How to Spend a Weekend in Cornwall – A 2-Day Itinerary
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Cornwall sits on the South West Coast of England and encompasses wild moorland, quaint fishing villages and gorgeous countryside.
It’s a nature lover and photographer’s dream!
If you are planning your trip to Cornwall but only have a long weekend then you may be wondering how you can fit everything in!
In our Cornwall two-day itinerary you will find the best things to see for photography including the beautiful Botallack Mine, Godrevy Lighthouse, St Micheals Mount and the world-famous Lands End.
As well as a few tourist attractions that we loved like the Seal Sanctuary!
You will find tips on where to eat, where to stay and visitor information and photography tips for each spot.
If you have time to spare in your itinerary then we have also covered additional popular things to do in the area that you may want to squeeze in!
It may just be two days, but Cornwall is the perfect location for a long weekend or break away as so many of its sights are close together which saves precious travel time in the car!
So let’s get planning!
How to Spend a Weekend in Cornwall
The Morning of day one – Godrevy Lighthouse
We were up early and would love to say we bounced out of bed, our guidebook in hand, but quite frankly, that is never the case.
Nevertheless, we were brimming with anticipation as we drove through the dark streets on our way to our first destination! Godrevy Lighthouse!
As photographers, we are often up at sunrise and whilst it’s not always easy to get out of bed we do recommend you try as there is nothing more magical than watching the sun start the day on the coast!
We always love capturing landscapes at sunrise especially when there are clouds in the sky as they make for the most dramatic captures!
We couldn’t think of a better way to start our weekend in Cornwall!
A Brief History
Standing approximately 300 metres off Godrevy Head and built in 1859, it marks a dangerous reef off St Ives called the stones, a hazard to shipping for centuries.
During the first half of the 19th century, there was an increase in ships along the north coast of Cornwall.
St Ives flourished as a fishing station, but the Stones, lying dangerously across the natural path of this traffic, claimed many victims. Sadly, on 30 November 1854, a steamer was wrecked with the loss of all passengers and crew.
It was then that plans to erect a lighthouse would commence marking the hazard, and it was built and erected in 1859.
Now? You wouldn’t know the tragic past the stones have tied to its name as the land surrounding it was dotted with colourful flowers and swaying grass whilst the waters, even at 5.30 am, were swimming with surfers!
For some reason, we are intrigued by lighthouses and have been to four in just six weeks!
During our travels in the UK, we have seen some stunning lighthouses in both North Wales and Scotland, and we never get bored of visiting them.
They always look so stunning standing proudly next to the ocean.
Visitor and Location Information
- Godrevy is a national trust property so if you are a member, bring your card.
- Whilst we headed there with the lighthouse in mind, many flock there to enjoy the beautiful golden beaches or explore the coastline on the many walks and marked footpaths.
- There are 3 National Trust car parks on the approach, so there is plenty of space, but it does get busy as the day draws on, so our advice is to get there early!
For more information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/godrevy-cornwall
📸Photography Tip: Try using the rocks as an interesting foreground for a portrait-sized image. Also, be careful with your exposure as the sun will shine brightly on the side of the lighthouse compared to the rest of the scene.
The Afternoon of Day One – Visit the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
We are both obsessed with animals and spent a good chunk of our time touring North Wales, heading to spots where there are usual seal sightings.
So, when we read about the local seal sanctuary & rescue centre and some of the fantastic works for these gorgeous animals, we decided to spend a few hours there!
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a sanctuary for injured seal pups and is owned by The SEA LIFE Trust and based on the Helford River next to the village of Gweek.
It is a charity that rescues and rehabilitates grey seal pups from around the Cornish coastline.
Each season the Sanctuary rehabilitates over 70 rescued seal pups for various reasons, from malnourishment to being separated from their mum.
The Sanctuary is also home to fun-loving sea lions, playful penguins, and paddock animals.
We loved that we were spending our time supporting a cause that is so worthwhile but also managed to get up, close and personal with so many of these elusive creatures!
And whilst this visit wasn’t photography-focused, it was a lovely way to spend a few hours supporting a great cause in the area.
The highlight for me was sitting watching the baby seals play with each other in the Nursey, and they are animals so full of curiosity and character that they stared straight at me for minutes on End.
