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Since it began welcoming tourists since the 1800s, Cornwall became progressively more popular, peaking in the in ‘90s and early 2000s. But tourism in Cornwall seems to have dipped. Numbers in recent years certainly reflect this to be the case, with tourism in 2023 down 15% compared to the previous year. Additionally, failing to get a single town voted into the 2024 top 20 list of best seaside towns in the UK begs the question, are Brits bored of Cornwall?
I have lived in this special part of the world for three years; during this time, I’ve uncovered the best hidden gems in Cornwall, and I’m going to reveal them to help you fall back in love with Cornwall. This is a local’s insight of the different and unusual things to do in Cornwall when visiting.
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1. Varied Towns
Falmouth
Falmouth is a vibrant student town which is absolutely worth a visit on your trip to Cornwall, home to many great places to eat and over 20 pubs to indulge in. A historically significant town that was important during imperial times due to its busy harbor, Falmouth is also where ecologist Charles Darwin famously landed when he returned from his trip to Galapagos, where he made his discoveries that helped shape his theory of evolution by natural selection.
With a young and progressive atmosphere, many locals strive for sustainability. This gives Falmouth a real community vibe and feels completely different to other seaside towns in the UK.
Truro
The historical capital of Cornwall, Truro, should not be skipped on your itinerary. With its cobbled downtown streets, quaint back alleys and gothic cathedral, it can offer a lot for those interested in architecture which is a reason why it is one of the hidden gems in Cornwall.
Newquay
A town famous for its surfing heritage, definitely do not miss out on a trip to Fistral beach. Whether or not a surfer yourself, it’s undeniably entertaining to watch people out on the water battling the waves and making it look easy.
Seaspray is a café located on Fistral with a picture-perfect balcony for watching the surfers. Pop in for a Flat White or a pint of Cornish lager and soak up the astonishing surroundings.
St Ives
One of the best things to do in Cornwall is to spend a day strolling through the old town of St Ives. Between its fantastic beaches and vibrant art scene, there is surprisingly a lot to keep you occupied here. Probably the quintessential thing to do in St Ives is to visit Tate St Ives and browse the quaint independent shops throughout the town.
For those looking for something different, consider a trip over to nearby Godrevy Point. Home to fantastic untouched scenery, it is also a great spot to see a colony of grey seals.
2. Unusual Activities
Camel Valley Vineyard
Who knew that wine-grade grape vines grew in Britain? I certainly didn’t until I found this place. Family run since 1989, Camel Valley Vineyard situated in central Cornwall is home to the production of award-winning and world-class wines. The team offers tours of the production facility following which you can sit on the patio for a wine tasting session.
Believe me when I say that spending an afternoon at Camel Valley Vineyard is one of the best hidden gems in Cornwall.
AK Wildlife Cruises
Sailing from Falmouth on the south coast of Cornwall, take a wildlife cruise around Falmouth Bay for an unforgettable experience. Nature is unpredictable, but it is possible to see a variety of species depending on the season. Incredible marine animals like seals, porpoises, seabirds, dolphins, basking sharks and even whales inhabit these southern Cornish waters.
Snorkeling and Scuba
The best snorkeling and scuba diving in England? That’s right, it’s here in Cornwall (in my humble opinion). With some of the clearest sea water in the UK for increased visibility, there are many locations around the county that will leave you in awe. Porthkerris Bay is notable for being one of the best shore dives in the UK.
Helford Passage is another good option for underwater exploration. Enter the water at Grebe Beach and – if you’re lucky – you might catch cat sharks, cuttle fish and thornback rays. A kelp forest covers the northern part of Falmouth Bay and the waters here are often calm. At low tide you can even spot the remnants of a wrecked German U-boat, the dive site for which is named Silver Steps.
3. Idyllic Nature
Cornwall is a unique place as it experiences a sub-tropical climate unlike the rest of the UK. In fact, its these warmer winters on average that explains why plants like palm trees and agave are common in Cornwall. With its blue seas, green hills and special weather conditions, Cornwall should be on any nature lover’s bucket list.
The South West Coast Path
If you didn’t already know, the South West Coast Path runs from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset and is England’s longest marked walking trail. Cornwall is well located right in the middle of this hiking trail. The coastal path here is home to some of the best and most impressive sections.
A free activity when visiting Cornwall is to stroll along any section of the coastal path; you may be surprised at what you find.
Lizard Peninsula
Lizard Peninsula is where you’ll find the southernmost point in the UK. The section of the Southwest Coast Path here is great fun and dramatically scenic. And just to make it that bit bitter, the coast of the Lizard peninsula is dotted with charming little fishing villages.
The ones worth checking out are Porthoustock, Coverack, Cadgwith and Mullion Cove. These communities really are hidden gems in Cornwall.
Kennall Vale
Kennell Vale is high among the locals’ hidden gems in Cornwall. A popular place for resident dogwalkers, this is a picturesque woodland that was once home to a gunpowder factory. The gunpowder works have since been reclaimed by nature, making it a great place to spot local wildlife such as squirrels, birds and bats. Come for a stroll around to appreciate the history and flora of this special place.
Botanical Gardens
Cornwall has a unique climate; warm gusts of air traverse the Atlantic to arrive here, allowing plants which are native to more tropical regions to thrive in the South West. This is why botanical gardens are commonplace in Cornwall. Expect to see species which are not typical of gardens in the rest of the UK.
