Things to do in Cornwall
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Adventure Sports
For those after even more thrills and spills, there are several multi-activity providers in and around Newquay specialising in outdoor sports, from kitebuggying and paddle surfing to the latest Cornish craze, coasteering (pitched somewhere between rock-climbing, scrambling and wild swimming). On Lusty Glaze try Adventure Centre, while on Holywell Bay see EboAdventure.
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Archie Brown's
Penzance's wholefood original comes to the big city.
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Bakehouse
This funky double-floored diner is tucked down an alley just down the street from the Chapel Street Brasserie. Seafood-lovers and veggies are both catered for, but it's the carnivores who do best: copious steak choices are partnered with your choice of sauce or spicy rub.
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Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
Barbara Hepworth (1903–75) was one of the leading abstract sculptors of the 20th century, and a key figure in the St Ives art scene; fittingly, her former studio has been transformed into a moving archive and museum. The studio itself has remained almost untouched since her death in a fire, and the adjoining garden contains some of her most famous sculptures. A joint ticket for Tate St Ives can be purchased for adult/child £8.75/4.50. Hepworth's work is scattered throughout St Ives; look for her sculptures outside the Guildhall and inside the 15th-century parish church of St Ia.
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Beaches
The largest town beaches are Porthmeor and Porthminster, but the tiny cove of Porthgwidden is also popular. Nearby, on a tiny peninsula of land known locally as the Island, sits the pre-14th–century Chapel of St Nicholas. Carbis Bay, to the southeast, is popular with families and sun seekers.
On the opposite side of the bay from St Ives, the receding tide reveals over 3 miles of golden beach at Gwithian and Godrevy Towans, both popular spots for kiteboarders and surfers. The lighthouse just offshore at Godrevy was the inspiration for Virginia Woolf's classic stream-of-consciousness novel To the Lighthouse.
Gwithian boasts some of the best beach breaks in Cornwall. The …
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Beaches
Falmouth has three main beaches. The nearest beach to town is busy Gyllyngvase, a short walk from the town centre, where you'll find plenty of flat sand and a decent beach cafe. Further around the headland, Swanpool and Maenporth are usually quieter. The regular Bus 500 from Falmouth stops at all three.
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Beaches
Newquay is set amid some of the finest beaches on the North Coast. Fistral, west of Towan Head, is England's best-known surfing beach and the venue for the annual Boardmasters surfing festival. Below town are Great Western and Towan; a little further up the coast you'll find Tolcarne, Lusty Glaze, Porth and Watergate Bay. All these beaches are good for swimming and supervised by lifeguards in summer.
The stately rock towers of Bedruthan Steps, are a few miles further east towards Padstow; Crantock lies 3 miles to the southwest. Further west again is family-friendly Holywell Bay.
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Beach Hut
If you can't get a table at Fifteen, head downstairs to the by-the-sand bistro at the Watergate Bay Hotel. It's similarly beachy in feel, and the menu's classic surf 'n' turf: fish curries, 'extreme' burgers and a different fresh fish dish every day.
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Boat Trips
Boats heading out on sea-fishing trips and cruises to the grey seal colony on Seal Island , include those of theSt Ives Pleasure Boat Association.
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Boat Trips
Passenger ferries make the harbour-mouth dash across to St Mawes and Flushing every hour in summer. For a longer trip, several operators run from the Prince of Wales Pier or Customs House Quay along the Fal River, making stops at National Trust–owned Trelissick Gardens, the 500-year-old Smuggler's Cottage pub and Truro. Try Enterprise Boats or Newman's Cruises.
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Boat Trips
Various boat-trips set out from Buller Quay for destinations including Polperro (£19) and Fowey (£12). Check the signs on the quay for sailings, then leave your contact details in one of the books alongside.
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Bustopher's
This longstanding Truro bistro has benefited greatly from a contemporary refit. The food is mainly British bistro standards (steaks, fish, salads) delivered simply and efficiently, and the cosy candles and wood panelling give things an intimate ambience.
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Chapel Street Brasserie
Formerly Bar Coco's, this well-groomed Gallic bistro makes the perfect place for a hearty plate of French food, from steaming bowls of mussels to rich cassoulet. The 2-course prix fixe menu is super value at £12.50, and it's served at lunch and supper.
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Chy
Chrome, wood and leather dominate this stylish cafe and bar overlooking Towan Beach. The patio is perfect for a gourmet breakfast or lunchtime salad, or pitch up late when the DJs take to the decks and the beers start to flow.
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Cove
It's a trek down to Maen- porth, but you'll be more than happy you made the effort. This gorgeous and much garlanded modern fine diner has earned a big reputation thanks to the creative talents of head man Arty Williams, who imparts his own individual spin on contemporary Brit cuisine. The pièce de la resistance is the glorious beach-view deck: reserve well ahead.
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Crow Rooms
The old Isobar has gone under and come up again as this grungy rehearsal space and gig venue – check the website for forthcoming events.
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Dwelling House
Top spot for tea (20-plus varieties) and dainty cupcakes (prettily decorated with sprinkles, icing swirls and lavender sprigs, and served on their own cake stand).
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Exchange
Housed in Penzance's old telecoms building, this is the sister gallery to the Newlyn Art Gallery. The pulsating light installation outside is by the artist Peter Freeman, and is best seen after dark.
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Fifteen Cornwall
Jamie Oliver's social enterprise restaurant opened on Watergate Bay back in 2006, and it's proved enormously popular. Underprivileged youngsters learn their trade in the kitchen preparing Oliver's trademark zesty, Italian-influenced food, while diners soak up the beach views and the buzzy, beachy vibe. It's a red-hot ticket: bookings essential.
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French Bistro
Ooh la la – Karen Cairns' opulent eatery has brought a flash of French sophistication to Truro, and it's a lovely place to tuck into classic casseroles, coq au vin and oeuf cocottes. The jumble shop decor just adds to the charm. Wine is bring-your-own; corkage is £3.
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Glendurgan
Next door to Trebah, this garden was established in the 18th century by the wealthy Fox family, who imported exotic plants from the New World. Look out for the stunning views of the River Helford, the 19th-century maze and the secluded beach near Durgan village. The garden is also open on Mondays in July and August.
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Halzephron Inn
Hugger-mugger inn balanced on the cliffs above Gunwalloe. Forget fancy furnishings and designer food – this is a proper old Cornish local, full of old-time charm, with proper ales, filling food and a homely atmosphere.
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Harbour Lights
Falmouth's longstanding chippie is considerably cheaper than the Stein equivalent.
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Helston & Porthleven
The Lizard's main town is Helston, which is famous for its annual street party, Flora Day, held on 8 May. This ancient festival is a mix of street dance, musical parade and floral pageant: the two main events are the Hal-An-Tow, in which St Michael and the devil do battle, and the Furry Dance, which kicks off at noon and proceeds around the town's streets.
Three miles southwest of Helston is Porthleven, a former fishing port with a burgeoning foodie scene, epitomised by the bustling Wednesday morning market and the Porthleven Food Festival.
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Heron
Two miles along the river estuary from Truro, this Malpas pub is an idyllic place for a riverside pint.
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