Beautiful villages you need to visit in Cornwall

Visiting Cornwall has always been high on my list of places to travel to in the United Kingdom. So often, I find myself returning to old favourites, such as the Cotswolds or deep into the pockets of the New Forest. But in a self imposed bid to see more of Great Britain, for the past year I’ve been working hard to explore more of the country that I now call home. 

Which brings me to the beautiful county of Cornwall.

Located along the southwest coast of England, you’ll find gorgeous villages aplenty in Cornwall. But be aware this county is no easy feat to get to from the middle of England. The motorway eventually ends and you’ll be traveling along slower winding roads to get into the depths of Cornwall. 

But like any arduous journey worth taking once you get to your destination you’re in for a spectacular views complete with seaside landscapes and cobblestone villages to soak up the experience. 

The county of Cornwall is a beautiful one and I’ve found some of the best villages worth visiting on your next visit. 

Beautiful villages in Cornwall to explore…

Port Isaac 

Popping into Port Isaac was one of my highlight villages in Cornwall. What an absolute treat of a place! The eye candy was relentless around every corner and the steep road leading into the hills did me in – what a stunning village! 

I had, of course, dressed improperly with a big jumper to keep warm and a pair of heeled boots that maybe aren’t ones meant for exploring. So we did a haste walk around the streets in search of a good pub lunch. We stopped the the appealing Golden Lion along the main street. 

A round of fish and chips plus a pint later, we were happy campers. This is a beautiful old pub to wander into. On good weather days, you can sit out along the back overlooking the water. And I just know that cosy winter days would be well spent indoors on a barstool whittling away the time.

Take a moment post-lunch to try your luck at trekking it up the hill too! 

Mousehole 

Another small beautiful village is Mousehole, pronounced Mowzel (though my autocorrect really wants me to correct it to mozzarella!). It’s a particularly pretty village with you guessed it… another harbour! As most villages are located along the coasts, you’ll find boats, harbors and sandy beaches aplenty in Cornwall country. 

While there isn’t too much happening in Mousehole, it’s perfect for a quick hop, skip and a visit. And to ogle over the dreamy cottages. 

Marazion – St. Michael’s Mount 

We sort of accidentally stumbled over to Marazion and only for the briefest of moments. From Mousehole we drove through Penzance with the intentions of stopping off there… only to spot what looked like a castle in the distance. Well, you had me at castle on an island so we skipped Penzance and drove towards Marazion, the home of St. Michael’s Mount. 

Unfortunately we arrived a little too late for entrance to the Mount itself, but we did get to wander along the pathway out to sea before it closed over. St. Michael’s Mount is known as a tidal island, with a man-made footpath connecting land and occasional sea. Presumed to be a monastery in the 8th and 11th centuries. An illustrious history, the site went between various royal ownership before finally becoming part of the National Trust in the 1950s. 

And holy smokes, it’s BEAUTIFUL. I felt lucky to get to see the pathway uncovered during low tide and we watched as it swallowed up the pathway. For fun, I do recommend staying until high tide as people think they have far more time than they do in reality. We spotted many wet trousers – so don’t forget your rain boots! 

St. Ives 

On an early autumn weekday, I didn’t envision how crowded St. Ives would be. I think the quietest time of year to visit Cornwall must lie somewhere between November and March. 

Parking is hard to come by, but when you see a spot… make sure to grab it. Once securing our location, we pottered around the winding streets of St. Ives. From independent shops and their shopkeepers to high street retailers, you’ll find a bit of everything in this little town. 

Grab a Cornish pasty and stroll down to the water to soak in the atmosphere. On a warm autumn afternoon, beach goers hopped into the water and lazed out on the sand. Pubs lining the sea were brimming, their outdoor seating completely filled with ready and waiting patrons to swoop in like seagulls whenever a seat was free.

It was probably my least favourite of the villages – albeit beautiful – due to the chaotic nature of the town. That said, if you’re keen on hustle and bustle, visiting Cornwall in the summertime is going to be ripe for it. 

But I imagine that for a quieter traveler like myself, I’d take comfort in visiting during the winter months where it would be positively stunning to explore. I’ve also heard amazing things about New Year’s in St. Ives – so that’s one to watch too! 

Newquay

We based ourselves in the town of Newquay during our stay in Cornwall at the Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa. We overlooked the Fistral Beach, famous for its English surfing and we even spotted a few surfers from our hotel balcony! We even ventured to the Beach Bar in the evening which was a little too cold for sitting outside – but we did have the loveliest time right on the ocean.

Two nights was all we had time for but I’d recommend perhaps spending two in Newquay before selecting another village to have as your base for another few nights. The southwest coast of England is one that you want to be sure to dedicate plenty of time for exploring. 

Which village would you like the visit the most? Are there any must visit Cornwall villages or towns that I missed on this list?

Lots of love,

Kelly x

Other KPW guides to the United Kingdom include: 36 Hours in Edinburgh, Tunbridge Wells Hidden Gems, and Is Newcastle the Most Underrated City in England?