Cornwall is a historic, scenic coastal county in South West England known for its Cornish culture, dramatic landscapes, beaches, outdoor activities, and vibrant arts scene.
Tintagel Castle is a medieval fortification and archaeological site in North Cornwall, known for its extensive ruins, association with King Arthur legends, and significant early medieval elite settlement remains. Visitors explore the scenic outdoor castle ruins and newly constructed footbridge linking the island to the mainland.
Tintagel Old Post Office is a 14th-century medieval stone house located in Tintagel, Cornwall. Owned by the National Trust, visitors can explore the historic Grade I listed building and its surrounding cottage garden, with the house restored to its Victorian-era post office condition.
St Breock Downs Monolith is a prehistoric standing stone in Cornwall, notable for being the largest and heaviest menhir in the region, dating back to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Visitors can explore this ancient stone set on a cairn atop St Breock Downs, showcasing significant prehistoric ritual heritage.
Trengwainton Garden is a National Trust historic garden in Cornwall known for its exotic trees, shrubs, and Elizabethan walled garden with scenic views over Mount's Bay and The Lizard. The house on site is not open to the public.
Pendennis Castle is a historic 16th-century artillery fort near Falmouth, Cornwall, built by Henry VIII as part of coastal defence. Visitors can explore the original Device Fort including the keep, gun platforms, and extensive ramparts with bastions, as well as later defensive structures and batteries. The site offers a blend of indoor castle tours and outdoor historic fortifications overlooking the Carrick Roads. It is managed by English Heritage as a tourist attraction with a rich military history spanning several centuries.
Falmouth is a historic port town in Cornwall, England, known for its deep natural harbour, maritime heritage, cultural institutions, and scenic coastal beaches, attracting tourists for its arts, history, and waterfront activities.
Sandymouth Beach in Cornwall is a long sandy beach with cliffs, rock formations, and strong surf, popular for surfing and managed by the National Trust. The site offers a café, toilets, and seasonal lifeguard patrols, appealing to beachgoers and surfers.
Lanhydrock House is a Grade I listed Jacobean country house in Cornwall, set in extensive gardens and parkland with historic interiors, including a long gallery with rare plasterwork. Visitors can tour the restored Victorian house, service rooms, nurseries, and church, experiencing both indoor and outdoor heritage.
14 Oct, 21 Oct…
A friendly weekly group walk at Lanhydrock, offering gentle exercise, time outdoors and the chance to chat with others. The walks follow a slow-to-medium-paced route over varied paths, including some hills.
St Anthony Head is a National Trust site at the southern tip of Cornwall's Roseland Peninsula, featuring a historic battery and lighthouse with scenic views over one of the world's largest natural harbours and designated protected natural areas.
St Mawes Castle is a well-preserved 16th-century artillery fort in Cornwall built by Henry VIII to defend against invasions. Visitors can explore its historic stone keep, decorated with carvings and gun batteries, as well as outdoor terraces and gardens overlooking the Carrick Roads waterway. The site offers a mix of indoor historic rooms and outdoor fortifications.
Trethevy Quoit is a well-preserved Neolithic dolmen located in Cornwall, England. It features large standing stones capped by a massive slab and is accessible to the public for free. The site is managed by Cornwall Heritage Trust and is part of the region's rich ancient heritage.
Cromwell's Castle is a 17th-century artillery fort located on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, featuring a circular gun tower and adjacent gun platform. It was built to defend New Grimsby harbour and is now managed by English Heritage as a historic open-to-visitors site.
Godrevy is a coastal headland in Cornwall featuring a historic lighthouse, popular surf beaches, rich wildlife habitats including seabirds and seals, and managed by the National Trust with access to walking paths and a café on site.
The Godolphin Estate is a National Trust property in Cornwall featuring a Grade I listed Tudor/Stuart mansion with Elizabethan stables, early formal gardens, and significant archaeological sites. The estate offers a mix of indoor historic house exploration and outdoor garden and landscape experiences, including views from Godolphin Hill. The house is open to the public on certain days and also available as a holiday let.
19 May, 22–23 May…
Join a volunteer guide for a short walk through Godolphin’s mining landscape. The walk highlights surviving mining features and explains the historic relationship between Godolphin and mining.
Kynance Cove is a picturesque coastal cove on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, renowned for its unique serpentine geology, scenic tidal islands and rock stacks. The site is managed by the National Trust and features a café for visitors. It is also famous as a filming location for various TV series and films.
St Catherine's Castle is a 16th-century Henrician coastal fortification in Cornwall, England, overlooking the mouth of the River Fowey. Originally built to defend against invasion, it features a distinctive D-shaped stone blockhouse and historic gun platforms, and is now a preserved ruin managed by English Heritage for visitors to explore its historic military architecture and coastal views.
