Best Cornwall road trip itinerary: complete travel guide

If you’re looking for just one of Britain’s counties to focus a road trip on, Cornwall has to be up there as one of the best. Among the most visited regions in the UK, it’s home to world-famous destinations like Land’s End and the Lizard Peninsula, acclaimed restaurants including Michelin star holders, a wide range of wildlife, hiking and biking trails, and over 400 miles of beaches and shoreline. Make the most of it with the best Cornwall road trip itinerary!

Our route allows five days to campervan around Cornwall, on a five-day loop to and from Penzance on the southern coast. But of course you can add extra days wherever you want – we have lots of detour suggestions below, as well as an itinerary for a longer trip.

Tips for your Cornwall road trip

• Set off early each morning – this five-day trip has loads to see.

• Hire a small campervan or motorhome that’s suitable for Cornwall’s many narrow rural roads.

• The long light days of summer are the best time to go, but Cornwall does get busy in high season: also consider late spring or early autumn for your trip.

• Book tickets in advance for popular attractions such as the Eden Project or the Minack Theatre.

• Book campsites and holiday parks in advance if travelling in high season.

• If you're travelling with kids, take a look at our favourite holidays parks in Cornwall for families.

The best Cornwall road trip itinerary for a 5-day getaway

Day 1 – Penzance to St Ives (36 miles)

First up, hire yourCornwall campervan! There are a couple of options for this if you’re coming from London or elsewhere outside southwest England:

• Take the train to Plymouth the day before, stay in Plymouth overnight and pick up your van at its Cornwall destination early in the morning of Day 1. (Or look for a Cornwall van to hire with delivery included.)

• Take the train to Penzance early in the morning of Day 1 (just over five hours’ journey from London) and pick up your van once there. For added convenience,hire a Penzance campervan!

Your first day covers probably the most stunning coastal settings in all of Cornwall, on a drive from Penzance to St Ives along the Lizard Peninsula and passing Porthcurno, Sennen Cove and the Penwith Heritage Coast. We’ve devised a meandering route so you can see as much of the coast as possible. Here’s how to do it:

Penzance to Porthcurno via Mousehole (12 miles)

Drive 3.5 miles along Cliff Road to the tiny fishing village of Mousehole and past its harbour to continue on the road to Porthcurno. There, spend some time on its glorious beach, rated as one of the best in west Cornwall.

Porthcurno to Land’s End and Sennen Cove (6 miles)

From Porthcurno, it’s four miles via the B3315 to the world-famous Land’s End signpost – an essential selfie spot. After that, drive 2.5 miles to Sennen Cove at St Just, the perfect place to stop for a breather and some fish and chips.

Sennen Cove to St Ives (18 miles)

Finally, take the 18-mile journey to St Ives, driving via St Just, Morvah and Zennor to stay close to the coast. St Ives attractions include Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, four beautiful beaches, and a wealth of award-winning restaurants, bars and cafés.

St Ives campsites

Higher Penderleath Caravan and Camping Park, Towednack, St Ives TR26 3AF

Have a well-deserved rest two miles from town, where grass pitches with or without electric hook-up are spaced out around a 10-acre site. From £17.50;bookings here.

Day 2 – St Ives to Newquay (39 miles)

As with Day 1, this route adds a few extra miles to allow for a more scenic drive along the coast. There’ll also be time for a hike along the South West Coast Path at your choice of starting point, or a ramble around the old mines of the St Agnes Heritage Coast. Here’s how:

St Ives to Godrevy (11.5 miles)

The National Trust's Godrevy Beach runs for three miles and is another beautiful stop-off point on the north Cornish coast. It’s famous for Godrevy lighthouse on an island just off the coast.

Activity options at Godrevy

• Surfing – the waves here are well known for excellent surf.

• Walking – take the easy South West Coast Path stroll for half a mile around Godrevy Head, looking out for seals and the pod of bottlenose dolphins in the waters below.

• Godrevy lighthouse trip – arrange with St Ives Boat Services back at St Ives harbour.

Godrevy to Porthtowan via Portreath (9.5 miles)

It’s six miles from Godrevy to another surfing beach at Portreath, then a further 3.5 miles to the vast wide beach of Porthtowan. This route passes the St Agnes Heritage Coast, a good option for a picnic and walk.

Options for this leg include:

• Surfing – at both Portreath and Porthtowan

• Hiking – take the 3.5-mile South West Coast Path route from Portreath to Porthtowan, then take the bus back to Portreath

• St Agnes Heritage Coast – drive to here from Portreath (10 miles) for a walk around St Agnes Head

• Food and drink – a pub and restaurants are at Porthtowan if you haven’t already had lunch at Godrevy or St Agnes Head.

