Your Higher Trewithen Guide to what to do in Cornwall on your holidays.
Here at Higher Trewithen, we feel incredibly blessed to be living and working in Cornwall. The county is well known for its stunning coastline and, of course, the ubiquitous pasties and cream teas.
But there’s a lot more to Cornwall than just sand and clotted cream! Here’s the Higher Trewithen Guide to Visiting Cornwall.
Stithians lake in the autumn sunshine
Stithians, Truro and the surrounding area.
Stithians, Cornwall is the home of Higher Trewithen Holiday Cottages. It is a beautiful countryside location, a stone’s throw from The Stithians Showground which hosts some great Cornish events like the Stithians Show and The Cornwall Truck Gathering.
Stithians also has an outstanding lake, the largest inland water in West Cornwall.The lake is situated in Cornwall’s iconic mining landscape and boasts facilities for wildlife fanatics, paddle boarding, kayaking, trout fishing, and more. There is a 5-mile circular walk around the lake and a delicious café for when you need a feed.
Stithians has a Costcutter (approximately two miles from Higher Trewithen), which has shopping essentials and a cashpoint.
There are several local organic food providers and farm shops to explore, many of which are listed here.
Most of the larger supermarkets also offer delivery to Higher Trewithen, including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Tesco.
Cornwall’s North Coast
Cornwall’s North Coast is within easy reach of Higher Trewithen and offers rugged beauty, excellent surf and endless beaches to explore and enjoy.
There are also some brilliant tourist attractions within easy reach. Here are some of our recommendations for your stay:
Tehidy Country Park is a beautiful place to enjoy walks, picnics and stunning scenery. You can combine a visit here with a coastal walk from nearby Portreath and take in stunning clifftop views from the North Car Park entrance.
A family walk with our dog, Bowen, at sunset on Gwithian Townas beach.
Gwithian Towans Beach is possibly one of the best beaches in Cornwall. Linking across miles of sandy beach to Godrevy, this is a favourite place for surfers. Families will enjoy the rockpools at Gwithian, and nature lovers will relish spotting guillemots, cormorants and razorbills, nesting in the cliffs.
Hayle Towans Beach links with several others, including Porth Kidney and Mexico Towans Beach. This stretch of sand offers plenty of space to find some peace and quiet on the golden sand. Hayle Estuary is also a wildlife haven, and nearby Paradise Park is a great visit for a (rainy) family day out.
St Ives is one of Cornwall’s most famous spots, and it is easy to see why; cobbled streets offer up delightful shops and places to eat, and the harbour is a picturesque as can be. It can get very busy in the height of summer. We recommend getting a train from St Erth station, which will take you right into the heart of St Ives, without any parking worries!
North Coast Beaches
Further West, there are several great beaches as you head towards Newquay. Some of our favourites include St Agnes (Trevaunance Cove), Crantock and Watergate Bay. You can easily spend several days driving along the North Coast and dipping into different beaches and coves. It is what Cornwall does best!
The King Edward Mine Museum is a must-visit for those wishing to uncover the history behind Cornwall’s Poldark heritage. The museum is a hub for the Cornish World Heritage area and allows you to step back in time to explore Cornwall’s mining history.
Cornwall’s South Coast
The South Coast offers an entirely different Cornwall to the rugged North Coast Cliffs.
More sheltered, there are some fantastic bays for swimming and exploring, as well as some lovely places to visit:
Falmouth offers an array of excellent beaches, including Gilly Beach and Swanpool Beach. Both are great for watersports and swimming, with Gilly boasting a number of restaurants and hire shops. Falmouth itself is a wonderful place to enjoy and explore. Take a ferry to St Mawes, spend a rainy day in the Maritime Museum, stroll along the bustling high street, and grab a pasty!
Durgan Beach is a National Trust Treasure and an off-the-beaten-path place that offers quiet, dog-friendly, shingle beaches. The beaches are a trek from the car park, but well worth the effort.
The Helford River is an area of outstanding beauty. Helford River Cruises offer a great way to explore the area by boat and get the most out of your visit.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a must-visit for any animal lover or family. Located in the picturesque village of Gweek, it is a beautiful area to explore.
The Minack Theatre is perhaps one of Cornwall’s most special places. An outdoor theatre built into the cliffs, it overlooks Porthcurno Beach. Visits must be booked ahead of time, but it is well worth getting tickets for a show there if you can.
Cornish Classics
A trip to Cornwall wouldn’t be complete without a visit to at least one of these:
The Eden Project is an awesome place to visit. A former clay mining pit, the site has been transformed to house two massive biomes; one a rainforest, the other a Mediterranean garden. The site is dog friendly (outside of the biomes and indoor areas) and often has special events for families to enjoy.
Land’s End is Britain’s most south-westerly point and one of the UK’s most famous landmarks. The visitor centre is quite touristy, but there is a beautiful walk along the clifftops.
St. Micheals Mount is a castle built on a tidal island in Marazion. There is a causeway that you can cross at low tide or a boat that will take you across at high. A National Trust location, it is a wonderful day out but does have some tricky terrain for little ones or tired legs.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a stunning place to explore and enjoy. Forgotten until 1990, the walled gardens and surrounding grounds are dog friendly and simply beautiful, offering something new to uncover at different times of the year.
Tintagel Castle is the seat of the legendary King Arthur; located in the North East of Cornwall, it is possibly one to do en route to us or on your way home, but is well worth the drive!
We are on-hand to offer more recommendations during your stay with us too. Just ask away; we’d be happy to chat!
