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

Place

Trelissick

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

A floral garland made of pink and purple flowers hanging within the Tudor Great Hall at Cotehele

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.

Front door of Godolphin adorned with large Christmas wreath and colonnades decorated with seasonal foliage.

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

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

Place

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.

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.

A couple on a walk with their dog at Penrose, Cornwall

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.

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.

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

Christmas around Cornwall

Couple walking the dog on a frosty morning at Trelissick, Cornwall

Gardens and Parks 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

Dog-friendly places in Cornwall

Family visitors in the house at Trelissick looking up at a decorated Christmas tree together, Trelissick, Cornwall

Family-friendly places 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

Visitors dog walking in winter at Cobham Wood, Kent

Countryside areas in Cornwall

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

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.

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.

Place

Lanhydrock

Magnificent late Victorian country house with garden and wooded estate.

Place

Glendurgan Garden

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

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

Place

Trengwainton Garden

Sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs

Place

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.

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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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 November 2024, 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

Trelissick Christmas Quest

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

A Cornish Christmas at Trelissick

Trelissick, near Truro, Cornwall

Have a Nadelik Lowen at Trelissick this December with Father Christmas, local choirs and decorations inspired by a Cornish Christmas.

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

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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

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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!

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.