The Cornwall Blog

Last checked July 2026. For this month’s story, I wanted to highlight a lovely local business at the heart of its community. Cycling is a popular pastime in Cornwall. Although our county isn’t particularly flat, we have some wonderful bike trails. Routes run across Cornwall, allowing you to explore scenic landscapes and immerse yourself in the county’s history with the freedom of a bike. One place to hire them is in the beautiful village of Pentewan on the south coast. Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire is run by Rachel and Andy. Their friendly approach and invaluable advice have made the business a real draw for experienced riders and complete novices alike. For more ideas around the county, take a look at our guide to cycling in Cornwall . Cycling the Pentewan Valley Trail Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire is ideally located, with something for every level of skill and fitness. You can keep to the flat, tree-lined trails that follow the water’s edge and enjo...

Photo by John Hersey In March 2025, Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery reopened in the heart of Truro following a major phase of its transformation. Supported by £2.3 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the work refreshed several of the museum’s principal spaces and returned more of its art collection to public view. Formerly known as the Royal Cornwall Museum, it adopted its new name in February 2025 to reflect the importance of both its art collection and its wider programme of Cornish history, culture and natural heritage. A museum transformed The institution’s story stretches back to 1818, when the Royal Institution of Cornwall was founded. Today, the museum cares for more than one million objects, artworks, photographs and artefacts, helping to tell the story of Cornwall and its connections with the wider world. The permanent collections include the Heart of Cornwall Gallery, Mineral Gallery, Nature Gallery, Art Gallery and Ancient Civil...

Archive note: This article looks back at February half term in Cornwall in 2025. Events, offers and opening arrangements may have changed. For more recent inspiration, read Five Fun Things This February Half Term in Cornwall . It felt as though we were powering through the year, I don’t know about you. For our February blog story, I thought I would look at some of the great things that were happening in Cornwall over the 2025 half-term break. Although many things in Cornwall don’t really seem to get going until Easter, there was still plenty for families to enjoy. Here are a few of the ideas we found. Cycle the Camel Trail A good idea whatever the season is cycling the Camel Trail , a favourite with families young and old. In summer, the pathways lining the estuary can become a little congested, which is one reason this route can be particularly enjoyable in February. Perhaps the most popular stretch is from Wadebridge to Padstow. There’s something quite motivating about the ...

Charlestown harbour It was so lovely to have my brother visit in December. We enjoyed some proper sibling time, revisiting a few favourite haunts and indulging his passion for good coffee and beer. I thought the best plan was a little tour of some fine local establishments, enjoying the wonderful views in between the showers. Having grown up in Cornwall, my brother is no stranger to these parts, but these days it is a modern metropolis that he calls home. Well, Coventry actually, up country. Trips down here are rare but thoroughly enjoyed by us all, so I was glad to hang out with my kid brother and catch up. Coffee and cobbles in Charlestown The first chance we had to head out together came on a soggy and rather cold Saturday. He is not a great early riser, so my first thought was coffee. We headed to Charlestown and managed to squeeze into Short & Strong, where my brother thoroughly enjoyed a V60 pour-over coffee. I had a vegan hot chocolate with ha...

Considering it's not that far from me, I hadn't really explored Mevagissey. It's a classic Cornish fishing village that still feels authentic and alive rather than perhaps just existing for holiday makers. I had a recent Monday off work and decided to make the most of the stunning winter's sun with my mum and sister, exploring the streets and enjoying the bobbing boats. I found my wander around the harbour all the more poignant when my mum let me know this was one of my Grandad's 'most favourite places in the world'. He had travelled with the Navy but had lived most his life in London. I loved imagining him here, with his hanky knotted on his head tucking in to a pasty and fending off seagulls. I felt close to him, and I could see his smile in my mother's face. Honestly the best thing I can do for my mum is take her somewhere that has little boats to draw, plenty of dogs to adore and the odd seagull. She just loves this kind of place and it was wonderful...

Autumn colour at Cardinham Woods Autumn is all about golden leaves, woodland walks and making the most of the fleeting daylight. There is something about the shorter days that makes me want to squeeze all I can out of the golden light and very fresh air. Rather than heading to the coast, this month I am taking you inland to Cardinham Woods . A gentle walk beside the river One of Forestry England’s gems, this tranquil place sits just outside Bodmin and has trails for all kinds of walkers. Friends of mine with limited mobility, and families with children in pushchairs, love the largely flat Lady Vale Walk. The full route is 1.7 miles (2.75 km), but you can cross the river at Centenary Bridge to make a shorter 0.9-mile (1.45 km) loop. The trail is surfaced and generally wide and flat, although there is a slope on the return that can be avoided by crossing the bridge. Family fun among the trees It is great for children too, with Gruffalo sculptures alo...

The beach below The Hidden Hut at Porthcurnick on the Roseland © Emma Julian If there is one part of Cornwall that feels like an escape, to me it is the Roseland. Even the name given to this peninsula feels romantic. It is about 40 minutes from me but feels a world away. Life stands still, and I feel immersed in the beauty of Cornwall. There are still plenty of nooks I am yet to explore, and I do tend to stick to my favourite haunts, but it truly feels as though the sun always shines and cares are cast away. Of course, the sun is no guarantee, especially as we breeze into October, but I recently spent an idyllic afternoon walking along part of the coastal path with my friend. The sun on our faces, the waves lapping and the bunnies leaping. Yes, bunnies. We took a shortcut across the fields and were treated to a panoramic ocean view. The Hidden Hut and Porthcurnick Beach ...