Local Area Information - taken from About Cornwall
A love affair that lasts a lifetime
It’s hard not to fall in love with Cornwall. For some it’s the happy memories of a childhood seaside holiday. For others it’s the brief fling of a teenage summer. For most it’s a passionate affair that lasts a lifetime…so let the affair begin!
Where is Cornwall?
Located in the far west of Great Britain on a peninsula tumbling into the vast Atlantic ocean, almost completely surrounded by the sea, a magnificent coastline wraps around Cornwall for almost 300 miles. Cornwall is also the location of mainland Great Britain's most southerly promontory, The Lizard, and one of the UK’s most westerly points, Land's End, while a few miles off shore and even further west is an archipelago of tiny islands that make up the Isles of Scilly.
What’s so special about it?
There are lots of things Cornwall is loved for; the dramatic coastline with its captivating fishing harbours; the spectacular beaches, Perranporth & Porthtowan to name just a couple ,and the pounding surf that provide a natural playground for a variety of watersports; and of course the Cornish pasty and cream teas.
Expect the unexpected
But there are also lots of things about Cornwall that may surprise you. For instance, the wilderness of captivating Bodmin Moor with its panorama of big skies, fascinating prehistoric remains, great walking trails and more than its fair share of local legends.
Dynamic art scene
There's also the dynamic art scene found in mainly in West Cornwall, inspired by the naturally stunning landscape.
World-class food scene
More recently Cornwall has become known for a food scene to rival London and beyond; Cornwall now has a multitude of award-winning local food producers and stellar chefs putting the region well and truly on the gourmet map.
History and culture
Cornwall also has a tremendous history based on its Celtic roots; its Celtic Cornish culture; the warmth and friendliness of the people; and the Cornish language that can be seen in the village names.
A hugely diverse landscape...
Take a trip around Cornwall and you’ll discover a hugely diverse landscape...
The far west
In the far west where the sea turns turquoise in the sun, the sand is white and the natural light is sometimes blindingly bright, the land is adorned with a legacy of Bronze age standing stones, huge granite burial chambers, Celtic crosses and holy wells.
The industrial heartland
In the old industrial heartland, the landscape, recently awarded World Heritage Site status, is dotted with the fascinating remnants of a triumphant mining past illustrating Cornwall's enormous contribution to the Industrial Revolution with engine houses, museums and miles of recreational trails.
The coastline...
Around the coastline Cornwall’s maritime legacy is never far away where local fishermen land their daily catch of fresh seafood and tall ships, luggers and ketches unfurl their sails in the Cornish breeze.
Areas of natural beauty
The natural environment, recognised nationally across the twelve sections of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is accessed by the spectacular South West Coast Path providing walkers with miles of gentle strolls and challenging hikes.
The North...
To the north, a sweep of enormous golden sand bays stretches along the coastline often pummeled by giant Atlantic rollers. Long famed for its perfect surfing conditions, the coastline here is a hub for all kinds of extreme sports from coasteering to zapcat racing and scuba diving to rock climbing.
The South...
And in the wonderful south of Cornwall, fed by rivers from the high moorlands, leafy estuaries, fishing villages, beaches, harbours and beautiful gardens that flourish in Cornwall’s mild climate.