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Landscapes & Heritage In Cornwall

English Heritage exists to protect and promote England's spectacular historic properties and sites and there are around 20 English Heritage sites and properties in Cornwall. To find them all, visit the English Heritage site and search for Cornwall

Below we have listed some of the sites that are protected by the National Trust, English Heritage or are a specific Conservation village like Polperro. The list is not exhaustive and the whole of Cornwall of course has some of the most fantastic landscape in the whole of the British Isles and literally oozes with heritage.

Lands End Cornwall

If you are exploring Cornwall, you should visit some or all of the sites listed but really you should visit all of Cornwall and take a few years to do it, maybe a lifetime. Holiday Cottages Cornwall can offer you fantastic accommodation nearby to wherever you decide to base yourself, with new cottages joining all the time.

Chysauster Ancient Village Gulval, Penzance	This Celtic settlement was originally occupied almost 2,000 years ago. The 'village' consisted of eight stone-walled homesteads known as 'courtyard houses', which are only found on the Land's End peninsula and the Isles of Scilly. Each house had an open central courtyard surrounded by a number of thatched rooms. The houses form one of the oldest village streets in the country.
Pendennis Castle Pendennis Head, Falmouth	Pendennis and its sister, St Mawes Castle, face each other across the mouth of the River Fal. Constructed between 1540-45, they are the Cornish end of a chain of castles built by Henry VIII on the south coast. In 1598, during Elizabeth I's reign, a new type of defensive wall was added around the original fort. Strengthened again prior to the Civil War, Pendennis was host to the future Charles II in 1646. It was re-armed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeing action during World War II. Visit the World War II Half Moon Battery, the Guardhouse, the Discovery Centre and the underground tunnels.
St Mawes Castle St Mawes	This, the most perfectly preserved of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses, was built to counter the invasion threat from Europe in partnership with its twin, Pendennis, on the other side of the Fal Estuary. It fell to landward attack from Parliamentarian forces in 1646 and was not properly refortified until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Boscastle Boscastle	Boscastle is a charming medieval harbour with much of the land in and around Boscastle owned by the National Trust. Now well known as a result of the recent floods, Boscastle is well worth a visit to see dramatic coastline, sheltered valleys and ancient woodland and it is internationally renowned for its wildlife and geology. Forrabury Stitches, high above the village is divided into ancient 'stitchmeal' cultivation plots, and there are large areas of woodland and meadow in the lovely Valency Valley.
Penrose Estate Helston	At the heart of the Penrose Estate lies Loe Pool, Cornwall's largest freshwater lake that meets the sea at the dramatic shingle bank of Loe Bar. Surrounding the Pool is a mix of rich farmland and woodland through which there are many paths, including the 5-mile circuit of the Pool itself. Wildlife is in abundance here, including many birds and mammals including notable species such as the otter. At Gunwalloe, two sandy coves lie either side of the 14th-century church (not NT) and the valley reed bed provides a haven for bird life.
St Michael’s Mount Marazion	St Michael’s Mount is a rocky island with a medieval church and castle on it’s summit. Accessible on foot at low tide across a causeway, at other times it is reached by a short evocative boat trip. The oldest surviving buildings date from the 12th century, when a Benedictine priory was founded here. Following the English Civil War, the island was acquired by the St Aubyn family, who still live in the castle. In the intervening years many additions and alterations were made to convert it for use as a mansion house. Fascinating rooms from different eras include the mid-18th-century Gothick-style Blue Drawing Room. St Michael’s Mount was the film location for Orsino's castle in 'Twelfth Night'
Restormel Castle Lostwithiel	Surrounded by a deep moat and perched on a high mound, the huge circular keep of this castle, built at the turn of the 14th century, survives in good condition. Built as a symbol of wealth and status and once home to Edward, the Black Prince, it offers splendid views over the surrounding countryside. It's also a marvellous picnic spot.
Tintagel Castle Tintagel	With its spectacular location on one of England's most dramatic coastlines, Tintagel is an awe-inspiring and romantic spot. It is also a place of legends. The remains of the medieval castle represent only one phase in a long history of occupation. Even before Richard, Earl of Cornwall, built his castle, Tintagel had come to be associated with the conception of King Arthur. After a period as a Roman settlement and military outpost, Tintagel is thought to have been a trading settlement of Celtic kings during the 5th and 6th centuries. The remains of the 13th-century castle are breathtaking.
The Goldolphin Estate Goldolphin Cross, Helston	The Goldolphin Estate is Historic landscape offering extensive walks and wonderful views over west Cornwall from Godolphin Hill. The National Trust acquired this ancient 555 acre estate in 2000 and have made and are making; improvements to public access. From Godolphin Hill there are wonderful views over west Cornwall. There are more than 400 recorded archaeological features which range from Bronze Age enclosures to dramatic 19th-century mine buildings.
