3 days in Cornwall – a long weekend itinerary!

Spending 3 days in Cornwall may not seem like enough, especially if you are driving from London or any other major UK city. Cornwall is a long drive away and there is definitely a lot to see. However, I managed to visit quite a few places, considering that I was only there for 3 days. Therefore, I have compiled this long weekend itinerary which will ensure that you also make the most of your three days in Cornwall.

Let me start by being honest with you. My expectations when going to Cornwall were very high. I really thought that they wouldn’t be met and I would be very disappointed. However, this beautiful part of England truly blew me away. It was unlike anything I was expecting. It was much, much better! If you follow this guide, you will also be guaranteed a perfect trip (although unfortunately I cannot guarantee the weather!).

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Things to know before you go

The roads are very narrow. Be aware of this especially if you plan on driving. If you can, try to go in a small car.

A lot of hiking is involved. I did not know how much hiking would actually be involved so I did not bring any hiking shoes. Make sure to bring some with you!

It can get windy. It tends to get very windy in Cornwall. And I mean, extremely windy. Make sure to also be ready for this and bring a waterproof jacket.

It can get hot, too. If the weather is sunny it will get quite hot, especially if you are hiking. Bring layers that you can also take off!

Parking is easy, but bring change for the car park. There are parking lots everywhere you go, but make sure to carry some change with you in case you have to pay at the machine.

3 days in Cornwall can feel like a lot. For us, 3 days was more than enough to see most of the famous landmarks and points of interest. While I wish I could’ve seen more, I think that there is a lot that can be done in 3 days.

Know your distances. Depending on how you plan on getting around Cornwall, it may be challenging without a car as some of the distances are quite large. Check the public transport beforehand if you are not driving.

How to get to Cornwall

🚘 By car

The most convenient way to get around in Cornwall is by driving. This is because there are not too many options when it comes to public transport or taxi services in Cornwall, and you are also given much more flexibility when travelling by car. The distances between the towns are quite long and driving can also save you a lot of money.

If you are put off by the idea of a long 5 hour drive from London, then you can also rent a car when you get there.

🚆 By train

You can also very easily get from London to Cornwall by train. It also takes around 5 hours and the prices start at £15, depending on when you go.

You can check train departure times here.

🛫 By plane

Flying is another way to get to Cornwall. There is an airport located in Newquay and you can fly there from any UK city or even from abroad. This is definitely the quickest way to get to Cornwall!

Best places to stay in Cornwall

St Ives

St Ives is a great place to stay because it is the most popular town in Cornwall. With its cute port, beautiful beaches and stunning sunset views, there is an abundance of things to do around here. St Ives is also located in the perfect spot so that it is close to the majority of must see landmarks.

Higher end hotel option: Carbis Bay and Spa Hotel

This is probably the most beautiful hotel in St Ives. Located right on the beach, this hotel also has an award winning restaurant and insane views. The price for the summer starts from £500 a night and goes down in low season.

Affordable hotel option: The Land’s End Hotel

This amazing hotel is 40 minutes drive from St Ives but it is located at Land’s End. With breathtaking views over cliffs and delicious breakfast included, the £150 cost per night is very much worth it.

Tintagel

The hotel I stayed in was in Tintagel and I found it to be the perfect location to stay at if you are driving to Cornwall. This is because it is not as far from London as St Ives is, and is located very close to many famous landmarks too, such as the Tintagel Castle and Port Isaac. The landscapes in Tintagel are also incredible so if you want to stay in a hotel with amazing views, then this is where you should look.

Higher end hotel option: The Avalon Hotel

This stunning hotel feels like a modern and cosy home. Located on a hill, you will feel like you are waking up in a story book, surrounded by greenery. It is a place where you will definitely not feel like you are in the UK.

Affordable hotel option: Camelot Castle Hotel

This was the hotel I stayed in and it was a great place to stay in Cornwall for 3 days. If you are looking for sea views and want to feel like you are living in a castle, then this is the right place for you. The best part about staying here was the breakfast, which came with views like no other.

Newquay

Newquay is where the airport is in Cornwall and it is one of the nicest places to stay, particularly if you are not visiting with a car. Here you will find great restaurants, spectacular sunsets and amazing town views.

