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Kernow a’gas dynergh: welcome to Cornwall
You’ve picked a great place for your Cornish holiday (and we don’t just mean our fabulous hotel). At The Cornwall, you’re close to the coast, an easy drive or walk from some of Cornwall’s quaintest harbours, and on the doorstep of world-famous attractions.
EXCELLENT HOLIDAY
MAGICAL VIEWS
CLOSE TO THE COAST
MANY ATTRACTIONS
RECONNECT WITH NATURE
The Cornwall Estate
Some days, it’s good to have a day at home, especially when that home is The Cornwall Hotel. As well as the swimming pool, fitness suite and spa, there’s 43 acres of parkland to explore, from tree-lined trails to formal gardens.
Younger guests have their own adventure playground in the hotel grounds, and you can pop into Reception to pick up a trail that guides families around the grounds, searching for clues. You might even spot some of our local wildlife: our feathered residents include woodpeckers, ducks, geese and owls, or come out at dusk to look for bats. Fancy booking a spa treatment or an exercise class for your chilled-out day? Take a look at our spa & leisure pages
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
These once-elegant gardens were “lost” after the First World War, and lay behind brambles and weeds until their rediscovery in the 1990s. Years of painstaking work have resulted in over 200 acres of beautiful gardens and one of the best days out in Cornwall.
Heligan has an incredibly diverse range of “gardens within a garden”. One minute you’re admiring the meticulous planting in the walled kitchen gardens, and the next, you’re striding through tropical ferns in the “Jungle”. This ”gardenesque” approach is typically Victorian, combining a love of rare plants with the everyday need for homegrown fruit and veg. Younger visitors will love the farm animals, the adventure playground and the woodland trails.
Find out more about this wonderful local attraction in our guide to visiting Heligan
Eden Project
One of the closest attractions to The Cornwall is also one of the most famous in the country. The Eden Project is a must-visit place, and while we know it’s a cliche, there really is something for everyone.
Gardeners will love the collections of plants in the biomes as well as around the site, while thrill-seekers will want to book onto the zip wire that whizzes over the gardens. There are always special exhibitions and adventures planned for kids, and if you can, catch one of the Eden Sessions in the summer for live music in an exceptional setting. And trust us, foodies will have a fantastic day out too…
Read our blog to discover more about the Eden Project.
Mevagissey
If you’re looking for a lovely walk from The Cornwall, the coast path to Mevagissey is a firm favourite. This is partly because it’s a beautiful stretch of coastline to explore, and partly because Meva’s pretty old streets weren't made for today’s modes of transport…
Mevagissey is one of Cornwall’s loveliest fishing villages, with a picturesque harbour and a warren of intriguing streets. Once upon a time, these cute little cottages hushed fishing families: now, they’re a collection of independent shops,galleries and places to eat. You’ll also find some fine old inns as you explore the village. If you’re after a jaunt on the waves, head for the harbour and a choice of boat trips.
Find out more about Meva and other Cornish fishing villages here.
Charlestown
Words like “picture-perfect” and “unspoiled” are overused; however, when it comes to Charlestown, these terms are completely accurate. In fact, this historic harbour is so pristinely authentic that it’s often used as a film set.
Explore the cobbled harbour and its tall ships (time this right, and you may get a peek inside one of these incredible vessels). The village is a jumble of old cottages and Georgian houses, where you’ll find ice cream and a cream tea as well as Insta-perfect photo opps. Don’t miss Charlestown’s Shipwreck Treasure Museum, home to over 8,000 items rescued from the depths…
Here’s our guide to the Shipwreck Treasure Museum
St Austell
Our local town has everything you need (and yes, we do include St Austell’s famous brewery among life’s essentials). Instead of rushing through the town to get to St Austell Bay or somewhere like Eden, stay to discover the town’s independent shops and cafes, or try a round of football golf (try it! Really).
Head out on foot or by bike along the clay trails, a series of well-made paths that take you through the strange, lunar-esque landscape of the old clay pits. Find out more about this major Cornish industry at Wheal Martyn Clay Works museum. You can stroll through the tranquil Pinetum Gardens or take the family to run off some steam at Kidzworld Cornwall.
