Natural attractions to visit in Cornwall after lockdown
Millions of people visit Cornwall every year and enjoy the sandy beaches and little fishing villages that are synonymous with the county.
There is much more than just world-class beaches and quaint fishing villages, however, as the Duchy is home to some of the most spectacular scenery and natural attractions in the UK. If you are planning to visit one of the iconic caravan holiday parks in Cornwall in the future, then you want to ensure that you are seeing the best the county has to offer.
The natural attractions in Cornwall are what make it so special and, in this guide, we take a look at some of the best natural environments you can enjoy in the county.
The best natural attractions to visit in Cornwall:
- St Nectan’s Glen
- Trevose Head
- Carnglaze Caverns
- Lost Gardens of Heligan
- Land’s End
St Nectan’s Glen
Located: Trethevy, Tintagel
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If you love nature, then you will love St Nectan’s Glen. Here you can reconnect to nature with a family visit to this friendly and magical outdoor space where woodland and water merge. You can walk through the Glen beside the crystal-clear waters of the River Trevillet and enjoy an adventure in nature.
St Nectan’s Glen told us a bit more about why you should visit: “Follow our woodland walk to visit the magnificent waterfall in its unique setting. You could build a Faerie stack, look out for our resident birds, explore the grounds, or tie a wish ribbon in one of our dedicated areas.
“Why not relax in our Tree of Life Café which is open daily & serves a great selection of food & drink? Our popular ice cream parlour has a range of delicious local ice creams.
“Dogs on leads are welcome. You will need to walk through water to access the waterfall, so we recommend that you wear suitable footwear.”
Trevose Head
Located: Trevose Head, near Padstow
One of the most prominent headlands on the north coast of Cornwall is Trevose Head which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and has miles of stunning views with Pendeen Watch in the west and Hartland Point to the east.
You can join-up to the South West Coast Path from the headland and here you can enjoy even more stunning views across Booby’s Bay and Constantine to one side with Mother Ivey’s Bay and across to Pentire Head on the other.
Ellie Quinn, a travel blogger and content creator for The Wandering Quinn, has been to Trevose Head and she told us about why she loves the headland.
“Trevose Head is a peninsula sticking out of the coastline not too far from Padstow. This is a natural attraction in Cornwall I recommend because there are some fantastic walking paths around it, it’s a great sunset spot and it doesn’t get too busy!
“You can walk, or drive, to the lighthouse on Trevose Head which will give you an incredible ocean view and from there I recommend to keep walking around the coast until you get to Mother Ivy’s Beach which is one of the many hidden gems in Cornwall and another beautiful natural attraction.
“Cornwall has so much to offer, particularly outdoor, natural wonders so if you haven’t yet made time to see the beauty that lies on the western tip of the UK, this summer should be the time to do it!”
Carnglaze Caverns
Located: Carnglaze, St Neot, Liskeard
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Carnglaze Caverns is an all-weather attraction that is a former slate mine where slate was quarried. The attraction is of international importance as it is a perfect example of Cornwall’s industrial heritage and it informs visitors about the miners that used to work here and their skills too.
As part of the underground tours, you descend a flight of 60-steps and will walk 150m into the hillside and 60m below ground. You will also get to see the stunning crystal-clear turquoise-water underground lake. The Carnglaze Caverns stay at a temperature of 10°C, making them cool in summer and warm in the winter months.
If you and your family want to plan a trip here during your holiday in Cornwall, then it is easily accessible from our Looe caravan park as it is just over a 20-minute drive away.
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Located: Pentewan, St. Austell
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is another stunning natural attraction in Cornwall and is renowned all over the world. Heligan is one of the most mysterious estates in the UK that since the start of World War I was lost to brambles and decay until it was re-awakened in 1990.
These once forgotten about gardens became the largest garden restoration project in the whole of Europe and now the 200 acres have been turned into a paradise for explorers, plant lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
In the gardens, you can follow winding paths that were laid out over two centuries ago through ‘the jungle’, which takes you on a sub-tropical journey through bamboo tunnels and underneath enormous tree ferns and giant rhubarb and banana trees. The ancient woodlands and gardens are perfect for exploring any time of the year and whilst they are closed at the moment due to the coronavirus lockdown, they will be open again.
Telling us about why you should visit after lockdown, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, said: “Lose yourself in a world of gardening inspiration and productive gardening, adventure into the UKs only outdoor jungle and across the Burma Rope Bridge before meeting Heligan’s friendly and captivating collection of rare breed farm animals. See if you can find Diggory the scarecrow, discover what seasonal produce is being grown and even better what has been incorporated into the daily lunches available in the Heligan Kitchen. There’s always something to tempt the taste buds!”
Land’s End
Located: West of Cornwall
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Land’s End is a legendary destination in Cornwall as it is the most westerly point in mainland England and is one of the most visited outdoor attractions in the county.
There’s much more to this part of Cornwall than meets the eye as it has a rich history that dates back to ancient Greek times when it was known as ‘Belerion’ or the ‘Place of the Sun’.
What makes Land’s End one of the best natural attractions in Cornwall is the scenery that you can enjoy here as there are lots of cliff-top trails that offer up breathtaking views.
There is so much you can do in the area, from storm-watching over Longships Lighthouse to having your photo taken in front of the famous signpost. Something else you might consider is to walk to Sennen as this is close-by and you can follow one of the footpaths to walk to the beach, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
If you love nature, then there aren’t many places in the UK that rival Cornwall. And, the aforementioned attractions are just some of the most spectacular natural attractions that you can visit on a holiday to Cornwall.