Higher end hotel option: Tolcarne Beach Colonial Restaurant and Rooms

The best thing about this luxurious hotel is its location. Located right on Fistral Beach, it has direct sunset views. This is not to mention the stylish interior and the balconies that are offered in the rooms.

Affordable hotel option: Legacy Hotel Victoria

A highlight of this hotel is its location and the views. Located on the hills on Newquay, it also has a Mexican and an English restaurant and an indoor pool.

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3 day itinerary

Day 1 – The South coast

🕐 10:00 – 13:00: Tintagel & Tintagel Castle

On the first day, start your visit by exploring the breathtaking hills of Tintagel. Here you will find dramatic cliffs, green grass and a majestic feeling of having stepped into a fairytale.

The main attraction to see in Tintagel is the Tintagel castle. You need to pre-book tickets and you can do this on the official website. The ticket costs £14.50 for adults and £8.70 for children under 17. This is really worth a visit to see the legend of King Arthur come alive and experience thousands years of history.

If the story of King Arthur really interests you, you can also book a 2 day King Arthur Tintagel and Boscastle Tour.

🕐 14:00-15:30: Penzance & Mousehole

After Tintagel, I would recommend going to explore the cute towns of Penzance and Mouselhole on day 1 of your 3 days in Cornwall. The drive takes about an hour and a half, so make sure that you are prepared.

Penzance is known for its promenade and the cool arty corners and galleries. To be completely honest, I was not very impressed with this town. The main reason we visited it was to have lunch at the popular residence called ‘Artists Residence Penzance’ at their seafood shack. We really enjoyed the cool vibe and the bar, the food was very delicious too. I would definitely recommend coming here for your lunch break!

Then we drove to Mousehole, which was a quick 20 minute drive. Mousehole is a very cute town that you can spend time exploring by foot. The port is very beautiful and is worth visiting and if you have time also go to Rock Pool Cafe for some afternoon tea with a view.

🕐 16:00 – 17:00: Minack Theatre

This place was the absolute highlight of my 3 day trip to Cornwall. With views overlooking Porthcurno Beach, Minack Theatre blew me away. If I were to recommend one place to visit in Cornwall, then this would be it.

Here is a little bit of background about Minack Theatre. In 1931, a woman called Rowena Cade decided to turn her back yard into a theatre. After a few successful performances, she decided to open it up to the public. The most extraordinary thing about this theatre is the fact that it was it was built by using mostly hand tools. Rowena spent the remainder of her life working on constructing the theatre, and left it as a living legacy for many years to come.

Today, it still acts as a theatre, but also a tourist attraction. You can visit to watch a show or to simply admire the views. The tickets need to be booked in advance – you can purchase them here. They cost £7.50 and are worth every penny!

🕐 17:30- 18:30: St Michael’s Mount

After spending a couple hours in Minack Theatre, you can head to St Michael’s Mount. This is a tidal island, which is accessible by foot in low tide. You need to book tickets in advance if you want to visit the Mount.

In high tide, the sea covers the footpath completely. If you follow this itinerary then you will be visiting it in high tide, which is also cool and makes for beautiful pictures.

You can wander around the town and explore the cute houses. It is famous for it ice cream and Cornish pastries, so make sure to grab a pre-dinner snack.

🕐 19:00 – 21:00: St Ives

What better place to end day 1 out of the 3 days in Cornwall than in St Ives. Having been named UK’s best seaside town multiple times, St Ives holds the title of the most popular seaside resort. It is very nice to come here at sunset and to see the boats light up in a slight hint of gold. Take a seat at one of the benches and watch the dogs play against the waves while the locals enjoy a picnic on the beach.

St Ives is the perfect destination to visit for dinner as there are a lot of restaurants and dinner options here. Treat yourself with some seafood at One Fish Street, or indulge in delicious burgers while soaking up the sea views at the Hub St Ives.

🕐 21:00: Back home & sleep

Day 2 – the North Coast

🕐 10:00 – 11:00: Breakfast at The Cornish Arms

We made sure to book The Cornish Arms for breakfast, which is a pub headed by a famous local chef Rick Stein. He has a couple restaurants around Cornwall, including one in Newquay. This cosy pub offers a good breakfast and is perfect to set you up for the day ahead.

