With an almost iconic status, Cornwall has long been a magnetic draw for British holidaymakers and foreign visitors alike. Families, groups of serious surfers, culture vultures, walkers and sailors flock here for some of the best attractions of their kind in the country.
With so many desirable resorts, villages and towns from which to choose, as well as countless cottages in Cornwall, this enduring popularity is no mystery.
Newquay
Newquay is arguably Cornwall’s most famous town and resort. Established as the ‘Surfing Capital of Britain’, Newquay nestles on the north coast and is home to surf shops and shacks galore, and plays host to a number of international competitions.
Its waters lend themselves to the thrill of the surf, while the south coast offers more sailing-friendly conditions. With a vibrant nightlife to rival any in the country, Newquay buzzes morning, noon and night.
Culinary Cornwall
A recent addition to Newquay’s array of attractions is celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s latest restaurant, Fifteen Cornwall. If it does half as well as local hero Rick Stein’s famous eateries in Padstow, the one-time Naked Chef will be adding yet another successful venture to his portfolio.
With an obvious emphasis on seafood, Cornwall’s thriving restaurant scene goes far beyond the realms of the celebrity chef, with a whole host of high-class venues serving glorious local produce.
Fine dining isn’t the only way to sample the local foodie delights. Traditional tea-rooms sit alongside more bohemian, chic alternatives, where you can find a range of regional specialities.
Short breaks or holidays in Cornwall would be incomplete without trying a homemade Cornish Pasty and a Cornish Cream Tea or dessert. Calorific this stuff may be, but if you’re going to put on weight then you might as well do it in style.
With two contrasting coastlines – the thrill-a-minute north and the sedate south – Cornwall is bursting at the seams with over 150 beaches, several of which are blue-flagged.
The aforementioned Newquay is well-known, and beautifully clean coves as well as expansive golden stretches can be found in photogenic towns such as St Ives, Penzance, Bude and yachting centre Falmouth.
Eden Project
The world-renowned Eden Project, one of Cornwall’s newest yet already best-known tourist attractions. Primarily a conservation and environmental centre, and incorporating the world’s biggest greenhouse, the Eden Project is a whole lot more than just a gigantic garden centre. Opened in 2001, it pulled in more than 6 million visitors in its first four years.
The project regularly hosts open-air gigs, and has seen the likes of Brian Wilson and Oasis take the venue by storm in recent years. Often included in the ticket price for a gig at the Eden Project is access to the rest of centre, a brilliant touch by the organisers.
Walking
Britain ends (or does it start?) in Cornwall, although not at Land’s End as is commonly mistaken. Britain’s southernmost tip is at Lizard Point, on the peninsula of the same name. There’s something almost spiritual about being at the end of the land, and the breathtaking cliff walks allow you to experience it to its fullest.
Walkers are spoiled for choice in Cornwall, with almost 50% of the 630 mile stretch of the South West Coast Path winding through it.
Whether you’re tackling its entirety and staying over in some of the many lovely cottages that decorate the coastal villages, or dipping in and out for a two hour stroll, you’ll find some of the finest walks around. And if you're hoping for a short break and need Cornwall accommodation, there are plenty of online guides such as Let's Stay Cornwall to help you.
Once you've chosen which part of Cornwall to stay in, attention turns to accommodation. Holiday cottages in Cornwall are not hard to find – in fact they are abundant, covering a range of different styles and taking in all kinds of views, from the always in-demand sea views to vistas across rolling hills and open fields.
A childhood without at least one family holiday in Cornwall is like fish without chips. It’s just not cricket. For an evocative escape that will stay with you forever, Cornwall is hard to beat.
Sean Cummins
February 2010
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