The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Cornwall, England

August 23, 2021 Sachiko Swiger

Cornwall is the extreme southwestern peninsula of England. It has the longest stretch of continuous coastline in Britain and it is one of the sunniest areas in the UK. With picturesque villages, Celtic ruins, light blue waters, gardens and parks and unique architecture it certainly is among the most scenic areas of England. Home of many events and festivals and the land of Cornish pasty, it is definitely worth visiting.
Restaurants in Cornwall

1. Minack Theatre

Porthcurno, Penzance TR19 6JU England +44 1736 810181 [email protected] http://www.minack.com/
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,211 reviews

Minack Theatre

This open-air theatre is dramatically situated on the cliffs at Porthcumo, near Land's End, and hosts a season of plays and musicals from March to November.

Reviewed By SophisticatedLady17 - London, United Kingdom

Following a great scenic drive from St Ives past Zennor, St Just and Sennen Cove we arrived at the theatre. Luckily it was a stunning sunny day. The Covid precautions were well managed and the staff all had a friendly welcoming and positive attitude. The play was brilliant and the actors all very talented. The acoustics were amazing even when doing battle with a passing helicopter! The setting is magical - just make sure you have warm clothes and/or a rug as when the sun goes down, it does get a bit chilly.

2. Gwithian Beach

Hayle TR27 5BX England http://www.visitcornwall.com/beaches/lifeguards-seasonal/west-cornwall/camborne/gwithian-towans-beach
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 471 reviews

Gwithian Beach

Reviewed By OldBear - Wigan, United Kingdom

A safe beach with RNLI Beach patrols on this and Godrevy Beach. It’s ideal for swimmers but more of a magnet for surfers and body boarders. Surf hire and surf lessons are also available. There are a few car parks, the closest being a National Trust which is free to NT members but the vehicles are crammed in with very little to to maneuver in parts. The beach is a five minute walk. There is also a grassed car park further up the hill which ideal for picnics , both locations provide nice views of St Ives Bay and nearby Godrevy Lighthouse and St Ives.

3. Skinner's Brewery

Newham Road Riverside, Truro TR1 2DP England +44 1872 271885 [email protected] http://www.skinnersbrewery.com/
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 215 reviews

Skinner's Brewery

Reviewed By llahxela

Absolutely phenomenal value for money and wonderful way to spend a few hours. We visited the brewery on a rainy Tuesday with very little expectation and were delighted to find a warm and friendly staff to greet us with a pint awaiting. The quality of the beer is beyond reproach and both the tour guide Louise (the daughter of the CEO no less) and the barman, Jason were flawless. By far the best value for money of any distillery or brewery tour I have ever done. Cannot recommend enough.

4. The Lizard and Kynance Cove

North of Lizard Point on the western side of the Lizard peninsula, Lizard TR12 7NT England +44 1326 561407 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lizard-point-and-kynance-cove/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,933 reviews

The Lizard and Kynance Cove

Reviewed By 882rachelw - Bristol, United Kingdom

First we visited Lizard Point with its stunning views, then we drove on to the beautiful Kynance Cove. Our holiday had taken on a bit of a Poldark theme and it’s clear to see why this stunning place was chosen for coastal beach scenes for the series. It was late afternoon by the time we visited so the car park was relatively empty. Being National Trust members, you just simply scan your card and parking is free. Annoyingly the tide times had been rubbed off of the public notice board so we took a chance and walked down the shorter path (which I agree some may consider quite steep and challenging), and luckily found we could still get down on to the beach this way. The views were amazing and we spent lots of time watching the crashing waves starting to reclaim the beach and climbing and walking along the cliff top watching the tide coming in from all angles. The colour of the sea and the sky at this time of day was simply breathtaking. It seemed we had timed our visit perfectly as the beach was rather empty, apart from the occasional nutter braving the waves resulting in a unnecessary visit from the life boat services. A trip here really blew the cobwebs away and made us realise how beautiful our coastline really is! We made memories that day that I will cherish forever. I’m not sure I’d have been so keen on a visit on the overcrowded summer days that other people describe though! I think it depends on what you want from a beach. I’m less about the bucket and spades and more about the breath taking views and the walking!

