The Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary for Cornwall

A whole week in Cornwall lets you slow down and explore more. From windswept clifftops to subtropical gardens and foodie hot spots to surf-soaked beaches. With Trevornick Holiday Park as your base on the north coast near Newquay, you’re never far from anywhere in the county and with so much to see and do, you’re perfectly positioned to see and do it all.

Here’s our laid-back, memory-stuffed plan for spending seven glorious Cornish days.

Day One: Ease in at Holywell Bay & Newquay

Morning: It’s beach time! Wander straight from Trevornick through the marram-topped sand dunes to beautiful Holywell Bay Beach. Paddle, bodyboard, build sandcastles or simply curl up with a good book on the soft sand to soak in the sunshine.

Lunch: After a morning spent on the beach, head to Holywell Bay Beach Bar for lunch in their beer garden that’s just meters from the beach. Tuck into delicious burgers, pizzas, nachos or loaded jacket potatoes.

Afternoon: Switch Holywell Bay Beach for world famous Fistral Beach. Watch surfers ride the waves or have a go yourself. If surfing isn’t for you, browse the boutique shops and order a cocktail from one of the bars overlooking the sea.

Evening: Stay at Fistral Beach for a pizza and cider at The Stable or enjoy seafood at The Fish House. Either stay here for sunset or head back to Holywell Bay but either way, sunset is always quite the show.

 

Day Two: Padstow, Pasties & the Camel Trail

Early Morning: Beat the crowds into Padstow’s harbour and wake up with a harbour-side breakfast at Pucelli’s (the Eggs Benedict is so good). Start your day here watching the boats get ready and set sail for the day ahead. It’s such a peaceful time to enjoy Padstow.

Late morning: Grab a still-warm pasty from the Chough Bakery and stroll the estuary to Hawker’s Cove or hire bikes and cruise the car-free Camel Trail to Wadebridge – flat, family-friendly and fringed with wildflowers.

Afternoon: Book a sea-safari to spot dolphins and seals or hop on the ferry to Rock for a spectacular beach walk.

 Dinner: Choose between Rick Stein’s flagship Seafood Restaurant or Paul Ainsworth’s Caffè Rojano; if you fancy small plates, Prawn on the Lawn is tiny but mighty.

 

 

Day Three: St Michael’s Mount & St Ives

Morning: Set the sat nav for National Trust’s St Michael’s Mount. Drive south (70 min) to Marazion, time your arrival for low tide and walk across the ancient cobbled causeway to St Michael’s Mount. Or, if the tide’s in, hop on the quick shuttle speed boat (it’s really good fun). Explore the incredible castle turrets and sub-tropical terraces with stunning views across Mount’s Bay.

Lunch: Refuel with lunch at the Island Café before the return crossing.

Afternoon: It has to be a trip to St. Ives! Leave the car at St Erth and catch the train in. Wander boutique-lined streets or head to one of St. Ives turquoise beaches to simply relax in the sun or if art is more your thing, browse the Tate St Ives.

Dinner: Book a booth at beach-front Porthmeor Café for tapas as the sunsets into the sea.

 

Day Four: Falmouth, Helford & Subtropical Gardens

Morning: Head to maritime town Falmouth (55 min drive). Kids (and big kids) will love hands-on exhibits at National Maritime Museum Cornwall, right on the harbour. This is such a fun way to spend the morning. Please check their website for the latest exhibit.

Lunch: Pick up a pasty and dangle your legs over the sea wall watching the boats come and go or make the most of Falmouth’s vibrant cafe culture and enjoy a leisurely lunch before picking up the pace to browse the many boutique shops.

Afternoon: Follow the creek-laced road to Trebah Garden – 26 acres of giant gunnera, bamboo tunnels and a private beach lapped by crystal-clear water. Hop on the pedestrian ferry across the Helford River for a pint at the thatched Shipwrights Arms before returning to Trevornick.

Evening: Head back to Trevornick to make the most of the onsite facilities. Grab a takeaway or street food before heading out to the evening entertainment or relax with food at Woody’s and watch the sun set behind Gull Rocks Beach.

 

Day Five: Porthcurno, Minack Theatre & Land’s End

Morning: Drive the dramatic coast road to Porthcurno. Sink into powder-soft sand backed by towering granite – it’s often mistaken for the beaches of the Caribbean because the water is so blue. It’s so beautiful here, you’ll want to spend a-while so pack a picnic and make a day of it.

Late Afternoon: Climb the steps to the cliff-carved Minack Theatre. Take a tour to learn how it was handmade by Rowena Cade. Or, if you have time, book and stay for a show – it’s a breathtaking spot to watch a performance.

Evening: Head to Land’s End –  mainland Britain’s most south-westerly tip. Take a photo of you next to  the famous signpost, walk the cliff-top to take in the views and enjoy a drink at Land’s End Hotel before hitting the road to return to Trevornick.

 

Day Six: Legends & Moorland: Tintagel Castle & Bodmin Jail

Morning: Let King Arthur guide you around legendary Tintagel Castle – cross the dramatic footbridge (it’s quite the bridge) to medieval ruins and Merlin’s Cave. This can be a busy spot, so set off early.

Lunch: Pop into Boscastle for lunch in one of their historic pubs! Just watch out for any witchy going-ons.

Afternoon: Swap myths and legends and for an afternoon of historic prison life with a visit to Bodmin Jail. This family friendly activity uses 4D technology to plunge you into 18th century prison life and it is so much fun! Just don’t forget your get out of jail card!

 Evening: On the return leg, pause at Jamaica Inn for a smuggler’s-tale supper, or head straight back for Trevornick’s on-park entertainment.

 

 

Day Seven: Chill, Surf & Farewell Feasts

After six adventure-packed days, keep the finale slow paced…

• Sleep-in & spa – book a treatment at Trevornick’s Tranquillity Spa or enjoy a game of mini golf at onsite  Holywell Bay Golf
• Beach time – make the most of being so close to the beach with one last beach day – you could even book the kids into surf lessons!
• Go for a swim – spend the day lounging around the outdoor heated pool at Trevornick whilst the kids burn off some energy ahead of the car journey home.
• Newquay – pop into Newquay to pick up some souvenirs. Whether that’s clotted cream fudge, a Cornish cream team or some Tarquin’s Gin.

 

What To Pack:

Cornish weather is nothing if not changeable, so we recommend packing layers! From waterproofs to shorts and wooly jumpers to t-shirts.

A good pair of flip flops and walking boots are also essentials

Binoculars (for seal-spotting), a book for beach days (if you haven’t read The Salt Path, we highly recommend it) and swimmers because the allure of a dip in the sea is often irresistible

Best time to go:
May to September offers the best chance of sunshine and long, lingering evenings, but autumn is quieter and no less beautiful. There is so much to see and do in Cornwall it can be hard to know the best way to spend 7 days here.

Book your stay at Trevornick and we look forward to welcoming you to Cornwall.