a view of a small town by the ocean
a lone tree in a grassy field under a cloudy sky
man standing on brown stone during daytime
Rocky coastline with clear turquoise water
Green rolling hills meet a choppy ocean under cloudy skies.

Holiday in Cornwall

Region in United Kingdom — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇬🇧

Country

United Kingdom

Type

Region

Best time to travel

May to September (15-22 °C, longest days and warmest sea). July/August lively with families. May and September quieter with stable weather.

Budget/day

110-230 €

Getting there from Germany

Flight to London (LHR, approx. 1.5-2 h) or Newquay (NQY, seasonal), then rental car (4-5 h from London) or train to Penzance/St Ives (5 h from London Paddington).

About Cornwall

Cornwall is England's wild southwest — a dramatic peninsula where rugged cliffs meet turquoise waters, hidden coves lie between rock formations, and the Gulf Stream provides a surprisingly mild climate that allows palms and subtropical gardens to thrive. The county at the very tip of England has its own identity: Celtic roots, a unique (almost extinct) language, and a coastal landscape that is among the most spectacular in Europe. St Ives, once a fishing village, is now one of the most charming small towns in England: Narrow cobbled streets wind down to beaches with turquoise water reminiscent of the Caribbean. The Tate St Ives, an award-winning museum right above Porthmeor Beach, showcases modern art with a sea view. Artists have been drawn to Cornwall's unique light and colors for over 100 years. Tintagel Castle on the stormy north coast is, according to legend, the birthplace of King Arthur: The ruins of a medieval castle cling to steep cliffs high above the Atlantic, connected by a spectacular new bridge (2019) that replicates the old land connection. Merlin's Cave beneath the castle is accessible at low tide. The Eden Project, created in a former clay pit, is one of the world's most ambitious ecology projects: Huge geodesic biomes house tropical rainforests and Mediterranean landscapes under transparent domes. The project demonstrates humanity's dependence on plants and is also a masterpiece of sustainable architecture. The South West Coast Path, at 1,014 kilometers, is England's longest long-distance footpath, circling the entire coast of Cornwall: From Padstow to Land's End and further around the south coast, it offers dramatic cliff views, secluded coves, and encounters with seals, dolphins, and puffins.

Nature
85
Safety
82
Romance
80
Beach
70
Relaxation
70

Top 6 highlights in Cornwall

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

St Ives & Tate St Ives

Fishing village with Caribbean turquoise water and artist scene: Tate Museum above the beach, cobbled streets, and the special light of Cornwall.

2

Tintagel Castle (King Arthur)

Legendary birthplace of King Arthur: castle ruins on stormy cliffs with a spectacular bridge and Merlin's Cave accessible at low tide.

3

Eden Project

Huge geodesic biomes in a former clay pit: tropical rainforest and Mediterranean flora under glass domes, a masterpiece of sustainable architecture.

4

Land's End

Westernmost point of England with dramatic granite cliffs: view of the Longships Lighthouse and, in clear weather, the Scilly Islands on the horizon.

5

Minack Theatre

Open-air theater built into the cliffs above the sea: performances with sunset and the Atlantic as a backdrop, one of the most spectacular theaters in the world.

6

South West Coast Path

1,014 km long-distance path along the entire coast: dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, seals and dolphins on England's longest trail.

Hotels in Cornwall

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Reise-SIM für Cornwall

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Cornwall

Recommended travel time

May to September (15-22 °C, longest days and warmest sea). July/August lively with families. May and September quieter with stable weather.

Summer

15-22 °C, mild and sunny with occasional showers, Gulf Stream warms the sea

Winter

5-11 °C, mild for England thanks to the Gulf Stream, stormy on the coast, rarely frosty

How much does a holiday in Cornwall cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

55-95 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

110-230 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

260-550 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

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5 travel tips for Cornwall

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Car strongly recommended — Cornwall has narrow country roads (hedgerows), left-hand traffic, and little public transport. Rental cars from Exeter or London, patience on B-roads.

Cream Tea: Cornwall vs. Devon — in Cornwall, jam goes on the scone first, then cream. In Devon, it's the other way around. Don't mix them up; locals take this seriously!

Check tides — many coves and caves are only accessible at low tide. Check tide tables online, especially for Tintagel and St Michael's Mount.

Try a Cornish Pasty on-site — only pasties made in Cornwall can be called Cornish Pasty (protected designation of origin). Best from local bakeries.

South West Coast Path in stages — walking the whole way takes 8 weeks. Daily stages between 10-20 km are ideal, with a pub at the destination.

Food & drink in Cornwall

These specialties you must try!

Cornish Pasty — pastry filled with beef, potatoes, swede, and onions: Cornwall's national dish with protected designation of origin, since the 13th century.
Cream Tea (Cornish Style) — scones with strawberry jam first, then clotted cream on top: the Cornish order is sacred, never the other way around.
Stargazy Pie — fish pie with sardines whose heads stick out of the pastry crust: a traditional dish from Mousehole, spectacular in appearance.
Cornish Crab — fresh crab from Padstow or Newlyn: served as dressed crab with mayonnaise or in a crab sandwich at the harbor, freshly caught and sweet.
Hevva Cake — traditional fisherman's cake made from flour, butter, sugar, and raisins: baked when the fishing shoals were sighted, moist and buttery.
Suitable for:CliffsBeachesKing ArthurSurfingEden ProjectCoastCeltic

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