🕐 11:30 – 12:30: Porthcothan Bay

Porthcothan Bay is a great place to start the second day of your road trip itinerary. This beach is incredibly beautiful, and was easily one of my favourite beaches to visit in Cornwall out of the beaches I managed to see during 3 days in Cornwall.

The best part about it is how wide this beach is. The huge space and the soft white sand make this the perfect place to relax.

Additionally, there are great hikes that can be done here. There is a small footpath that goes up on the far right side of the beach. I would definitely recommend hiking up here as the views that open up are truly spectacular. The dramatic cliff edge can be seen from above, along with the powerful turquoise waves hitting against the rocks. It really feels like a paradise and you get a feeling of being outside of the United Kingdom.

🕐 13:00 – 14:30: Bedruthan Steps

Head to Bedruthan Steps in order to enjoy the natural beauty and the stunning cliff views of this part of England. Out of the 3 days that I spent in Cornwall, the Bedruthan Steps was one of my favourite places to go for a hike.

The fields with colourful flowers and the dramatic cliffs overlooking a gorgeous beach are only some of the factors that make this place so special. When I visited, the stairs to the beach were closed, but the walk over at the coastline was still spectacular.

🕐 14:45 – 16:00: Padstow

Padstow is another adorable Port Town in Cornwall. After going on long hikes in remote places, coming here will feel almost like you have stepped back into civilisation.

Grab a Cornish pastry and stroll around the town. There are a lot of restaurants around, so this town in Cornwall is sometimes referred to as the foodie hot spot. You will find a couple restaurants by Rick Stein here, as well as other stylish and fancy looking restaurants too.

If you get lucky and the weather happens to be sunny, relax and get a drink at one of the open terraces. We really enjoyed doing this after a long morning of running around from one place to another!

🕐 16:30 – 21:00: Newquay

After Padstow, I would suggest visiting Newquay to explore and watch the sunset.

Newquay is actually very popular with surfers, as the wide waves at Fistral and Watergate Bay beaches create the perfect conditions for surfing – even if it’s freezing!

Other than surfing, Newquay also has a zoo, where you can find animals such as lions and sloths.

🕐 21:00: Dinner & back to hotel

The best place we found to eat near Newquay was called The Fox’s Revenge. The atmosphere is very casual, but the fairy lights make this a very pleasant place to dine. In terms of food, I would recommend ordering the burgers and mac and cheese, they were our two highlights!

After dinner, drive back to your hotel to conclude day two.

Day 3 – The hidden gems

🕐 10:00 – 12:00: Nectan’s Glen

This incredible waterfall is very much a hidden gem in Cornwall. It was one of the only places I had never heard about until I found it printed on a leaflet in our hotel.

Located in Tintagel, this waterfall is not very easy to get to. I would recommend going here if the weather is not great, as walking through the forest you cannot feel the wind and the rain. The hike takes around 30 minutes, but it is very easy. Once you get to the entrance, you will need to purchase tickets in order to see the waterfall.

The waterfall is not an ordinary one – it is a stream of water going through a hole, and looks like something out of The Hobbit! Make sure to wear waterproof shoes here as you will need to walk through some shallow water if you want to get close to the waterfall.

🕐 12:30 – 14:00: Port Isaac

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Port Isaac is another picturesque fishing village. One of the most charming factors about Port Isaac are the white houses, perched on a hill and facing the sea. The steep and winding narrow roads lead you to discover the welcoming feel of this village, as you watch the local fishermen catching some fresh fish. You can also wander around the local shops and purchase some memorable souvenirs.

🕐 14:00: Drive back home

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More places to visit

If you want further suggestions of things to do and have more time, here is also a list of must visit places that I didn’t get to go to:

• Land’s End
• St Agnes
• Eden Project
• Kynance Cove
• Truro

And many more!

If you have only a few days and also want to travel to Devon, make sure you check out this Devon and Cornwall 5 day group tour.

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I hope that you enjoyed this road trip itinerary of 3 days in Cornwall. If you want to know where to take beautiful pictures during your trip, make sure to check out my post on the Most Instagrammable places to visit in Cornwall.

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