Boscastle
There is a certain charm to Boscastle with its tiny harbour and white-washed cottages. In its day Boscastle was important to ships as it was the only harbour within miles to safetly load and unload whilst sheltered from the elements. And you can see how protected the harbour is if you take a walk around the headland and enjoy the magnificent sight of the Atlantic crashing in.

Bude
A very popular resort with fine, spacious sandy beaches. Once such beach is Summerleaze which has an open air tidal swimming pool. A central feature of Bude is the canal, once used to transport sand, timber and coal to Launceston in the 19th Century.

Cadgwith
A pretty fishing village on the Lizard Peninsula with whitewashed and thatched cottages overlooking a quaint beach. You can still catch sight of the local fishermen today as they land their haul of crab and lobster.

Charlestown
This little harbour has become one of the most famous and visited places in Cornwall. It is here that television dramas such as 'The Onedin Line' and 'Poldark' were partly filmed, and it is easy to see why. It is like stepping back in time with masted sailing vessels anchored alongside the quay. Alongside the harbour is the excellent visitor attraction the 'Shipwreck and Heritage Centre'.

Falmouth
Falmouth is a bustling town and one of the most interesting areas to visit. Situated in an area of deep water called the Carrick Roads this is the third largest natural harbour in the world, which is one of the main reasons why Falmouth has become a major centre for boating. Falmouth is also a centre for ship repairing and building and usually has several ships in the docks at any one time. On the other side of Pendennis Headland can be found the tourist area of the town with its beaches and hotels. Gyllyngvase is the main beach, though it is well worth a short drive, or even better a pleasant coastal walk, to discover the smaller sheltered beaches of Swanpool and Maenporth.

Fowey
Fowey's narrow streets wind down towards the Quay, offering a fine selection of shops, restaurants and historic pubs. And once at the Quay it is easy to understand why so many visitors sail into Fowey. The delightful natural harbour is amongst the prettiest in Cornwall with its views over to Polruan and across to 'Ferryside' at Bodinnick, once the home of Daphne du Maurier. From Bodinnick, the walk around Pont Pill Creek is very pleasant - ending up in Polruan where you can catch the passenger ferry back to Fowey.

Hayle
Hayle was a major industrial harbour in the 19th century from where tin was loaded on to ships having been brought by rail from the mines around Camborne and Redruth. Mine machinery such as Beam Engines were manufactured here at the foundry for use in the mines of Cornwall and around the world. Hayle boasts a fabulous stretch of golden sand, from Gwithian to Hayle Towans.

Helston
The biggest day of the year for Helston is without doubt 'Flora Day' held in the first week in May, when the town dresses up and performs the 'Flora' or 'Furry Dance'. A procession dances through the streets (and shops), the men in top hat and tails the ladies in period dresses. Helston is also famed for being the birthplace of Bob Fitzsimmons, the first British World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

Launceston
Launceston was the ancient capital of Cornwall until 1838 when power was transferred to Bodmin, and was the only walled town in Cornwall. High above the town and dominating the skyline is Launceston Castle built in the early years of the Norman Conquest, from where panoramic views of the surrounding countryside can be enjoyed.

Lizard
The most southerly village in England today serves mainly the tourist with its gift shops and cafes set amongst the old cottages. The area is known for its local serpantine stone which, when polished, makes for very attractive ornaments. A nearby church at Landewednack village is built from serpantine stone.

Looe
Where the two Looe rivers converge at the coast you will find the twin town of East and West Looe, linked only by the narrow road bridge. Built on either side of the estuary and set amongst tall wooded cliffs, Looe is Cornwall's second largest fishing port and is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. Stroll through the narrow network of East Looe's streets and you will come to the popular beach, protected from the river estuary by Banjo Pier.

Lostwithiel
Cornwall's ancient capital. From here you can explore the delightful countryside and enjoy fabulous river walks alongside the Fowey river. Restormel Castle is also nearby where panoramic views overlooking the Fowey valley can be enjoyed.

Mevagissey
Regarded as one of Cornwall's most picturesque fishing villages with it's inner and outer harbours, Mevagissey takes you back in time. The villarge is still a busy fishing community with a large fleet of trawlers and you can spend many lazy hours just watching as the fishermen land their catch on the quayside. The winding streets and lanes and quaint cottages clinging to the hillsides add to the charm of this picture postcard village.

Mousehole
A charming fishing village where the houses sit high above the harbour with its high walls offering a splendid bird's eye view of returning boats. Moushole is more famous these days for the spectacular Christmas Lights display across the harbour.

Mullion
Mullion village lies on the west side of the Lizard and is the largest village on the peninsula, while below is Mullion Cove a small fishing harbour with two piers. Nearby Poldhu was the site of the first transatlantic wireless transmition to Novia Scotia by the Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Station in 1901.