5. Kidz R Us

Lower Stennack St Ives Theatre, St Ives TR26 1QG England +44 1736 797007 [email protected] http://www.kidzrus.net
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 466 reviews

Kidz R Us

Kidz R Us is an extraordinary youth theatre group, working with around 100 young people a year, aged seven and up. A not-for-profit arts charity, we aim to encourage the participation of young people in the performing arts and behind-the-scenes crafts, both for their own personal development and the benefit of the wider community. Production standards are high and since being formed in 1994, we have produced over 70 shows and won numerous awards. Kidz R Us was a finalist in the Best Arts Project category of the 2010 National Lottery Awards and is a recipient of the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Our Artistic Director, Phil Barnett, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2012, and we are honoured to have Sir Tim Rice as our Patron.

Reviewed By Crowytoes

Went to see Sleeping beauty.. Fantastic performance, staff amazing and so so helpful. A great venue and good disabled accessibility which we needed

6. Museum of Cornish Life, Helston

Helston Folk Museum Market Place Market Place, Helston TR13 8TH England +44 1326 564027 [email protected] http://museumofcornishlife.co.uk/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 218 reviews

Museum of Cornish Life, Helston

Explore 19th and 20th century Cornish culture and industry in the heart of Helston. Browse our spectacular collections housed in Helston's historic market buildings - much bigger than it looks from the outside! Explore the way our grandparents and parents lived and wonder at the way things were done only a few years ago. "A Treasure Trove of Memories and Curiosities!"

Reviewed By trazza22

Brilliant and free! My 7 year old loved the pumpkin quiz and the toy section. The wedding dresses and old medicines were also great. We had a lovely morning looking around and the staff were lovely and friendly too. A huge plus was that it is dog friendly.

7. Cornwall Football Golf

Trenowah Road, St Austell PL25 3GD England +44 1726 68952 [email protected] http://cornwallfootballgolf.co.uk/
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,063 reviews

Cornwall Football Golf

FootballGolf uses the same rules as golf but players kick a football into a hole. Think Crazy golf or adventure golf but supersized and kicking a football ball instead of using a golf ball and putter. There are hazards and obstacles along the way which make the game fun and enjoyable for everyone and a great outdoor activity. Players have to kick around, through, over or under various obstacles. The game of FootballGolf is suitable for anyone 5 years old to 80 years old. We have two 18 hole courses set over 18 acres with stunning surroundings.

Reviewed By Staycation_Converts - London, United Kingdom

Enjoyed the hillside course so much, we came back a couple of days later to do the park course. Great fun for all (even non-footballers), pretty views and really well-maintained and thoughtfully laid out site, with and a dedicated, friendly, welcoming team! We’ll be back again, to try to improve our scores!

8. Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre

Aero Hub 2, Newquay TR8 4JN England +44 1637 861962 http://www.cornwallaviationhc.co.uk
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 616 reviews

Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre

A great family tourist attraction. Informative - and interesting aviation heritage and activity museum. Ideal for young and old. Indoor and outdoor exhibits. Sit inside the cockpits of some fantastic aircraft...

Reviewed By glyn84 - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

Excellent place to spend a few hours looking at the aviation exhibition with very knowledgeable and friendly volunteers to explain the aircraft, even able to sit in the cockpits of quite a few even an amazing cold war Lightning to see .

9. Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

Barnoon Hill, St Ives TR26 1AD England +44 1736 791108 [email protected] http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives/barbara-hepworth-museum-and-sculpture-garden
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,487 reviews

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

Timed tickets are required. Please book in advance from website. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden contains the largest group of Hepworth's works, permanently on display where she lived and worked from 1949 until 1975.

Reviewed By RedJock

Lovely little sculpture garden in the middle of St Ives with some amazing sculptures set in a lovely garden.

10. Merlin's Cave

Tintagel Head, Tintagel England http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 616 reviews

Merlin's Cave

Located below Tintagel Castle, the birthplace of King Arthur, this cave is believed to be where Merlin lived. The caves are accessible from a footpath, but fill with water at high tide.

Reviewed By 127carolf - Godalming, United Kingdom

You can visit these caves without going inside the castle, offering a jeep ride down and back for a small fee, well worth it, a small beach is at the bottom.. lovely and relaxing

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