Must-see attractions in North Cornwall

  • King Edward Mine

    North Cornwall

    If you're into mining heritage, this historic mine is a must-see. It's changed little over the last hundred years, largely because it was used as a…

  • National Lobster Hatchery

    North Cornwall

    In an effort to combat falling lobster stocks, this harbourside hatchery rears baby lobsters in tanks before returning them to the wild. Displays detail…

  • Bude Castle

    The Atlantic Highway

    Housed in a peculiar folly behind Summerleaze beach, Bude Castle was built by local inventor Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, whose creations included theatrical…

  • Mother Ivey's Bay

    North Cornwall

    Backed by a large caravan park and accessed from the coast path, this small beach is a little off the beaten track, and mainly used by campers and…

  • Doc Martin's House

    The Atlantic Highway

    Properly known as Fern Cottage, this stone building sits in a fine spot above the harbour, and was used as Doc Martin's house throughout the eponymous TV…

  • Port Gaverne

    The Atlantic Highway

    Down a little hill to the east of Port Isaac, this tiny inlet was once used as a port for exporting slate from the nearby quarry at Delabole. Nowadays it…

  • Camel Creek

    North Cornwall

    Formerly known as Cornwall's Crealy Adventure Park, this kid-friendly theme park offers attractions including a '5D' Simulator, a Viking ship, Pet's…

  • Crooklets

    The Atlantic Highway

    Slightly to the north of the town centre, this is a busy town beach backed by a huge car park. It's popular with families, beach bums and surfers alike,…

  • Old Post Office

    The Atlantic Highway

    This is one of the best-preserved examples of a traditional 16th-century Cornish longhouse, topped by pepper-pot chimneys and a higgledy-piggledy roof,…

  • Newquay Zoo

    North Cornwall

    Newquay's pint-sized zoo isn't a world-beater, but its population of penguins, lemurs, parrots and snakes will keep the kids happy. The Tropical House and…

  • St Enodoc Church

    North Cornwall

    Up on the dunes above Daymer Bay so adored by John Betjeman, this seaside chapel is where the poet was buried on a drizzly Cornish day in May 1984. It…

  • Summerleaze

    The Atlantic Highway

    Bude's main family beach is a classic bucket-and-spade affair, with its proximity to town ensuring it's awash with windbreaks in summer. It's also home to…

  • St Materiana

    The Atlantic Highway

    In a windblown spot above Glebe Cliff, this tiny church dates from Norman times, although it's thought there may have been a holy building here since the…

  • Porth

    North Cornwall

    Porth is a popular family beach 1.5 miles northeast of the town centre. Long and narrow, it's ideal for building sandcastles and sheltering behind the…

  • Screech Owl Sanctuary

    North Cornwall

    Every type of owl you could wish to see – from giant eagle to snowy – plus a few emus, meerkats and ponies. It's 11 miles from Newquay; look out for signs…

  • Blue Reef Aquarium

    North Cornwall

    A small aquarium on Towan beach, with touch pools and various deep-sea denizens, including reef sharks, loggerhead turtles and a giant Pacific octopus…

  • Trevone

    North Cornwall

    The nearest beach to Padstow is this small bay sheltered from the wind by Roundhole Point. It's a good place for swimming, and has a lifeguard in summer.

  • Dairyland Farm World

    North Cornwall

    If the idea of petting a cow seems impossibly exotic, this down-on-the-farm theme park will be right up your country track. It's all about enjoying the…