Car Hire Cornwall - Mini guide to Cornwall

Located at the extreme southwest corner of England, Cornwall enthralls visitors with its spectacular coastal scenery, lively resorts, quaint traditional villages and isolated hinterland areas.

The highlights of the region are the two main peninsulas of Lizard Point and Land’s End. Both bare and rugged, Land’s End is the more popular of the two and, although suffering from tacky development, still awes visitors with its lonely view out into the vast, endless Atlantic Ocean. It’s biggest appeal however is its status as Britain’s most southerly mainland point.

Lizard is more relaxing and traditional, with charming villages and beaches such as Coverack, Kennack Sands, The Lizard, Kynance Cove, Mullion Cove, Polurrian, Poldhu and Cadgwith lining its picturesque coastline. Inland lie the quaint towns of St Keverne, Mawnan, Mullion and Helston, all brimming with interesting historic architecture.

The larger towns of Penzance and Falmouth boast magnificent examples of the region’s architectural heritage; the medieval towers of St Michael’s Mount and the fantastically situated Pendennis Castle, respectively. Those seeking more magical buildings should head for isolated Tintagel, site of the ruins of King Arthur’s castle, and Boscastle, while Newquay and Penwith Peninsula offer more coastal scenery and lively beach resorts. The quaint fishing village of St Ives deserves special mention as one of Cornwall’s prettiest destinations.

Cornwall’s towns offer a wide variety of accommodation, quality restaurants and some quaint traditional pubs. Recreational opportunities abound, from watersports on the coast, to hiking, fishing and camping at remote wildernesses such as Bodmin Moor.

Separating Cornwall from the rest of England is the county of Devon, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts wishing to discover the wilderness of Dartmoor and the moorlands of Exmoor. Alternatively, for more solitude and a unique experience, head for the enchanting Isles of Scilly, located southwest of Land’s End.

London’s Heathrow International Airport serves direct flights from most world cities, and there are several trains a day from London Paddington station to Cornwall destinations, as well as National Express buses.