Top 10 Best Places to Stay in Cornwall

Is there anywhere quite like Cornwall? Part of a peninsula bordered by both the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, this gorgeous area features more than 400 miles of majestic, rugged coastline, and nowhere in Cornwall is more than 20 miles from the sea. Beach lovers will adore the pristine sandy beaches, families with young children will find plenty to do, and whether you are into outdoor sports, nature and birdwatching, or history, there is something in Cornwall to pique your interest and hold you captivated. Best of all, whichever part of Cornwall suits your fancy, Together Travel has luxury accommodations to keep you comfortable during your stay. Here, we look at the top 10 best places to stay in Cornwall, and why they are so appealing.

 

Fowey: Perfect for Couples

If you are wondering where to stay in Cornwall for a romantic getaway, Fowey is absolutely perfect. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this romantic seaside town has a history that dates back centuries. Novelist Daphne du Maurier lived here for many years and is honoured in both the Daphne du Maurier Literary Centre and also with a festival named for her which is held each May. It is easy to find a spa retreat in Fowey, or you can just relax on the sandy shores of the secluded Readymoney Cove, where you will also find St. Catherine’s Castle. A deep-water harbour, Fowey is popular for private watercraft and also serves as a busy commercial port. In town, you will find plenty of diversions, whether in shops, pubs, cafes, and restaurants, or just exploring the narrow streets and alleyways of this picturesque town filled with stunning medieval architecture. With its gorgeous views, secluded spots, and some of the best beaches on the South Cornwall coast, Fowey is the place to go to be with the one you love. Where will you stay in Fowey? Together Travel offers lovely, self-catering holiday cottages by the sea, right in the heart of Fowey.

 

 

 

Looe: Perfect for Families

Families will love Looe, a charming fishing town with loads to offer.

If you are wondering where to stay in Cornwall with family members who love animals, this is the place. The area is a marine nature reserve, and trips to Looe Island will delight you with all the rare plants and wildlife that includes Atlantic Seals, cormorants, shags, and oystercatchers. Fishing, snorkelling, crabbing, and bird watching are all here for you in Looe, and the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary is just a few miles away. There, you can enjoy the antics of rescued monkeys who receive plenty of TLC. If you prefer a bucket and spade day on the beach, Looe’s sandy beach is a wonderful place to relax while the little ones use their fishing nets in the many rockpools exposed by the outgoing tide. If you are a history buff, the Looe Museum will intrigue you, with its smuggling memorabilia, history of the town’s railway heritage, and collection of model boats. You can take the air with a hike along the coast, or wander Looe’s cobblestone streets, watch the boats in the busy harbour, and enjoy some fresh fish and chips. If you time your visit right, you can catch the town’s popular music festival, held each year at the end of summer. Together Travel offers accommodations for families of all sizes, with self-catering manors, shepherds’ huts, and cottages.

 

 

Newquay: Perfect for Surfers

If you want to know where to stay in Cornwall for surfing, Newquay is the place for you. Famous for its world-class surfing provisions, it is one of the best places to surf in all of Europe. In fact, avid surfers from across the globe travel to this area to enjoy Newquay’s 12 beaches, with their soft, golden sand. Even if you’re not a surfer, the gorgeous beaches will still offer you the perfect place to relax. If you’re looking for something else to do, there is much more to enjoy in this fishing village, where you will find a harbour full of quaint and colourful fishing boats, many amazing restaurants, and the most delicious fresh fish you will ever eat. The countryside offers beautiful places to walk, and Trerice, a 16th century Tudor manor house, is a charming place to visit. Newquay Zoo is Cornwall’s largest, located in a 10-acre subtropical garden setting, and Blue Reef Aquarium on Towam Beach features an underwater tunnel that is well worth the visit. When you are looking for lodging in Newquay, be sure to check out Together Travel’s seafront holiday apartments and penthouses, located in a superb coastal location at Newquay’s Fistral Beach.

 

 

St Ives: Perfect for Everyone

St. Ives is one of the best towns in Cornwall, regardless of your reason for travelling. This coastal town features winding cobbled streets, quaint fisherman’s cottages, and Mediterranean-inspired terraces, against a backdrop of a busy harbour and inspiring sea views. It is popular with tourists year-round, because of its many attractions, including the Tate Gallery, and the Barbara Hepworth Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a trip to Seal Island, where you can watch the seals in their natural habitat, and if you have ever considered taking up surfing, you can take a lesson at Porthmeor Beach. St. Ives has often been called the cultural hub of Cornwall, and it has an impressive art scene, as well as an abundant collection of museums and exhibitions.  You will find St Ives not only charming but also welcoming, with its seaside amusements and dog-friendly beaches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trewhiddle: Perfect for Beaches and Botanical Gardens

