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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
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Trelissick
A welcoming house and garden set in an estate with surrounding maritime views and woodland walks.
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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.
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Lanhydrock
Although the Victorian country house and garden are now closed until 1 March, 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.
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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.
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Penrose
Wooded country around Cornwall's largest natural lake. Penrose features woodland tracks, stretches of coastline and open parkland, the perfect backdrop for a day out.
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East Pool Mine
Impressive Cornish Beam Engine and industrial heritage discovery centre. Open by pre-booked tours.
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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.
Top things to do in Cornwall
Christmas in Cornwall
Christmas in Cornwall and Plymouth
Find out how the ancient houses and exotic gardens around Cornwall and Plymouth are being transformed for Christmas and plan a festive day out for all the family.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Places reopening in spring 2025
Place
Glendurgan Garden
A historic and exotic wooded valley garden leading down to the Helford River.
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Antony
18th-Century house set within a magnificent landscape garden, still home to the Carew Pole family
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Things to see and do at St Michael's Mount
Explore the iconic rocky island of St Michael’s Mount. Step inside the castle, stroll through the subtropical garden and soak up the spectacular views.
Our work
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C:UP Lanhydrock Long Gallery ceiling conservation project
The Long Gallery ceiling at Lanhydrock is a masterpiece of Jacobean plasterwork. One of the few parts of the house that survived the great fire at Lanhydrock in 1881, the ceiling underwent a major conservation project to clean and restore it, which has now finished. Work is now underway to take down the scaffolding in the Long Gallery and move collection items back ready for the house to re-open on 1 March 2025.
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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.
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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.
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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 November 2024, featuring works by Cornish artists and co-produced by communities across Cornwall.
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.
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.
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.
Places to visit in Cornwall car-free
Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train, bike or foot, there are many places in Cornwall you can visit without a car.
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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.
Upcoming events
Event
A Cornish Christmas at Trelissick
Trelissick, near Truro, CornwallHave a Nadelik Lowen at Trelissick this December with Father Christmas, local choirs and decorations inspired by a Cornish Christmas.
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Trelissick Christmas Quest
Trelissick, near Truro, CornwallWrap up warm this Christmas and explore the Trelissick garden, taking part in festive activities and searching for the fish that Tom Bawcock and his faithful cat need to save the day and feed the villagers of Mousehole.
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Christmas at Cotehele: The Garland in the Hall
Cotehele, near Saltash, CornwallCelebrate the festive season with a trip to Cotehele to see the annual Christmas Garland within the Great Hall
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Christmas at Cotehele: Night Before Christmas Family Trail
Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and all across the estate, Father Christmas needs your help getting ready for the big night!
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Christmas at Cotehele: A Family Christmas at Cotehele Mill
Cotehele, near Saltash, CornwallWander down the Morden Valley to experience a family Christmas at Cotehele Mill
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Storytelling in the tipi
Trelissick, near Truro, CornwallVisit the tipi and enjoy some storytelling with a Trelissick volunteer at 11.15am, 11.45am, 1.45pm and 2.15pm.
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East Pool Mine Family Film Club
East Pool Mine, near Redruth, CornwallWorking in collaboration with Mor Media Charity Cornwall Film Festival, we invite residents local to East Pool Mine to join us for our free film club viewing of family friendly films on the last Saturday of each month.
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