To say there are magical places in Cornwall is an understatement. Cornwall is a breathtaking county located in South West England. It is full of epic landscapes, ancient ruins, rugged cliffs, golden beaches and of course; Cornish pasties! In this article I intend to take a deep dive into 5 of my favourite magical places in Cornwall to equip you with the information you need for your very own Cornish adventure.
Top 5 Magical Places in Cornwall:
- Tintagel Castle
- St Michael’s Mount
- The Lizard Peninsula
- St Nectan’s Glen
- Land’s End
Tintagel Castle
Tintagel castle takes priority here and should be one of the top contenders for your trip. These ancient ruins, full of history and legend, date back to the 13th Century. Legend has it, this is the birthplace of King Arthur.
Take a trip back in time and cross over the footbridge, explore the remains of the Great Hall and even meet King Arthur himself…Well at least an 8 foot tall, bronze statue of him! This location also comes with incredible views over the Atlantic Ocean and a secret staircase winding down onto the beach where you can even explore Merlin’s cave.
It is best to book online to avoid disappointment on the day. You can book a time slot from their website, adult admissions will cost £18. There is no on site parking here so you should give yourself plenty of time to park at the nearby pay and display which is located 600m away in the village. Get started here.
St. Michael’s Mount
Onto number 2. St Michael’s Mount is an island that hosts an epic medieval castle. This place gives off huge Game of Thrones vibes! There are two ways you can travel here; either by taking a stroll along the walkway in low tide, or you can get a boat ride over during high tide. I would recommend the boat trip as it adds to the adventure. The castle looks incredible during high tide and makes for a much better photo opportunity. You can always walk back after.
Just like Tintagel Castle, St Michael’s Mount is full of history and legend itself. It is said that the mount was created due to a giant that launched boulders into the sea to make a path to the mainland.
You can book a combo ticket that includes access to the castle and the gardens for £26. The boat trip over will cost £2.80. Nearest parking is located at TR17 0EG. Get started here.
The Lizard Peninsula
Next on our list, The Lizard Peninsula is tucked away far down the South East of Cornwall. It is home to a selection of rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. There are multliple walking trails here; you can head to Kynance Cove which hosts huge dramatic rock formations and an incredible beach, or you could head down to Lizard point, the most southerly point in Cornwall and an epic spot for a sunset providing weather is on your side!
I parked at Lizard Car Park – The Square on my visit. This provides you a good base location where you can walk from to explore the area. There are also plenty of shops/pubs to grab food and drink at here.
St. Nectan’s Glen
One of the most magical places in Cornwall and potentially the South West as a whole. St Nectans Glen is a mystical location covered with legend and folklore. St Nectan’s Glen is a 1.8 mile walk through an enchanted wooded area, passing through various waterfalls and cascades until you reach a hermitage and chapel at the end. There is a cafe here where you can get refreshments and visit the gift shop. The whole area reminded me of Rivendell from The Lord of the Rings.
According to ancient Folklore, the Celtic Saint, St Nectan used the valley as a place to meditate, his spirit is said to still linger there. This location offers visitors a place peace and tranquility. Avoid mid day visits and weekends though as it is a very popular location!
The car park is located at PL34 0BE and costs £3 for the day. There is very limited capacity here especially during peak times. There is no need to pre book tickets to St Nectan’s Glen as you can buy them on the day, cost for this is £8 per person. Get started here.
Land’s End
There is no way I can list magical places in Cornwall without talking about Land’s end! Land’s End has to be one of the most epic places in the County and for a number of reasons. For a start, it is the most Westerly point of Cornwall as well as England as a whole. It is home to dramatic cliffs and a number of lookout points that boast epic views into the horizon. There are a number of attractions there including a visitors centre, gift shops and restaurants. In my opinion, Lands end is the best place for a sunset in the whole of Cornwall. Every Tuesday and Thursday during the summer there is even a fireworks display, so why not catch a sunset and sit back after to enjoy the magic in the sky?
Car parking will set you back £4.50 for 1-4 hours. If you are here for the whole day it is £12 for 4-24 hours. The first hour is free. If you’re feeling adventurous, I would recommend parking at Sennen Cove and walking across. Along this route you can pass by the Mayon Cliff Ship Wreck which is a fantastic Cornish hidden gem. Get started here.
To Conclude, there are many magical places in Cornwall, more than on this list, but if you need to narrow it down, these 5 are the places I would choose. Cornwall is full of myth and legend, whether you’re exploring the ruins of Tintagel Castle, trekking over to Kynance Cove or catching a jaw dropping sunset at Land’s End. So get your bags packed and head over to start your very own Cornish quest!
Looking for a more challenging adventure? Check out my guide to the best 3 hikes in Norway.
