1. Tour St. Ives

The seaside resort of St. Ives is at the top of most lists of things to do in Cornwall. For some people, that would be reason enough to stay away – to avoid the crowds. But St. Ives is not some tacky tourist trap. It has character. And culture. And a quaintness that is quintessentially Cornish. A must see.

2. Visit St. Michael’s Mount

Probably the second most famous tourist attraction in Cornwall after St. Ives is St. Michael’s Mount, a tiny, rocky island featuring a 17^th century castle, chapel, and gardens. Accessible at low tide by a short causeway and at high-tide by boat, from the shore it looks almost surreal. Like something just in your imagination.

3. See The Eden Project

Located in a reclaimed china clay pit, the Eden Project is a dramatic tropical garden housed inside two giant biomes. Looking like something out of a sci-fi movie, it is billed as the world’s largest greenhouse, and has become one of Cornwall’s most famous landmarks. It’s a weird and wonderful place that the kids will enjoy too.

4. Go underground into a tin mine

Tin mining was once a booming industry in Cornwall. While there are no active mines left (the last one closed in 1998) there are several tin mining museums in the region where you can go underground with a guide and experience what it must have been like to work in a tin mine during the industry’s heyday.

5. Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan

One of the most award-winning tourist attractions in all of Cornwall is the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a Victorian-age botanical garden near Mevagissy. Neglected after WW1 but restored in the 1990s, the garden features colossal rhododendrons, lush flower and vegetable gardens, and even a sub-tropical “jungle.”

6. Trek to Tintagel Castle

Legend has it that Tintagel Castle was the home of King Arthur (if he ever existed!). Today, the remnants of this medieval fortification have become one of England’s most popular historic sites. But even if you’re not a history buff, the stunning landscape and spectacular views are worth the trip to this Northern Cornwall attraction.

7. Stand at Land’s End

Stand at the most southerly point of land in all of Great Britain. Look out at the endless sea as waves crash against the jagged cliffs. Feel the wind on your face as it blows across the barren plateau. It’s almost spiritual. Oh, and don’t forget to get your picture taken by the signpost!

8. Bask on a Cornwall beach

Cornwall is sometimes called the “English Riviera” because of its warm weather and sandy beaches. You may prefer the long, sandy beaches of the north coast, like Godrevy and Newquay (which are ideal for surfing), or the more sheltered beaches of the south coast. like Portcurno or Praa Sands Beach, better for swimming.

9. Eat a Cornish pasty

You know what they say. When in Rome … Well, when in Cornwall, you have to try a Cornish pasty, a meat and potato filled pastry that is Cornwall’s most famous contribution to world cuisine. They’re a hearty meal, so make sure you’re good and hungry. Some locals eat them cold, but I prefer mine hot.

10. Drive the back roads

Cornwall is a land of small towns, quaint villages, rolling hills, farms, fields, and rural countryside. To call it picturesque would be to understate its simple beauty. Rent a car and just explore. Drive the back roads, walk its country lanes, stop at its bookstores and craft shops. That’s the best way to really get a feel for this lovely and unique corner of England.