I couldn’t help feeling they knew that they were safe.
We prebooked tickets and paid £15.50 per person, which whilst the park isn’t huge, we felt the price was worthwhile since we knew it supported such a worthwhile cause.
You can book your tickets here: https://sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org/en/
Visitor and Location Information
- You need to book online, or at least you did when we visited so, please check on their website. We had a time slot also booked and arrived in plenty of time.
- If you book at least one day in advance you get 20% off
- A snack stall sells doughnuts, sandwiches, and cakes and an ice cream vendor towards the entrance if you want to treat yourself
- Dogs can accompany you on your visit if they stay on a lead.
The Evening of Day One – Sunset at Botallack Mine
This was our favourite thing we did during our whole weekend in Cornwall and is one of our favourite and top locations for landscape photography in Cornwall.
Perched up high and clinging on dramatically to the exposed cliffs of what’s known as the ‘tin coast’ and part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage site, Botallack Mines and the famed Crown Engine Houses are adjourned in history and just waiting to be discovered.
A Brief History
Worked from 1815-1914 and produced 22000 tons of copper and almost 15000 tons of tin; the mines were renovated between 1984 and 2006.
They have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site ever since and are also famous for being chosen as the filming location for the BBC series Poldark.
Honestly, this alone made us want to explore since we fell in love with the series! But the location is even more stunning than the TV would have you believe.
Row upon row of wildflowers in May, if you head there for a clear evening to watch the sunset, you will no doubt be blown away by the scene that unfolds before you.
The soft light shining on the Crown’s Engine Houses as the sun went down was probably one of our favourite sunset spots to date!
There is a National Trust car park near The Count House with just a short walk to views in all directions.
Worth a visit and a must-see for your weekend in Cornwall.
Visitor and Location Information
- It’s a National Trust area, so bring change for your parking
- Wear decent shoes for walking; you are up and down quite a bit exploring, but it’s so worth it!
- Try and head there for sunset; the sun setting over the sea is just magical.
📸Photography Tip: Great images can be had throughout the golden hour and due to its position on the coast, it is one of the few places that catch the last golden rays of the setting sun.
The Morning of Day Two – St Micheals Mount
St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall is more intriguing than we first realised when heading there for sunrise on a warm summer’s morning.
It has so much history, and so many stories, and yet, whilst ignorant of them all, we still admired its beauty and enjoyed taking photographs.
Watching the odd person peacefully kayak by and experiencing the tide drawing in on us as the path and causeway slowly disappeared from view.
We arrived at the car park at 5 am intending to get some sunrise photographs of the magical mount (who said photography was easy!), While it was early, it was tranquil and peaceful and we had the location pretty much to ourselves.
The island is a civil parish and is linked to the town of Marazion by a beautiful causeway made of granite setts, passable between mid-tide and low tide.
When we arrived, the tide was already in a fairway.
So we were unable to make it across as it was too early for the boats to be running, but fear not, if you do visit during more civilised hours and not the 4.30 am starts we constantly endure, then you can get a boat across to explore and even spend a day there.
Crowned by a medieval church and castle that has been home to the St Aubyn family since 1650, the island is managed by the National Trust to safeguard its future for generations to come.
Whilst we did not venture onto the island, it looks like a stunning and unique place to spend the day and, certainly for us, a reason to return! This place is a must-see when spending a weekend in Cornwall.
If you want to visit the island, you must book tickets online, and if the tide is in, you will need to secure the boat across.
You can enjoy the walk along the beautiful causeway if the tide is out. You can find more information and tickets for St Michaels Mount here.
Visitor and Location Information
- Do check tide times as this will determine how much of the path leading across you can see or access, and if, like us, you want to take photographs, then you may want more or less of the path on display.
- A pay and display car park is extremely close to the seafront, which charges roughly £1 an hour up to £12 for 24 hours.
- Many people were kayaking, even at 5 am, so it looks like a great spot to make your way around the island if you want a slightly different experience.
📸Photography Tip: The tide plays a big part in the photography here. When the tide is in the walkway is completely covered. If this happens to you (as it did to us) you can use a nearby harbour to create a leading line.
