Cornwall

Discover the best things to do in Cornwall; from visiting exotic gardens or ancient houses, to exploring the mining history, all encircled by a much-loved coastline.

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A view over the River Fal, gardens and the house at Trelissick on a sunny day

Place

Trelissick

A welcoming house and garden set in an estate with surrounding maritime views and woodland walks.

View of the 2023 Garland in the hall at Cotehele, Cornwall

Place

Cotehele

An atmospheric Tudor house with Medieval roots, a mill on a historic quay and a glorious garden with valley views. Visit the wider estate for miles of springtime walking.

View across mown lawns to Lanhydrock’s gatehouse, shrouded in mist and low autumn sun

Place

There is 1,000 acres of parkland, woodland and heath to discover at Lanhydrock. Explore two miles of the River Fowey, plus adventurous woodland cycle trails at Lanhydrock. The magnificent late Victorian country house and garden will reopen in March.

A view out to sea of a curving headland, the Rumps, at Pentire, Cornwall

Place

Pentire

Pentire is an exceptionally beautiful headland with far reaching views and managed for wildlife. The café at Pentire Café offers undercover and indoor seating throughout the year.

The garden at Godolphin House, Cornwall. The house, dating from the 17th century, is one of the most spectacular in Cornwall

Place

Godolphin

An ancient and atmospheric estate with a medieval garden and historic house

A view of the house at Trerice in summertime

Place

Trerice

Elizabethan manor house with fine interiors and delightful garden

The engine house at East Pool Mine at Pool, near Redruth, Cornwall

Place

East Pool Mine

Impressive Cornish Beam Engine and industrial heritage discovery centre. Open by pre-booked tours.

Visitors at the Levant Mine and Beam Engine, Cornwall

Place

Levant Mine and Beam Engine

High-up on the exposed cliffs on the 'Tin Coast' and part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Levant Mine and Beam Engine is open by pre-booked tours.

Girl playing with wooden horse with Christmas trees in background

Christmas around Cornwall

A child explores the outdoors with their family in autumn

Family-friendly places in Cornwall

Dog-friendly places in Cornwall

A person walks along the South West Coast Path at Wheal Coates in Cornwall, with the blue sea and a sandy beach visible beneath them.

Walking in Cornwall

A couple holding hands and wearing waterproof gear walk up a path covered in autumn leaves, with Lanhydrock house behind them

Gardens and Parks in Cornwall

Visitor walking a dog at Holywell beach on a cloudy, windy day in Cornwall.

Coast and beaches in Cornwall

A young child peaking at cookies and scones on a table

Places to eat in Cornwall

A woman walks her dog in though woods at Trelissick in autumn

Countryside areas in Cornwall

The white pyramid entrance at the front of Trelissick, in the autumn, with the orangery at the right of the picture

Houses and buildings in Cornwall

Volunteers installing the outdoor gym in the Penrose estate, Cornwall

Volunteering in Cornwall

Visitors sea kayaking at Poldhu Cove, Cornwall

Outdoor activities in Cornwall

With a rocky island crowned by a castle and an Iron Age hillfort with a wartime bunker, there is a lot of history and beautiful views to admire from these castles and forts in Cornwall.

A view across the water at low tide at St Michael's Mount in the distance

Article

St Michael's Mount

The Mount is managed by both the National Trust and the St Aubyn family, working together. This unique partnership supports the Mount's vibrant island community, continuing a remarkable legacy. St Michael's Mount is open throughout the year however, dates and times vary during winter months. Click here to find out more and book your tickets online.

A child stands in the earth ditch of an Iron Age fort, which has green moss and ivy covering its banks

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The Iron Age fort at Trelissick

Travel back through thousands of years of Cornish history to the very impressive Iron Age promontory fort and 18th-century quay. The fort is the only one of its kind in Europe and its well defined ditches and embankments are still clearly visible.

The open hatch to the ROC Veryan bunker on Nare Head in Cornwall

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The wartime bunker on Nare Head

Nare Head, next to Carne and Pendower, is home to an underground bunker, which started life as a Royal Observer Corps post spotting aircraft during the Second World War.

Pink, blue and white wild flowers bloom on a slope at Glendurgan, Cornwall, overlooking trees

Place

Glendurgan Garden

A historic and exotic wooded valley garden leading down to the River Helford.

Paper lantern in the shape of a partridge in a pear tree at the Christmas lights festival, Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

Place

Trengwainton Garden

Sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs

Place

Antony

18th-Century house set within a magnificent landscape garden, still home to the Carew Pole family

View of Barras Nose, Smith's Cliff and Willapark at Tintagel in Cornwall

News

National Trust brings coastal land at Tintagel into its care

A stretch of rugged Cornish coastline that borders the medieval fortress of Tintagel has been acquired by the National Trust. Smith’s Cliff, on the north Cornwall coast, will be cared for as a space for wildlife to flourish, for heritage to be conserved and for people to access and enjoy for ever.

Project

Cornish coastal meadows project

We are working to create 250 hectares of new species rich grassland at National Trust sites across Cornwall. The project, due to be completed by 2026, will help us rise to the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

Stay at a National Trust holiday cottage in Cornwall this year and discover some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK.

Find more places to stay

Hayloft

Beautiful interiors and sea views for miles in this former farm outbuilding in the hamlet of Gwendra.

The exterior of Durgan Quay and Beach Cottages, Cornwall

Durgan Beach Cottage

A traditional stone cottage just a few metres from the shores of the Helford Estuary.

Cotehele Dairy Cottage

A quiet and luxurious cottage, with access to Cotehele's house and garden.

See all events

Event

Wassail Father Christmas!

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

A family trail at Cotehele

Event

Woodland winter lights

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

Walk from Cotehele Quay to Cotehele Mill and enjoy a twinkling display of festoon lighting between the trees this winter. Daily between 10am-5pm.

Event

Reindeer trail

Pentire, near Wadebridge, Cornwall

Our popular, resident wooden reindeer herd are back out of hibernation with a fun new trail for 2023.

Event

Christmas at Cotehele: Christmas Garland within the Great Hall

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

Celebrate the festive season with a trip to Cotehele to see the annual Christmas Garland within the Great Hall

Event

Christmas in the house at Trelissick

Trelissick, near Truro, Cornwall

A warm welcome awaits at Trelissick this Christmas where the house has been dressed with Christmas decorations, stunning flowers, and twinkling lights. The house café will be serving light refreshments and festive treats.

Event

Christmas House Tours

Godolphin, Helston, Cornwall

See Godolphin House adorned in Christmas finery on one of our exclusive Christmas House Tours.

Event

Trengwainton Christmas Lights - SOLD OUT

Trengwainton Garden, near Penzance, Cornwall

Tickets for the Christmas Lights have now SOLD OUT. Please note: assistance dogs only at this event due to the combination of dim lighting and narrow paths.

Event

John The Fish Tribute Evening at Botallack Count House

Botallack, near St Just, Cornwall

An evening of music and memories in tribute to one of Cornwall's folk legends.

Explore an area nearby

Visitors at the Christmas market at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

Plan a visit