The Prettiest Villages in Cornwall
The prettiest villages in Cornwall might be an unfair statement because every village you go to in Cornwall will seem like the prettiest.
Don’t expect massive attractions in these small villages (EXCEPT one… keep reading to find out which one!). They are more for exploring and getting lost in the streets, getting a taste of locally caught seafood, hanging out at the beach, or a starting point for a greater adventure.
Oh, and don’t forget those perfect Instagram opportunities.
The Prettiest Villages in Cornwall
Tips for Visiting the Prettiest Villages in Cornwall
- The villages are not accessible by train and the easiest way to get to all these villages is by car. That being said, the roads are narrow and a lot are single-track, so just make sure you are cautious when driving!
- Most of the villages have a car park located just outside the main part of the village and you will have to walk to it. Most of the streets in the villages are narrow or one way so make sure you don’t accidentally pass the car park or you could have issues turning around.
- A lot of the villages are at the bottom of cliffs or steep hills, so bring your walking shoes! (I have noted the villages that don’t require walking down a hill to get to them).
- Some of the villages do not have facilities or cafes, just double-check before you spend the whole day there or pack a picnic!
- Bring sunblock! You’d be surprised by how sunburnt you can get in Cornwall.
Mevagissey
Mevagissey is on the south coast of Cornwall. This cute fishing village starts with narrow, winding streets and opens up to a massive harbor with beautiful waters when the sunlight hits it.
The car park is easily accessible and this is one of the easier villages to walk around on this list because it’s not super “hilly”.
The local artisan shops here are great! I stock up on all my bath products, sea salt, and beach bags here!
If you’ve got kids, they might like the small aquarium at the edge of the harbor.
Don’t miss out on a traditional Cornish tea at the Teacup Tearoom, just try to get there early-ish and avoid busy times because you cannot reserve tables and there will most likely be a wait!
If you have time after you leave Mevagissey, stop by the Lost Gardens of Heligan, which is right down the road!
Mousehole
Mousehole is a perfect little Cornish village in southwest Cornwall. It’s easily accessible from Penzance and super easy to walk around, especially if you get a spot in the quay parking lot! No steep hills to climb!
My favorite fish and chips in Cornwall are here at the Ship Inn… make sure you have a reservation in the evening because it can get busy!
Don’t forget to get a picture in front of the Insta-famous Mousehole store or take a paddle in the tidal pool and finish with a coffee in the Rock Pool Cafe.
Port Isaac
Port Isaac might be the epitome of a picturesque Cornish village.
The tiny streets weave around and down to the harbor.
If you’re a fan of Doc Martin, you will definitely recognize Port Isaac as the filming location of ITV’s Doc Martin.
The village can get very busy by mid-day, so aim to spend the morning here and then maybe have some lunch at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen.
And be prepared to walk from the car park to the village, it’s an easy walk, but a bit longer than the other ones on this list.
Cadgwith
Cadgwith is the Cornish village that you have never heard of, but wonder why when you visit!
You can easily spend the morning or afternoon here.
The parking lot is about a 5-7 minute walk from the village and is a direct route through the beautiful thatched cottages.
This village is perfect on a sunny, spring day when all the flowers are out and the water is Caribbean-style teal.
Cadgwith is perfect for paddleboarding or paddling in the water. Don’t forget to have a crab sandwich from the little crab hut at the bottom of the harbor. SO FRESH!
Portloe
You’ve probably never heard of Portloe… and that’s ok. It’s so small and secluded that you’ve probably never seen it on a “top ten places to visit in Cornwall” list.
And that’s just the way I like it!
This is the perfect village in Cornwall for a relaxing holiday. The “harbor” is very small with only two fishing boats and a handful of boats for tourist trips in the summer, BUT you’re not going to see the summer crowds here.
The village is snuggled into the surrounding cliffs and gives great access to the coastal path and the perfect photo opportunity of the village!
Coverack
There’s a little something for everyone in Coverack… and if you love wild swimming, then Coverack is perfect for you!
The wide-open bay with still, clear waters makes it the perfect place to get your laps in and if you have kids, they will love rock pooling during low tide!
If you want those Instagram shots, just walk around the thatched houses or small harbor and if you’re a foodie, then stop by the old, converted lifeboat house and have some fish and chips at The Lifeboat House.
And if you’re a fan of the water, the sheltered bay is perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, or windsurfing!
Polperro
I used to go to Polperro when I was a little girl and it hasn’t changed much, this is still one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall.
The cute local shops, great food, and the friendly charm.
This is another village that has its car park at the top of the hill and you have to walk to the bottom to get to where all the action is.
There is a shuttle bus that goes back and forth, so if you are too tired to walk back up, you can always hitch a ride for a small fee.
Make sure you go to Polperro during low tide and head straight to the beach! There are plenty of tidal pools and caves to explore!
Boscastle
Boscastle is the perfect village for the older crowd that can’t walk up and down hills constantly, however, the drive down the steep hill with almost 180 degree turns isn’t the greatest.
The harbor is beautiful on a sunny day and you can climb up the cliffs to get a beautiful view of the ocean.
If you want to add a little excitement to your day, pre-book your tickets for the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic… it’s a little weird and a little quirky, but super interesting!
If it’s a hot day then grab the ice cream bucket from the Toby Jug Café! SO. MUCH. CORNISH. ICE. CREAM.
Durgan
Durgan is a small hamlet just south of Falmouth on the Helford River… and I mean small.
The entire village is owned by the National Trust.
If you are big into gardens, then Glendurgan Garden is right above the village and super pretty to walk around (especially the maze), and you can even break up your garden trip with a walk around Durgan.
The beaches here are peaceful and quiet. Definitely worth a paddle for an hour or two.
There is no parking in the village unless you are renting one of the cottages, it’s also very difficult to turn around if you accidentally drive into the village.
Porthgwarra
This small village might be a surprise to make the prettiest villages in Cornwall list, but I did say that every village in Cornwall was pretty… remember?
I wasn’t lying.
The highlight of the village is definitely the small beach. Walk down the slipway to the white sandy beach that opens up to the crystal clear waters. Oh, and there are plenty of rocks to climb and caves to explore!
Porthgwarra is also a Poldark filming location… remember the infamous skinny dipping scene in season one?
Well, you can take a dip in the water… just make sure you wear a bathing suit. *wink*
If you’re into hiking, then this is the perfect starting point for your hike to Nanjizal Beach!
The parking lot is small, so arrive early! There’s also only one café in the whole village, but there are public facilities!
Tintagel
One of my earliest memories of Cornwall was exploring Tintagel with my family. I loved Sword in the Stone when I was a little girl and felt like I was being thrown into the world of King Arthur in Tintagel.
Tintagel has some great shops, great restaurants and we can’t forget the star of the village, Tintagel Castle! It’s not hard to see why this is one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall.
Tintagel boasts some of my favorite coastline in Cornwall because it’s so rugged and dramatic and the water is SO CLEAR! It is literally the perfect beach day!
Don’t forget to visit the National Trust owned, Grade I building, The Old Post Office, have a pint in King Arthur’s Arms, or grab a pasty from Pengenna Pasties.
*If you are going to visit Tintagel Castle, make sure you pre-book even if you are an English Heritage member!
Which one do you think is the prettiest village in Cornwall? Have you been to one not on this list? Are you planning a trip to a Cornish village on this list? Lemme know in the comments below!
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