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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

The white pyramid entrance at the front of Trelissick, in the autumn, with the orangery at the right of the picture
Place
Place

Trelissick 

A welcoming house and garden set in an estate with surrounding maritime views and woodland walks.

near Truro, Cornwall

Partially open today
A floral garland made of pink and purple flowers hanging within the Tudor Great Hall at Cotehele
Place
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.

near Saltash, Cornwall

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

Godolphin 

An ancient and atmospheric estate with a medieval garden and historic house

Helston, Cornwall

Partially open today
A view of the house at Trerice in summertime
Place
Place

Trerice 

Elizabethan manor house with fine interiors and delightful garden

near Newquay, Cornwall

Closed now
View across mown lawns to Lanhydrock’s gatehouse, shrouded in mist and low autumn sun
Place
Place

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.

Bodmin, Cornwall

Partially open today
A view out to sea of a curving headland, the Rumps, at Pentire, Cornwall
Place
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.

near Wadebridge, Cornwall

Partially open today
A couple on a walk with their dog at Penrose, Cornwall
Place
Place

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.

Helston, Cornwall

Fully open today
The engine house at East Pool Mine at Pool, near Redruth, Cornwall
Place
Place

East Pool Mine 

Impressive Cornish Beam Engine and industrial heritage discovery centre. Open by pre-booked tours.

near Redruth, Cornwall

Partially open today
Visitors at the Levant Mine and Beam Engine, Cornwall
Place
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.

near St Just, Cornwall

Closed now

Christmas in Cornwall

A member of staff at Trelissick decorating a tree for a Cornish Christmas

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.

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
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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.

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.

Places reopening in spring 2025

View across mown lawns to Lanhydrock’s gatehouse, shrouded in mist and low autumn sun
Place
Place

Lanhydrock 

Magnificent late Victorian country house with garden and wooded estate.

Bodmin, Cornwall

Partially open today
Autumn at the maze
Place
Place

Glendurgan Garden 

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

Falmouth, Cornwall

Closed now
Three people walking and one using a wheelchair to visit the Winter Lights at Trengwainton Garden
Place
Place

Trengwainton Garden 

Sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs

near Penzance, Cornwall

Closed now
Autumnal view of the house at Antony
Place
Place

Antony 

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

Torpoint, Cornwall

Closed now
A view across the water at low tide at St Michael's Mount in the distance
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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

Project
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 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.

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

The exterior of Hayloft, Roseland, Cornwall

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.

The exterior of Cotehele Dairy Cottage, Cornwall

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.

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.

Upcoming events

Event

Tree planting at Penrose this Winter 

Penrose, Helston, Cornwall

Help us plant a tree, tackle climate change and secure nature at Penrose for future generations.

Event summary

on
26 Nov 2024 to 16 Jan 2025
at
10:00 to 12:30
+ 31 other dates or times
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 summary

on
26 Nov to 29 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 3 other dates or times
Event

Christmas at Cotehele: The Garland in the Hall 

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

Celebrate the festive season with a trip to Cotehele to see the annual Christmas Garland within the Great Hall

Event summary

on
26 Nov 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
10:30 to 16:00
+ 38 other dates or times
Event

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!

Event summary

on
26 Nov 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
11:00 to 15:30
+ 38 other dates or times
Event

[SOLD OUT] Introduction to Wreath Making 

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

Make your own stunning door wreath - all materials provided.

Event summary

on
28 Nov 2024
at
10:30 to 13:30
Event

Christmas at Cotehele: A Family Christmas at Cotehele Mill 

Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall

Wander down the Morden Valley to experience a family Christmas at Cotehele Mill

Event summary

on
29 Nov 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
11:00 to 15:30
+ 23 other dates or times
Event

Trengwainton's Winter Lights 

Trengwainton Garden, near Penzance, Cornwall

Book your tickets early to see the walled garden and orchard lit with fairy lights and lanterns. Please note: assistance dogs only at this event due to the combination of dim lighting and narrow paths.

Event summary

on
29 Nov to 15 Dec 2024
at
16:30 to 16:45
+ 120 other dates or times
Event

Children's Christmas trail 

Trelissick, near Truro, Cornwall

Wrap 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.

Event summary

on
30 Nov 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 34 other dates or times
Man holding a child up in the air as they both smile, in the grounds at Powis Castle, Powys

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.