Cornwall has perhaps more scenic locations than any other county in the UK, in particular along its dramatic, sand and rock coastline, which extends for 422 miles. Inland are moors, meadows, fields, valleys and charming villages, plus many historic sites, including stone circles, ancient villages, castles and old mines.
Ancient SitesCarn Euny Ancient Village Remains of an Iron Age village, in use from 500 BC to 400 AD; nine circular stone houses, plus an underground passageway, the fogou Rating: ★★★★★ |
Chysauster Ancient Village Well-preserved remains of a late Iron Age settlement, on high ground in a remote, scenic part of west Cornwall Rating: ★★★★★ |
Duloe Stone Circle Small stone circle, 35 feet in diameter, consisting of eight quartzite stones, dating from the Bronze Age, between 2000 and 1000 BC Rating: ★★★★★ |
Hurlers and the Cheesewring Stone circles, eroded granite formations and industrial relics - all within one mile, at the south edge of Bodmin Moor Rating: ★★★★★ |
King Doniert's Stone Two memorial stones from the 9th century, one bearing an inscription, referencing the last known king of Cornwall Rating: ★★★★★ |
Lanyon Quoit Megalithic tomb on moorland in far west Cornwall, consisting of four large stones Rating: ★★★★★ |
Mên-an-Tol Late Neolithic formation of three standing granite stones, two columnar, the middle a circular, holed stone Rating: ★★★★★ |
Restormel Castle Rare and well-preserved example of a circular castle, in a rural setting overlooking the River Fowey Rating: ★★★★★ |
Trethevy Quoit Neolithic single-chambered tomb of five upright stones and a large capstone Rating: ★★★★★ |
LandscapesBedruthan Steps Sea stacks and a wide sandy beach, at the foot of steep, wildflower-covered cliffs Rating: ★★★★★ |
Godrevy Beach Broad sandy beach bordered by terraces and cliffs of dark-coloured slate, beneath sandy bluffs bearing varied wildflowers Rating: ★★★★★ |
Golitha Falls Cascades and small waterfalls along the River Fowey, surrounded by ancient oak woodland Rating: ★★★★★ |
Park Head Dramatic rocky headland, lined by small coves and sheer cliffs, toured by a 2.6 mile loop path Rating: ★★★★★ |
Pentargon Falls Hundred foot coastal waterfall, above an inaccessible pebble beach and cliff-lined bay frequented by seals Rating: ★★★★★ |
Porth Joke Secluded, cliff-lined sandy beach, with rock pools at low tide and a stream flowing through Rating: ★★★★★ |
Rocky Valley Short wooded ravine giving way to a dramatic cliff-lined gorge that meets the sea Rating: ★★★★★ |
St Nectan's Glen The deep, shady, wooded valley of the Trevillet River, containing a 60 foot multi-stage waterfall Rating: ★★★★★ |
Trevelgue Head Cliff-lined promontory and island just north of Newquay, with sandy beaches at either side Rating: ★★★★★ |
Wheal Coates One of the most spectacular old tin mines in Cornwall, a photogenic group of ruined buldings right by the coast Rating: ★★★★★ |