The best towns in Cornwall

Welcome to the beating heart of Cornwall. A place of history and legend. Of community and culture. And of cracking attractions like the action-packed Bodmin Jail and the fascinating Bodmin Keep. Modern and old-world charm meet at Bodmin and there’s a wealth of fab eating and drinking options around town to add to the fun. Spot the seven holy wells peppered around the streets and visit the famous beacon up on high too. Just steer clear of the Beast of Bodmin Moor who supposedly roams the nearby moorland. He could really spoil your day.

Cornwall’s rugged north coast is in equal parts stunning and dramatic. And all that beauty and drama is on show around Bude wherever land meets sea. But the town itself is far more tranquil, making it a hotspot for visitors over the summer and a haven for cool events like the Bude Jazz Festival during the other months. To be honest, Bude is great to visit at any time of year due to a plethora of ace attractions, beaches, pubs and eateries, plus a ton of history to soak up, from the English Civil War to modern maritime. It’s a Bude-iful town. A pun too far there?

Okay, okay, we know! Charlestown is not a town. Well, we thought we would sneak it into this list anyway because it’s got ‘town’ in its title. And it’s certainly worth a visit because it’s the movie star of Cornwall. The fishing village, barely a mile south of St Austell on the serene southern coast, has been featured in an array of mega movies and top TV shows over countless years. Check out the grade II listed Georgian harbour with its tall ships, period properties and traditional stone fishermen’s cottages. It’s from another time. Aaaaaand cut!

Stunning harbour? Check. Great seaside bars and restaurants? Check. Historical attractions like Pendennis Castle? Check. Good shopping and lots to do? Check and check. Umm, a university? It’s even got that. Falmouth is a town for all seasons without a doubt, painting a pretty picture whatever the weather. A vibrant community, breathtaking views across the Fal Estuary, places like Penryn on its doorstep and even the fascinating National Maritime Museum in the heart of town. Falmouth really does have it all. Can you tell we love this place yet?

Look at that picture. Heavenly, right? Well that’s Fowey, a little slice of paradise. This south coast town on the River Fowey comes with bucketloads of charm alongside its excellent dose of seafood restaurants and cute shops. It’s a great base for those heading out across the south coast or those who want to give sea fishing, kayaking and diving a go off the seafront. Also enjoy the awesome events that take place across town, including the Daphne Du Maurier Festival and the Fowey Regatta. Or just lose yourself in those pretty streets. Paradise.

Cornwall’s most underrated town. To many, Hayle is just some place on the way to St Ives. To us, though, it’s a damn fun town with tons going on. There are some great stretches of sands, tons of tin history, a few highly recommended pubs and eateries, decent shops, friendly residents and a few good walks around the outskirts to take in the area, as well as the pretty King George V Memorial Walk in the centre of town. Also visit the fab Paradise Park and JungleBarn on the edge. Yeah, don’t miss out on this vibrant hotspot. All hail the Hayle!

Heluvalot happenin’ in Helston. Remember that. Because some people are too eager to race past this awesome town on their way to Cornwall’s wild west region. But Helston provides a great base for anyone who wants to explore the far reaches of the Duchy, especially its countryside and beaches. This is a historic market town with the famous Flambards theme park and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary on its doorstep and plenty of historic gardens, pubs, restaurants and shops to discover along its roads, lanes, paths and alleyways. Helagood!

Few towns in the South West boast as much history as Launceston (pronounced ‘Lanson’ in case you didn’t know), an ancient Cornish market town slap bang on the Devon border that has its own famous Launceston Castle looking proudly over its streets and houses. This place, which was once the only walled town in Cornwall, is pretty buzzing when it comes to ace shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, plus there’s obviously much history all around. Also worth seeing is the Launceston Steam Railway if you choo-choose to explore Lanson.

Originally called Liscarret, Liskeard is a beautiful town. Just look at that viaduct above that lies on its edge. Historic and pretty, like this famous stannary town itself. And if Helston is a perfect base to explore the wild west then frankly Liskeard is an ideal base to get out and about in the rugged north and serene south regions, as well as the nearby windswept Bodmin Moor. Original Victorian shop fronts alongside its iconic Guildhall and Town Hall show off Liskeard‘s rich history and its top eateries, stores and attractions make this town a real winner.

Looe is a tale of two towns: east and west. Its east side is home to some fab shops, bars and pubs, as well as the fascinating Old Guildhall Museum and Gaol. And its west side has a ton of top accommodation options and a few recommended waterside eateries. Probably its best side, though, is its centre: that idyllic river that’s framed by the town’s sloping hills. It’s a great seaside destination with a load of amenities on offer alongside a bustling harbour with a steady flow of fishing boats coming in and out. Oh, and it has a funny name. If you’re 12 years old.

The city of Marazion is… oh, wait. It’s not a city. But it darn well could have been given such a grand status in 2021 when it went for it, despite only have just under 1,500 residents. But it wasn’t to be so, for now, this stunning place in Mount’s Bay, which is home to the famous St Michael’s Mount, is a town. But it’s a cracking one, full to brim with history as far back as the Romans and with an array of watersports and sailing options at its disposal and a vibrant art community that exhibits in the local galleries. Who needs city status, right?

