Cornwall has plenty of great activities and attractions, and the recent list of top attractions compiled by Visit England selected 11 things to do in Cornwall, out of just 101 hand-picked activities for the whole of England.
In the Food and Drink section of Visit England's 101 Things to Do Before you go Abroad, two of the suggested experiences are found only in Cornwall. Their suggestion to “Have a truly English cuppa” refers to Tregothnan, known to locals as the home of English tea. See the tea plantation, sip tea in the waterfront Tea Bar and then buy a caddy of Tregothnan Classic Tea (or Earl Grey, Green Tea or Afternoon Blend) to take home with you.
Further down the list is “Eat a proper Cornish pasty”. Although Ginster's factory is based in Cornwall, I suspect their mass produced, cellophane wrapped pasties are not quite what the list-makers had in mind. Rather, find yourself a local bakery or visit Philps shops in Hayle or Marazion and sample a true Cornish pasty hot from the oven.
History and heritage attractions
The section on History and Heritage throws up some ancient sights such as Tintagel Castle, said to be the birthplace of King Arthur. Dating back to Roman times, the ruins are fun to explore and the cliff top views are stunning.
Another Cornish fortification is St Michaels Mount. Now a comfortable family home to the St Aubyn family, the causeway to the island in Marazion Bay is cut off at high tide. Discover a legend of a Giant and 1000 years of history in this wonderful old castle and gardens.
In the Arts and Culture section, Cornwall once again shines, being home to the Tate St Ives, in a stunning purpose-built gallery overlooking Porthmeor Beach. Another suggestion that made it onto the top 101 bucket list was to watch an open-air play at the Minack Theatre in Porthcurno. Set in a magnificent cliff top location, there's nothing more thrilling than watching a play or concert beneath the stars from the terraced grassy seats.
Wildlife and nature things to do
Of course, Cornwall shines in the Wildlife and Nature Centre with the bio-domed Eden Project and the The Lost Gardens of Heligan Open Day making it onto the list. Another suggestion included seeing exotic plants and animals on the Scilly Isles. Take the Scillonian III passenger ferry from Penzance, or alternatively the Skybus service from Land's End or Newquay will get you there in no time.
Three final hits came under the 20 winners in the Health and Fitness section. Coasteering in Cornwall is the ultimate adrenaline-packed sports activity, including swimming, jumping, diving, climbing and scrambling. With stunning craggy cliffs and crystal clear waters, it just has to be enjoyed on the North Cornwall coast.
Surfing in Newquay also came up as a winner. After all, Newquay does host the National Surf Championships each year, but it has some gentle waves for beginner surfers too. Finally, walking the South West Coastal Path was included, and for me that is the epitome of any visit to Cornwall. Although I have walked my favourite stretches dozens of times, I can't get to say I've walked the whole 630 miles ‐ yet!
Help us to compile our own 101 Things to do in Cornwall. Add your suggestions for activities, places, attractions and experiences to our comment box below. We don't mind if there's more than 101 ideas!
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.