The ultimate Cornwall bucket list for summer

Bucket list | noun | a list of the things that a person would like to do or achieve before they die.

Life is short. Ours is but a blink of an eye in relation to the billions of years our universe has been around. We can but fill our days with joyful experiences and make each and every one count.

And where better to start than Cornwall? Itself sculpted by millennia; its weather-worn coast has been beaten into a landscape we humans have come to revere.

You’d better have a big piece of paper for your Cornwall summer bucket list, because this paradise on earth harbours no end of unmissable destinations. Read on for inspiration and book your holiday now – life is short.

Cornwall cottages

Where to go in North Cornwall in summer

The meandering coast of North Cornwall, facing out into the ferocious Atlantic Ocean, features one must-visit coastal town after another. We’ve picked out some of our favourite North Cornwall destinations for a summer holiday, and the reasons we love them.

Padstow

If you like your Cornish holidays coastal with a generous dollop of scenery, complemented with a side of fine dining, Padstow should be at the top of your summer bucket list. A jumble of shops and restaurants jostle for space in the streets around the pretty harbour.

Fishing vessels come and go, salubrious sailing boats give it a flavour of the Med, and the cry of seagulls adds to the aural landscape. You’re sure to be lured into some of the shops for a spot of holiday retail therapy, and with such an array of handmade gifts and high-end brands, it’s unlikely you’ll leave empty handed.

Padstow is a jumping-off point for adventures both active and sedentary. A short ferry ride to Rock puts beautiful beaches and upmarket restaurants at your fingertips, while the 18-mile Camel Trail tempts walkers and cyclists young and not so young.

Padstow cottages

Newquay

Hedonistic pleasures await in summer in Newquay. The party town has long been a favoured destination for celebratory trips away, but don’t let its reputation fool you. The town caters equally well for families, with its impressive line-up of beaches and fabulous attractions, including Newquay Zoo and Newquay Leisure World.

You’ll want to make sure your holiday packing list includes swimmers and beach gear, because Newquay’s beaches are divine. Try your hand at surfing on Fistral Beach with the help of one of the many surf schools, or simply relax and unwind on quieter Porth Beach, or alluringly named Lusty Glaze.

Newquay is the perfect spot for an exciting UK summer break, with events for all tastes including the English National Surfing Championships, and the highly anticipated Boardmasters Festival.

Newquay cottages

Bude

Bude is a top place to go in Cornwall in summer because it delivers holiday fun on all levels. Its brilliant beaches (Summerleaze, Crooklets, and Widemouth) are ready for bucket-and-spade days, strolls on the sand, and, of course, surfing. The outstanding free sea pool is a treat for the summer months – or in winter if you’re feeling brave.

The picturesque canal with its ducks, pedaloes and rowing boats offers something a bit different to the usual coastal scene. Follow the canal path and you’ll find yourself soaking up some of the natural British countryside aesthetic, away from the crowds. Alternatively, take the coast path up to Compass Point for spectacular views, or make your way out along the breakwater to the secret (or at least lesser-known) sea pool, Tommy’s Pit.

The town of Bude will reward any exertions with top food in its myriad cafes and offers plenty of options for souvenir shopping and places to stock up on holiday essentials.

Bude cottages

Tintagel

Tintagel is a place steeped in legend, with links to King Arthur (he was conceived there, apparently). Its history is an interesting tapestry of tales of royalty, trade and Roman occupation. But even if it didn’t have such a tantalising past, it is still worthy of bucket-list status, thanks to its rugged coastline and breathtaking scenery.

A visit to the castle is a must, braving the striking bridge to the headland, and discovering Merlin’s cave on the beach below at low tide.

Pull on your walking boots to romp along the cliffs and you’ll come across Tintagel’s abandoned slate quarries. Follow the path inland to treat yourself to a view of St Nectan’s Waterfall – a striking 18m cascade tumbling down through a hole in the rocks.

Tintagel cottages

Port Isaac

Mention Port Isaac and someone is sure to chime in with – ‘oh, that’s where Doc Martin is from’! They’re not wrong – this postcard-perfect, quintessential Cornish town is indeed the setting for the famous BBC series, in which it doubled as fictional Port Wenn.

It is also home to the Fisherman’s Friends shanty singers, who rose to stardom reaching number nine on the UK Album Chart, and having two films made about their journey to fame.

