Where to stay in Cornwall: a quick guide to picking the perfect base

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The lingering taste of ocean salt on your lips, the scent of fish and chips doused in vinegar, the soundtrack of lapping waves and sprightly birds – Cornwall has become the most quintessential of English seaside getaways, and all for good reasons.

When I first set off to discover the craggy coves, idyllic villages, and breathtaking coastline of Cornwall, I did it all wrong. Every day we would drag our cases back to the car for another non-stop whirlwind of sightseeing, exhaustedly tumbling into bed full of locally-brewed beer and freshly caught seafood.

Sure, we saw a lot – but as I’ve learnt on subsequent return trips, the real magic of this southern region isn’t in how many of Cornwall’s attractions or beaches you tick off; it’s about embracing the slower pace of life. 

The tiny back-street pubs where locals chatter, those minutes that turn to hours on your new favourite beach admiring the scenery, the leisurely indulgence of a long lunch gazing out to sea.

Cornwall – very much like my home region of Dorset and the Jurassic Coast – is a place to cherish, slow down, and embrace the fact you’ll almost certainly plan a return trip to take more of it in. While Summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit the best places in South West England, I’ve explored it in all seasons, and the bonus of avoiding those peak months is twofold. Firstly, the crowds disappear in the winter months, as I learnt at my cousins’ St. Ives wedding last January, wandering the enchantingly quiet streets. Secondly, the prices of accommodation and minimum night requirements also dwindle. 

While it’s not surprising July and August often require a one-week stay, companies like Classic Cottages often have more flexible terms outside of the peak months, so you can easily stay in a few places, without rushing around.

For your first one week in Cornwall, I’d suggest picking two to three bases max and spending two to four nights in each spot. While the distances don’t appear so long on the map, the narrow country lanes can often add to the drive time, so having a base to explore the local attractions from, before moving on, will be handy and minimise the constant packing and unpacking.

I’ve always treated Cornwall geographically as three coasts. The most visited West, stretching from Portreath to near Falmouth, The South, covering Falmouth to the Devon border, and The North, stretching from Newquay to Bude. Picking a base in each of these regions will usually allow you to see anything you want without a massive drive. 

While you’ll find hundreds of dreamy places to stay and wonderful things to experience and explore, here are a few of my highlights to start planning where to stay in Cornwall. 

Where to stay in West Cornwall?

St. Ives

Perhaps the poster child for Cornwall, St. Ives charms with its wide beaches and charming cobbled streets, and is one of the most popular destinations in England. Accommodation is snapped up quickly here, even outside of the high season, so forward planning is essential. Great food, lots of choices, the fantastic Tate museum – you can’t go wrong!

Penzance

One of the main towns of Cornwall – famed for pirates – the sheltered bay of Penzance is a dreamy base with all the amenities (and pubs) you could wish for, including pretty gardens, history and galleries. For a quirky and historic stay, consider making ‘The Chocolate House‘your Cornwall base.

The Lizard Peninsula

Home of the most southerly point in England, this wonderful peninsula still very much has a ‘get away from it all’ vibe. Nature trails, rugged coves, and rock-strewn landscapes make for a great base if you want to escape from the more crowded hotspots, and you’ll find some charming places to stay, like this converted chapel.

Where else to visit in West Cornwall?

Minack Theatre

One of the most incredible spots in Cornwall is this open-air theatre, perched on the edge of a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean. Come and visit for a tour by day, or if you’re in luck, grab tickets to enjoy a show. 

Levant Mine

The mining history of Cornwall (and Devon) is UNESCO listed, and although the industry is well past its heyday, if you want to dig a little deeper into the history of the region, then Levant Mine is the place to do it.

The Lizard Peninsula 

One of the most beautiful spots to enjoy a leisurely walk in Cornwall, this peninsula is dreamy and full of plenty of picturesque bays complete with pubs, such as Coverack, to stop and take it all in.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Cornwall is home to plenty of seals, and on some beaches, you’ll see them basking on the sand. Here, injured seals and pups are treated until they are ideally well enough to return to the wild – a popular conservation spot and fun for the kids. 

