Situated in South West England, the county of Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the United Kingdom and is well known for its natural beauty, sandy beaches and surfing. With an array of things to see and explore in the county from castles, historic houses and museums there is something to do for the entire family.
There are many places to visit in Cornwall and holiday cottage specialists Blue Chip Holidays have compiled some of the top off the beaten track attractions and Cornwall hidden gems for those who want to see something a bit different:
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Housing the world’s largest collection of pieces relating to witchcraft, magic and the occult, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is perfect for those who want to experience something a bit different.
Established in Boscastle in 1961 with over 3,000 items including charms, curses, dolls and trinkets, this independent museum has become one of the most popular museums in Cornwall.
Eden Project
Although The Eden Project is one of the most popular attractions in Cornwall, it is full of weird and exotic fruits and plants. The Eden Project is the world’s largest indoor rainforest dedicated to environmental education and the interdependence of plants and people.
The complex is famous for its two huge enclosures consisting of connecting domes that house thousands of plant species, one emulating a natural Rainforest environment and the other a Mediterranean environment.
The Eden Project also has an outside botanical garden which is home to a variety of plants and wildlife native to Cornwall and the UK. It hosts a range of family friendly events to experience throughout the year including the Festival of Light and Sound during the winter months and music festivals during the summer.
The Shipwreck & Heritage Centre
The Shipwreck & Heritage Centre has one of the largest private collections of shipwreck and historical artifacts on display in Europe, and is great place to visit for those who want to learn about the Cornish coastline.
This display features artifacts from over 150 shipwrecks, as well as exhibitions that feature the history of Charlestown, village life and the once thriving China Clay industry. The centre hosts an array of maritime history dating back to 1715 and has one of the largest underwater diving equipment assortments in the country, including various underwater suits used for treasure hunting and other naval purposes.
Davidstow Airfield & Cornwall At War Museum
Situated on Davidstow Moor Airfield, the Cornwall At War Museum makes for a great day out for the entire family. Primarily covering the history of Royal Air Force Davidstow (commonly known as RAF Davidstow Moor), the museum also hosts exhibits on other North Coast airfields and detailing wartime life in Cornwall.
Spread across multiple buildings on the complex, there are buildings featuring mixed displays and others dedicated to specific military forces such as the RAF, the Army and the Royal Navy. Many of the exhibitions and artifacts date to WWII but there is also an extensive collection of wartime memorabilia dating from WWI to the Falklands Conflict.
Visitors can get refreshments at the onsite NAAFI and the museum is both dog friendly and wheel chair friendly. The Cornwall At War Museum is a great attraction for those who want to learn about WWII and wartime life on the home front.
St Ives
The artist town of St Ives is known for its harbour, shops and food scene. It is a great place to relax and enjoy your st ives holidays.
Fistral Beach (Newquay)
Fistral Beach in Newquay is a great spot for those interested in water sports and is known for being the home of British surfing due to the consistency and quality of its waves. Surfers and spectators alike will enjoy the array of things to do on Fistral Beach with the International Surfing Centre full of a variety of cafes, restaurants and businesses. So whether you want to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery around Fistral Beach or you want to be active with various water sports, it has something for everyone.
These are my top picks for unique things to see in Cornwall. To helpyou plan your trip find a 7 day Cornwall itinerary here.
Giving me some inspiration for a weekend getaway this summer! Thanks!
I’d love to check out the Witchcraft and Magic Museum! I love that kind of quirky stuff! (and didn’t even know they had this in Cornwall) <3
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