Besides its pop-culture links, Port Isaac is a beautiful village, with whitewashed cottages sprinkled around a pretty harbour, where fishing continues to be a big part of local life. Spring sees the Port Isaac Sea Shanty festival, while the summer weather brings with it the opportunity to relax on one of the two scenic beaches. Peruse the welcoming shops and galleries and let the stresses of life wash away.

Port Isaac cottages

Polperro

A smattering of traditional whitewashed cottages sits across the steep hillsides surrounding the small harbour at Polperro, where lots of things to do await. Little boats bob in the harbour, welcoming pubs promise hearty meals after long coastal walks, and winding lanes harbour a treasure trove of independent shops and eateries.

Polperro’s past wasn’t always as rosy as its present. A big player in the smuggling trade, it saw the illegal import of goods such as alcohol, tobacco and salt. There are fascinating tales of smugglers’ caves and passageways, and even stories of headless horse-riding ghosts! Find out about the village’s dark past and more in the Polperro Heritage Museum.

If you’re lucky enough to visit in June when Polperro Festival is in full swing, you’ll be in for a treat of music, drama and the arts.

Polperro cottages

Where to go in South Cornwall in summer

South Cornwall’s coast is awash with beautiful beaches and coves, backed by lively villages and towns. Each one offers a little something different to the others – the fun is in exploring and making your own discoveries.

Looe

The working fishing port of Looe transforms in the UK summer when the beaches beckon visitors to take a dip, explore the rock pools or soak up some of the glorious Cornish sunshine.

The east and west sides of Looe are separated by the river, where the harbour is a hive of activity with the comings and goings of pleasure boats and fishing vessels. Some would say Looe is paradise on earth … or maybe even Beyond Paradise if BBC One’s Death In Paradise spin-off is anything to go by. In the series, Looe plays the role of fictional Shipton Abbott; it’s a pretty backdrop for the gripping crime drama.

It’s possible to reach Looe by train, a journey through rural landscapes which takes in some of the British countryside aesthetic Cornwall is so famed for.

Looe cottages

Fowey

Fowey is a delightful little seaside town on Cornwall’s south coast, making its way onto our ultimate summer bucket list by virtue of its gorgeous scenery and laid-back vibe.

It’s an ideal UK summer destination for those who like pottering – ambling around the shops and cafes, strolling along the Esplanade to idyllic Readymoney Cove, taking a short walk up through the woods to the castle, or striking out for a longer hike along the South West Coast Path.

A passenger ferry and a car ferry link the town to the village of Polruan, just across the river, where similar delights await. Fowey is a town of simple pleasures; a small sea pool is the perfect spot for kids to paddle while mum and dad enjoy a coffee from the Red Rocket Café, while the little aquarium is the ideal rainy-day activity.

Fowey cottages

Falmouth

Step into Falmouth and you’ll feel the draw of a town that’s going places. Steeped in maritime history, leisure cruises and fishing boats share the water with leviathans of the seas – huge ships coursing in and out of the docks – the third largest natural harbour in the world.

Visit the National Maritime Museum for an insight into Falmouth’s ocean-going past and present or take to the water yourself in a kayak or on board the ferry to glittering St Mawes. There are plenty of shops and cafes to frequent in the town, as well as local attractions including Pendennis Castle and the Falmouth Art Gallery.

The soft sand of Gyllyngvase Beach will have you feeling like you could be in the Caribbean, sitting on the deck of the beach café, sipping sundowner cocktails.

Falmouth cottages

Mevagissey

The pace of life seems to slow as you enter the harbour town of Mevagissey. Around the harbour, cafes and eateries beckon you in with the promise of freshly baked cake or seafood straight off the boat.

With tummies full, it’s the perfect time for a post-lunch perambulation to pick up some souvenirs and gifts from the plethora of shops, or perhaps get up close to the marine life at (tiny but free) Mevagissey Aquarium. Stretch your legs with a stroll along the harbour walls, or head up and out of the village along the South West Coast Path to the south to shortly reach attractive Portmellon Beach.

Just outside the village are the well-renowned Lost Gardens of Heligan which make for a delightful day out. You won't be short of things to do in Mevagissey.

Mevagissey cottages

Where to go in West Cornwall in summer

Summer is one of the best times to visit West Cornwall. This rugged and romantic corner of the country has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world (in our humble opinion). It’s also awash with scenery which will have even those who ‘can’t even draw a stick man’ reaching for the paints.

