Holiday apartment in Cornwall: coastal paths, castles and mining heritage

Cornwall can be discovered in particularly varied ways: the South West Coast Path follows the entire coastline, while castles, historic islands, gardens and traces of mining history offer completely different impressions. Between coastal hikes, natural experiences and culture, there are paths and places that make Cornwall tangible as a diverse travel destination.

Coast and paths

The South West Coast Path follows the entire coast of Cornwall and, as a National Trail, is consistently signposted with the acorn symbol.

The Camel Trail is 18 miles long, largely traffic-free, paved and almost flat. As a multi-use trail, it is suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users.

Nature

The Eden Project transformed a former clay pit into a global garden. This garden includes one of the world's largest indoor rainforests. The natural setting is complemented by contemporary artworks, performances and storytelling, which connect the Eden Project with cultural content.

The Jungle at The Lost Gardens of Heligan also focuses on striking plant life. Bamboo tunnels lead through an area with tree ferns, giant rhubarb and banana plants. The different places present nature not only as a coastal or garden landscape, but also as a deliberately designed, thematically immersive environment.

History and culture

Tintagel's island fortress was home to a stronghold of the rulers of Cornwall in the 5th to 7th centuries. Today, visitors to Tintagel Castle can cross a footbridge, explore the rugged island and see the Gallos sculpture. At low tide, a small sandy beach and Merlin's Cave can also be explored.

St Michael's Mount is an ancient tidal island with a historic village, a castle and terraced subtropical gardens. At low tide, it can be reached via the old paved causeway; at high tide, by boat.

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall has 15 galleries examining the influence of the sea on history and culture. The Cornish Quayside gallery covers traditional sailmaking and sardine pressing. Guided tours are offered at Truro Cathedral on its history, treasures and architecture; the topics include the chapels, the Sanctuary and the stained-glass windows.

Pendennis Castle is a circular artillery fort on a rocky headland above Falmouth and monitored the Fal Estuary and Falmouth for more than 400 years. Replicas of Tudor guns stand there alongside later military guns. St Mawes Castle is perhaps considered the best-preserved example of an artillery fort from the time of Henry VIII; its walls feature elaborate carvings and texts praising Henry VIII.

Mining heritage

The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape preserves mines, engine houses, harbours, anchorages, canals, railways and other industrial facilities connected with mining. It documents Cornwall's contribution to the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain as well as the worldwide influence of Cornish mining technology.

Geevor offers a hands-on visitor experience focused on Cornwall's mining history. Geevor Tin Mine is the largest preserved mining site in the country and houses a collection of mining relics and artefacts. On the Tin Coast, the Botallack and Kenidjack coastal path runs across clifftop heath through Cornwall's industrial heritage; the path is 3.5 miles long. At the edge of the cliffs at Botallack, the Crowns Engine Houses stand above mine workings extending beneath the sea.

For further location options in Cornwall, the following places are available:

Gorran Haven, Penhallow, Perranporth, Liskeard, Saltash, Wadebridge, Tywardreath, Truro, Torpoint, Saint Mawes, Redruth, Portloe, Port Isaac, Porthleven, Penzance, Padstow, Newquay, Morval, Lostwithiel, Launceston, Helston, Fowey, Falmouth, Cawsand, Camelford, Bude, Bodmin, Washaway, Carlyon Bay, Saint Blazey, Illogan, St Just, Looe, Tintagel, Roche, Mullion, Marhamchurch, Landewednack, St Agnes, St Wenn, Camborne, St Kew, St Germans, Probus, Lansallos, Launcells, St Columb Major, Callington, St Pinnock, Altarnun, Sennen, St Winnow, St Hilary, Penryn, St Keverne, Porthallow, Perranwell Station, Par, Marazion, Phillack, North Tamerton, Trewarmett, Colan, St Teath, Morwenstow, Boswinger, Boscastle, Poundstock, Constantine, Saint Eval, Carbis Bay, Portreath, Landrake, Lanivet, Polperro, Mevagissey, Saint Austell, Rock, Saint Dominick, Saint Neot, Lanlivery, Saint Clether, Withiel, Mount, Tresmeer, Stithians, Saint Gennys, Porkellis, Mylor Bridge, Millbrook, Menheniot, Pendeen, Linkinhorne, Lezant, Jacobstow, Gwinear, Gwennap, Gulval, Mylor, Egloskerry, Chacewater, Blisland, Gooseham, Pentewan, Saint Stephen, Maxworthy, Brighton, Boyton, Lelant, Feock, Saint Ives, North Hill, Tregony, Sladesbridge, Trelash, Quethiock, Coverack, Edmonton, White Cross, Germoe, Crowan, Saint Cleer, Pensilva, Saint Issey, Ludgvan, Grampound, Budock Water, Luxulyan, Mawgan Porth, Downderry, Saint Just in Roseland, Gerrans, Duloe, Ruan High Lanes, Madron, Saint Breward, Sancreed, Praze-an-Beeble, Gunnislake, Gweek, Saint Tudy, Ruan Minor, Saint Newlyn East, Cardinham, Wendron, Saint Mawgan, Mawnan Smith, Antony, Saint Minver, Porthcurno, Leedstown, Saint Merryn, Constantine Bay, Trevone, Crugmeer, Sticker, Luckett, Stratton, Penrose, Killigarth, Herodsfoot, Millendreath, Bodinnick.

For the higher-level travel overview: South West England.