Cornwall Historic Towns and Villages

Polperro is a lovely fishing port on a rocky coastline near Looe, with narrow, cobbled alleys and houses perched on slopes above a pretty harbour. Polperro has become extremely popular as a family holiday destination.
Polperro, Cornwall, England

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Port Isaac is a picturesque fishing village on the north Cornish coast, known today as the setting for the popular Doc Martin television series. 18th-century whitewashed cottages cluster near the harbour, with its Tudor pier, and there are glorious walks along the cliffs.
Port Isaac, Cornwall, England

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Located on the south Cornish coast, close to Hayle, Porthleven has one of the prettiest harbours in Cornwall. The harbour was built during the Napoleonic Wars, using French prisoners as a labour force. There is an active fishing fleet, and you can eat fresh-caught fish at a number of restaurants around the harbour. Pretty fisherman's cottages abound. The area is protected by conservation regulations, so the village retains its old world charm without feeling like a theme park! There is fabulous coastal scenery, and the sandbank of Loe Bar is within walking distance.
Porthleven, Cornwall, England

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A bustling market town in south-west Cornwall, one a wealthy centre for copper mining. Nearby is Carn Brea, a Neolithic hilltop settlement. A short distance away is the open-air amphitheatre of Gwennap Pit, where John Wesley preached.
Redruth, Cornwall, England

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A town on the Tamar estuary in southern Cornwall, on the border with Devon. Saltash is home to a bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1859 to carry the railway across the Tamar. As the first town on the Cornwall side of the river Saltash has traditionally been known as the 'Gateway to Cornwall', or as the town council rather grandly puts it, 'Cornwall’s 1st Place '.
Saltash, Cornwall, England

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Heritage Highlight: Trematon Castle

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Famous as the westernmost settlement in England, Sennen is located less than a mile northwest of Land's End. The village gives good access to Whitesand Bay, and there is excellent walking to be had along the coast.
Sennen, Cornwall, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Sennen's church and Celtic cross

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St Agnes is a large seaside village in south-west Cornwall; formerly a centre for tin mining, but now a popular holiday destination. There are excellent seaside walks, and no less than 4 beaches to enjoy.
St Agnes, Cornwall, England

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One of the largest towns in Cornwall, St Austell is an excellent centre for holidays in south Cornwall. Like many Cornish towns, St Austell's economy was based around tin mining for many years, but the discovery of china clay here turned St Austell into one of the world's largest suppliers of the mineral.
St Austell, Cornwall, England

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Heritage Highlight: 13th century Holy Trinity church

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A small village near Land's End, St Bunyan is surrounded by historic and scenic attractions. The village is named for St Buriana, an Irish saint who settled here in the 6th century. Buriana is said to have cured the son of King Gerent of paralysis through the power of her prayers.
St Buryan, Cornwall, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Buryan's church dates to at least the 13th century

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St Cleer is home to a historic holy well, a destination for medieval pilgrims who came here to cure skin diseases. Nearby is Trevethy Quoit, an outstanding burial chamber from the Neolithic period.
Saint Cleer, Cornwall, England

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Heritage Highlight: 15th century holy well

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