Welcome to Cornwall, the best mini moon destinations
We hope you will enjoy our list of all the incredible locations, activities and fun things we thought would help inspire couples eloping to Cornwall, having a minimoon here or coming here after their wedding for their honeymoon. Whether you are arty, crafty, sporty, a rambler or a budding chef, we hope you will find something to enjoy! best honeymoon destinations
Foraging – bestDestinations
Learn about the wild foods at your favourite places. If you are interested in partaking in a private foraging walks with Cornish Wild Food you can find out more on their website. Duration of the walk and cook up is 3-4 hours long. Honeymoon Ideas
Fat Hen The Wild Cookery School
Various courses are available, from seaweed foraging and cookery courses to walks and wild canapés. Caroline has lived on 3 different continents and within 3 different cultures and has fused her love of nature with her love of both exotic and wild cuisine.
Cornwall is home to vineyards, wine tasting experiences, cider farms, distilleries and gin making workshops to keep all alcohol lovers and their taste buds and ‘noses’ happy. Honeymoon Ideas, Honeymoon Ideas, Honeymoon Ideas, Honeymoon Ideas
Learn how to craft your own gin using foraged ingredients. I got very excited about this and can’t wait to try this out soon!
They produce a range of artisan Cornish wines, ciders and juices on the family-run vineyard and orchard in Penzance, Cornwall. You can visit Polgoon for a tour and tasting throughout the year and the shop is always open. All of the wines, ciders and juices are certified vegan. Honeymoon Ideas, Honeymoon Ideas, Honeymoon Ideas, Honeymoon Ideas,Honeymoon Ideas
Deep in the heart of the Cornish countryside is a family-run farm that’s been lovingly making award-winning ciders, wines, spirits, juices, preserves, and sauces for nearly 40 years.
Coastal Walks
Cornwall has hundreds of coastal walks for all abilities. There is an outstanding 400 miles of coastline in Cornwall and something for everyone. We absolutely love West Cornwall as it tends to be the quietest and most remote with something rugged, wild and enchanting about it. We recently published some of our favourite coastal walks in Cornwall which you can find here for inspiration: ‘Top 8 Coastal Walks In Cornwall’.
Explore the 7-mile Tin Coast
The Tin Coast is Cornwall’s oldest new destination popular with tourists. A cultural landscape of World Heritage site status, it is a place defined by Cornish mining. A seven mile stretch of coast with a rich mining history. Some of the most famous being the Botallack Mines, Levant and Cape Cornwall.
They offer unique adventure weekends, daily surfing & coasteering activities or you can choose from a range of specialist activities in Newquay and surrounding areas. Offering couples only surf lessons which we thought was pretty cool!
Offering various fun activities from coasteering, rock climbing to adventures into abandoned mines.
Surfing in Cornwall
Most well known and popular surf beaches offer surf board hire or surf lessons. Godrevy has boards for hire from the National Trust Car Park, or over on the Gwithian side you can hire boards from Sunset Surf Cafe and grab yourself some great food and drinks too! Praa Sands also has lessons and boards available and there is also our favourite beach cafe at Poldhu which we love for their delicious and warming hot chocolates.
Minack Theatre – Honeymoon ideas
The Minack is a unique open air theatre perched on the cliffs overlooking Porthcurno, Pedn Vouder and Logan’s Rock. Built by Rowena Cade in 1929, using mostly hand tools. A beautiful place to watch a Play with the wild Atlantic views behind, with common sightings of Basking Sharks and dolphins in the bay. Make sure you pop down to Chapelporth for a swim which lies to the rear of the Minack and can be accessed via the coast path.
Rogue Theatre
Another favourite with families and adults, set in the Tehidy Woods. Wild and Woodland Magic! We have seen so many of these Wild Plays over the years. They run at multiple times over the year and make for an interactive and fun time for all the family. Tickets can get sold out quite quickly so make sure you book online ahead of your trip. Some of our favourite beaches such as Fisherman’s Cove and Basset’s Cove are a few minutes from here so make the most of your time in this area of Cornwall.
