The Hidden Gems Of Cornwall

Cornwall is a beautiful county on the southwest tip of England and a popular tourist destination. With many of us staying in the UK this year for our holidays, Cornwall has also had an increase in visitors drawn to its pristine sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages.

However, there are still some places that are quieter especially out of high season. Let’s have a look at some of Cornwall’s hidden gems and where you should visit out of high season.

Cadgwith

Cadgwith is a fishing village on the Lizard Peninsula between The Lizard, the most southerly point in mainland Britain and Coverack another coastal village. This pretty little village is known to locals but not so known to tourists, as it isn’t big and developed as some of the other Cornwall villages. We advise stopping for a spot of lunch, perhaps a bowl of mussels or a Cornish cream tea at the Cadgwith Cove Inn as you watch the fishing boats bring in their lobster and crab pots.

Boskednan

Cornwall isn’t just beaches though. If you are a fan of history you really need to seek out Boskednan village and its stone circle, situated around 4 miles north of Penzance. Consisting of nine stones known as the nine maidens and two fallen stones it is believed that it dates back to the early bronze age. You can walk to the stone circles from the village as it is under a mile away. 

Godrevy 

Godrevy a few minutes from the heart of St Ives is a beautiful coastal area with an island complete with a lighthouse, a sandy beach, huge cliffs and perfect surf. It can be a popular destination in Summer but visit out of high season and it’s a different story. Walk along the headland and see if you can spot the grey seals. They say in January you can see up to a hundred. As it’s a National Trust site, parking is £8 and the machine only accepts the correct change, or pay by phone. Top tip, download the parking app in advance to pay, as the mobile signal isn’t good.

Lost Gardens Of Heligan

Located near Megavissey and St Austell, the Lost Gardens Of Heligan is a great place to visit if you love stunning gardens. With over 200 acres to explore, it deserves at least half a day to discover its beauty. The garden was lost for decades, neglected after the first world war, and overgrown, until the 1990s when restoration started. Discover the jungle walk with exotic plants, the woodland trails and walled gardens amongst other things. Wildlife is encouraged and there are 60 bat boxes as well as two lakes where you could see kingfishers and other wildlife. Stop at the Heligan tearooms for a spot of lunch in an idyllic setting.

Hawkers Cove beach

Hawkers Cove beach otherwise known as Tregirls beach is close to Padstow on the north coast of Cornwall. It’s best reached on foot along the southwest coast path, passing the abandoned fortifications of Gun Point. It never seems crowded as it has to be reached on foot so it is a hidden gem coveted by locals. There are no toilets here but the Rest A While tea garden is open from Easter to October for refreshments.

As you can see there are some hidden gems in Cornwall and places you can go that are quieter offseason. If you are looking for somewhere to base yourself, there are many coastal cottages in Cornwall to rent out.  Classic Cottages is one accommodation provider we have stayed with in the past.  

For more of what to do in  Cornwall, check our video below of us exploring St Ives in Winter.