Why Cornwall stays with us
I lived in Cornwall for 13 years, and Newquay is the place I keep coming back to in my head. Porth Beach was my favourite: days on the water, kayaking, and fishing from Porth headland for mackerel.
Living there gave me plenty of time to find my favourites, and there is a lot more to Cornwall for us than one beach. We have wandered its harbour towns, explored St Ives and the far west, revisited Falmouth where I used to go diving, and found family days the children loved. These are the stops I would tell a friend about, drawn from different visits rather than squeezed into a made-up schedule.
Porth Beach and Newquay
Porth is the beach I would return to first. It was our spot for fishing, kayaking and unhurried time by the sea. Porth headland was especially good for mackerel fishing in my experience. That is a memory, not a promise of a catch on any particular day.
If I were showing somebody the Cornwall I know, I would give Newquay enough time for a full beach day rather than treating Porth as a quick photo stop. Sea and fishing conditions change, so check local advice and the weather before getting into the water or fishing from the rocks.
Harbours worth wandering
Padstow
One of the harbour towns I always mention. Go for the waterfront and make time to wander rather than just pass through.
Mevagissey
Another interesting harbour town, with a different feel from the bigger beach stops. We have been here more than once.
Fowey
Another place I know and would happily return to. Its harbour and estuary make it worth a proper wander, with time on the water if the weather suits.
Port Isaac
Worth a look if you like the Doc Martin connection. The programme’s Portwenn locations, including the doctor’s surgery exterior, are here.
Falmouth
A place I knew through diving. The harbour and waterfront bring back a different side of our Cornwall trips.
St Ives, Hayle and the children’s favourite day
St Ives is an easy recommendation for its beaches. Nearby Hayle gave us one of the children’s standout memories at Paradise Park and JungleBarn. They loved the animals, and feeding the penguins was the moment they talked about afterwards.
We also have lovely memories of walking and feeding llamas at a farm visit. I would check the current experience and booking details before planning around either animal encounter; what is offered can change.
St Michael’s Mount, Land’s End and Tintagel
From Penzance and the Land’s End photo stop to St Michael’s Mount, the west gave us some of our most recognisable Cornwall views. The castle and chapel at the top of St Michael’s Mount are impressive up close, while the view across the water is one of Cornwall’s most recognisable scenes.
We have also been to Tintagel Castle many times. Its King Arthur setting and clifftop ruins deserve a separate visit. If you are planning both, check St Michael’s Mount’s tide access and Tintagel’s visit details before travelling.
What we would recommend
Our honest pick
Make Porth and the Newquay coast your slow day, give the children a full Paradise Park visit, and leave time to wander at least one harbour. Fowey is worth a full day if you want time on the estuary. St Ives and St Michael’s Mount are easy additions when you are in the west. We would never try to cram every place above into one day.