How to Enjoy Cornwall Like a Local

Image attribution CC BY 3.0 by Zero1752.

Discover Cornwall's History

Unearth the rich history of the region when you explore the wide range of unusual museums and historical attractions. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle is open from April to October and is home to the world's largest and oldest collection of items relating to witchcraft, magic and the occult.

Uncover the hidden communication history of Cornwall at the award-winning Telegraph museum in Porthcurno Valley. Since 1870 messages from all over the globe have been buzzing through undersea cables since 1870, making Porthcurno one of the most connected places on the planet and a hub of communications to this very day. On your visit you'll be able to explore new interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations and activities that are fun for the whole family!

Take a trip to Antony House and Garden, an incredible early 18th century mansion with an astounding collection of paintings, furniture and textiles. You might recognise the magical gardens from the film 'Alice in Wonderland' directed by Tim Burton! Will the fairies in the trees come out to play on your visit?

Get Back to Nature

You'll be blown away by some of the indescribable natural attractions and sites Cornwall has to offer. You might have spotted the Eden Project in the James Bond film Die Another Day. Many have dubbed it the eighth wonder of the world! The dramatic global garden is housed in tropical biomes that nestle in a crater the size of 30 football pitches. Not only is the Eden project a stunning attraction and fun for the whole family, it's also a unique resource for education and knowledge towards a sustainable future, which is what makes it so popular among both tourists and locals. Curious adults and enjoy themed events according the seasons, workshops, activity days, music concerts and much more!

Fancy something a little more intimate? Hidden Valley Gardens is a three acre award winning garden tucked away in a secluded valley. The small size doesn't limit the astounding number of species tucked away in this paradise!

Experience St. Nectan's Glen, a sacred site where the River Trevillet has carved its way through late Devonian slate to create three breathtaking waterfalls! It's a place where animals and birds play alongside fairies and pixies! It's even been appointed a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rare specimens of plants it's home to! Take the time to enjoy a cream tea, visit the shop or gallery or visit the meditation room!

A trip to Newquay Zoo is a must for any animal lovers! Situated on Cornwall's north coast and surrounded by 13 acres of tropical gardens Newquay Zoo is home to over 1000 of the world's rarest animals! You'll be able to watch the lions tuck into their lunch and meet some of the zoo's more unusual residents including a sloth! But that's not all! Newquay Zoo also offers activity trails, face painting, a children's play area and plenty of themed events so make sure you check the website before your visit!

Get Active!

Cornwall is home to some of the best surfing beaches in the UK. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced surfer you'll be spoilt for choice! Fistral beach in Newquay is perhaps the best known surfing beach in the UK! It's the perfect place to learn to surf or to hone your skills with the Newquay activity centre surf school. As the longest running surf school in Newquay they've been offering surfing lessons in Cornwall for over 20 years! You can take your pick from a wide range of lessons to suit any taste and level of expertise.

If you want to try something a little different why not have a go at sailing, paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing, coasteering, raft-building, windsurfing, snorkelling, bell boating or powerboating? You might discover a hidden talent. There's plenty of fantastic companies who run amazing activity days and lessons. Elemental UK are based in two locations in Cornwall, Swanpool beach in Falmouth and Tolcarne Beach in Newquay. They offer a kids club in both locations for children aged six and up!

Have a Bite to Eat!

After all that adventure you'll probably be a little hungry! Luckily Cornwall has a wealth of restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars to choose from! If you're looking for a traditional Cornish experience you should pay The Plume of Feathers a visit! Expect excellently prepared, locally sourced delicious food and the finest quality ale in a convenient location surrounded by fabulous Cornish countryside! Another firm favourite is The Cornish Arms in the village of St Merryn near Padstow. The menu is based on celebrity chef Rick Stein's recipes and offers simple and delicious British classics like real beef burgers, mussels and scampi! While you're there you can also enjoy some of St.Austell's Brewery's finest Cornish ales such as Tribute, Tinners, HSD and Proper Job.

Why not pick your own? Trevaskis Farm in Hayle is open from May to September and offers an abundance of fruit and vegetables to pick along with information signs to help you learn as you go! Entrance to the 28 acre farm is free and you only pay for what you pick!

We hope these tips help you to have an awesome holiday in Cornwall. If you're still looking for somewhere to stay then our Liskey Hill Holiday Park is located in the surf town of Perranporth just south of Newquay. It's ideally located to explore the best that Cornwall has to offer! Check out Liskey Hill and book your new favourite holiday accommodation here.