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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.

Places to visit

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Top places to visit in Cornwall

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

Trelissick 

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

near Truro, Cornwall

Partially open today
View of the 2023 Garland in the hall at Cotehele, Cornwall
Place
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.

near Saltash, Cornwall

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

Lanhydrock 

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.

Bodmin, Cornwall

Partially open today
A view out to sea of a curving headland, the Rumps, at Pentire, Cornwall
Place
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.

near Wadebridge, Cornwall

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

Godolphin 

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

Helston, Cornwall

Partially open today
A view of the house at Trerice in summertime
Place
Place

Trerice 

Elizabethan manor house with fine interiors and delightful garden

near Newquay, Cornwall

Closed now
The engine house at East Pool Mine at Pool, near Redruth, Cornwall
Place
Place

East Pool Mine 

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

near Redruth, Cornwall

Closed now
Visitors at the Levant Mine and Beam Engine, Cornwall
Place
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.

near St Just, Cornwall

Fully open today

Castles and forts 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
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
Article
Article

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
Article
Article

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.

Places reopening in spring

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

Glendurgan Garden 

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

Falmouth, Cornwall

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

Trengwainton Garden 

Sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs

near Penzance, Cornwall

Closed now
Autumnal view of the house at Antony
Place
Place

Antony 

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

Torpoint, Cornwall

Closed now

Our work

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

Holidays in Cornwall

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

The exterior of Hayloft, Roseland, Cornwall

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.

The exterior of Cotehele Dairy Cottage, Cornwall

Cotehele Dairy Cottage 

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

Upcoming events

Event

Wassail Father Christmas! 

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

A family trail at Cotehele

Event summary

on
6 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 26 other dates or times
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 summary

on
6 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 26 other dates or times
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 summary

on
6 Dec 2023 to 7 Jan 2024
at
10:30 to 16:00
+ 30 other dates or times
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 summary

on
6 Dec to 31 Dec 2023
at
11:00 to 16:00
+ 23 other dates or times
Event

Christmas House Tours 

Godolphin, Helston, Cornwall

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

Event summary

on
6 Dec to 13 Dec 2023
at
11:30 to 12:30
+ 7 other dates or times
Event

Christmas at Godolphin - Candle making workshop 

Godolphin, Helston, Cornwall

Get into the Christmas spirit with candle making workshops inside Godolphin House and see it decorated in its Christmas finery. Booking essential.

Event summary

on
7 Dec to 14 Dec 2023
at
10:30 to 12:30
+ 3 other dates or times
Event

Festive Weaving Workshop with Debbie Rudolph 

Trelissick, near Truro, Cornwall

Come and enjoy this wonderfully creative, Christmas workshop while learning a new skill with Debbie Rudolph.

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023
at
11:00 to 16:00
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 summary

on
8 Dec 2023 to 7 Jan 2024
at
10:30 to 15:00
+ 14 other dates or times
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.