Mid Morning of Day Two – Visit Porthleven for breakfast at Nautibutice
After spending the morning capturing St. Michael Mount in Cornwall, we had built up an appetite and went in search of food, something that we tend to find ourselves doing an awful lot.
A couple of friends had recommended Porthleven as a lovely fishing port and town, and since it was just 15 15-minute drive from Marazion, we headed there for breakfast.
Whilst quiet at 8 am, people were paddleboarding past and even jumping in for a quick dip in the cold waters below before they sat down to breakfast!
We quickly discovered Nauti but Ice, which had seating indoors and out and seemed to have a varied and delightful breakfast menu with lots of vegetarian and vegan options and views across the port.
It was one of those places where you just felt “like you were on holiday.”
The menu was fantastic and one of the best veggie breakfasts we have had; the service was with a smile, and their selection of ice creams was to die for.
We don’t usually specifically mention places to eat in our blogs but this little town was so picturesque it quickly became one of our favourite spots during our weekend in Cornwall.
The Afternoon of Day Two – Kynance Cove
A long weekend in Cornwall is not complete without casting your eyes over the legendary Kynance Cove, and it is every bit as beautiful (if not more so) as the photographs and videos dictate!
A tidal beach famed for its gorgeous sandy beach and turquoise blue waters, Kynance Cove attracts tourists in the hundreds, so get there early!
Given it is one of the top locations for landscape photography in Cornwall, we had to check it out and try and get some captures ourselves and it did not disappoint.
With its rugged rock formations and dramatic views, it reminded us of the many coastal landscapes we had seen during our visit to The Isle of Skye in Scotland!
Some gorgeous spots to set up your camera are a short 10-minute walk away from the car park and not too strenuous although vertigo-inducing at times, and if you are anything like me, you will not want to be near the edges!
If you are not too enthralled by photography, then you can head down to the sandy beach and set up camp or explore the coves or many rock pools.
Lizard Point, another famous landmark in Cornwall, can be reached by foot as it’s just a short(ish) 45 minutes along the coastal path.
Visitor and Location Information
- Another gem of a location owned by the National Trust, there is plenty of parking, although this can soon change in peak times, meaning you may have to park in the next car park along, which is roughly a 40-minute walk.
- Arrive early as always to get the best spots for photography but also to secure your place on the beach if you are looking to spend the day there
- The beach is dog-friendly in winter but like most beaches in Cornwall has a seasonal ban, so ensure you check the dates.
- There is a café which serves cakes, snacks, and hot drinks if you don’t fancy taking your picnic.
📸Photography Tip: You can find exciting rocks all around Kynance Cove. Be sure to explore other parts instead of focusing on the main attraction.
The Evening of Day Two – Sunset at Lands End
Lands End is a world-famous landmark located at the westernmost point of Cornwall and mainland England, and it is the End of the land.
Whilst I had been here before a fair few years ago, Steffan had not, so he wanted to experience it for himself and try and capture it on his camera in all of its glory.
For us, it was a little underwhelming. It was more of a tourist resort than a natural landmark, and whilst we should have expected this given its fame, we were not quite prepared for the theme park / retail outlet vibes Lands End has so brilliantly created.
However, in its defence, we did visit on a bank holiday weekend in the summer, so it was probably a lot to do with the time of year and the crowds, and so we would potentially go back in quieter months.
So, what can you expect from Lands End?
A vast car park – if you are heading there in peak times, book your parking spot online – yes, it gets that busy.
The “resort” has a small shopping village with retail outlets selling souvenirs, snacks and clothing and has attractions such as 4D film showings and even a small farm.
If you want a photograph with the iconic sign, you will need to queue up and pay £10 for a picture with the sign, which contributes to the area’s upkeep.
Lands’ End did do well with vegan options, which was a pleasant surprise, vegan ice cream, and vegan pasties, which we thoroughly enjoyed whilst sitting on a rock enjoying the views!
Overall, we are glad we experienced Lands End, I think it wasn’t our favourite spot but it certainly was one to tick off our bucket list and worth adding to your weekend in Cornwall!
To check out everything Lands End has to offer, you can find them here https://landsend-landmark.co.uk/
Visitor and Location Information
- Book your parking spot online if you are visiting during peak times – Sometimes their online booking system has issues so if you encounter this then you can purchase tickets on arrival
- If you want to beat the crowds, maybe make it an early visit for sunrise since sunset does seem to draw in the masses.
