St. Mawes, a charming waterside village, is a popular sailing centre on the Roseland. With its Tudor castle and holy well, it's steeped in history.
Famed for its colourful history of boatbuilding, fishing and smuggling, the appeal of Mevagissey is apparent. Cob cottages spill down the steep valley to the harbour walls where fishermen repair their nets on the quayside using ancient skills.
St. Austell is a bustling market town, surrounded by dramatic "Cornish Alps" of the Cornish china clay industry. The great sweep of St. Austell Bay offers outstanding cliff and coastal walks with superb beaches; or explore The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Since the middle ages, smuggling, pilchard fishing, piracy and shipwrecks all form an important part of the rich heritage of the picturesque town of Fowey. Associated with Daphne Du Maurier, Fowey hosts an annual festival celebrating her literary work.
Nestling in the river valley, Lostwithiel is Cornwall's hidden treasure. Overlooked by the 12th Century Restormel Castle it has become the antiques centre of the county, with many antique shops, fairs and markets.
The coastal resort and picturesque fishing village of Looe, with its sandy beaches and rock pools is great for families. Visit Looe Island, a natural sanctuary for sea and woodland birds and one time haunt of smugglers.