Land's End Lands End	The dramatic scenery of Land’s End combined with an extensive visitor centre and range of attractions ensure a great day out for all the family. There are magnificent cliffs, seabirds and wild flowers so see and over 20 separate shops, cafes and attractions to visit.
Polperro Polperro	Polperro is a 13th century Conservation fishing village situated on the south east coast of Cornwall. Unspoilt by progress, there are countless historic houses and buildings of interest in the village. Couch's House for example dates from 1595 and in the 19th century was lived in by Dr. Jonathan Couch, physician, naturalist and collector of fossils. Visit the Polperro Heritage Museum (pictured) which is open every day from March to October and packed with interesting artefacts and displays of the life and customs of Polperro through the centuries.
Launceston Castle Launceston	Launceston Castle is set on the high motte of a stronghold built soon after the Norman Conquest. It was famously used as a jail for George Fox during the reign of Charles II. As the venue for the county assizes and jail, the castle witnessed the trials and hangings of numerous criminals. The last execution was in 1821. A hands-on display at the castle traces 1,000 years of history, with finds from site excavations.
St Breock Downs Monolith St Breock Downs, Wadebridge	A prehistoric standing stone, originally 5 metres (16 ft) high and weighing some 16.75 tonnes, this is Cornwall's heaviest. The stone is set in beautiful countryside.
Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps Bedruthan, Wadebridge	This is one of the most popular destinations on the Cornish coast because of the dramatic coastline with clifftop views over massive rock stacks stretching into the distance across the sweep of Bedruthan beach. There are magnificent walks along the coast path between Carnewas and Park Head. The National Trust has rebuilt the cliff staircase down to the beach, but it is unsafe to bathe at any time and visitors need to be aware of the risk of being cut off by the tide.
Godrevy Gwythian, Hayle	The National Trust owns all the coastline from Godrevy to Navax Point. Fantastic for walking, you can enjoy the cliffs, smugglers coves and long sandy beaches. The main beach below the summer car park connects to Gwithian Beach, forming an impressive sweep of unbroken sand around the edge of St Ives bay. Away from the bustle of the beach the coastal grasslands and heathland are rich with wild flowers and provide open access for miles of walking. Seals are a common sight and guillemot, razorbill, fulmar and cormorant breed on the cliffs
The Lizard & Kynance Cove Lizard	The Lizard is the most southerly point of mainland Britain and the turning point of one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The coastline on either side offers dramatic cliff walks, masses of rare wild flowers and fascinating geological features. The area played a key role in the history of modern communications. And you can visit the Lizard Wireless Station and the Marconi Centre at Poldhu. Two miles north of Lizard Point lies Kynance Cove - white sand, turquoise water and islands of multi-coloured serpentine rock with stacks and arches hidden amongst the towering cliffs.
St Anthony Head St Mawes, Falmouth	At the southernmost tip of the Roseland peninsula, St Anthony Head overlooks the spectacular entrance to one of the world's largest natural harbours - Carrick Roads and the Fal estuary. The starting point for a number of excellent coastal and sheltered creekside walks, the Head also bears newly revealed remains of a century of defensive fortifications.
Tintagel Old Post Office Tintagel	One of the Trust's most delightful medieval buildings, enhanced by a cottage garden. Tintagel Old Post Office is a 600 year-old traditional Cornish Longhouse set in enchanting cottage gardens. A rare survival of Cornish domestic architecture of its time, this diminutive 14th-century yeoman farm house is well furnished with local oak pieces, some dating to 16^th Century. One room was used in the 19th century as the letter-receiving office for the district and is now restored to show how it looked and functioned in Victorian times.
Truro Cathedral Truro	Truro Cathedral was completed in 1880 and Edward White Benson was the first Bishop of Truro until 1883 when he became the Archbishop of Canterbury. A Bill establishing the Diocese of Truro was passed by Parliament in 1876. Cornwall had its own Bishop at St Germans, near Saltash, until the towards the end of the 10th Century after which the Cornish Diocese was then held jointly with Devon at which point the Cornish Diocese ceased to be a separate entity. It took over 800 for the Cornish Diocese to be re-established at Truro. The Diocese of Truro covers the whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and the site chosen in Truro was where the Parish Church of St Mary’s stood.
King Doniert’s Stone St Cleer, Liskeard	Situated on Bodmin Moor, near St Cleer, is King Doniert’s Stone, the remains of a Cornish Cross Two decorated pieces of a 9th-century cross, with a Latin inscription "Doniert Rogavit pro anima" meaning "Doniert asks for prayers for his soul." This is a monument to King Doniert who drowned in the River Fower in the 9^th century.

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