Saint Michael’s Mount

Almost a sister of the French counterpart, this tiny island of stone homes is a fun side-trip from the mainland, especially at low tide when it’s the best time to walk the causeway, which links it to the town of Marazion.

Lands End & The Cornish Coastal Path

This dramatic and scenic headland offers some of the best walking trails you can enjoy in Cornwall. The mammoth South West Coastal Path is a huge multi-day trek, but picking some of the trails around here will give you a great taste of it.

Isles of Scilly

Take a short flight or boat and head to the Isles of Scilly, an amazing collection of white-sand beaches that will have you feeling like you’re no longer in the UK!

Where to stay in South Cornwall?

St Austell Bay

One of my favourite places in the country and home to one of my favourite breweries, St Austell town itself is an old market town with good road connections to explore from. The St Austell bay area, and places such as Mevagissey, are packed with colourful boats in their harbours, a plethora of seafood restaurants and make for relaxed evenings drinking a pint to lapping waves.

Truro

Cornwall isn’t all about the coast, and Truro, situated almost midway inland, is a beautiful cathedral town to base yourself at if your trip focuses more on gardens, such as Trelissick, and don’t want to spend the whole trip on the coast. 

Falmouth

Packed with plenty to keep everyone entertained, from castles and sheltered bays, to museums and tropical gardens, Falmouth, as a large town, promises both a great base and somewhere worthy of its own time to explore. 

Where else to visit in South Cornwall?

Eden Project 

The fascinating Eden Project, a space beloved by both adults and kids, is home to striking exhibitions, interactive experiences, and plant species from around the world in the domed shaped enclosed gardens.

Pendennis Castle

Situated on a headland with some stunning beach views, Pendennis Castle is an interesting stop for history lovers. Constructed by Henry VIII, this military fort, still with cannons and plenty to see, is worth visiting.

Swanpool Beach 

Post visiting Pendennis, swing by the cute bay beach of Swanpool to enjoy a delicious seafood spread at Hooked on the Rocks restaurant, one of the best meals I’ve ever had in Cornwall. 

Lost Gardens of Heligan

I’m not much of a garden person, but the Lost Gardens of Heligan bring a lot to the table. This vast area of manicured plants and woodlands covers some 200 acres, including suspended bridges and moss coated statues. It is made even more special by the fact that thirty-odd years ago, the gardens were reclaimed by nature, adding an air of intrigue to any visit. 

Mevagissey 

This charming fishing harbour with colourful boats and fireplace pubs is a detour worth making; if you want to capture Cornwall perfectly in one photo, this is a spot to do it in!

Where to stay in North Cornwall?

Newquay 

The premier surf destination of Cornwall, Newquay has grown in popularity over the years, making it very tourist friendly in terms of attractions, restaurants, and offerings – the good connections to A-roads also means easy access to plenty of nearby spots.

Port Isaac

This minute fishing village is about as picturesque as you can get, and while the sun brings the day-trippers, by night, it feels truly special to have this charming spot to yourself. Pick a cottage with sea views to enjoy the magic, or drive a little further inland to stay in an old converted post office.

Where else to visit in North Cornwall?

Tintagel Castle

While the castle itself has seen better days, this amazing location, complete with bridges suspended between verdant rocks, stair boardwalks, and beautiful beaches, make this a must-visit. A medieval fortification with legends of King Arthur, it’s a fascinating and majestic place. 

Bude Sea Pool

Bude is a charming Cornwall town and a great place to stop for some Fish & Chips or a rest. On the coast, the artificial ocean front lido of Bude Sea Pool is ideal for cooling off whenever the sun does make its UK debut!

Padstow

Another charming and quaint harbour town, Padstow, is especially pretty early morning if the water is still to get a postcard-perfect reflection photo of the stone houses and boats in the harbour. It’s a popular lunch and dinner spot due to Rick Stein’s Fish & Chips restaurant and many other great places to eat in Padstow.

Perranporth, Bedruthan Steps & Fistral Beaches

There are some gorgeous beaches along this stretch of coast, but these three, in particular, stand out – if you only have the time to visit one, I would say opt for Bedruthan Steps, it’s beautiful, and your camera will thank you!

*Article produced in partnership with Classic Cottages, written from my own experiences travelling through Cornwall