Restormel Castle is a well-preserved Norman shell keep castle near Lostwithiel in Cornwall, notable for its unusual circular design and historical significance. Visitors can explore the outdoor ruins and enjoy its scenic riverside setting with a picnic area, maintained by English Heritage.
Flambards Theme Park in Helston, Cornwall offered a mix of outdoor amusement rides and extensive indoor historical and family attractions, including Victorian life recreations and WWII exhibit. It was open seasonally from Easter to October with year-round undercover exhibitions and closed permanently in 2024 after 48 years.
King Charles's Castle is a 16th century ruined artillery fort on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, open to the public and managed by English Heritage. It features historic granite fortifications and earthworks overlooking New Grimsby harbour providing an outdoor exploration of Tudor military history.
Newquay Zoo in Cornwall is a conservation-focused zoo spanning 13 acres, home to nearly 1,000 animals of 36 species. Visitors can explore diverse exhibits such as African Savannah, Tropical House, and Gems of the Jungle walkthrough aviary. The zoo offers educational programmes, on-site food facilities, and activities suitable for children, emphasizing species conservation and biodiversity.
16 Oct (next Friday)
An hour-long guided outdoor tour of Trerice’s gardens explores the site’s archaeological and architectural history, including notable features and archaeological finds.
Newquay is a popular seaside town in Cornwall known for its extensive sandy beaches, renowned surfing conditions, rich historical sites, and vibrant cultural events, including major music festivals and spaceport activities.
Antony House is an early 18th-century Grade I listed historic house museum in Cornwall, featuring fine 18th-century furnishings and a notable art collection. It is complemented by Georgian landscaped gardens and a large woodland garden with walking paths, offering both indoor and outdoor visitor experiences.
Cadson Bury is an outdoor Iron Age hillfort near Callington, Cornwall, featuring a large oval enclosure with curved ramparts and ditches, owned by the National Trust and accessible to the public.
The Hurlers is a group of three prehistoric stone circles located on Bodmin Moor near Minions in Cornwall. Visitors can explore these ancient outdoor monuments along with nearby standing stones called the Pipers, managed by the Cornwall Heritage Trust and recognized as a Scheduled Monument.
Levant Mine and Beam Engine is a National Trust industrial heritage site in Cornwall featuring the world's oldest Cornish steam winding engine still in its original location, a visitor centre, and a short underground mine tour. The mine is historically significant and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1 Sep–30 Nov (another 52 days)
An exhibition of local artist Sophie Anderson’s paintings, inspired by the landscapes and changing light of Penwith’s coastline and moors. The works use pastel, oil and mixed media.
Boscastle is a scenic fishing village and port on Cornwall's north coast, featuring a natural harbour with historic stone walls, situated within the Cornwall National Landscape, popular for walking and its heritage connections.
Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps offers spectacular north Cornish coastline views with access to rocky beaches, historic mining heritage, and protected natural landscape. Maintained by the National Trust, it features a shop and café, coastal walks, and stargazing opportunities as a Dark Sky site.
Trerice House is a historic Tudor manor near Newquay, Cornwall, featuring an elaborately rebuilt 16th-century house with extensive gardens. Owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors a glimpse into the history of the Arundell family and Tudor architecture within landscaped grounds.
Penrose is a National Trust estate in Cornwall featuring a historic Grade II listed house, extensive grounds including Cornwall's largest natural freshwater lake Loe Pool, and coastal scenery. The estate offers a combination of indoor historic house experience and outdoor natural exploration.
Trelissick is a historic stately home and extensive garden located in Cornwall, England, owned by the National Trust. Visitors can explore both the house and its exceptional gardens featuring rare plants, woodland walks, and scenic estuary views within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
Join the ranger team for a walk through Trelissick parkland, identifying and surveying grassland fungi such as waxcaps and puffballs.
Cotehele is a Grade I listed medieval and Tudor manor house in Cornwall with extensive historic gardens, a working restored mill, and riverside quay, offering both indoor and outdoor historic experiences. It features original Tudor interiors, chapels, and has been used as a film location.
7 Oct–15 Nov (another 37 days)
Visitors can follow a sensory trail around the garden, moving through interactive installations inspired by the picture book and animation ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ as they search for the bear.
Lydford Gorge is a dramatic and scenic gorge on the River Lyd in Devon, featuring the tallest waterfall in the area, ancient woodlands, and notable geological formations. It is a National Trust protected site known for its natural beauty and biodiversity.