Off The Beaten Track: Unusual Places to Explore in Cornwall

Situated in South West England, Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK and is famed for its natural beauty, sandy beaches, and surfing. With an array of things to explore in the county from historic houses, castles, and museums there is something for the whole family.

There’s a lot to go for in the area, from hikes by the cliffs, through lazy time on the many beaches, to unusual places to stay, there are plenty of off-the-beaten-track attractions to experience in Cornwall for those who want to try something a bit different, so let’s have a look:

Off-the-beaten-path Places in Cornwall

The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic

Housing the world’s largest collection of pieces relating to witchcraft, the occult, and magic, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is perfect for those who want to experience something a bit different.

Established in Boscatle in 1961 and with over 3,000 items including charms, curses, dolls, and trinkets this independent museum has become one of the most popular museums in Cornwall and is dedicated to preserving the variety of magical practice through its educational exhibitions.

The Shipwreck & Heritage Centre

The Shipwreck & Heritage Centre has one of the largest private collections of shipwreck and historical artifacts on display in Europe and is great for those who want to learn about the Cornish coastline.

This display features artifacts from over 150 shipwrecks, as well as exhibitions that feature the history of Charlestown, village life and the once thriving China Clay industry. The exhibition hosts an array of maritime history dating back to 1715 and has one of the largest underwater diving equipment assortments in the country, including various underwater suits used for treasure hunting and other naval purposes.

Eden Project

Although The Eden Project is one of the most popular attractions in Cornwall, it is full of weird and exotic plants and fruits to explore that will keep the whole family occupied for hours. It is the world’s largest indoor rainforest dedicated to environmental education and the interdependence of plants and people.

The complex is famed for its two huge enclosures consisting of connecting domes that house thousands of plant species, one emulating a natural Rainforest environment and the other a Mediterranean environment.

The Eden Project also has an outside botanical garden which is home to a variety of plants and wildlife native to Cornwall and the UK. The attraction hosts a range of family-friendly events to experience throughout the year including music festivals during the summer and the Festival of Light and Sound during the winter months.

Davidstow Airfield & Cornwall At War Museum

Situated on Davidstow Moor Airfield, the Cornwall At War Museum is a great day out for the whole family. Primarily covering the history of RAF Davidstow moor, the museum also hosts exhibits on other North Coast airfields and detailing wartime life in Cornwall.

Spread across multiple building on the complex, there are buildings featuring mixed displays and others dedicated to specific military forces such as the RAF, the Army, and the Royal Navy. Although many of the exhibitions and artifacts date to WWII there is also an extensive collection of wartime memorabilia dating from WWI to the Falklands Conflict.

Visitors can get refreshments at the onsite NAAFI and the museum is wheelchair friendly and dog-friendly too. The Cornwall At War Museum is a great attraction for those who want to learn about WWII and wartime life on the home front.

Fistral Beach (Newquay)

Fistral Beach in Newquay is a great destination for everything to do with water sports and is famed for being the home of British surfing due to the consistency and quality of its waves. Surfers and spectators alike will enjoy the array of things to see and do on Fistral Beach with the International Surfing Centre full of a variety of businesses, cafes, and restaurants.

Alternatively, you may be more inclined towards relaxing on a Hot Tub Retreat.

So whether you want to relax and take in the sights of the beautiful scenery around Fistral Beach or if you want to get involved with the various water sports on offer, there is something for everyone.