The Cornwall Blog

Last checked July 2026. Opening times and menus can change, so it is worth checking with each café before travelling. This is a tricky one: how do you compile a café list in the foodie haven that is Cornwall? There are so many I haven’t tried yet, and plenty more I can’t wait to sample. This is far from an exhaustive list, but here are seven suggestions for your next caffeine fix. 1. The Harbour Light, Boscastle The Harbour Light opened in 2025, but Proper Vintage, who run this walker-friendly stop, are old hands at bringing the delicious. Doug and Hannah have spent years converting vintage vehicles into places to sell their cakes and ice cream, including the beautifully restored Beryl at Bossiney Cove. Their fully fledged café in Boscastle is definitely worth a visit. 2. The Peacock Café at Pencarrow House and Gardens The Peacock Café has such a perfect setting. Pencarrow is a lovely day out, with guided...

We are having a lovely summer so far in Cornwall, and with 422 miles of coast to explore, beaches are firmly on my mind! This month I thought I would pick out some of the best... Best for dogs In Cornwall, a lot of beaches have a dog ban in effect during the summer months, but there are still a few where you can exercise your canine friend. Harlyn Bay near Padstow, Watergate Bay at Newquay and Mexico Towans are just a few. If you're heading to Harlyn, our Padstow guide has plenty more ideas for things to do nearby. Best for little ones If we are talking amenities, easy access and safe waters, then we love Gyllyngvase in Falmouth. With a café on the beach, toilets and close parking, it’s a no-brainer. East Looe Beach is another great option. Safe swimming, that cool Banjo Pier and golden sand for building castles. Perfect. We also like Bude’s Summerleaze Beach, with its sea pool offering a little protection from the tides. It is very close...

For this month's blog story I wanted to share some of the great places in Cornwall where you can meet animals. From sanctuaries and farms to wildlife parks, they all have education and conservation at their heart. These are just a few of the places we love to visit in Cornwall... Paradise Park, Hayle Located in Hayle in West Cornwall, Paradise Park is a firm family favourite. It's great for kids, with a little train, soft play and a lovely array of colourful birds and small animals to see. All in all, a fun family day out. Newquay Zoo This little zoo has a real passion for conservation and you can really see how much the team love their animals. Zebras, sloths, penguins, red pandas and brown hyenas are just a few of the animals you can see. Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek A firm favourite, the seals are such characters! It's best for a dry day as most of the sanctuary is outside, and it's more than just s...

This is why I love living in Cornwall: a routine appointment can turn into a beautiful adventure! I had to take my mum to the hospital for a check-up. As it was early in the morning and already a bit of a trek for us to get there, we thought, let's make a day of it. Mum wanted peace and tranquillity, so the Helford River came to mind. It really is that perfect escape, a little bubble of old-world beauty that I just love to explore. I did my studies in Falmouth at the art college and had popped across the water to explore this area a little then, but it had been a while. This corner of Cornwall boasts the beautiful Trebah and Glendurgan gardens, both stunningly cultivated landscapes with little beaches of their own. Glendurgan has a wiggly maze as well, which is as captivating to adults as it is to children. Helford Passage After following the winding roads, we decided to stop off at Helford Passage. My thinking was to find a way Mum could enjoy o...

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 ...