At the southwestern tip of Britain lies Cornwall, a peninsula of dramatic contrasts and timeless beauty. Here, rugged cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, golden beaches stretch for miles, and picturesque fishing villages nestle in sheltered coves. With its distinct cultural identity, rich maritime heritage, and increasingly celebrated cuisine, Cornwall offers a journey that feels wholly different from the rest of Britain.

More than just a summer holiday destination, Cornwall rewards visitors in every season with its mild climate, spectacular coastal walks, artistic communities, and warm local hospitality. In this guide, we'll explore the coastal treasures that make Cornwall a truly special corner of the United Kingdom.

The Cornish Riviera: Southern Coast Highlights

Cornwall's southern coast, sometimes called the Cornish Riviera for its relatively sheltered aspect and milder climate, offers a gentler landscape compared to the wild north coast. Here, deep estuaries known locally as "creeks" create perfect natural harbours that have nurtured maritime communities for centuries.

Falmouth

Home to the world's third deepest natural harbour, Falmouth blends maritime heritage with contemporary creative energy. The National Maritime Museum Cornwall celebrates the sea's influence on Cornish life, while Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII, stands guard over the harbour entrance. For beach lovers, Gyllyngvase and Swanpool offer golden sands within walking distance of town, while garden enthusiasts shouldn't miss nearby Trebah and Glendurgan, subtropical gardens that thrive in Cornwall's mild climate.

Fowey

Pronounced "Foy," this charming town clings to steep hills overlooking a deep estuary. Narrow streets are lined with medieval and Georgian buildings housing independent shops, galleries, and excellent restaurants. Literary enthusiasts will appreciate connections to Daphne du Maurier, who set many of her novels in this area. Take the passenger ferry across to Polruan for panoramic views back over Fowey, or enjoy a river trip to spot wildlife and glimpse waterside mansions hidden among the trees.

St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula

Often overlooked by visitors rushing to the far west, the Roseland Peninsula represents Cornwall at its most serene. St Mawes, with its whitewashed cottages rising up from a perfect crescent harbour, sits opposite Falmouth across the Carrick Roads estuary. The immaculately preserved Tudor castle offers spectacular views, while hidden coves and rolling farmland create a landscape of gentle beauty. Some of Cornwall's best seafood restaurants can be found here, serving catches landed just hours earlier.

The Wild Atlantic Coast: North Cornwall

Cornwall's north coast faces the full force of the Atlantic, creating a landscape of high cliffs, hidden coves, and wide sandy beaches that attract surfers, walkers, and those seeking dramatic natural beauty.

St Ives

Few British coastal towns can match St Ives for sheer visual appeal. Its unique quality of light has attracted artists since the 19th century, a tradition celebrated in the world-class Tate St Ives gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Five magnificent beaches surround the town, from the sheltered harbour beach to the surfing waves of Porthmeor. The narrow cobbled streets of the old fishing quarter, known as the Downalong, house studios, craft shops, and excellent seafood restaurants.

Padstow

This charming fishing port has become a gastronomic destination thanks largely to celebrity chef Rick Stein, whose seafood restaurants helped put Cornish cuisine on the map. Beyond the food scene, Padstow offers a picturesque harbour, excellent beaches nearby, and access to the Camel Trail - a popular cycling route along a disused railway line. Take the ferry across the estuary to Rock for a contrasting atmosphere in this upmarket watersports haven sometimes called "Britain's Saint-Tropez."

Tintagel and Boscastle

The legendary birthplace of King Arthur, Tintagel combines dramatic coastal scenery with mythology and history. The ruins of the medieval castle span both the mainland and a rocky island, now connected by a spectacular footbridge that recreates the original land bridge that once existed here. Nearby Boscastle, with its natural harbour squeezed between high cliffs, offers one of Cornwall's most dramatically situated villages, almost destroyed by flash floods in 2004 but now beautifully restored.

Land's End and West Penwith

The westernmost part of Cornwall feels like the edge of the world, with a prehistoric landscape of moorland, ancient stone circles, abandoned tin mines, and granite cliffs battered by the Atlantic.

Land's End

Britain's most westerly point has unfortunately become somewhat commercialised, but step away from the visitor centre and you'll find breathtaking cliff scenery and views to the Isles of Scilly 28 miles offshore. The clear waters here turn a Caribbean turquoise on sunny days, while the granite cliffs host nesting seabirds in spring and early summer.

Sennen Cove

Just a mile from Land's End but worlds apart in atmosphere, Sennen offers one of Cornwall's most beautiful beaches. A wide sweep of pale sand backed by dunes faces directly into the Atlantic, making it a popular surfing spot. The small fishing fleet still lands catches daily, and the village retains an authentic working character alongside its role as a holiday destination.

Porthcurno and Minack Theatre

The beach at Porthcurno seems almost tropical with its white sand and azure waters, but the real marvel here is the Minack Theatre - an open-air amphitheatre carved into the cliff face by Rowena Cade and her gardener in the 1930s. Watching a performance with the sun setting over the Atlantic is an unforgettable experience. Nearby, the Telegraph Museum tells the surprising story of how this tiny cove became a vital international communications hub in the 19th century.

Cornish Cuisine: A Seafood Paradise

Cornwall's food scene has undergone a remarkable renaissance in recent decades, evolving from simple seaside fare to a sophisticated celebration of superb local produce, particularly its world-class seafood.

Traditional Specialties

No visit to Cornwall is complete without sampling traditional Cornish pasties - hand-held pastries traditionally filled with beef, potato, onion, and swede, crimped on one side. Originally developed as a portable lunch for tin miners, authentic Cornish pasties now have Protected Geographical Indication status. Other local specialties include saffron buns, hevva cake (a sweet fruited bread), and clotted cream - essential for a proper Cornish cream tea (but remember, in Cornwall the jam goes on first, then the cream!).

Seafood Excellence

With 300 miles of coastline, Cornwall unsurprisingly excels in seafood. From Newlyn crab and Falmouth oysters to line-caught mackerel and sustainable hake, the variety and quality are exceptional. Restaurants like Nathan Outlaw's in Port Isaac (holder of two Michelin stars), Paul Ainsworth's No. 6 in Padstow, and Ben Tunnicliffe's Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn offer world-class seafood dining, while countless harbourside cafes serve the freshest fish straight from the boats.