Holiday rentals in Cornwall

Located at the south-western tip of the United Kingdom, Cornwall has a long history of seafaring, fishing, and smuggling, with rumoured pirate coves dotting the coast. Postcard-perfect villages cling to the shore, while long-abandoned mines pepper the inland landscape. Whether you’re tucking in to a traditional Cornish pasty, sharing tea and scones, or heading to one of Padstow’s elegant eateries, the county’s culinary offerings are sure to please the palate. Cornwall is an established surfers’ paradise, with powerful Atlantic waters creating ideal conditions and plenty of surf schools on hand for beginners.

If you’re more of a spectator, Fistral Beach in Newquay is the perfect spot to watch the pros in the late afternoon light. The country has a long and storied history, from ancient Celtic settlements to grand country estates. Walk across to St Michael’s Mount at low tide — don’t worry if the water starts to rise, regular boats ferry visitors to and from Marazion — and experience tropical climates at the Eden Project. With closer linguistic and cultural ties with France’s Brittany than to some of the United Kingdom, Cornwall has a character all of its own.

The mild coastal climate brings spring blooms ahead of the rest of the country, but temperatures aren’t at their most balmy until June onwards, when visitors start to make their way here to bask in the Cornish sunshine. Cornwall’s narrow, winding roads can become crowded in the peak summer month of August, but the autumn often brings pleasant conditions and this is when the surf is at its best and the sea at its warmest.

However, the Land’s End and Lizard peninsulas have their own micro-climates, so bear that in mind ahead of your visit. For something a little different, head to Falmouth in mid-June for the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. All weekend, live maritime music plays out all over town to celebrate the area’s seafaring heritage.

Tall ships in Charlestown Harbour

Less than a five-minute drive from St Austell, the working port of Charlestown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tall ships housed on its Grade II listed granite quay have been featured in many period drama and blockbuster films, and the nearby Shipwreck Treasure Museum has thousands of artifacts to explore from over a hundred shipwrecks.

Penwith Peninsula

Far from the beachside cafes and rows of pristine boats, this sparsely populated western tip of Cornwall is a mix of moors, former mines, and fields. Wind your way along the coastal road, take in Neolithic ruins and farmland that date back to the medieval period, and walk along the windswept cliffs as the waves crash against the shore below.

Minack Theatre

A trip to the clifftop Minack Theatre in Porthcurno is an experience in itself. Carved stone seating hugs the hillside and overlooks the sea, while a varied programme of productions spans centuries-old plays and avant-garde performances. Before you take your seat, head down for a stroll along the beach below, sheltered between the cliffs.