- The Great Cornwall Guide
- Destinations
- Things to do
- Beach Guide
- Food & Drink
- Properties
- Journal
- Golden Lobster Reviews
- Destinations
Planning the trip this guide inspired?
Choosing a town for your first Cornwall holiday means balancing the beach, places to eat, transport and the journey from your cottage. This guide introduces five bases: Newquay, Falmouth, Padstow, St Ives and Bude. Read the individual town guides before choosing the exact neighbourhood or nearby village.
For scenic stops to add to your itinerary, use our separate guide to picturesque places to visit in Cornwall. To compare accommodation across the county, browse Cornwall holiday cottages or explore all holiday destinations.
Choose Falmouth if you want a mix of harbour activity, beaches, museums and passenger-ferry trips. The town waterfront, Gyllyngvase and Swanpool offer different settings for a holiday, so compare the route between your accommodation and the places you intend to visit.
The Maritime Line links Falmouth with Truro, but a car-free stay still depends on the final walk and your plans. Cottages in Feock, Coombe and the Roseland are separate wider-area bases; their inclusion in a Falmouth selection does not mean they are in town.
Start with our Falmouth visitor guide, ferries and boat trips and parking advice, then compare Falmouth-area cottages.
Padstow Harbour at Padstow Christmas Festival
If you’ve heard this harbour town referred to as Padstein, that’s a good indication of its foodie credentials. But while Rick Stein may have put Padstow on the food map with his Seafood Restaurant which opened back in 1975, the Cornish town’s fabulous food scene has continued to grow ever since. Seafood restaurants certainly dominate, but there’s plenty of other options too from fine dining to laidback cafes. You’ll also find a Michelin starred restaurant in Padstow thanks to celebrity chef Paul Ainsworth.
With Padstow all roads lead to the harbour, so it’s a great spot to sit back and enjoy this town in Cornwall in all its glory. Picturesque and charming, it’s a popular place to visit. For beaches you’ll need to travel – being on the north coast there’s some breathtakingly beautiful ones just a few miles away – but you’ll get sea views aplenty from the bustling harbour.
©Lifeboat Inn St Ives
If there’s one town in Cornwall that you’ve heard of, it’s probably St Ives. Often called the ‘jewel in Cornwall’s crown’, St Ives is a picturesque fishing town on the west coast, which has to be seen to be believed.
And there’s lots to love about this seaside town in Cornwall, which is vibrant with a charming Cornish buzz. Not only has it some beautiful beaches to explore, there are art galleries galore too, with Tate St Ives being world famous.
Your appetites are in for a treat in this fishing town, too, as St Ives restaurants offer such creative variation. The mouth-watering menus showcased in idyllic eateries dotted about St Ives charming streets, many of which come with sea views as standard, serve up delicious Cornish cuisine.
If you can, get out on the water while you’re visiting St Ives, it’s truly beautiful, from boat trips to watersports, visitors are spoilt for choice.
With its family friendly atmosphere and award-winning beaches, if you haven’t got this Cornish town on your radar, be sure to add it.
A compact seaside town in north east Cornwall, we believe it’s one of best towns to visit in Cornwall with something for everyone. Home to the iconic Bude seapool, refreshed twice daily by the tides, it’s free to use, giving visitors a chance to enjoy freshwater swim without the waves. If it’s good surf you’re after fear not, Bude’s beaches are praised for its surfing scene.
Or for something more tranquil head to Bude Canal, where you’ll spot an array of wild birds, there’s also a tow path for those who like to explore on two wheels. If you were hoping for some thigh-burning coastal walks, this stretch of the coast path is truly impressive.
Historically a fishing port, Newquay is a vibrant seaside towns in Cornwall with plenty to see and do. Arguably most famed for its incredible beaches, many of which have scooped prestigious awards. From Fistral Beach to Watergate Bay, they’re best known for the epic waves for Newquay surfers but many are also perfect for building sandcastles and unwinding.
Newquay has a lovely family-friendly feel, with its fabulous attractions. Animal lovers are spoilt for choice with both Newquay Zoo and Newquay Blue Reef Aquarium here.
An independent food haven, including many vegan and vegetarian options, there’s no shortage of good places to eat in Newquay. Newquay restaurants offer such variation, from beachside hangouts and street food style to formal fish restaurants for a fancier affair.
BOOK YOUR DREAM CORNWALL HOLIDAY TODAY
Rebecca Moore
LOCAL EDITOR AND CORNISH AFICIONADO
Rebecca Moore is a seasoned editor and content writer with over a decade of experience, specialising in Cornwall’s unique lifestyle, travel, and culinary scene. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets such as The Sun, Express, and Cosmopolitan. A proud Cornish resident, Rebecca’s authentic insights help readers explore the best of the Duchy.
We use cookies to measure traffic and improve your experience. You can accept or reject analytics cookies. See our privacy policy.
