Cornwall countryside guide
Practically all of Cornwall could be included in this gazetteer! The county is blessed with so many outstanding areas of scenic and historic countryside, from rugged coastal cliffs to the stark beauty of Bodmin Moor. These are just a few of the places our family has enjoyed visiting.
One of Cornwall's best known scenic wonders, the Bedruthan Steps are a series of striking sea stacks along Bedruthan Beach. There are steps cut into the cliffs so you can descend safely to the beach, and there are superb clifftop walks along the coast to Carnewas. The site is cared for by the National Trust.
Carnewas, Cornwall, England
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A bizarre collection of granite rock formations form a rocky tor on the edge of Bodmin Moor. A trail leads from the Bronze Age stone circles known as The Hurlers to the base of the tor, said to have been formed by a rock-throwing contest between pagan giants and an early Christian saint.
Minions, Cornwall, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Rock formations
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Heritage Highlight: The Hurlers stone circle stands at the base of the Cheesewring
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On the southern fringe of Bodmin Moor stands an area of ancient woodland, managed by coppicing for at least 1000 years. At the heart of the reserve is Golitha Falls, one of the most popular beauty spots on Bodmin Moor, where the river falls some 90 metres through a rocky gorge.
Draynes Bridge, St Cleers, Cornwall, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Heritage Highlight: Ancient coppiced woodlands
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The Isles of Scilly are the most easterly part of England and are often overlooked by visitors. That's a shame, for the islands that make up the Scillies abound in beautiful beaches, stunning coastal scenery, and the remains of prehistoric settlement.
Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Islands
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A secluded beach between Polruan and Polperro, owned by the National Trust. The beach and bay take in some of the best coastal scenery in south Cornwall. The beach can only be reached by a steep climb down a winding footpath.
Polruan, Cornwall, England, PL23 1NP
Attraction Type: Countryside - Beach
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A lovely bay on the southern coast of Cornwall. The twin villages of East and West Looe stand on either side of Looe river as it empties into the bay. This is probably the most popular family holiday centre in the south of Cornwall and a good base for pleasure sailing.
Looe Bay, Cornwall, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Coast
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Heritage Highlight: Early Christian sites on St George's Island
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A wide, sweeping bay with the enigmatic isle of St Michael's Mount set as the jewel in the crown. The Mount probably gave its name to the bay, which stretches from Gwennap Head in the east to Lizard Point in the west, a distance of 42 miles.
Mount's Bay, Cornwall, England
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Heritage Highlight: The stately home and garden at St Michael's Mount
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The hanging valley of Pentargon lies just north of Boscastle, on the north Cornish coast. Pentargon Falls plunges down a sheer cliff to the rocky shore below, where seals often bask in the sun.
Boscastle, Cornwall, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Heritage Highlight: Links to novelist Thomas Hardy
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The striking headland of Willapark, near Boscastle, is home to an Iron Age promontory fort. Atop the cliffs is a castellated coastguard lookout begun as a 'pleasure house', and inland from the promontory are the Forrabury Stitches, an ancient Celtic field system still being farmed using Iron Age methods.
Boscastle, Cornwall, England
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Heritage Highlight: Very rare Celtic farming system still being practiced
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