The Perfect Cornwall Weekend Itinerary *

*This is a collaborative post.

Whether you’re after a break following a busy work week or just fancy a getaway to explore, Cornwall is one of the best places in the UK to head for a cheeky weekend escape! 

Cornwall is the ultimate for staycations, offering a mix of wonderful scenic views and touristy attractions, all of which can be crammed into an action-packed weekend. 

So, what should you get up to?

Where to Stay in Cornwall? 

First thing’s first is choosing where you want to stay on your weekend away. Whether you’d rather stay in luxury Cornish cottages or a cheap and cheerful camping site, there are certainly plenty of options to choose from when it comes to staying in Cornwall.

But while you may have had grand plans to visit the whole of Cornwall in a weekend, it may be best to stick to a certain area for your short break. Although it is technically possible to cover the length and breadth of the county in only two days, you will be doing a lot of driving, when you could be out sunbathing on a beach! 

So, for the purposes of this itinerary, we’re going to focus on a trip to the south of Cornwall. 

Friday Night

Make the most of your whole weekend by travelling down to your accommodation on the Friday night. 

Head for Truro

Truro is a good first stop for Friday evening. As Cornwall’s only city, you’ll find the biggest selection of restaurants and shops here, with many of them staying open a little later than other towns in the area. 

Here you’ll be able to enjoy a lovely dinner out and pick up any bits and bobs you may need during your travels. 

Settle into your home for the weekend and get some rest in anticipation of the weekend ahead!

Saturday

Saturday morning can offer you two options – enjoying a refreshing morning walk around a nearby forest, park or moorland (plenty to be found in Cornwall) or making the most of the weekend and having a relaxing lie-in! The choice is yours! 

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Our recommendation for Saturday’s outing is The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissey. As the name suggests, these fascinating gardens were lost to brambles and bushes following World War One but were lovingly restored during the 1990s. It is now one of the biggest, best and certainly most beautiful attractions in Cornwall. 

There is plenty to see and do here, even if gardens aren’t really your thing! Discover the walled gardens, walk the woodlands surrounding the estate and explore the UK’s only outdoor jungle. You’re bound to spot a range of wildlife as you wander the grounds and be sure to look out for the wonderful statues and sculptures that can be found here.

For lunch, be sure to visit the Heligan Kitchen for some delicious home-cooked meals made from local Cornish produce – we would recommend a pasty or a classic Cornish cream tea!

Trip to a Cornwall Beach

What trip to Cornwall would be complete without visiting a beach?! With over 400 beaches in Cornwall, you’re definitely spoiled for choice! After you’ve visited Heligan, we would recommend heading for the beach. 

One of our favourite beaches is Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, a short walk from the town centre. This beach is perfect for enjoying water sports, so if you wanted to head out on the water while in Cornwall, this is the place to go!

There are tonnes of other incredible beaches to explore in this area though, including Carne and Maenporth on the south coast and Perranporth and Porthtowan just opposite on the north coast. 

Fish and Chips for Dinner

You can’t visit Cornwall without having fish and chips, so this is the perfect choice of dinner for those looking to refuel after a busy day. 

It’s pretty easy to track down a fish and chip shop in Cornwall – the likelihood is there is one near most beaches and in every town! 

Sunday 

Spend the morning packing up, ready to leave your accommodation. You’ll want a hearty breakfast too to keep you powered through the day. 

The Eden Project

The chances are that you will be driving out of Cornwall via the A30 or A390, and this means you can take an easy detour to The Eden Project. 

The Eden Project is widely considered to be the best attraction in Cornwall – an indoor rainforest inside two biomes full of incredible plants. As well as the incredible plant life, the Eden Project is home to the longest zip wire in England, an aerial trekking course and a 360 swing, making it the perfect place for thrill-seekers too! 

You can easily spend a whole day exploring the Eden Project, and all it has to offer. You’ll find artworks and sculptures dotted throughout the grounds as well as educational exhibitions where you can discover more about the natural world.

Plus, with their restaurant and cafes, you’ll be able to enjoy some tasty treats to keep you going throughout the day! 

We hope this itinerary can serve as a source of inspiration for your future trips to Cornwall! Are there places you would recommend visiting in this area that can be squeezed into a weekend getaway? Leave a comment with your suggestions below!