When you think of travelling to the UK do you immediately think London?
There is so much for everyone to do there and so many well-known sights to see it's the obvious choice.
There are of course many beautiful places to visit in the UK but right now I want to tell you about Cornwall.
Cornwall is located in the south western most tip of the UK and is a very popular holiday destination for British and overseas visitors. It comprises almost 500 kilometres of coastline from beautiful sandy beaches to hilly coastal paths. The South West coastal path is a well defined route from where you can look out on an ever changing seascape and watch the sunset.
Getting there
Getting to Cornwall will involve a long drive and if you are travelling from Europe using the Channel Tunnel it would be advisable to take a couple of days to complete the journey. This is not only so you arrive feeling refreshed but also so you can visit some great places in the south of the UK on your way. Driving between London and the north of Cornwall will take around 5 hours, then depending on where you want to visit after that, there could be up to another 2 hours of driving. Cornwall is very busy in the summer. Whilst it is the best time to go if you are looking for long days of warm sunshine it would also be a good time to stay away if you don't want to spend your days sitting in traffic jams or queuing for parking spots and ice-cream.
I recommend visiting in the spring or autumn when good stretches of daylight allow for days out visiting and temperatures are pleasant for long walks along the coastline.
My experience
Cornwall is divided into several regions, all of them beautiful and all of them worth a visit. This post is going to focus on West Cornwall which takes in the area of coastline from St Ives to Penzance.
St Ives is a picturesque fishing town popular with artists, and everyone else! It was incredibly busy when we visited on a weekday in April. Using a park and ride car park is advised as it will take you away from the small and winding streets of the town, especially if you arrive on a busy day. There are plenty of shops to wander around and numerous opportunities to eat a Cornish Pasty, which is a local speciality you simply have to try!
Lands End is famous as being the south western most tip of the UK and it attracts millions of visitors a year. There are shops and cafes at the Lands End complex making it a good stopping point as you travel around either by car or on foot. We walked to Lands End from the fishing village of Sennen Cove and enjoyed a welcome cup of coffee and something sweet as a reward.
My top attraction in this part of Cornwall though has to be the Minack Theatre. This is a place that took my breath away and brought a lump to my throat from the shear beauty of it. Built into the side of a cliff in the 1930's it stages theatre productions with the sea as a backdrop. When plays are not being performed it's open for the public to wander around and admire. Plan your visit around the weather and go on a sunny day for maximum impact.
Pros and Cons of holidaying in Cornwall
Pros
It is just beautiful. There are views around every corner wherever you are in the county, from the north with its popular surfing beaches and lively towns, right around to The Lizard and the Falmouth Estuary.
Walkers will enjoy the fantastic coastline and water sports enthusiasts will have no shortage of options. Families will have plenty of beaches to choose from to enjoy a traditional bucket and spade holiday with fun fairs and ice-cream. There really is something for everyone.
Cons
It can get very busy. The summer months can bring endless traffic jams and crowded beaches, yet tourists continue to flock here to enjoy the weather and scenery on those blue sky and sunshine days.
The weather can of course not be guaranteed and if a walking holiday is what you have planned make sure to pack appropriate clothing. Having a flexible itinerary will help as there are plenty of options to visit historic houses, towns with shopping opportunities, and local museums. On a rainy day families can choose from a number of different indoor soft play centres so little ones can enjoy a run around and parents a welcome cup of coffee.
The final word
Visit Cornwall! In my opinion it is one of the most scenic counties in the UK and having such a long stretch of coastline helps with that. As someone who grew up hours from the sea I will naturally want to holiday near to it.
If you are going, go out of season. It will make it easier to travel around and give you more space when visiting local attractions. Accommodation will also be cheaper. It is a popular destination and the prices reflect that.
Every area of the county has accommodation for every budget from camping and caravan parks to five star hotels. We chose to stay in a holiday cottage which gave us a warm place to sleep, the freedom to explore the area and prepare our own food.
Whenever you visit you are sure to have a great time!
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