Picnics & Cream Teas in Cornwall
Cornwall has some of the best places to have a picnic depending on your preference and time of the day. We love taking a little picnic with us that mostly consists of scones, jam and clotted cream. It can get a little messy but that all adds to the fun! West Cornwall has the best picnic spots with a view, and our favourite spot that we enjoy spending time at, is Carn Gloose near Cape Cornwall where you can park and watch the world go by.
Star Gazing
Star Gazing Cornwall has many wonderful places to see the Milky Way and watch the stars on a clear night. From coastal cliff-tops to ancient stone circles, the South West of England is full of wild spaces that are well away from light pollution. These dark skies provide the perfect environment to see the stars. Carnewas is one of the most popular destinations on the Cornish coast and has been officially accredited with Dark Sky Discovery status. St Agnes and Chapel Porth are also popular viewing sites. Pack a hamper, a bottle of wine and treats and a warm, cosy blanket or 2, lie back and enjoy!
Tidal Pools
Cornwall has many ‘Miners Pools’ as well as natural sea pools for swimming. The ones created using Dynamite by the miners look almost identical to natural ones and can be found all along the West Penwith Coastline where the mining community was strong. Popular and iconic ones such as the one at Cape Cornwall and others such as the one in Porthtowan are great for a dip. To read more about our favourite tidal pools check out this blog post ‘Best Tidal Pools in Cornwall for Wild Swimming‘.
Beaches
Cornwall has hundreds (300+) of beautiful beaches. We are blessed to have miles of long white sandy beaches which can look tropical on sunny days as well as rugged and dramatic secret coves. There is a huge selection depending on your preference. To read more about ‘The Best Beaches in Cornwall’ check out our blog post.
Eat lots of Pasties
St Ives Bakery does mean pasties, as does Ann’s Pasties in Porthleven. We also love Warren’s Bakery as they have a larger vegan and vegetarian menu than others.
Watch the Sunsets & Sunrises
If you are a sunset and sunrise lover then there are plenty of wonderful places to watch the sun come up or set. Some of our favourite places on the North Coast to watch the sun set are Bedruthan Steps on the high cliffs, or along the coastline from Hayle to Portreath. If you are an early riser then we have seen lots of wonderful sunrises over St Micheal’s Mount, Kynance Cove and Pedn Vouder.
Go on a Poldark Tour
Now, I know it’s terrible to admit, but we have not watched all of the seasons but we know they are popular and watched all over the world. There are many filming locations that make for fun days out. The most popular locations are Botallack Mines, Porthgwarra and the dramatic coastline and beaches along the North Coast and also Charlestownand Bodmin Moor.
Hot Chocolates
This is our little ‘go to’ thing to do every few weeks with the wild child. Poldhu Cafe is well known for being one of the best outdoor cafes on the beach in Cornwall, serving the best hot chocolate. There is a huge range of toppings to warm you up after a sea swim or surf lesson. They have a great little take away veggie breakfast too, you can bring a picnic blanket and eat it on the beach watching the waves. It’s really romantic too! We also love their collection of woolly beanies that are warm, good quality and big enough for someone like me with a lot of hair.
Wild Camping
Cornwall has some remote locations off the beaten track that are perfect for wild camping. We have had the pleasure of sleeping under the stars on the edge of Logan’s Rock and Predannack Wollas, falling asleep listening to the sound of waves crashing around us. Please make sure you only leave footprints, and check the weather beforehand as the winds can be strong and dangerous on the cliffs.
St Ives Boats
Daily boat trips to Seal Islands and the famous Godrevy Lighthouse.
Marine Discovery Penzance
West Cornwall’s Wildlife boat tour. On one of these trips you might encounter grey seals, dolphins and porpoises, basking sharks, leatherback turtles and even humpback whales.
Scuba Diving and Shark Diving Trips
Cornwall has some wonderful dive sites and it is one of the places where I got my open water diving qualification. Cornwall has lots of beautiful sites such as the Manacles, Pendennis Point and Durgan.
They offer PADI, BSAC, Emergency First Response and Freediving Courses and also offer Shark Trips for the more adventurous couples.