St Ives

Twinkling like a gem on the northwest coast of Cornwall, St Ives is an arty seaside town, oozing culture and charm. It is blessed with no fewer than seven golden beaches lapped by the azure water of the Atlantic Ocean. There are even plenty of things to do in the rain!

The vibe in the UK summer is buzzing, with galleries, independent shops, cafes and fine-dining restaurants welcoming visitors in from the pretty cobbled streets with their effortless style and magnetism. 

Tuck into a pasty on the harbourside, sip a coffee from one of the laid-back sea-view cafes, sink a pint in a traditional pub, and let St Ives take its relaxing hold on you.

St Ives cottages

Marazion

The most-photographed spot in Marazion isn’t actually the town itself, but the magnificent hulk of St Michael’s Mount, rising from the sea just off its shores. Connected by a tide-dependent causeway to the mainland, the island has an enchanting, fairy-tale quality, not least because of its dramatic castle and beautiful gardens.

Don’t let the island take all your focus, though. Marazion is a delightful spot, and well-worthy of ranking amongst our bucket-list destinations in Cornwall. Peppered with cute cafes, galleries and shops, it’s one of those places where a few hours can disappear in a flash.

Its vast beach with gently sloping sand is a treat for sea swimmers and families, while RSPB Marazion Marsh is a favourite haunt for twitchers and nature lovers. A well-equipped seafront playground adds to the attraction for families, while walkers will enjoy the level stroll to neighbouring Penzance, or the more rugged option in the opposite direction to Perranuthnoe.

Marazion cottages

Penzance

Well-connected Penzance, with its train station and ferry to the Isles of Scilly, is a bustling and arty market town, packed with shops and eateries. The breathtaking views over Mounts Bay make a walk along the seafront promenade one of the loveliest and simplest pleasures on a summer holiday in Cornwall.

Families rejoice, for there is a brilliant play area over the road from the prom, and leafy Morrab Park to explore when the summer sun gets a little too intense. The Art Deco Jubilee Pool offers an alternative way to cool off. Lifeguarded, and refilled at high tide, there’s also a children’s pool, and (slightly) warmer geothermal pool; it’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours.

Artists can draw inspiration from the surroundings as well as the galleries, which include Penlee House Gallery and Museum, and Cornwall Contemporary. A mile away along the seafront is neighbouring Newlyn, a small town with one of the UK’s largest fishing fleets; it’s the ideal spot for an indulgent seafood dinner with zero road miles!

Penzance cottages

Porthcurno

It is not the little town of Porthcurno itself which has earnt it a place on our ultimate Cornwall summer bucket list, but rather its most unique and well-known attraction – The Minack Theatre.

This astounding open-air theatre is hewn from the granite rock, with a stepped amphitheatre leading down to the stage, directly behind which lie the cliffs and crashing waves beneath. There are few places more dramatic to watch a live performance than this little corner of Cornwall.

Besides the Minack, Porthcurno does have plenty more going for it. There’s the gorgeous sandy beach, for one. Loved by surfers in the winter, and families in the summer, it is south facing and sheltered by high headlands, making it a little Cornish utopia. Porthchapel Beach and Porthgwarra Beach offer even more in the way of idyllic scenery and tranquillity.

Porthcurno cottages

Mousehole

In name and appearance, Mousehole feels like it’s been lifted straight from a children’s picture book. Pronounced ‘mow-zul’, the village features charming narrow streets packed with quaint cottages, cafes and shops, tumbling down to the attractive harbour.

Here, boats moor in an arc, and a beach is revealed at low tide, making it an artist’s dream to paint. Swimmers can indulge in a refreshing dip in the tidal rock pool, while walkers can embrace the easy route to Penzance, or the more natural trail south along the coast path to Lamorna Cove and beyond.

Set aside time for a mooch around the galleries and shops, and you can’t leave without indulging in at least one ice cream by the harbour! While our article focusses on a summer bucket list, Mousehole should also be on your radar for a winter break, when the Harbour Lights bring it alive with a riot of coloured illuminations in December.

Mousehole cottages

Map of bucket list destinations in Cornwall

Find all of the above Cornwall destinations on our handy map.

Stay with us in Cornwall

Now your Cornwall bucket list is packed with places to visit, why not have a browse of our self-catering places to stay? We have gorgeous Cornwall cottages, brimming with traditional features, just waiting for you to fill them with happy holiday memories.

Grab a cuppa and tap the button below to delve into our collection of dog-friendly, family-friendly, romantic or group retreats for your next getaway.

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