Cornwall is full of great attractions, especially if you are aware of where to look. Cornwall is one of the few places in Britain that are synonymous with magic, folklore, and legend. Here, mischievous pixies can lead you astray and wild beasts roam over the moorland. Glittering mermaids lure sailors into their doom. Cornwall, located on the south-westerly tip of the UK, can seem like a different planet. Many have attempted to capture the magic of Cornwall through the centuries, whether it was through the Gothic stories of Daphne duMaurier or the rugged romance of Poldark. The true magic of Cornwall is revealed slowly, in layers. Peel them away to discover the wind-lashed coasts, hidden corners and odd-looking harbor towns.
North Cornwall is all about high-drama—think wild, dramatic coastlines, big swells, and looming tin mines—while the South coast laid-back, a place where postcard-perfect fishing villages give way to sheltered white-sand beaches with calmer waves and impossible azure waters. West Cornwall is a land of art, with epic landmarks and creative communities. It also has a unique light that you can’t find anywhere else. This is an insider’s tour of the best places to see in Cornwall. The wild, the storied, and the utterly captivating.
The original version of this article appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
