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Plan A Vacation On The Cornish Riviera Of Cornwall, England

Beach on the Cornish Riviera
Beach in Cornwall [Image by topsy_toby98 from Pixabay]
Many travelers think that England is a cold and dreary place to visit in the UK. However, this isn’t always the case and this scenic and historic country does have a warmer, sunny side. Cornwall nestles on a peninsula on the UK’s southwestern tip and combines lovely wild moorland with gorgeous sandy beaches. Right at Cornwall’s very tip lies Land’s End, the most westerly point of the UK and a popular place to visit.

Lighthouse in Cornwall, England, UK
Lighthouse in Cornwall, England, UK [Image by Tim Hill from Pixabay]
For those seeking sun and surf, the Cornish Riviera hugs the southern coast and features a number of quaint harbor villages. Meanwhile, its northern coast features towering cliffs and seaside resorts with endless beaches. Moreover, some are renowned as surfing and bodyboarding locations. Read on to learn more about Cornwall, England and its most popular destinations.

Visit the harbor villages of Cornwall, England

While there are a number of harbor villages lining the Cornish Riviera, two that stand out are Fowey and Falmouth.

– Fowey and literature fame

Fowey on the Cornish Riviera
Fowey harbor [Image by Sabine Buchenau from Pixabay]
Picturesque Fowey is best known for being the home of the English author and playwright, Daphne du Maurier. Every year in May, Fowey hosts the du Maurier Festival, a celebration of arts and literature to honor the author.

August sees the Fowey Regatta, a week of fun sailing races, along with a carnival, crab catching, kids’ entertainment, fireworks and music.

– Falmouth and its beaches

Falmouth
Falmouth Castle [Image by 21778395 from Pixabay]
As for Falmouth, this harbor town is known for its deep natural harbor which lies on the Fal Estuary. Meanwhile, this quaint harbor town also features sprawling beaches, the most popular of which are Swanpool and Gyllyngvase. For boat lovers, Falmouth hosts the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, which features several interactive exhibits. Meanwhile, the museum also features a flotilla of model boats that are fun to view.

For history lovers, Pendennis Point is a must-visit location, where the well-preserved 16th-century Pendennis Castle stands, which was built by Henry VII.

Northern coast of Cornwall

Cornwall's northern coast
Northern coast [Image by Richard Norris from Pixabay]
Heading to its northern coast, this beautiful and pristine coastline stretches from Bude to Perranporth. Touring the coastline brings many fascinating and historic locations to visit, including some famous places, as listed below.

– Tintagel and King Arthur

Set in gorgeous scenery, Tintagel is known for magical myths, especially at the famous Tintagel Castle.   Standing high on the cliffs of the rugged coast, Tintagel Castle has been linked with the famous legend of King Arthur for many centuries.

Tintagel Castle
Tintagel Castle [Image Wikimedia Commons]
Meanwhile, the castle is in two halves, but a new footbridge makes it easy to explore both parts of this historic and fascinating castle. Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy awesome panoramic views over the coastline.

– Padstow for seafood and water sports

For traveling foodies, the busy town of Padstow is a must-visit for its fresh seafood. Restaurants serve up the fishing village’s freshest catch of the day.

Padstow
Padstow [Image by PBarlowArt from Pixabay]
Lovers of water sports will discover that Mother Ivey’s Beach, set in Harlyn Bay, is the ideal location for bodyboarding. However, for those with families, the beach is also the perfect place for the kids to try their hand at the sport.

Historic and fascinating Land’s End

Another must-visit location in Cornwall is Land’s End (known as Penn-an-Wlas in Cornish), a legendary destination that has been spoken about since ancient times in Greece. In the past, the promontory was known as “Belerion” or “Place of the Sun.”

Land's End, Cornwall
Land’s End, Cornwall [Image by Armelion from Pixabay]
Meanwhile, in the 19th century, wanderers would stay at The First & Last Inn before heading to the last stage of their journey on Land’s End through the narrow lands. Nowadays, visitors can follow their footsteps, while enjoying stunning views along their way. The next stop is lunch or dinner at the renowned Land’s End Restaurant offering views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Moreover, those seeking souvenirs to take home should stop off at the West Country Shopping Village, with its wide selection of souvenirs, gifts, clothing and snacks.

Make sure to visit Cornwall on your next vacation in England, for its beaches, beautiful views, quaint towns and more.