📸Photography Tip: Be sure to visit at sunrise or sunset as this is the best time of day to take photographs. Some interesting rocks on the coastline could make a good image or if you are lucky you may see a passing sailboat as the sun goes down
Map of Locations for a Weekend in Cornwall
Where to stay for a weekend in Cornwall?
We stayed in Helston, which is not far from the very End of the land, also known very suitably as Lands’ End.
We chose a little Air B and B, which, whilst more compact than a larger apartment, had everything we needed, was extremely reasonably priced, and was in the perfect location for us to explore the sights we had come to see.
Plus there is a lantern light so you can lay in bed and watch the stars, what more do we need to say!?
The link for where we stayed is here:
However, there are so many hotel and guest house options in Cornwall that you will be truly spoilt for choice!
What else is there to do in Cornwall for a weekend?
If you tend to visit locations at a fast pace and you find yourself with some spare time in your 2-day Cornwall itinerary then think about exploring more of what Cornwall has to offer.
- Bedruthen Steps – A stretch of coastline between Padstow and Newquay offering gorgeous landscape views and coastal walks
- Tintagel Castle – A crumbling castle cloaked in myth and legend and the alleged birthplace of King Arthur
- Port Issac – A quaint traditional fishing village and the film location for the popular Doc Martin series and worth adding to your Cornwall itinerary if you enjoy small village vibes
- Explore the southwest coastal path – A popular coastal path stretching along the entire coast of Cornwall popular with walkers and hikers and offering gorgeous views of the Cornish Coast
- The Eden Project – A popular eco-visitor attraction taking you on a journey through the world’s largest indoor rainforest
- Minack Theatre – Cornwall’s World is a famous open-air theatre that is home to live performances by Twilight. Tickets must be booked in advance.
Where to eat in Cornwall?
First of all, it’s worth mentioning that many of the restaurants in Cornwall need to be booked during peak season but most smaller cafes and pubs you can just walk into.
It’s also worth being aware that many of the restaurants and pubs close earlier than many of us are used to so ensure you plan to have dinner around 5 pm or 6 pm so you don’t arrive to find the kitchen has closed.
We very much enjoyed our stop at Nautibutice so if you visit the cute town of Porthleven on your weekend in Cornwall then we recommend you stop here for a meal or two.
We also really enjoyed the cornish pasties from some smaller bakeries but also we rated the vegan pasty we had whilst visiting Lands End.
We also ate at various cafes and pubs around the area and we found them all to be very good and whilst a more casual option, the food was to a high standard.
If you are looking for the very best places to eat in Cornwall then be sure to check out this guide on ten of the best.
Is two days enough in Cornwall?
Cornwall is a brilliant choice for a long weekend and we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in Cornwall.
But two days is not enough to explore everything Cornwall has to offer.
We used our weekend in Cornwall as a way to explore the main sights with a plan to come back again in the future.
How many days do you need for Cornwall?
Cornwall is such a large county packed with so much to see and do that it is a challenge to explore everything in one trip. I have visited Cornwall twice.
The first time I visited I spent two weeks and this time it was just a long weekend in Cornwall and there are still so many things I am yet to explore.
When is the best time to visit Cornwall?
Generally, the best time to visit Cornwall is in the summer months when you can make the most of the sunny days and warm temperatures.
But we would recommend against visiting during any peak times such as school holidays or July and August especially if you want fewer crowds.
In our opinion, the best time to visit is in the shoulder seasons of April – June or September – October.
Where else is beautiful to visit in the UK?
The UK is packed with gorgeous places to visit from Snowdonia National Park in Wales to the rugged Isle of Skye in Scotland and several beautiful cities dotted around England.
Our favourite places to visit in the UK include:
- Snowdonia National Park in Wales
- North Wales and its epic beaches
- Pembrokeshire In South Wales
- Dorset, home to the rugged Jurassic Coast in England
- The Isle of Skye and the Highlands of Scotland
Final thoughts on spending a weekend in Cornwall
So that was our packed weekend Itinerary in Cornwall, and whilst we did not even scratch the surface, we fell in love with the Cornish coast, the tasty pastries and the stunning views all the same, and cannot wait to return!
