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Britain is one of the top European destinations for American travelers this summer.
And for travelers looking to get out of London and see a little more of Britain on their next trip, Cornwall is the destination for you.
Located at the southwestern tip of the United Kingdom, Cornwall is known for its beautiful and wild beaches, chic fishing villages, beautiful coastal walks and exceptional seafood.
Here’s why summer is the perfect time to visit Cornwall:
The beautiful beaches
As a British person, I’m willing to admit that I’m biased. But I think Britain is home to some of the best beaches in the world. I’m a Norfolk girl myself, but Cornwall’s beaches are regularly awarded status as the best in Britain.
There are more than 300 different beaches to choose from. Newquay is perhaps Cornwall’s most famous beach and is an excellent choice if you enjoy surfing, as it attracts surfers of all levels from all over the world.
Alternatively, Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula is small but perfectly formed. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall with its clear, turquoise water.
Adventure enthusiasts will love Port Gaverne, home to some of the best caving, climbing and wild swimming in Cornwall.
You can take a Cornish Coasteering tour here with Cornish Adventures which costs £50 ($63) for a 2.5 hour session.
And there’s good news for beach lovers this summer.
The beaches in Cornwall are notoriously crowded, especially when the sun is shining.
But one new report from Cornwall Live has found that tourism in Cornwall has hit a ten-year low this summer.
This means there’s never been a better time to visit if you want to beat the crowds!
A province full of picture postcard villages
Cornwall is such a picturesque, beautiful part of the world. And many of the postcard-perfect villages make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
As Cornwall is a popular residential destination and second home for London’s stylish crowd, this is reflected in its villages.
Some of the best villages to explore in Cornwall are Mousehole and Port Isaac.
Once described by Dylan Thomas as ‘the prettiest village in England’, Mousehole is full of quaint cottages and cobbled streets.
I love shopping in village shops as you can often find handmade or locally produced pieces that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
And Mousehole is a great place to enjoy this hobby. The cobbled streets are lined with art studios, pottery and locally produced crafts.
Cornwall is a foodie’s heaven
Some people visit Cornwall to get outside and enjoy some of the best beaches and green scenery that Britain has to offer.
But many people are just here for the food!
Cornwall is a foodie’s heaven. Several renowned celebrity chefs such as Rick Stein, Nathan Outlaw and Paul Ainsworth have restaurants here, and there are also a number of Michellin star restaurants in Port Issac and Padstow.
If you’re looking for something a little quieter, the local food scene is also impressive. The seafood is freshly caught and delicious. And you can’t go to Cornwall without trying a handmade Cornish Pasty!
If you can only eat in one restaurant in Cornwall, make it Four Boys in Rock. This is Gordon Ramsay’s favorite restaurant in Cornwall (so you know it’s going to be good!) and it has some of the best seafood. The mussels and cavatelli with wine butter sauce and the brown shrimp salad are both highly recommended!
Transport to Cornwall
It is worth noting that reaching Cornwall is not easy. The fastest train service takes 5 hours and 10 minutes to get from London to Cornwall, requiring three changes along the way.
The sooner you book your train tickets, the cheaper they are. Traveling on weekends is also cheaper than traveling during the week.
The cheapest return train ticket from London Paddington station to St Ives in Cornwall in August costs £129.29 ($163) when booked with Trainline.
Alternatively, consider renting a car and driving to Cornwall.
This is a great option if you want to explore as much of the province as possible in one trip, as many of the smaller beaches and villages are not serviced by public transport. Please note that you must drive on the left side of the road!
I love a good road trip, and stopping for sightseeing and snacks along the way is a big part of my vacation, but it’s worth noting that when you get off the highway, some of the narrow, winding country roads can be daunting , especially if you’re not used to it.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