Cornwall is a paradise for lovers of beautiful gardens to get lost in. Most of them have nurseries where you can stock up on new plants and wonderful tea and coffee shops to enjoy homemade cakes and cream teas and stock up on gifts for your family and friends back home. We have listed a few of our favourites for you to visit.
Trebah Gardens
The Lost Gardens Heligan
Enys Gardens
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary
This is the only fully operational seal rescue centre in all of Cornwall with a dedicated team working tirelessly to help orphaned and injured seals get better before releasing them back into the wild. Worth a trip if you have children! They look after both common and grey seals in the sanctuary and also tend to sea lions, otters, penguins, ponies, goats and sheep. Visitors to the sanctuary can enjoy the open spaces available in the 40 acre park before meeting the resident seals and enjoying a bite to eat at the Seal Sanctuary Café.
Eden Project
This is extremely popular and can get very busy in the holidays. Personally we are not huge fans but we thought it is worth a mention for those that need to entertain children. The cafe is overpriced but the ice rink is fun with children in the winter. If you are feeling daring try out the zip wire and other activities on site. The music concerts held in the domes do look cool but we have not personally experienced them and tickets can sell out quickly!
Outdoor Yoga
Practice yoga outside beside the sea here in Newquay. Join one of the pop-up outdoor classes. Or book your own one-to-one or small group yoga class by emailing jen@shineyogauk.com.
Go to a Museum
We are fortunate to have 3 world famous Museums and Art Galleries close by:
Tate, St Ives
Geevor Tin Mine
National Maritime Museum
Ancient Sites
There is a huge selection, the most per square mile in West Cornwall than anywhere else in the world. Some of the most popular sites are Merry Maidens which seems to be popular as the car park is directly next to the standing stones, but if you, like us, prefer less crowds then try the less popular ones such as Boskenwyn stone circle and Tregeseal stone circle which are much more beautiful and wild in our opinion. Other sites worth a visit are Carn Kendijack, Kendijack Castle, Lanyon Quoit, Chun Castle, Chun Quoit, Madron Well and there are many more.
To read about our favourite Ancient Sites in Cornwall check out this post: ‘Ancient Sites for your Wild Elopement’.
Visit Magical Castles
St Micheal’s Mount in Marazion is the most iconic and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Cornwall. The sheltered beach makes it a great swimming spot for families with children and on calmer days is great for paddle boarding around the Mount. On windier days it is popular with windsurfers and kite-surfers. If you go on a low tide you can walk along the causeway path to the castle, and if the tide is in there are little boats that can take you across for a small fee. The views from on top of the castle are just breathtaking on a clear calm day, views stretching 360 degrees across the bay to Penzance.
Make sure you don’t spend the last of your money on a pasty like I did and forget about the tide. I had to carry my child on my shoulders, back across the causeway, wading through the water back to the mainland.
Other popular castles are Pendennis Castle in Falmouth and St Mawes Castle which can be reached by a little ferry from Falmouth harbour.
River Cruises around Falmouth and the Helford River
Here is a selection of boat cruises that are available around this area all offering different cruise packages for you to choose from.
Falmouth Pleasure Cruise
Fal River Cornwall
St Mawes Ferry
Restaurants with a Sea View
Hooked on the Rocks is a seafood restaurant & bar overlooking the beautiful Swanpool beach & nature reserve specialising in fresh, sustainably sourced seafood like Falmouth lobsters or crabs caught only a stone’s throw away from the restaurant, local mussels, day boat fish & fresh Cornish oysters
Blue Bar in Porthtowan Est. in 1999, this is Cornwall’s original beach bar & kitchen, with stunning views, an enviable location with freshly prepared great food & Barista coffees . All wrapped up in “shabby-chic” decor with a casual, friendly atmosphere.
The Ship Inn – Porthleven is a 17th century pub overlooking one of the most picturesque harbours in the country; come here in the summer to watch seabirds and fishermen go about their business in the sunshine, or brave the storms in winter to sip a perfectly poured pint by the large open fire.
Cornwall is a popular home or destination for artists and creative people exploring different styles and mixed media. Many offer weekend courses, retreats and weekly classes from beginners through to the most competent artist. We have listed a few art courses to get your creative juices flowing.
