Considered one of the most beautiful counties in theEngland, this slender strip of land extending towards the Atlantic represents the largest and most evocative stretch of coast of the island, with breathtaking views among rugged granite cliffs, green headlands, enchanting bays and small villages.
La Cornwall, like the rest of England, is notoriously a fairly expensive destination, thanks to the increasingly less favorable exchange rate, but in reality with right precautions it can turn out to be a less expensive trip than expected. To get there, you can use one of the many flights to London offered by numerous low-cost airlines (Easyjet, Ryanair, etc.) which, if taken with the right advance, allow you to reach the English capital with a few tens of euros. From there it can be reached by train Pezance, the southernmost station, and then use the secondary lines or buses from local companies to move between the other coastal towns, or decide to rent a car so as to have maximum freedom of movement to explore the region and reach the most remote and suggestive stretches of coast.
St Ives
Nestled among the cliffs above a charming bay, St Ives is one of the most beautiful towns in the region, known for its many Art gallery which make it a lively artistic and cultural center. The center is a maze of narrow streets lined with numerous bistros, restaurants, cafes and art shops. Very popular in the summer, the high season traffic spoils the atmosphere a little but can be easily remedied by staying overnight in nearby Carbis Bay, a spectacular bay with a magnificent and wide beach. Among the many B&B which are found here The Borthalan, which offers beautiful rooms with sea view with prices from 40 € per night. Carbis Bay is connected to St. Ives by a convenient and inexpensive local train that arrives in the city in a few minutes via a spectacular coastal rail section. Due to its location, Carbis Bay is an excellent base from which to explore Cornwall with day trips, then enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of St Ives in the evening.
Gwithian and Godrevy
On the opposite side of the bay from St. Ives, Gwithian and Godrevy offer as well 4 km of magnificent beaches windswept frequented by surfers and kitesurf enthusiasts. For lovers of the classics of English literature, off Godrevy stands the lighthouse that inspired Virginia Woolf's famous novel Trip to the lighthouse.
Newquay
Overlooking the north coast between cliffs and white beaches, Newquay is the favorite city of the young that invade it in the summer, transforming it into a sort of Rimini of Cornwall. It is a very lively and lively place, dotted with pubs and clubs where you can eat and drink with little, with endless possibilities for cheap accommodation, from backpacker hostels to the many B & Bs, you are spoiled for choice. The city has a beautiful and lively beach and is considered the surf capital of the county, it is no coincidence that there are many specialized shops and flocks of boys armed with surf heading to the beach to ride the ocean waves.
The Lizard
The Lizard Peninsula (“the lizard” for its particular shape) offers the more rugged and romantic views of the county, with rugged shores, granite cliffs crashing on foamy waves and green moors. You can drive (or public bus service from nearby Helston) to the tiny Lizard village with wooden cottage that exudes all the charm of a place so far from the earth, and whose bars are more reminiscent of the diners of the most remote America than the most typical English clubs. From the square there are numerous coastal paths that cross the moor and join the South West Coast Path, the path that runs along the entire south west coast of Cornwall, and lead to the Lizard Lighthouse (now fully automated) and to Lizard Point, the extreme lashing point from the wind. Also from Lizard you can take the path that in approx. 2 km leads to Kynance Cove, a beautiful beach surrounded by heather-covered cliffs and headlands.
Zennor
Among the most beautiful stretches of the South West Coast Path there is certainly the one that in about 10 km connects St Ives to Zennor, a characteristic village where he used to stay DH Lawrence. Here a stop at the pub Tinner's Arm, a typical inn with a wooden beam ceiling and a slate roof that the writer used to frequent; for those who want to travel the round trip distance from St Ives in two days you can stay overnight at Old Chapel Backpackers Hostel, located right along the coastal path at Zennor, a well maintained and modernized hostel with dorms or double rooms. On the other hand, those who reach the village by car will experience the thrill of walking along the typical Cornish country lanes, narrow and lined with dry stone walls: a bucolic landscape idyllic but not very relaxing experience for those who have to drive: better to rent small cars!
Land's End
Land's End, literally the end of the earth, is the furthest point of the region where the cliffs give way to the turbulent waters of the Atlantic. Certainly one of the most spectacular places in all of Cornwall, the magical atmosphere comes unfortunately ruined from the theme park (a sort of 3D cinema) which was built right next to the visitor center, on the promontory overlooking the extreme point of the coast, which makes it even more incomprehensible how the park is very popular with English families who flock to the entrance . However, you can enjoy the beauty of the place by moving away along the coastal paths that start from the visitor center to admire the surrounding landscape. Land's End is well connected to St. Ives by public buses (1 hours).
Useful information. Public transport on official transport site collects information and timetables on all public transport (trains, buses, ferries) that connect the towns and the main tourist destinations in the region. Major bus companies include http://www.westerngreyhound.com and http://www.firstgroup.com.
Meals, all towns have pubs where large and cheap meals are served.