Newlyn
Cornwall's busiest and biggest fishing port with its bustling harbour, colourful characters and quaint fisherman's cottages has long been a favourite subject for artists over the years. Here you can watch a modern fishing port at work as not only local trawlers but vessels from all over the world arrive with their catch of the day. Newlyn is also world renowned for its Tidal Observatory situated at the end of the 15th century south pier, for it is from here that records are kept of mean sea levels, sea temperatures and climatic changes.

Newquay
This is Cornwall's largest resort, boasting 11 superb beaches of golden sand and an entertainment mix which caters for everone, young and old. Newquay is of course famous as the surfing capital of Cornwall - some say Europe - and if you want to watch how the experts do it then head to Fistral beach, the surfers' second home! But there is more to the town than just surf, in fact one of the most enduring holiday memories is to simply stroll along one of the many headlands or cliff tops at dusk and cast a gaze out to sea as the sun is setting.

Padstow
Padstow is a delightful town of slate houses and narrow winding streets, a town which thus far has not succumbed to the candy floss and chip shops of many tourist areas. This is a working port which overlooks the beautiful Camel estuary, in fact the harbour area is the main focal point. From here starts the delightful Camel Trail, an 18 mile tourist development following the old railway line inland to Wadebridge, and on to Bodmin and Wenfordbridge. Of course Padstow's fame has grown recently courtesy of the town's resident TV chef Rick Stein who owns the famous Seafood Restaurant. Padstow is also renowned for its 'Obby 'Oss feastival at the beginning of May which celebrates the coming of summer.

Penzance
Penzance has more than one identity; it's a port, a seaside resort and the main shopping town in this area of Cornwall. Here you can find a wide promenade with, at one end, an impressive open air sea-water swimming pool. You can travel to the Isles of Scilly from Penzance, either by sea on the Scillonian or by air on the British International helicopter.

Perranporth
3 miles of golden sands backed by sand dunes, dramatic rock formations, spectacular Atlantic rollers crashing against the shore, the sound of children playing, deckchars and surfboards, cafes and restaurants and a pub on the beach. This is what people come to Perranporth for, to have everything you could possibly need for a day on the beach close at hand. There are also slides, bouncy castles and trampolines for the youngsters right there on the beach! Perranporth is also home to one of the oldest and largest surf life saving clubs in the country, and was in fact featured on the TV series 999.

Polperro
Probably the most picturesque village in Cornwall. Nestling in a valley and gently meandering down to a secluded working harbour, Polperro is a must on anyone's itinery. Traffic is banned from the village so cars must be parked in the large car park at the top of the hill. It is a 15 minute walk to the harbour along the narrow main street. The paths around the cliffs offer stunning views and there is a lovely walk from here towards Talland Bay.

Porthleven
A pleasant harbour town, and renowned for it's boat building skills, the village and harbour date back to the early 1800's. Nearby Loe Bar is a great bank of flint and shingle, and behind is Loe Pool, a freshwater inlet which is fed by the River Cober. This area is of great geological importance with its abundance of protected wildlife.

St Agnes
This pleasant village was once an important centre for mining due to the superior quality of the tin from this area. One of the most photographed places in St.Agnes are the unique hillside sea captain's cottages of 'Stippy Stappy'. Take a walk down the winding lane to Trevaunance Cove and you will discover a delightful sandy beach.

St Austell
At the heart of the China Clay industry, St.Austell itself is a bustling town, a mix of narrow streets and modern shopping precinct. Nearby Carlyon Bay has a large, clean beach with full ameneties including cafe, toilets, gift shop, amusements and large car park.

St Ives
A town of distinct charm with its narrow, winding cobbled streets and picturesque harbour. St Ives is of course renowned for drawing artists to its shores from all over the world, to capture its unique atmosphere and take advantage of the clarity of light that is found here. There are numerous art galleries to be found throughout the maze of tiny streets, inluding the famed Tate Gallery which can be found oposite Porthmeor Beach. There are two large sheltered beaches at St Ives - Porthminster, preferred by families and Porthmeor with its surfing school.

St Mawes
Situated near the end of the Roseland Peninsula, St Mawes is a centre for yatching enthusiasts. This peaceful town is on the other side of the Carrick Roads to Falmouth and here you will find St Mawes Castle, the smaller twin to Falmouth's Pendennis Castle, both having been built by Henry VIII. There are regular passenger ferry services between St Mawes and Falmouth.

Tintagel
Tintagel is famous for its remains of the castle which sits high on the cliff edge and is reputed to have once been the home of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In the village itself is the curious and picturesque 14th century 'Old Post Office', where you can step back in time.

Truro
The City of Truro is the capital of Cornwall and also the county's main shopping centre, boasting most major high street stores alongside many local businesses. The Cathedral with it's three spires dominates the city centre with its three spires soaring high above the city skyline. For leisuretime Truro boasts two parks ,Victoria Gardens (close to the centre) and Boscawen Park (on the road to Malpas), riverside walks, boat trips to Falmouth and the theatre 'Hall For Cornwall' provides the best in live entertainment.