Angela Annesley
St Ives School of Painting
Newlyn School of Art
Pottery
Richard, an established professional potter has exhibited throughout the UK and can be found in collections internationally. He offers various courses for different skill levels including this one – A one day 6-hour session to enjoy a solid introduction to the potter’s wheel, or review your existing skills. I have had the pleasure of doing the weekly Wednesday pottery class for the past 2 years in his wonderful and friendly workshop in Kenneggy.
Jewellery Making
Join them in a fun and inspiring workshop, making your own piece of seaglass jewellery in Falmouth or Mawnan Smith, Cornwall. Whether you are a keen maker, looking for an activity to do with friends, meet new people or on holiday in Cornwall, they will help you create a piece of seaglass jewellery to treasure in their workshops.
Potager Gardens
Potager is a beautiful hidden gem just outside Falmouth and has emerged from the bramble choked wilderness of an abandoned plant nursery and is now a relaxing and beautiful haven to rest while learning, eating, meeting friends or just relaxing.
Carn Brea Castle
Carn Brea Castle is a restaurant located on the outskirts of Redruth. The castle dates back to 1790 and offers a unique place to enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner with panoramic views. We have eaten here many times and it is truly magical.
Montol
The Montol Festival is an annual festival in Penzance, Cornwall, UK, held on the 21st of December. It’s been held each year since 2007 and always coincides with the winter solstice. A great deal of Cornish dance and music is performed during the evening, often in an improvised and impromptu manner. We have had many a drunken night here, a favourite has got to be the burning of the Yule log!
Here are a few of the most popular festivals in Cornwall if you happen to be in Cornwall as the same time as one of these.
The Little Big Gig Bash is a music & ale festival based at the award winning Henry’s Campsite.
Royal Cornwall Show has been at the heart of the county for nearly 230 years.
Falmouth Oyster Festival is an autumn food festival which marks the start of the oyster season which opens in October and continues until March. The Falmouth Oyster Festival began in 1996 and celebrates the oysters from the Fal River and other local food and drink.
Fowey Royal Regatta runs for a week in August, Fowey plays host to this regatta, one of Britain’s premier sailing events.
Boardmasters is the most high-profile surfing event in the UK with elite athletes from around the globe taking part in five days of exhilarating surf action on Fistral Beach.
Eden Sessions is one of the high points of a summer of entertainment in Cornwall’s Eden Project.
Penzance Literary Festival. Dubbed “the friendliest litfest in the UK”, the Penzance Literary Festival welcomes writers from all over the country.
Porthleven Food Festival is now in its eleventh year, this well-established event on the festival calendar in the stunning harbour port of Porthleven has something for everyone with national and international chef’s theatre, food stalls, street food, music and entertainment for all.
The Porthleven Masked Ball is an immersive multi-level party on the cliffs.
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature is an annual arts and literature event in the town always throws up some musical gems
Tunes in the Dunes is a three days of huge pop names on one of Cornwall’s most favourite beaches, Perranporth.
Bands in the Sands in the Watering Hole, Perranporth, not strictly a festival but three big gigs with a festy atmosphere all next to the bar on the beach.
Tropical Pressure is a world music festival in stunning surroundings on the North Cornwall coast. As well as global sounds there’s global food and drink.
Falmouth Week is the annual maritime event is supported by ten days of music. Always a great party atmosphere, especially for the 80s v 90s Extravaganza. These are just a few of the many varied and exciting festivals around Cornwall.
Honeymoon Packages Cornwall
We offer Honeymoon Photography Sessions with newly wed couples travelling to Cornwall on their Honeymoon wanting something unique. If you didn’t get the images you wanted on your wedding day maybe you can put your dress on one last time for images you will be proud to hang on your wall! We also offer standard couple shoots too, if you want a more fun an adventurous shoot in the water with us. Here are some of our most popular packages that include all high resolution images via a secure online gallery:
2-3 hours £1200 in 2023 1300
To see more about our photography work please check out our photography page Enchanted Brides Photography
We hope you have enjoyed our extensive but not exhaustive list of things to do while spending time in Cornwall, either on your honeymoon, mini-moon or your holiday. Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Honeymoon,Honeymoon,
