The Best Cornwall Attractions & Activities

The Eden Project in Cornwall features massive biomes housing rainforest and Mediterranean habitats. This striking eco-attraction combines lush gardens, interactive exhibits and sustainable design, showcasing the wonders of nature and innovation.

The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in St Ives preserves the artist’s former home and studio. Surrounded by lush gardens, it showcases her striking modernist sculptures in the very setting where she created them.

Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay showcases marine life from Cornwall’s coast to tropical seas. With walk-through ocean tunnels, coral displays, and fascinating sea creatures, it’s an engaging, family-friendly glimpse beneath the waves.

Chysauster Ancient Village, near Penzance, is a remarkably preserved Iron Age settlement. Its stone courtyard houses and lanes reveal how people lived 2,000 years ago amid sweeping views of the Cornish countryside.

Cotehele, near Saltash, is a beautifully preserved Tudor house set above the River Tamar. With medieval interiors, gardens, and a working mill, it offers an atmospheric journey through centuries of Cornish history.

Geevor Tin Mine, near Pendeen, is a preserved mining site offering underground tours and interactive exhibits. Set on Cornwall’s rugged coast, it vividly tells the story of the county’s tin mining heritage and community life.

Godolphin, near Helston, is a historic Cornish estate with a Tudor manor, tranquil gardens, and ancient woodlands. Once a powerful mining estate, it offers peaceful walks, panoramic views, and a glimpse into Cornwall’s rich past.

Lanhydrock in Cornwall is a magnificent Victorian country house set within wooded parkland. Known for its grand architecture, extensive servants’ quarters, and formal gardens, it offers a vivid glimpse into upstairs and downstairs life.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall are a vast restored Victorian estate with jungle-like valleys, romantic woodlands, walled gardens and iconic sculptures like the Mud Maid. A magical blend of history, nature and artistry.

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall, in Falmouth, celebrates the sea through interactive exhibits, historic boats, and maritime stories. Overlooking the harbour, it explores Cornwall’s deep connection with ocean adventure and trade.

Pendennis Castle, in Falmouth, is a coastal fortress built by Henry VIII to defend against invasion. With panoramic sea views, wartime tunnels, and interactive exhibits, it brings centuries of Cornwall’s military history to life.

Penlee House Gallery & Museum, in Penzance, celebrates Cornish art and history. Housed in a Victorian villa, it features works by the Newlyn School artists alongside local archaeology and cultural exhibits.

PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications, near Land’s End, explores how Cornwall connected the world through undersea cables. Housed in wartime tunnels, it reveals the evolution of global communication and Porthcurno’s vital role.

Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park, near St Columb Major, rescues and cares for owls and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy close-up encounters, flying displays, and meet a variety of native and exotic animals in peaceful countryside surroundings.

St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall is a tidal island crowned by a medieval castle and church. Linked to the mainland by a causeway at low tide, it features terraced gardens, harbour village, and sweeping coastal views steeped in legend.

Tate St Ives in Cornwall is a seaside gallery showcasing modern and contemporary art, with links to the St Ives artists’ colony. Overlooking Porthmeor Beach, it combines world-class exhibitions with stunning coastal views.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, in Gweek, rescues and rehabilitates injured seals and sea lions. Set by the Helford River, it offers close encounters, woodland walks, and insight into vital marine conservation work in Cornwall.

The Minack Theatre in Cornwall is a spectacular open-air theatre carved into cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. Created by Rowena Cade, it stages performances with the ocean as a backdrop, offering one of the UK’s most dramatic cultural settings.

Tintagel Castle on Cornwall’s dramatic cliffs is linked to the legend of King Arthur. Its medieval ruins, footbridge, and stunning sea views create a magical setting where history and myth intertwine.

Trerice, near Newquay, is an Elizabethan manor house with tranquil gardens and fine interiors. Managed by the National Trust, it offers a peaceful glimpse into Tudor life amid rolling Cornish countryside.