Located on the edge of the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, Trewhiddle is a charming place to stay. It is near enough to St Austell to give you access to everything one of Cornwall’s biggest towns has to offer, while also providing the peace and seclusion of luxury accommodations nestled in greenery, less than five minutes from the soft sands and gently lapping waters of the Cornish coastline. Staying in Trewhiddle puts you within easy reach of several blue flag beaches, as well as the Eden Project, home to the largest indoor rainforest in the world. Also nearby are the stunning Lost Gardens of Heligan, and the charming harbour of Charleston, the fishing port used as the location for the television series, Poldark. The attractive village of Mevagissey also has much to offer with its craft workshops, cafes and eateries. Together Travel offers luxurious, pet-friendly, two, three, and four bedroom self-catering villas and cottages, some recently redesigned with opulent furnishings and extravagant colour palettes.

 

 

Marazion: Perfect for a calming retreat

Marazion is a luxurious spot for a peaceful retreat. With beautiful views and easy access to St. Michael’s Mount, along the causeway at low tide and in small boats at other times, this quaint town is one of the oldest in Britain, and a popular vacation spot. Full of history, legends, and lore, it also features Marazion Marsh, a large reed bed that is home to a wide range of animal, bird, and plant life. Mount’s Bay is one of the loveliest bays in the world, and Marazion has some of the most beautiful  places to walk, whether you prefer inland or coastal trails. During the summer, the warm, clean shallow waters of the beach bring in crowds of tourists, eager to play where swimming is safe. The action winds down after summer is over but autumn  and winter are perfect for gathering around a fire or stargazing. The beaches are dog-friendly during the low season , and exploring Marazion without the crowds can be downright inspirational.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Padstow: Perfect for Foodies

Padstow is the perfect place to visit in Cornwall if you are a foodie. Five Michelin-star restaurants and an association with renowned chef Rick Stein, along with cosy bistros, welcoming pubs, and cute local eateries, make this one of the best places to dine in the UK, if only for the fresh and delicious local seafood! There is more to Padstow than the food, though, and this quaint Cornish town has plenty of boutique shops, as well as gorgeous golden sandy beaches within a five minute drive. The bustling harbour is the perfect place for people watching, and if you fancy an afternoon of fishing, it is easy to charter a boat. Rock, accessible by ferry, is a popular and family friendly holiday destination . If you enjoy walking, there is a seven-mile coastal path to Harlyn Bay, that carries you past several reputed smugglers’ caves while providing spectacular views. The Sir John Betjeman Walk is a little shorter, at four miles, and is a great place to spot peregrine falcons, kestrels, puffins, and seals. Hikers, cyclist, and equestrians will enjoy exploring the countryside on the 18-mile Camel Trail, which follows an old railway track to the Bodmin Moor and back.

 

 

 

 

Port Isaac: Perfect for Walkers

The best place in Cornwall for walkers, however, is probably Port Isaac. A classic example of a 14th century Cornish fishing village, it offers many beautiful places to walk along the rugged coastline, with easy access to the South West Coast Path as well as a section of the Camel Trail. Much of the countryside around Port Isaac has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and this historic fishing village is so picturesque that it has served as the backdrop for many films and television series. Narrow, winding, cobblestone streets, buildings that date back centuries, and charming whitewashed cottages make it an enchanting place to explore, and in the village, you will find plenty of local shops, cafes, coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants. Near Port Isaac, you will find Port Quin and Port Gaverne, where the small beach features rockpools where children can play. Within a 10-minute drive, you will find excellent beaches: Polzeath, Daymer, and Rock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truro: Perfect for a city break

If you want to know where to stay in Cornwall for a city break, you need look no further than Truro. In fact, Truro is Cornwall’s only city. It dates back to the 13th century, though it was not officially designated a city until Queen Victoria did the honours in 1877. The perfect blend of countryside and culture, Truro features an iconic Gothic cathedral, along with buildings in a mixture of Regency and Victorian architecture, located right by the sea. The Royal Cornwall Museum is here to explore, and Truro’s city centre features a host of recognisable retailers and restaurants. Tucked away on the back streets, you will also find a wealth of smaller, independent shops. Because transportation in Truro is excellent and provisions are plentiful, it is a wonderful place to set up camp when you are exploring Cornwall. The Cornwall Heritage Trust exists to preserve some of the most iconic spots in Cornwall, including Victoria Gardens and the Hall of Cornwall.

 

 

Whenever you are travelling in Cornwall or anywhere else in the UK, Together Travel Co. is here to bring your holiday dreams to life. All across the UK, we have luxurious, comfortable, unique properties located wherever you want to be. Find out how we can make your trip amazing by contacting our expert concierge team at +44(0)1625 416430 or emailing us for more information.