Porthtowan to Newquay via Perranporth (16 miles)

Arrive at Newquay via more coastal scenery and golden sands via Perranporth. Surfers might want to bypass these options to arrive in Newquay for a full day in the waves: if so, take the 31.5-mile direct route along the A30 and A3075.

Newquay campsites

Check out the best campervan sites in Newquayfor your stay!

Day 3 – Newquay to Bude (58 miles)

As with Day 2, Day 3 goes along the coastline, passing many amazing Cornwall highlights for a range of activity and sightseeing options:

Newquay to Port Isaac via Padstow (31 miles)

Options:

• Padstow – take a sealife safari from Padstow harbour, have lunch at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, or buy Cornish pasties to have on a Padstow beach.

• For a detour, drive west from Padstow for a stroll around the Trevose Head Heritage Coast, or east to the town of Wadebridge to sightsee around town. The Camel Trail walking and cycling route runs between Padstow and Wadebridge.

Port Isaac to Bude via Tintagel, Boscastle and Widemouth Bay

In the afternoon, drive 10 miles from Port Isaac to ancient Tintagel and Tintagel Castle, steeped in Arthurian legend; then another 3.5 miles to Boscastle. From there, it’s 14.5 miles to another Cornish surfing town at Bude, via the spectacular setting of Widemouth Bay.

Options:

• Visit Tintagel Castle, long associated with Arthurian legend

• Take one of the scenic walks around the National Trust fishing village of Boscastle

• Drive a few miles from Boscastle for a lazy hour on the beach at Crackington Haven

• Take to the waves or explore the rockpools of Widemouth Bay.

Bude campsites

Atlantic Camping, Atlantic Farm, Bude EX23 9TG

Just a mile from Bude centre, this family-run campsite sits among 26 acres of farmland and is perfect for a wild camping vibe. From £12; bookings here.

Day 4 – Bude to St Austell via Polperro and Bodmin Moor (70 miles)

The fourth day of the trip takes the route right through the centre of inland Cornwall and across Bodmin Moor to arrive on the south coast at Polperro. As it’s only 70 miles with no stops, there’s plenty of time for a leisurely morning around Bude before you set off again.

Our 70-mile Bude to St Austell route goes via Polperro in order to cover Bodmin Moor. Alternatively, drive straight to St Austell from Bude, missing out Polperro, to make the journey in 40 miles.

Day 5 – St Austell to Penzance via Falmouth and St Michael’s Mount (94 miles)

This last day’s another busy one! The route back to your starting point at Penzance takes in famous Cornwall destinations like St Michael’s Mount, Falmouth and Lizard Point: you’ll want to stop off at all of these. Here’s what we recommend:

St Austell to Falmouth via Truro (25 miles)

The most direct route between St Austell and Falmouth cuts inland via the A390, passing Cornish capital Truro but missing out on Mevagissey and the Roseland Heritage Coast. This allows for a morning at one of these three options:

• St Austell – Eden Project

• Truro – Royal Cornwall Museum

• Falmouth – ferry trip along the River Fal or visit to the National Maritime Museum.

Falmouth to Lizard Point (24 miles)

After lunch, stay on the inland route, passing Helston, to reach Britain’s most southerly place at Lizard Point. Managed by the National Trust, this is now a national nature reserve: take a walk along the clifftop to look out for local inhabitants.

Lizard Point to Penzance via St Michael’s Mount (25 miles)

The final leg of Day 5 finishes your Cornwall road trip back at Penzance, passing the beach of Praa Sands and stopping at the tidal island of St Michael’s Mount in Mount's Bay (21 miles). The island and its castle make up one of Cornwall’s most iconic sights, used in films including Dracula and James Bond’s Never Say Never Again. Access to and from St Michael’s Mount on foot is via a causeway accessible at low tide – check the National Trust’s website for details.

Finally, drive the four miles back to Penzance to complete your epic road trip!

A one-week Cornwall road trip itinerary

Need a bit longer? Try Cornwall by campervan on this seven-day itinerary:

Day 1 – St Austell to Falmouth

Day 2 – Falmouth to Lizard Point and Kynance Cove

Day 3 – Lizard Point to St Michael’s Mount and Land’s End

Day 4 – Land’s End to Sennen Cove and St Ives

Day 5 – St Ives to Newquay and Padstow

Day 6 – Padstow to Tintagel and Bude

Day 7 – Bude to Fowey; return to St Austell

Hire your perfect van for the best Cornwall road trip

Stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, tasty local produce, ancient legend…you’ll find it all in Cornwall. Surfers, families, couples, nature lovers, artists, hikers, get ready for an epic adventure with our guide to the best Cornwall road trip!

If all you need now is your vehicle, we have plenty of vans for hire across South West England so that you can start your trip wherever you like.

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