Cove Retreat

The pretty port of Fowey remains an active place, with all sorts of events staged in town each year. You may catch the annual summer regatta, or the Fowey Festival of Art & Literature, depending on when you visit.

Wonderful coves and beaches and a quirky old town give Fowey lots of character, and it has also developed a reputation as a great foodie destination. It’s well worth pottering around the town to visit the independent shops selling the best local produce, or the excellent restaurants and cafés.

There are numerous attractions around the area, with Fowey’s small museum and aquarium providing a good starting point. In about 30 minutes you can reach Cornwall’s largest exotic animal sanctuary, the Porfell Wildlife Park. There are meerkats, monkeys, lemurs and a children’s farm at this park which welcomes injured, abandoned and neglected animals of many kinds.

The famous Eden Project is easily accessible from Fowey, as it’s only about 15 minutes’ drive away. The fantastic biodomes are an exciting and educational experience, and there is plenty to entertain you too, with lots of special events on site. Not far away, the 200-acre Lost Gardens of Heligan are another horticultural delight, with the extensive estate containing several gardens based around different themes – the Productive Gardens, Pleasure Grounds and Jungle.

Cornwall has many more notable gardens with Trebah and Caerhays Castle among those within about 40 minutes of Fowey. Near Newquay, you can also visit the lovely Japanese Garden in St Mawgan.

As you travel further west, discover towns such as St Austell, Truro and Falmouth, where the National Maritime Museum offers a look a Cornwall’s relationship with the sea. In Truro, there’s the beautiful Truro Cathedral and the Royal Cornwall Museum, as well as the county’s best shopping and entertainment venues. The market town of St Austell is known for its brewery which offers visitor tours, and nearby there is also the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum, as this was once a big industry in the area.

In Helston, kids will love the Flambards Theme Park, and from there it’s not too far to Marazion, where the iconic St Michael’s Mount is the must-see. Penzance offers a lively arts scene, with a number of contemporary galleries, as well as the relaxing Jubilee Pool lido.

While you’re down this end of the county, it would be a shame to miss out on your Land’s End photo, or you could visit mainland Britain’s most southerly point, The Lizard. Porthcurno’s Minack Theatre is also well worth a look, and if you can catch a show there, even better – the backdrop of the sea at this open-air venue adds a whole new dimension to performances.

Read more about Cornwall

When it comes to natural good looks, Cornwall sets the bar for UK holiday destinations. From long stretches of sand to the jaw-dropping scenery, this coastal county makes a fabulous retreat for anyone looking to escape the city scene. But most importantly, you quickly realise that you don’t have to fly around the world to seek adventures. With forests, castles and beaches for days, Cornwall is the ultimate staycation - perfect for all ages.

In recent years, Cornwall has come on leaps and bounds and found a newfound style. That being said, discover our range of beautiful large holiday homes in Cornwall to start planning your next holiday!

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