Day Itineraries in Cornwall

Practical travel guide for Cornwall, United Kingdom

Day Itineraries in Cornwall

Sample Day Itineraries

Day 1: St Ives & the Art Coast

Morning (9:00-12:00): Explore Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, then wander Downalong's narrow lanes and galleries.

Lunch (12:00-13:30): Fresh seafood at the harbourside.

Afternoon (13:30-18:00): Drive to Land's End (45 minutes) and continue to Minack Theatre for a clifftop visit at Porthcurno.

Evening: Dinner in St Ives or Penzance.

Day 2: Castles & Coastline

Morning (9:00-12:30): Visit St Michael's Mount (check tide times), then drive to Falmouth (40 minutes).

Lunch (12:30-14:00): Waterfront lunch in Falmouth.

Afternoon (14:00-18:00): Explore Pendennis Castle and the National Maritime Museum; ferry across to St Mawes Castle if time allows.

Evening: Overnight in Falmouth or continue to the Roseland Peninsula.

Day 3: Mining Heritage & Fishing Villages

Morning (9:00-12:30): Visit Levant Mine and Botallack along the dramatic Penwith mining coast.

Lunch (12:30-13:30): Pasty lunch in St Just.

Afternoon (13:30-18:00): Drive to Port Isaac (about 1 hour) for the afternoon, then continue to Padstow for dinner.

Evening: Dinner in Padstow, overnight nearby.

Day 4: Gardens & Moorland

Morning (9:00-13:00): Full morning at the Eden Project or Lost Gardens of Heligan (choose one for a relaxed pace).

Lunch: Café at the gardens.

Afternoon (13:00-17:00): Drive to Bodmin Moor, stopping at Jamaica Inn, or continue toward Charlestown's Georgian harbour.

Evening: Return to base for a final Cornish dinner.

Itinerary Notes: A rental car is strongly recommended - Cornwall's best sights are spread across the county and public transport to villages is limited. Four days covers the highlights comfortably; add a fifth for the Isles of Scilly or the Lizard Peninsula.

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