How Many Days in Cornwall Do You Need: Ultimate Guide 2024
Are you trying to figure out how many days in Cornwall are enough? This guide will help you decide what’s right for you.
Cornwall attracts visitors with its superb beaches, stunning scenery, fascinating history, and a unique arty vibe evident in many of its quaint towns. It’s also a great spot for water sports, especially surfing, and wildlife spotting, as the county boasts a rich marine ecosystem.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Cornwall twice. My first trip was only five days long, and while it’s a good amount of time to see many of the highlights, I felt that I could have used more time there.
My second trip was longer, around a week, and for me, personally, it hit a sweet spot. However, I prefer to take my time at a destination and take things in slowly, which is not the way everyone travels.
I’ll provide my rationale for this length of time below and propose some itinerary ideas for different lengths of time to help you plan a great visit.
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How Many Days Should You Stay in Cornwall?
I think four to five full days in Cornwall is a great starting point as it would give you enough time to visit a few different places around the county, especially if you are planning on driving while you are there.
If you’d like to cover more ground—to do more walks or visit more attractions—a week is also a great amount of time. It would also allow you to combine more relaxation with sightseeing if that’s your preference.
One thing worth remembering when planning a trip to Cornwall is that the county is mainly rural, and as a result, has many country roads that travelers need to navigate, some of which are also one-way.
This makes traveling around the county slower than you might expect. Don’t always trust the time provided by Google Maps and be realistic about how much time you need to cover all the ground you want.
Itinerary Ideas for Cornwall
Here are some ideas on how to spend various trip lengths while visiting Cornwall, from a short break to over a week.
2-3 Days in Cornwall
Depending on where you are travelling from, a two to three-day break in Cornwall might not be worth it. The drive from London to popular Cornish spots like Newquay or Falmouth takes over five hours. That’s a lot of travel time for just a couple of days in the area.
However, if you are travelling from somewhere closer or are combining a trip to Cornwall with visits to a nearby county like Devon, then a short stay is more realistic.
In this case, I would recommend choosing an area that you are most interested in and focusing on exploring everything it has to offer. For example, by staying in the southwest of the county, you can spend time wandering the charming streets and art galleries of St Ives, enjoying stunning beaches such as Sennen and Porthcurno, and visiting spectacular sites such as St Michael’s Mount and Minack Theatre, among many other things.
Alternatively, you could base yourself in Newquay and try your hand at surfing, enjoy spectacular coastal paths, and embark on a foodie adventure to the nearby town of Padstow. There are, of course, many other options depending on your interests.
The key here is to prioritize your must-sees and choose a strategic base from which you can reach them. If you are interested in visiting the likes of St Ives, check out this itinerary for a weekend in Cornwall that focuses on that region specifically.
4-5 Days in Cornwall
Having four to five days in Cornwall gives you more room for maneuvre. You could embark on a small road trip around the county that covers the highlights.
For example, one option is to start your adventure on the north coast and take in Newquay and nearby sites like Tintagel Castle. Then head southwest towards St Ives and explore some of the attractions of the southwest. Continue along the coast towards Falmouth and finish in Looe.
If you are attempting this in five days, expect some intensive travel. You could probably extend this trip to a week or longer.
Alternatively, you could choose a couple of bases for your trip. For example, spend a day or two in the Falmouth area, followed by some time in the southwest, with a base in Penzance or St Ives.
On my first trip to Cornwall, my husband and I stayed in Penzance and spent most of our time exploring the southwest. We still didn’t manage to see everything we wanted in that time.
7+ Days in Cornwall
There are enough things to do in Cornwall to fill a week or more. It’s a great length of time to take a road trip that covers the entire county and visit many great sites. I would highly recommend including places like the Eden Project and the charming seal sanctuary as part of your adventure.
Personally, a week is my preferred amount of time to spend in Cornwall. I’m not necessarily up for lots of driving, so I also prefer to have a few free days just exploring specific destinations and doing scenic hikes.
There’s also nothing wrong with taking a break from sightseeing and simply spending a day at one of the many beaches Cornwall is blessed with. For something different, you could also consider including some fun experiences as part of your trip, such as a painting lesson at St Ives or a cooking lesson at Rick Stein’s cookery school in Padstow.
How to Get Around Cornwall
The best way to get around Cornwall is by car, whether your own or hired. This approach gives you the most freedom and flexibility, as you won’t be tied to public transport timetables. Additionally, some parts of Cornwall may only be accessible by car.
However, it is still possible to explore Cornwall without a car. The county has a public bus network, including a number of tourist routes that cover popular destinations. Many towns are also connected via the local train network.
If you choose car-free travel around Cornwall, you need to be realistic about how much ground you can cover, as services are not always frequent, and travelling by bus may take longer than by private vehicle.
Also, be sure to choose a strategic location that is relatively well-connected. I highly recommend Penzance as a base for those who prefer to explore by public transport. It’s on the Land’s End Coaster tourist bus route and is within easy reach of fantastic sites such as St Michael’s Mount, Porthcurno Beach, Minack Theatre, and Land’s End.
I also love this location because there are many great things to do within Penzance itself, from historic pubs and excellent seafood restaurants to charming art galleries and superb gardens. To find out more about local accommodation options, check out this guide to where to stay in Penzance.
Final Thoughts
I hope you can now plan your travel to Cornwall with confidence. Whether you have only a few days or two weeks there, this enchanting county offers many great activities to suit every taste.
Did you know that Cornwall is home to the third-largest harbour in the world, as well as its own unique language? To learn more about what makes this county unique, check out this article on fun facts about Cornwall.
FAQs: How Many Days in Cornwall Do You Need
It normally takes about eight hours to drive around Cornwall. However, you will most likely want to make plenty of stops along the way, so allow for a few days to travel around the area.
You don’t need a car while in Cornwall, as the county has rail and bus networks. However, I personally find that the best way to explore the area is ultimately by car.
The best base depends on your personal preferences and what you want to see. I think Penzance, St Ives, Newquay, and Falmouth are all great options that reveal different aspects of life in Cornwall.
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