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Things to do in Cornwall

If you like the sound of a holiday full of white sandy beaches, magnificent castles and natural beauty then visiting Cornwall should be top of your itinerary.

This spot in the South West of England will have you spoilt for choice in terms of activities, so we’ll run you through some of the very best things to do in Cornwall.

Cornwall in the UK is a county with incredible history, delicious local food and captivating culture. Once you’ve arrived in the UK following your Calais to Dover crossing, you can reach this area in around 5 and a half hours via the A30 motorway. Bringing your car on board is a simple process with P&O and you simply need to book a spot for your vehicle. Be sure to specify the type as caravans or motorhomes will need a bigger space.

With flexible booking to Dover, you can relax as soon as you book your next P&O trip, as any change to your dates of travel in 2021 will have no modification fees. Our Cornwall travel guide will show you that this is the perfect destination for an active holiday as well as packing in history, culture and plenty to keep the whole family happy!

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Things to do in Cornwall
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Explore the Eden Project
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Take a Tour of Tintagel Castle
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St Michael’s Mount

Cornwall Travel Guide

Things to do in Cornwall

Choosing the best places to visit in Cornwall can be difficult to narrow down, so we’ve rounded up our picks of this coastal hotspot.

For a lot of Cornish attractions, like the Eden Project or Tintagel Castle, you can book tickets in advance to get ahead of the crowd.

Lots of Cornish beaches can also get pretty packed in the peak summer months, so read local information before visiting. You can even view Cornwall webcams online to check how busy some of the most popular Cornish beaches are before you set off.

Explore the Eden Project

At the top of our list of things to do in Cornwall is a Cornish landmark that has won the title of Best UK Leisure Attraction five years in a row. The Eden Project’s name suggests some kind of paradise and the location delivers exactly that.

It’s definitely worth making the journey from Dover for the epic scale of the Eden Project, as the crater it’s located in is the size of 30 football pitches.

A trip to the Eden Project will also transport you around the world as the Rainforest Biome is home to plants from South Africa, California and the Mediterranean!

The Rainforest Biome is the largest greenhouse in the world, so if you want to get the experience of roaming steamy jungles without leaving Europe this is the place to be.

You are also welcome to take a pet companion with you as you explore the Eden Project. To bring your four-legged friend aboard with P&O you just need to add them to your booking. The exception to this is guide dogs, which can travel free.

Driving to the Eden Project takes around 5 and a half hours from Dover via the A30 and A303.

Take a tour of Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle is one of the most iconic locations in British history as it features in tales of the legendary King Arthur.

The fascinating exhibition at the visitor centre will guide you through the story of Tintagel Castle, and if you take a stroll down to the sandy beach that surrounds it, you can explore the magical Merlin’s Cave.

The island of Tintagel is located just off the Cornish coast and in 2019 a new footbridge was unveiled. This replaced one hundred winding steps, which had previously been the only way to reach the entrance!

Driving to Tintagel from Dover takes just over 5 hours via the A303 or the M5.

See St Michael's Mount

Our second Cornish castle and another must-visit is St Michael’s Mount. It’s also located just off the coast and if you’ve ever visited Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, this island has similar geography and architecture.

This magnificent island and castle has been home to the same family since 1650 but large parts were donated to the National Trust in 1954. Take advantage of this as the island makes a great spot for picnics, exploring, and soaking up British history.

You can walk to this unbridged tidal island from the mainland but make sure you check St Michael's Mount tide times before you visit to avoid getting caught out.

St Michael’s Mount is also only operating on a ticket only basis currently, so book in advance.If you’re keen to bring your pet it’s important to note only assistance dogs are admitted.

Find the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Spread over an estate of 200 acres, the Lost Gardens of Heligan are an incredible day out in nature with a fascinating backstory.

The gardens surround a stately home that was lived in for hundreds of years but the gardens were abandoned after the First World War and became neglected and overgrown.

The estate originally employed twenty-two gardeners so it became a wilderness in need of restoration. If you visit today, you can see its distinctive areas like the Jungle, the Italian Garden and the Lost Valley restored to their former glory.

The ideal time of year to visit is any time between April and October and we would suggest spending two hours here, but you could easily wander the grounds for longer. If you’re there with any animal lovers, be sure to check out the bat boxes and the lakes where you can spot colourful kingfisher birds.

Driving to the Lost Gardens of Heligan on the M5 takes around six hours from Dover, and if you are keen to try out hiking in Cornwall, this is a great destination. The Roseland Heritage Coast is half an hour’s drive away and has footpaths to follow as you explore.

Sunbathe and surf at the best beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall’s one of the sunniest and sandiest spots in the UK, making it ideal for seaside adventures. Whether you like to surf, swim or want to try water sports for the first time, Cornwall’s beaches have something for you.

These are our picks for three of the best beaches in Cornwall to check out:

Kingsand Beach – Travelling with your pet? Kingsand is a great beach to check out as it’s dog-friendly all year. Be aware there aren’t lifeguards on this beach so keep a close eye on little ones if you’re exploring Cornwall with your family.
Porthleven Beach – For surfing in Cornwall, check out the waves at Porthleven Beach.It has hiring facilities and lifeguard service from the start of July to the start of September.
Trebarwith Strand Beach – Visiting Tintagel in Cornwall? This stunning Cornish beach is just a 7-minute drive away via the B3263 Road, so why not take a dip after looking around Tintagel Castle.

Book your ferry trip today with P&O Ferries, it’s just an hour and a half to the British coast and you can personalise your ticket with no hidden costs!