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St. Ives
Cornwall
Set on a rocky peninsula at the southwest tip of England, Cornwall has a Celtic vibe. Its rugged scenery and wild, uncultivated appeal make you feel as if you're approaching the end of the world (and many natives would say it's exactly that). Harboring the remnants of an endangered Celtic culture (Cornish), an extinct tin-mining industry, and a gaggle of visit-worthy sights, this is one of England's most popular holiday regions — especially among the English.
At a Glance
Penzance
Handy, workaday hub of Cornish coast with good sleeping and eating options and lovely collection of local post-Impressionist paintings.
▲ Penlee House Gallery and Museum Fine collection of work from the local Post-Impressionist Newlyn School.
St. Ives
Artsy, sun-and-sand resort town with people-friendly beaches, several worthwhile galleries, and strollable, photogenic harborside.
▲ Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden Small museum showcasing the work of the renowned abstract sculptor.
Penwith Peninsula
England's scenic far west, home to some of the best sightseeing and hiking in Cornwall.
▲▲ St. Michael's Mount Monastery-turned-castle perched atop a rocky island just off the Penwith Peninsula, reachable on foot or by boat (depending on the tide).
▲▲ Penwith Peninsula Joyride Scenic drive (or bus ride) through England's far west, with stops at fishing towns, Merry Maidens stone circle, the beach hamlet of Porthcurno (with the Minack Theatre and Telegraph Museum), crassly touristy Land's End and its untrampled alternative Cape Cornwall, the Geevor Tin Mine, and St. Ives.
▲ Minack Theatre Open-air theater set in a rocky cliff perched hundreds of feet over the sea.
▲ Geevor Tin Mine Fascinating exhibit on this once-bustling site mainstay of an industry.
East Cornwall
▲▲ Tintagel Castle Ruined but still evocative castle clinging to the misty cliffs where many believe King Arthur was born.
▲ Eden Project Two huge greenhouses make for a futuristic plant-lovers theme park with an environmental conscience.
▲ Trebah Garden Twenty-six acres of lush tropical spectacle near Falmouth.
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- Rugged, Quaint Cornwall