Best time to go: May and July, basically the months with the least probability of rain. Ideally if you manage to go when it is sunny this will change your trip entirely!
General advice: It is a perfect place to travel with a dog! Dogs are allowed almost everywhere so a good destination to take your best friend.
Definitely you have to go by car as many of the important sites to visit are "hidden" so there is no other way to get there. The roads are a bit scary sometimes as they are very narrow, so take that into account if you are not a very good driver.
Pack your trainers because you are definitely going to need them!!! This is a perfect destination for nature lovers.
I recommend to use 2 places as bases, Padstow and Falmouth. From there you will be able to travel to the surrounding sights. St Ives instead or Falmouth is a good option too.
Hotels recommended in Padstow are the Rick Stein selection. All of them in a great location and with very charming decoration. Note that the booking has to be done directly to his website and you will not be able to find them through hotel search websites.
Hotel recommended in Falmouth is Merchants Manor Hotel and Spa. with a very nice and cosy bar to have drinks after dinner. Good location just 10 min walking from the centre and 10 min from the beach.
Day 1: Boscatle, Tintagel Castle and Port Isaac
On your first day I would suggest to visit the most important villages nearby Padstow. Another option could be to visit these on your way to Padstow. The distance from Padstow to Boscatle (the furthest point from Padstow) is just 45 min by car so everything is quite close, however bear in mind that the roads are narrow and difficult.
Boscatle - a village and fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall. The harbour is a natural inlet protected by two stone harbour walls. The village extends up the valleys of the River Valency and River Jordan. This beautiful village is located at an outstanding location, it is very nice to follow one the paths that takes you up the cliff from where you can admire the wonderful views of where the port opens to the sea.
Tintagel Castle – I would only recommend this visit if you do not have mobility problems. To visit the castle is a very long walk and extremely steep. The castle is linked to the stories of King Arthur. You can cross the spectacular new bridge to take in unforgettable views of the coastline and explore the history-rich headland. Walk among the castle ruins that still cling to the cliffs to find early-medieval remains. Remember to book your tickets in advance.
Port Isaac - the picturesque fishing village lies on a stunning stretch of coastline. Perfect stop for a bite or a pint at the "Slipway" after an intense morning walking around.
Go for dinner to the "Rick Stein café" a very nice chilled and relaxing restaurant that combines seafood with an asian influence, the scallops are to die for!
Day 2: Camel Valley
I must say this was my favourite day! Rent bikes in the morning at "Padstow Cycle Hire Ltd" (phone 01841 533533 it is highly recommended to pre-book) and make your way to the Camel Valley vineyard. The cycle lasts a bit more than one hour with no stops and takes you through a beautiful path called the Camel Trail. The trail is only for bikes and pedestrians so you don’t have toworry about cars or anything like that, and it takes you alongside the river and later on through a beautiful forest…! If you are not very fit just take into account that It will take you more than one hour and if sports are not for you don’t worry, you can also go by car.
Get to the vineyard around mid-day (again you will have to pre-book a table at the vineyard) it is just stunning! I would recommend to get a table at the garden looking at the vineyard and try a few of their wonderful wines (hence why going by bike is a good idea).
On the way back to Padstow you can stop a couple of times to take pictures and enjoy the area. I think it would be a great idea to take things with you to do a picnic on the way back! Also the bikes are equipped with pannier bags so not a problem to take the food with you.
Once you have returned the bikes, you can spend the afternoon relaxing at Padstow port or visiting St George’s Cove beach that is very close to the town and you can get there by walking.
Recommended dinner at "St Petroc's Bistro", a very elegant restaurant to enjoy your last dinner in Padstow, go for it and enjoy a lobster! It is important to book in advance as it is generally fully booked.
Day 3: Truro and Falmouth
Now it is time to leave the north of Cornwall and get your way to the south. The drive from Padstow to Falmouth only takes around one hour.
I would suggest before getting to Falmouth to stop at Truro, that is a very nice city with a beautiful cathedral. It is really nice having a walk around the city centre which is quite charming and full of cute shops.
Once in Falmouth there are 2 beaches that are connected through a very nice and short path that you should see, Gyllyngvase and Swanpool beaches. I would park the car at Swanpool and walk through the nice coastal path to Gyllyngvase, at Gyllyngvase have a drink at "Gylly Beach Café" while enjoying the views.
Recommended dinner at "Restaurant Four" the food here is just amazing, I am a tough critic when it comes to food and this place was simply perfect… I would come back a thousand times! The restaurant is quite small so booking in advance is necessary.
After dinner you can go for a drink to the "Chain Locker".
Day 4: Minack Theatre and St Michaels Mount
For your last day you have to visit two of the most spectacular sightseeing spots that you will find in Cornwall, the Minack Theatre (1.10 driving from Falmouth) and St Michaels Mount (45 min driving from Falmouth). It is fundamental that you buy the tickets in advance for both places as these are very popular among tourists.
The Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre, constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea. The theatre was the brainchild of Rowena Cade, who moved to Cornwall after the First World War and built a house for herself and her mother on land at Minack Point for £100.
A great place to have lunch at Marazion is "The Godolphin", with amazing views of the St Michaels Mount.
St Michael's Mount is a tidal island in Mount's Bay. The island is a civil parish and is linked to the town of Marazion by a man-made causeway of granite setts, passable between mid-tide and low water. The castle and chapel have been the home of the St Aubyn family since approximately 1650.
Recommended dinner at "The Shack" a simple shellfish bar with rustic wooden seats & a menu of local seafood. Order the seafood platter to share… it is great!
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