The Eden Project is a biome for tropical vegetation, housing equatorial and Mediterranean plants. Wander around and learn about the plants at your leisure. It was built in an old clay mine and is a visually impressive site. This is one of Cornwall’s best days out for the whole family.
If you are looking for a more unique experience, a fantastic place to visit is Trebah Gardens. Journey here and expect to be overwhelmed by the greenery. Unlike other natural sites, Trebah is accessible for all, with a smooth path that traverses the valley and even a beach at the bottom of the garden.
4. Diverse Cuisine
There no doubt about it: Cornwall has one of the most exciting food scenes in the UK, even compared to London’s amazing markets and food. The abundance of fresh produce, clean air and happy people seem to be the perfect equation for tasty and innovative food.
Verdant Brewery Tap Room
Located in Penryn, this brewery-cum-taproom has large selection of craft beer produced on site. Verdant Brewing also offers homemade Neapolitan sourdough pizza; take our word for it when we say this pizza really is spot on.
The bar is stylish and there is plenty of outdoor seating for those moments when the sun decides to shine. The taproom offers varied entertainment, too, from comedy nights to DJ sets, making this one of the best hidden gems in Cornwall.
Rowes Cornish Bakers
The local favorite bakery in Cornwall is called Rowes. They’re popular for making an array of baked goods, cakes and sausage rolls. But it’s a local’s favorite for crafting one of the best traditional Cornish pasties and seriously interesting flavors like Indian-inspired vegan curry and Mexican-inspired beef chili. No visit to Cornwall is complete without having an iconic pasty.
Sabzi
Taking over Cornwall in recent years is Sabzi, the brainchild of Master Chef quarter finalist Kate Atlee. This deli-style restaurant first opened its doors in Truro in 2019, utilizing the very best of Cornish and British produce to create healthy Middle Eastern-inspired lunches.
Sabzi has been such a success that they have rapidly expanded. In addition to their small shop in Truro, they now offer their delicious food in Falmouth, Padstow and Nansledan (Newquay). From their coffee and cakes to their diverse lunch options, everything they offer is on point.
5. Best Fish and Chips In Cornwall
Tightly woven into the DNA and essence of a true British seaside holiday is the presence of fish and chips.
As of 2023, Cornwall is officially home to two of the best ‘chippys’ in the country. They were once hidden gems in Cornwall, but the secret is out as they been officially classified in the top ten best chip shops of the UK.
Harbour Lights
Harbour Lights in Falmouth has an emphasis on sustainability to match the restaurant’s location. Focusing on locally sourced produce has absolutely played a key part in the hype surrounding this stunning restaurant. The Cornish Hake would be a go-to of mine, along with the battered sausage and their perfect chip shop chips which is the stuff of nostalgic memories for those who grew up with it.
The vegan option is a lemon-infused, nori-wrapped tofu that is fried in a vegan version of the traditional-style batter. Creating an uncanny fish substitute, it’s a taste and texture that even fish lovers won’t be able to refuse.
Seasmiths
Putting a modern spin on things is Seasmiths, with its first location in Porthtowan and the second in Wadebridge. They execute the basics well and go beyond, and the classic haddock and chips must have played a key part in elevating Seasmiths to be among the UK’s top ten because it is truly impeccable.
Their Katsu curry sauce packs a punch of flavor and, unlike most other chippys in Cornwall, they can cater for food allergies like gluten free. Southern fried cauliflower is the option for vegans and veggies alike.
6. Prestigious Festivals
Traditional and contemporary, Cornwall hosts many different festivals throughout the year. One of the best ways to decide when to visit Cornwall is to plan your trip to coincide with one of the many festivals in this special part of Britain.
Music
Cornwall is notable in the indie rock scene, with Tunes in the Dunes and Boardmasters hosting some of the biggest names in British music, amassing thousands of partygoers each year. The location of these two festivals is what helps make them special.
Tunes In The Dunes, in either May or June, is held on one of the best beaches in Cornwall, Perranporth. Enjoy the music and boogie with sand between your toes. Boardmasters (or Boardies for those in the know) is located just north of Newquay on the first weekend in August. Dance the weekend away in super green pastures that overlook the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Food
Situated in the charming harbor village of Porthleven and held yearly at the end of April, Porthleven Food Festival is a weekend full of eating and drinking some of the best that Cornwall has to offer. Many food vendors from across the county set up at Porthleven to share their innovative cuisine. They also host a a variety of local chefs to give cooking demonstrations to excited audiences.
The Food Barn at Tregew hosts a Saturday morning market. Open throughout the year, they invite local vendors to sell the finest in Cornish produce. On Wednesday evenings during the summer, they hold a food market with live music. Make sure to visit if you really want to try some hidden gems in Cornwall.
Traditional
Held during mid-June, celebrate Cornish heritage with the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. Come along for the weekend and enjoy a celebration of traditional folk songs, deep rooted in nautical tradition. It’s more than just singing, with the whole town getting in the mood for festivity drawing local artists to set up shop and sell their products in addition to the Shanty.
Falmouth Classics, which is held on the same weekend as the Shanty, is one of the UK’s largest classic sailing events. Falmouth is known for having a strong sailing legacy and ideal waters. Sailors come from all around to compete in races, and Falmouth even hosts many classic tall ships.
With so much to offer, I wonder how anyone could get bored of this small but mighty county. I’ve given you all of the insiders’ knowledge to make the ultimate trip to Cornwall, so book your trip and get excited.
And if you have more time, you can’t miss the north of England which has some incredible places to visit.
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