Beaches near The Cornwall
There are plenty of excellent beaches near The Cornwall. We’re close to Porthpean Beach with its watersports and Mediterranean vibe, as well as sandy Pentewan, a popular family and swimming beach. Walk along the coast path to Mevagissey beach: despite Meva being a popular spot, the beach is often quiet, probably due to the 200 steep steps that lead down to it. Duporth beach is also a chilled-out spot, because again, there’s no easy access. However, if you want to load up the car with plenty of beach kit and make a day of it, it’s a short drive to lively Carlyon Bay or pretty Gorran Haven.
Have a look at our guide to the best beaches near the Eden Project
Distillery Experience at Colwith Farm
Here’s something a bit unexpected: an award-winning gin and vodka distillery close to The Cornwall. What’s more, as one of our guests, you’ll get a 10% discount on a Distillery Experience and in the fabulous online shop.
Enter the discount code THECORNWALL10 when you book your Experience or shop online. The distillery offers a range of experiences, including tours, masterclasses, and even a day at gin or vodka school. And don’t worry: we can arrange a taxi for you.
Find out more about this unique experience by visiting the Colwith Farm Distillery website. (Terms & Conditions apply: Discount code available for one purchase per customer.)
Paths & Trails near The Cornwall
Leave your car in our car park, and explore the paths and trails near The Cornwall on foot or by pedal power.. Not brought your bike? Not a problem: you can hire bikes locally, and discover St Austell Bay while bypassing the traffic.
The Pentewan Trail connects St Austell with Mevagissey, following the old railway. The Clay Trails let you explore the incredible industrial landscape inland, and of course, if you fancy a good old stank (Cornish for a hike), there’s the wonderful South West Coast Path to enjoy.
If you fancy a bit of forest bathing, here’s our guide to Cornish woodland walks.
Cornwall Foot Golf
Cornwall FootballGolf has two 18 hole courses, Parkland and Hillside. The UK’s 1st and biggest Football Golf Park located just on the edge of St Austell. £1 discount per person with a voucher available from the hotel reception. More details...
Porthpean Outdoor Centre
Cornwall’s leading outdoor activity centre, overlooking the stunning Cornish south coast, we offer an array of adventures geared especially for children and families. 10% discount for guests of The Cornwall. More details...
Pinetum Garden
A garden oasis of tranquillity, peace and remarkable scenery. This family-owned garden offers an intimate experience with a personal touch, rarely found in our busy world. £2 off per adult and children under 11 are free, for guests at The Cornwall. More details...
Bodmin Jail
A landmark historical site in the heart of Cornwall, showcasing the rich and darkly fascinating legacy of Georgian and Victorian crime and punishment, the jail is an immersive, world class experience for all the family. 20% discount for guests at The Cornwall. More details...
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Great for families, The Lost Gardens of Heligan has a network of magical gardens, woodland walks and farmland brimming with interest and intrigue; and with over 200 acres – enough room to tire the most energetic little legs! 10% off for guests at The Cornwall. More details...
Hangloose Adventure Eden
Fly like Superman on England’s fastest zip wire, or take a seat on our Giant Swing located in the heart of Cornwall. 15% off for guests at The Cornwall. More detais...
OF THE CORNWALL
The Cornwall’s history reads like a mystery story…
In 1774, miners were streaming for tin on what’s now The Cornwall’s land. They found more than they were expecting when they struck a treasure hoard made up of a silver chalice, a scourge, a pin box, two rings, a brooch, various other gold ornamental pieces and fourteen coins.
This became known as “The Trewhiddle Hoard”., and the coins identified it as dating from around 875 AD. Over 1,000 years later in 1880, it was presented to the British Museum as one of the most important finds from this period. Why was such a valuable collection buried? It’s most likely that it was being hidden from Viking raiders, approaching Cornwall from the sea.
They say that half the treasure remains buried… Today’s younger guests can take part in Gwendolyn’s Treasure Trail (available from Reception).
GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST
The trail is named after Gwendolyn Coode, who lived in what’s now the main hotel building. Her family bought the estate in 1819, and her father, local banker Edward Coode, had the house built in 1834. It originally had the surprisingly humble name of “Moor Cottage” (it was renamed The White House in the early 1900s). The Coode family owned the estate until 2002.
During the 2005-10 restoration of the buildings and land, The Cornwall's team found other glimpses into the estate’s past. We uncovered a medieval wayside cross, a Victorian vinery and walled garden, and an old wine cellar – all of these have since been conserved.
