The rugged peninsula of Cornwall (Cornwall), in the far southwest of England (Great Britain), stretches out toward the Atlantic, forming a wind- and sea-swept microcosm laced with salt air.
Cornwall Guide: Essential Tourist Information
Cornwall is a paradise for surfers; a land steeped in the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. One must-see location is the evocative ruins of Tintagel Castle, said by legend to be the birthplace of the kingdom of Camelot, although the current fortress dates to the 12th century, long after the mythical king’s exploits.
What to See and Do in Cornwall
Another site full of ancient mystery is the Lanyon Quoit megaliths, near Penzance, where thousand-year-old dolmens stand guard over landscapes of shifting moods. Then there’s the Lizard Peninsula and the dramatic outcropping of Land’s End, which marks the literal end of the land and the open rule of the sea. Picturesque villages such as Portloe, Polkerries, Bostcastle, and Polperro can be found here, with tiny harbors, stone or limewashed white cottages, and slate roofs tinged with moss. These historic homes once sheltered sailors and smugglers made legendary by the tales of Daphne du Maurier. Also unmissable is the Marconi Monument at Poldhu Point on the Lizard Peninsula’s west coast, where in 1901, a scientist’s assistant sent the world’s first transatlantic radio signal, received by Marconi himself in Newfoundland, two thousand miles away.
Truro
Truro is Cornwall’s administrative capital, once an ancient port and a historic market town. Its elegant Georgian architecture dates back to the peak years of the tin mining era. Highlights include the majestic cathedral, reminiscent of St Paul’s in London. Here you’ll also find the Royal Cornwall Museum, with exhibitions on Methodism, archaeology, and smuggling, which for some time provided a vital income for the locals.
Penzance
Penzance is a well-known seaside town in Cornwall. Its wide sandy beaches and lush subtropical plants at Morrab Gardens make it special. Offshore you’ll find St Michael’s Mount. Nearby is Newlyn, Cornwall’s largest fishing harbor, home to a vibrant art community established by Stanhope Forbes in the late 19th century. Don’t miss the charming fishing village of Mousehole, with its narrow lanes and pretty cottages. From Penzance, ferries depart to the Scilly Isles.
St Michael’s Mount
The spectacular St Michael’s Mount sits off Mount Bay, mirroring the village of Marazion, from where boats reach the island. Reminiscent of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, both islands honor Saint Michael, the archangel believed to have appeared here in 495. Benedictine monks settled on the island, building an abbey that, in the 17th century, was converted into a residence by the heirs of Sir John Aubyn.
Falmouth
Falmouth sits at the meeting point of no fewer than seven rivers, creating a deep-water estuary so navigable that even transatlantic liners can approach Truro. The town enchants with its bustling harbor and waterfront buildings. It’s home to the historic chimney, the King’s Pipe, where confiscated tobacco was burned, and to Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle, built by Henry VIII.
Scilly Isles
Off the far western tip of the United Kingdom and governed by Cornwall lie the Isles of Scilly, also known as the Sorlingues. Only 6 out of the archipelago’s 58 islands are inhabited, with the local economy centered entirely on tourism. The largest is St. Mary’s (1,666 residents), while the smallest, Gugh, has only 3 inhabitants. The others, by population, are Tresco, St. Martin’s, Bryher, and St. Agnes.
