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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The gatehouse with the drive leading to the house beyond at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Place

Lanhydrock

As well as the magnificent late Victorian country house and garden 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.

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.

Front of the house in early morning light in November 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 colourful autumn walks.

Place

Glendurgan Garden

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

Visitors in the distance walking on a path beside autumnal trees in Trengwainton Garden

Place

Trengwainton Garden

Sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs

The North facing front of Godolphin House, Cornwall with autumn leaves in the foreground.

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

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 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.

Place

Antony

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

A child explores the outdoors with their family in autumn

Family-friendly places in Cornwall

Dog-friendly places in Cornwall

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

Walking in Cornwall

The Orchard at Pentire, Cornwall, in autumn

Gardens and Parks in Cornwall

A visitor with his dog on the beach at Penrose, 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

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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

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.

England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days, is back from 6 -15 September. Presented by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, Heritage Open Days gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy free access to experiences and events across England.  

Visitors standing on a bridge looking over the side

Article

Heritage Open Days

Between 6 and 15 September 2024, Heritage Open Days returns with a packed programme of events and activities. Many of the places we care for will be offering free entry and events. Plus, you can discover other events hosted by local organisations in your area.

Project

C:UP Lanhydrock Long Gallery ceiling conservation project

The Long Gallery ceiling at Lanhydrock is a masterpiece of Jacobean plasterwork. One of the few part of the house that survived the great fire at Lanhydrock in 1881, the ceiling is now undergoing a major conservation project to clean and restore it. Climb the scaffold to get up close to the ceiling, see the conservation specialists at work and find out what it takes to care for this delicate piece of art.

Coastal landscape near Kynance with rocks & thrift in the foreground and the sea in the background.

Article

Looking after the Lizard's rare habitats and species

Find out more about how a National Trust recovery project is focusing on unique and vital “microhabitats” found on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.

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.

Nine performers in long skirts walking out of the sea onto a sandy beach

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National Trust collaboration with Wildworks in Cornwall

National Trust will host multiple new artworks commissioned for the Hello Stranger community engagement programme led by Wildworks, the UK’s leading landscape theatre company, in an exciting new collaboration. The programme will run across multiple National Trust places from July 2024 until March 2025, featuring works by Cornish artists and co-produced by communities across Cornwall.

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

With sea views for miles and a 10-minute walk to family-friendly beaches, this cottage is in a clifftop cluster of restored farm buildings.

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.

Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train, bike or foot, there are many places in Cornwall you can visit without a car.

Family exploring the cycle trails at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

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Places you can visit in Cornwall without a car

Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train, bike or foot, there are many places that we care for in Cornwall that you can visit without a car. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your a car-free day out.

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Event

Free entry to Michell's Engine House for Heritage Open Days

East Pool Mine, near Redruth, Cornwall

Visit Michell's Engine House, home to the last whim engine built in Cornwall and experience a sound installation designed by Kath Buckler.

Event

Free entry to Godolphin for Heritage Open Days

Godolphin, Helston, Cornwall

Join us as we celebrate England's biggest festival of culture and heritage by offering you free entry to Godolphin House, gardens and outbuildings from 6 -15 September.

Event

Heritage Open Days: Visit Cotehele for free

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

As part of Heritage Open Days we're waiving our usual admission fees to enable everyone to visit the house and garden at Cotehele for free.

Event

Marina Rule art exhibition

Botallack, near St Just, Cornwall

Be the first to see paintings by emerging local artist Marina Rule, many of which have been produced specially for this exhibition.

Event

Autumn colour at Lanhydrock

Lanhydrock, Bodmin, Cornwall

Enjoy some colourful autumn beauty in the Lanhydrock garden before the end of the season.

Event

Pooch Passport at Lanhydrock

Lanhydrock, Bodmin, Cornwall

Explore top rated places for days out with dogs. Visit six participating places between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025 to collect your free treat and visit 12 for a second treat.