Our Top Five Cornish Gems
From secret beaches to outdoor theatre venues, here are our five secret spots you should visit on your trip to Cornwall.
Gwennap Pit, nr Redruth
An extraordinary venue to watch outdoor theatre or live music, Gwennap Pit is an open-air amphitheatre in the heart of the World Heritage Mining landscape that has put Cornwall on par with the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. Head to the visitors’ centre to dip into its history, marvel at the little Busveal Chapel or sit back and enjoy the amazing acoustics during a performance.
www.gwennappit.co.uk
Gunwalloe Church Cove, Lizard Peninsula
Tucked at the top of the Lizard Peninsula, this glorious beach has rocks for climbing, pools to explore and a stream to paddle in. The tiny church of St Wynwallow is tucked into the headland on its northern edge, and if you take a walk around the corner to Dollar Cove, you might be lucky enough to find some of the treasure washed up from the wreck of a 17th-century Spanish ship.
Fern Pit Café, Newquay
Tucked into the edge of the cliffs overlooking the River Gannel and Crantock Beach, this family-run café and tea garden serves legendary crab sandwiches. The secret? The owners catch the crabs themselves in local waters, handpick them on the premises and serve them in simple brown or white bread. Fresh crabs and lobsters are also for sale in the boathouse.
www.fernpit.co.uk, 01637 873181
St Nectan’s Glen
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and Cornish ‘piskies’ as you explore this magical glen tucked away from the rugged North Cornish coast. Park at Trevethy (between Tintagel and Boscastle) and walk via St Piran’s Church, following the River Trevillet through a leafy vale to a thundering 60-foot waterfall.
www.st-nectansglen.co.uk
Jubilee Pool, Penzance
Take a dip in one of the world’s most scenic lidos on the edge of Mounts Bay. Built-in 1935 to celebrate the Jubilee of King George V, this stunning art deco pool was ravaged by storms in 2014 and has only just reopened to the public.
If you don’t want to take the plunge, it’s still an idyllic spot to kick back by the poolside and soaks up the views of the bay and St Michael’s Mount.
www.jubileepool.co.uk