We don’t need to introduce possibly Cornwall’s most famous town, do we? Well, for anyone who’s never heard of a Fistral or a Boardmasters, Newquay is the surfing capital of, well, we say Europe. Incredible waves, beautiful beaches and a nightlife to match make this town a pilgrimage for thousands every summer (and during many other months too thanks to the vibrant nature of this north coast haven). But it’s not impossible to have a relaxing time in Newquay as plenty of its streets, eateries and shops have a tranquil air even when the rest of town is absolutely buzzing.

Seafood, anyone? Yes, Padstow and seafood go together like a Rick and a Stein. Some of the best fish restaurants in the South West line these pretty streets. But of course there’s way more to this north coast town than just incredible eating and the celebrity chef’s hotly debated legacy. The colourful harbour here is lined with old fisherman’s cottages and deserves serious wandering ahead of a trip to the fantastic local beaches, a browse in one of the local boutique shops or a walk across the lush surrounding countryside. It’s Padstow. Not Padstein.

Pirates, anyone? Ha, no, we’re not going down that plank. Penzance is about as much about pirates these days as Land’s End (which is just round the corner from this bustling town) is about new beginnings. No, this historic market town is about, well, here’s a list: great restaurants, awesome bars, ace attractions, the famous St Michael’s Mount out there in the bay, Penlee House Gallery, plenty of art history including the Newlyn School, coastal walks, fun attractions, tin heritage and beaches. There. Don’t say we don’t do lists well, you scurvy dogs!

Perranporth is Newquay‘s much calmer little sister. But she does love the sea as much as her bigger sibling, who is just eight miles up the north coast. Set back from the frankly gorgeous Perranporth Beach, the town is packed to the rafters with gift shops, surf stores, eateries and even a pub on the actual sands. It’s also rich with history as it’s named after Cornwall’s patron saint, St Piran, who, it’s claimed, washed up on the pretty beach after crossing the sea from Ireland. And it was a major inspiration in the ‘Poldark’ novels. So, calmer than Newquay but no less freakin’ awesome.

Want to watch a storm batter a Cornish town? Head to Porthleven when the winds are at their roughest then and you’ll see that famous harbour that’s pictured above being bombarded with nature’s fury. But of course, most of the time the most southerly port in Britain is not a storm-watcher’s paradise. It’s just a beautiful town with bags of charm and some great arty shops, places to chow down and watering holes, not to mention the top nearby beaches like Porthleven Beach itself. Charming and vibrant, it’s well worth a visit. It goes down a storm.

Cornwall’s rich mining history is sewn into the fabric of its hills and its dales, its streets and its houses. But few places in the Duchy wear their mining heritage on their sleeve like Redruth. This town, connected directly to its next-door neighbours of Pool and Camborne, dates back to the 12th century and got rich through tin and copper back in the day. The grand Victorian architecture around town testament to this wealth. Explore these buildings and then enjoy the regular markets in town, the great pubs and the top shops. Paint this town red, in fact.

One of our favourite towns in Cornwall, without a shadow of a doubt. Firstly, this is down to beer as the world-famous St Austell Brewery is here. And then it’s down to its superior range of dining and drinking options, from Indian restaurants to chic bars. Thirdly, it’s down to all the events and activities across town both in season and out. Fourthly, we love the ‘Cornish Alps’ china clay spoils that frame the town. And lastly, it’s St Austell‘s proximity to some superb attractions that gets our nod, be it the epic Eden Project that’s just out of town, Cornwall Football Golf or Pinetum Gardens. Proper job!

As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven paintings and they’d all been to the Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden and many of the other superb galleries across town. They’d all lapped up the artistic vibe of the place and they’d all soaked up the beautiful fishing harbour, wandered the cobbled streets, stretched out on the fine sands on beaches like Porthmeor Beach and all had some cocktails in the chic bars across town. So, as the old rhyme goes, how many were going to St Ives? Well, who cares, as long as they all had a damn good time. Which they did.

Truro is unique. Not only is it Cornwall’s only city, it’s the UK’s most southerly. And, in some respects, it really is head and shoulders above any other town or village in the Duchy. That’s probably achieved by Truro Cathedral, an architectural delight that can be seen from all over the city. But there’s also a rich stream of dining and drinking options, some top hotels, plenty of shops, a vibrant market and walks that head out to the countryside or wind along the streets and river. Truro is unique all right. You can’t miss it.

Wadebridge. Even the name of this town conjures up visions of a quaint destination. Well, it is this but Wadebridge is also pretty hip and happening with plenty of events all year round and some great modern restaurants and pubs to check out in its centre. It’s also steeped in history but you can find out all about that at its Wadebridge and District Museum or even at the Royal Cornwall Show when it rocks up to the showground on the edge of town every June. Yeah, there’s plenty happening in Wadebridge, one of Cornwall’s most charming towns.