel instead.

While Cornwall has plenty of inexpensive tourist attractions, you will find its hotels to still be quite expensive compared to hotels in other areas of Britain. Hotel accommodations form a significant part of your holiday budget. If you can skip the hotel and instead opt for less expensive yet equally comfortable and convenient accommodation, then you’re guaranteed to have a better holiday ahead of you. Hostels in Cornwall come with en-suite rooms as well as other amenities that can substantially cut your costs.

Share your accommodation with your friends.

There are lots of benefits when going on a holiday with friends. First, it’s more fun as you’ll be sharing every moment of your adventures with them. Secondly, it makes things more economical as you can split the cost of an accommodation amongst yourselves. For instance, booking an Edwardian house that typically sleeps 10 people can set you back by about £1,225 in St. Ives. If there are 10 of you in your group, each one will only be paying £122.50. Try comparing this to an accommodation that sleeps only 4 people at £800 and each one will be paying £200.

Try glamping.

If you don’t like the idea of a hostel, then you might want to try glampsites instead. The areas around the Trecombe Lakes in Falmouth as well as those in St. Ives are well-known for their deluxe camping under the moonlit night-time skies. You’ll get the option of shepherd huts to Scandinavian-styled pods to hobbit houses and many more. You will be sleeping under the starry skies but with a luxurious and comfortable bed beneath you. Or you could sleep in your vehicle or hire a camper van instead. See this video:

Research Tourism Attractions Before Your Holiday.

Once you know you are going to Cornwall on holiday, it pays to research the tourism attractions you will want to visit first. There are many great things to see and do in Cornwall. A good place to start is this BG Adventure article which outlines some of the must-see attractions and must-do activities in Cornwall. You can also try local tourism sites such as VisitCornwall.co.uk, which runs discounts and promotions from time to time. Or go to the attraction’s website itself for the latest news and tips.

Give a working holiday a serious thought.

The National Trust offers a wide range of working holiday where you will be helping the Trust preserve some of its assets by performing a variety of work. It’s like volunteering for the upkeep of the interests of the National Trust. Like any work, you will also enjoy time off to give you the chance to enjoy the beauty and history of the local community. In many cases, free activities are provided as part of the Trust deal.

Check out the local papers upon arrival.

Make sure to pick up a copy of the Cornish Guardian the moment you set foot on Cornish lands. This paper often gives out vouchers which you can then redeem and make your holiday less of a money-draining activity. Besides, the Guardian will typically give you an insight on the latest happenings in town so you’ll know what to do.

Going on a Cornish holiday need not be expensive. You only need to cut down on your accommodation costs and everything should be fine.

Cornwall Holidays | Ruby Boyd | June 28, 2017 | Leave a comment

Festivals to Enjoy in Cornwall

Cornwall is already a great enough destination to visit especially during summertime, but what makes it even more amazing is the fact that it is the location of some wonderful festivals. What could be more fun and exciting than joining these wonderful celebrations, preferably out in the streets with both locals and tourists? If you are looking for dates to book your Cornish holiday this year, here are some dates you might want to consider.

If you are looking for dates to book your Cornish holiday this year, here are some dates you might want to consider.

1. St. Piran’s Day

On March 5, the whole of Cornwall celebrates the day of their patron saint. There will be lots of events all over the county, and adults can especially celebrate in the many pubs in the area.

2. World Pasty Championships

Although there is no date yet set for this activity, it has already been confirmed to take place again at the Eden Project. Celebrate Cornwall’s iconic and traditional food as prepared by the best professional and amateur bakers around the world.

3. Falmouth Spring Festival

Garden and flower lovers should not miss this festival, where they can go for beautiful walks, consult with the best gardeners and simply celebrate the most colorful season of the year.

4. Easter Events

This is one of the best times to visit Cornwall with small children because there are Easter Egg hunts all over. The best places to celebrate include St. Michael’s Mount, The Eden Project, and the Trerife Easter Food and Craft Fair.

5. Porthleven’s Food and Music Festival

How about a weekend enjoying two of the best things out there, food and music? The only thing that makes it even better is that you get to enjoy it by the harbor!

6. St. Ives May Day

This event dates back to several hundred years ago in West Cornwall, celebrating the fact that winter is over and that spring has begun. Visitors can participate in parades, traditional dances, and music.

7. Royal Cornwall Show

This event has been planned for June 8 to 10 and has been happening yearly since 1793. In fact, this is one of the most popular events in Cornwall, where visitors can experience how life is in Cornwall.

8. Music And Arts Festivals

Cornwall has many outdoor festivals for music lovers, especially during the summer. The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival and the Golowan Festival takes place in June.

9. Boating Festivals

August is the time for various sailing events, from Falmouth Week (happening on August 4 to 13), the biggest sailing regatta in Southwest Cornwall. Another one you shouldn’t miss is the Fowey Regatta and Carnival Week, which features events for the whole family and culminates in a fireworks show over the harbor.

10. Food Festivals

On August 28 is the Newlyn Fish Festival at the biggest fishing port in Britain. If you love fish and seafood, then this is the event you should not miss.

On the other hand, the Great Cornish Food Festival in Truro does not just feature fish. From September 22 to 24, foodies can enjoy the best Cornish food and drinks, as well as some local entertainment.

These festivals and events only add to the reasons why Cornwall is the best holiday destination, so make sure you incorporate them in your holiday planning. Of course, there are loads more festivals and events to choose from all year round. Keep an eye on sites like this for more information on upcoming events and information on fantastic holidays in Cornwall.

Cornwall Culture | Ruby Boyd | June 15, 2017 | Leave a comment | events festivals