Cornish Walking Trails

Bodmin is in the middle of Cornwall, lending it's name to the nearby moor. There has been a settlement here since the 6th century and it was once the administrative centre for Cornwall with the County Court residing here until the 1990s. Bodmin Jail is a great tourist draw for the town.

Falmouth is a busy, vibrant town offering a broad range of activites to a visitor. It boasts a promenade with several beaches, hotels and cafes complimented by a high street with boutique shops and eateries. 

Helston is a working town with the Royal Navy Air base Culdrose nearby. The boating lake, Cornish Folk Museum and Flora Day make it well worth a visit.

Looe is on the south coast of Cornwall and is a busy fishing harbour as well as attracting many vistors. It features in Beyond Paradise as Shipton Abbot. It is split in to East and West Looe. East Looe is where the larger town area is with shops and eateries.

Newquay is Cornwall's surfing capital. Fistral Beach is one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall. Flanked by the Headland Hotel at one end, and East Pentire at the other, the beach offers the perfect place for surfing from beginners to more exprienced surfers.

Perranporth is located on the north coast of Cornwall and offers a variety of shops and eateries including The Watering Hole on the beach. The beach is vast at low tide, some 3 miles, and is dog friendly 365 days a year. It is an excellent beach for surfing and RNLI monitored during peak season. 

Porthleven is a town on the south coast of Cornwall. It is a historic fishing port that offered refuge to vessels in the days of sail. Today it is a thriving tourist destination with an annual food festival.

St Agnes is a small town on the north coast of Cornwall near Truro. It nestles at the foot of St Agnes Beacon that offers stunning views up and down the coast line. The nearby cove is called Trevaunance where there is a  beach with a cafe and beach huts.

St Mawes is on the south coast of Cornwall at the entrance to the River Fal. Sitting opposite Falmouth, it enjoys a sheltered, sunny position. The village has many multi-million pound homes and is considered one of the poshest places in Cornwall.

Boscastle is a town of two parts. The old town is at the top of the hill and the harbour is deep in the valley.  Most visitors pass by the old town and head for the harbour where there is a selection of shops, eateries and several outstanding walks.

Fowey is located on the River Fowey on the south coast of Cornwall. It is a wealthy town that attracts many visitors. Ferries to Bodinnick and Polruan run regularly. There are many pubs and cafes with aspirational shops in the main street. Nearby Readymoney Cove offers a small, compact beach at the mouth of the river.

Launceston has been an important town throughout Cornish history with a castle and gaol, now a tourist attraction, within the town. On the border with Devon, it is the gateway to Cornwall. 

Lostwithiel has a deep and rich past. It was once a stannary town and enforced the laws of tin and copper trade. It was involved in the civil war when the roundheads took control in 1644 until they were defeated by King Charles I.

Today it has a thriving community with good connectivity.

Padstow is the 'foodie' capital of Cornwall. Rick Stein dominates the town with a restaurant, cookery school, deli, hotel, cafe, and fish and chip shop. The Camel Trail offers great, easy cycling and the River Camel provides a backdrop for water activities. There are also some great walks in and around Padstow.

Polperro is a historic fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall. It's narrow streets and quaint cottages make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cornwall. 

Redruth is a town rich in mining history. Once it was the richest town in Cornwall with tin and copper deposits being extracted from mines in and around the town. Local attractions include The Gold Centre, and Kresen Kernow that holds the County Records Archive. A walk to Carn Brea Monument is rewarded with stunning views of the coast from St Ives to St Agnes.

St Austell is an excellent base to visit The Eden Project, The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the South West Coast Path. It is close to Charlestown, Mevagissey and Fowey.

Truro is one of the UK's smallest cities. It has a stunning cathedral at its heart with beautiful Georgian terraces and wide cobbled streets. The main attraction of Truro is the shopping and range of restaurants and cafes for lunches and evening meals.

Bude is a Victorian seaside resort with a large beach, excellent surfing and two mermaid pools. The town follows the River Neet and has a variety of shops and places to eat. 

Hayle is one of Cornwall's former industrial towns. During the 18th and 19th century, tin and copper ore from local mines was exported from the River Hayle. Two competing communities vied for control over the river. Today the estuary is a wildlife sanctuary. A short walk will take you to the coast and towans.

Liskeard is a large town in the east of Cornwall, near Plymouth. Although considered one of the poorer towns in Cornwall, it has a rich heritage and history.  There are many beautiful walks in the area with the close proximity of Bodmin Moor. 

Mevagissey is a fishing village with a substantial harbour and fresh fish market. The town has a selection of boutique shops and places to eat. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are within walking distance and it is possible to walk to the village of Pentewan using the South West Coast Path.

Penzance is the largest town in the Penwith area of Cornwall. It has a fabulous promenade with many places to eat, including street food. From Penzance you can fly or sail to the Isles of Scilly. The local outdoor, seawater lido, Jubilee Pool, has a geo-thermal area and cafe. Penlee Gallery exhibits a collection of local art and  hosts guest collections. 

Port Isaac is a fishing village on the north coast of Cornwall. It is famous as the fictional village of Port Wenn in Doc Martin and used in the Fishermen's Friends movies. It is a busy tourist destination in summer when visitors come to experience the real life 'Port Wenn'.

On the Cornish side of the River Tamar, Saltash has long been the gateway to Cornwall.  Isambard Kingdom Brunel's famous rail bridge connected Cornwall and Devon in 1859. For many years, a ferry operated here until the road bridge was opened in 1961. 

St Ives is a charming town on the north coast of Cornwall and attracts many visitors every year. It is perfect for families, and has loads to offer from elegant dining to pop up cafes, beaches, art galleries and more.