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Cornwall explained: Frequently asked questions about Cornwall

Cornwall is one of the UK’s most beautiful and fascinating destinations, full of fun and exciting activities. It doesn’t matter whether it is your first-ever visit to Cornwall or you just love the Duchy so much that you visit a campsite in Cornwall every year; lots of people have questions about this English gem. In this guide, we answer frequently asked questions about Cornwall, helping you get to know Cornwall better and perhaps inspiring a future visit.

Where is Cornwall?

Cornwall is located in the southwest of England, to the west of Devon. To the north lies the Celtic Sea, and to the south is the English Chanel.

Is Cornwall a county?

Cornwall is a historic and ceremonial county within the United Kingdom, and it shares a border with the county of Devon.

When did Cornwall become part of England?

Until around 1700, their English neighbours regarded Cornwall’s population as a separate people. It became an administrative county of England in 1889.

Is Devon in Cornwall?

No, Devon and Cornwall are two separate counties in England.

Is Cornwall in Wales?

Cornwall is part of modern-day England and is a separate country from Wales.

Is Plymouth in Cornwall?

No, Plymouth is a city in Devon, a county bordering Cornwall.

Is Bude in Devon or Cornwall?

Bude is a town on the north coast of Cornwall.

How to get to Cornwall?

You can get to Cornwall by train, road, plane, and ferry. Regular rains travel to Cornwall from London Paddington and places like Bath and Bristol.

You can take the A30 or the A38 through Plymouth and Saltash into South East Cornwall by car. Alternatively, you can enter Cornwall from North Devon via the scenic Atlantic Highway A39, which goes through Bude from Junction 27 on the M5.

You can also get the ferry into Cornwall, with ferries docking at Falmouth and the Torpoint ferry bringing pedestrians and cars from Plymouth in Devon.

Can you fly to Cornwall?

You can fly to Cornwall’s Newquay Airport from locations across the UK and abroad. There are daily flights from London Gatwick and Manchester. If you are visiting from far away, flying into Cornwall may be an attractive option to reduce travel time.

How far is Cornwall from me?

Family on a car trip

If you want to visit Cornwall but are wondering how far away it is, you can see the county’s distance from some major locations around the UK below:

  • How far away is Cornwall from London? 280 miles
  • How far away is Cornwall from Manchester? 330 miles
  • How far away is Cornwall from Birmingham? 250 miles
  • How far away is Cornwall from Bristol? 170 miles
  • How far away is Cornwall from Leeds? 370 miles
  • How far away is Cornwall from Cardiff? 200 miles
  • How far away is Cornwall from Edinburgh? 530 miles

How big is Cornwall?

Cornwall is the 13th biggest county in England, with an area of 1,376 square miles, which makes it significantly smaller than the likes of North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire – the two biggest English counties by area – but larger than counties such as Shropshire and Gloucestershire.

How many people live in Cornwall?

568,210 people live in Cornwall, making it one of the smallest English counties in terms of population. For comparison, 2,916,458 people live in the West Midlands.

What’s the weather like in Cornwall?

Looe in Cornwall

The weather in Cornwall varies depending on the time of year. Cornwall sees average highs of 20°C in the summer, though temperatures can go far beyond that during hot spells and the winters tend to be mild for England. When temperatures start to soar, the breeze from the coasts makes it a pleasant place to escape to. When the sun is out, there are few better places to be than Cornwall.

What is the Duchy of Cornwall?

The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate established by Edward III in 1337 to provide independence to his son and heir, Prince Edward. The revenues from the estate help fund the duke’s public, charitable and private activities. The eldest son of the British monarch gets possession of the duchy and the title of Duke of Cornwall at birth.

Where to stay in Cornwall?

Cornwall is a fantastic place to visit on holiday, whether you want a break by the beach or to enjoy some local attractions. Where you want to stay might depend on what type of holiday you are looking for. For those who want to stay in a caravan or go camping, Looe is a perfect choice and is home to one of the best holiday parks in Cornwall.

READ ALSO: A complete guide to Looe

What to do in Cornwall?

Surfing in Cornwall

There are lots of fun things to do in Cornwall, with something to suit all tastes and desires. Some popular activities include:

  • Relaxing on the beach
  • Surfing
  • Shipwreck diving
  • Rock pooling
  • Cliff-top walks
  • Visiting picturesque seaside towns

Some attractions you can visit in Cornwall include:

READ ALSO: How To Plan An Amazing Outdoor Holiday Adventure

What to do in Cornwall when it rains?

Even if it starts to rain during your visit to Cornwall, there are still places to go and things to do. Some options include:

READ ALSO: How To Keep Your Kids Entertained While On A Trip

Are there sharks in Cornwall?

It might surprise you to learn that Cornwall is home to a variety of sharks, with several species visiting its waters each year. Sharks that you might see in Cornish waters include blue sharks, porbeagle sharks, and basking sharks. You might even be able to see one for yourself with the likes of Padstow Sealife Safaris.

How many beaches are in Cornwall?

Beach in Cornwall

There are over 300 beaches in Cornwall, thanks to its 250 miles of varied and beautiful coastline. Plenty of options exist, from secluded coves on the Lizard Peninsula to surfing havens like Fistral Beach. For families visiting Cornwall, the sandy beaches at Porth, Mawgan Porth, and Carlyon Bay will definitely be appealing.

Blue flag beaches in Cornwall:

  • Porthtowan Beach, Porthtowan
  • Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
  • Widemouth Bay Beach, Bude
  • Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth.
  • Trevone Beach, near Padstow
  • Portreath, Redruth
  • Crooklets, Bude
  • Carbis Bay, St Ives
  • Polzeath, Wadebridge

READ ALSO: Which beaches in Cornwall have Blue Flag status?

Where to eat in Cornwall?

There are some fantastic spots across the county to enjoy a bite to eat, from local cafes and Cornish pastie shops to upmarket restaurants for a romantic meal.

Discover more about where to eat in Cornwall via the below guides:

Where is Doc Martin filmed in Cornwall?

The popular TV show Doc Martin is filmed in the picturesque village of Port Isaac on Cornwall’s north coast. You can enjoy its charming cottages, winding streets, and lovely harbour. It’s worth a visit for fans of the show or anyone interested in one of Cornwall’s most charming locations.

Where is Poldark filmed in Cornwall?

The beloved BBC series Poldark was filmed in several stunning Cornwall locations on the county’s rugged coastline. Filming locations include:

  • Charlestown
  • Porthgwarra
  • Bodmin Moor
  • Coastline between Botallack and Levant
  • Padstow

A tour of Poldark’s filming locations would certainly treat visitors to some of Cornwall’s most beautiful areas, but there is no shortage of lovely places to visit in the county.

If you want to visit Cornwall soon, our Looe caravan park is a lovely spot to enjoy a relaxing holiday and explore the wider area.

For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.

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