We’ve just returned from an incredible private tour of Cornwall, the peninsula in southwestern England known for its dramatic coastline, magnificent gardens, rich artistic heritage and acclaimed culinary scene.

Cornwall often surprises first-time visitors. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the region has a mild climate, beautiful beaches, subtropical foliage and England’s only tea plantation. Yet it is also quintessentially English, with pubs, thatched cottages and castle ruins.

We stayed at top hotels known for warm hospitality and understated elegance.

We explored the working harbors, waterfront restaurants, narrow lanes, art galleries and beautiful sea views in picturesque villages such as St. Ives, Padstow and Fowey.

St. Mawes on the scenic Roseland Peninsula is one of Cornwall’s most beautiful villages and an ideal base on the south coast. 

We enjoyed walking along parts of the famous South West Coast Path, which loops around the peninsula and passes rugged cliffs, windswept headlands, secluded coves and caves historically associated with smugglers.

Cornwall is renowned for its variety of spectacular gardens, more than 70 of which are open to the public. One of our favorite Cornish gardens is Trebah, celebrated for its lush subtropical setting and a hydrangea-filled valley cascading down to a private beach.

Cornwall’s brilliant coastal light, dramatic coastline and relaxed pace of life has attracted artists for more than a century. In the early 20th century, St. Ives became one of England’s most important artistic communities, associated with Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and other leading figures of British Modernism.

We visited Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden, and the influential Leach Pottery, where Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada established one of the world’s most important centers for studio ceramics.

We also enjoyed Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens on the south coast, which displays works by contemporary artists amid lush subtropical gardens. A highlight was experiencing James Turrell’s immersive Skyspace installation.

Today, Cornwall remains an outstanding destination for travelers interested in ceramics, crafts and design, with independent galleries, artists’ studio and working potteries throughout the region.

Cornwall’s rich history spans thousands of years and sites include prehistoric monuments, medieval castles and the UNESCO-listed remains of its once world-leading tin mining industry, with abandoned engine houses still standing on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic.

One of Cornwall’s most iconic historic landmarks is St. Michael’s Mount. Its setting on a tidal island reached by boat or on foot across a causeway at low tide echoes Mont-Saint Michel, its counterpart in France. We spent the morning touring the castle, the picturesque harbor and the terraced subtropical gardens.

We also took an excursion to the atmospheric ruins of Tintagel Castle, a clifftop medieval fortress famously associated with the Arthurian legends. 

Food is a highlight of Cornwall and we enjoyed memorable meals showcasing the region’s exceptional seafood, local produce and artisanal ingredients. We dined at Michelin-starred restaurants, seafood shacks on the beach and traditional pubs, and sampled local sparkling wine, tea from the Tregothnan estate, Cornish pasties and rich Cornish ice cream.

Cornwall’s combination of warm weather, rugged coastal scenery, subtropical gardens, rich artistic heritage and acclaimed cuisine makes it one of England’s most distinctive destinations and a favorite among first-time and repeat visitors. Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private England tour featuring the highlights of Cornwall.