See the hidden side of Cornwall with THIS itinerary
We all know Cornwall for its beaches.
Fistral, Kynance, Porthcurno… the Duchy is lined with a beautiful bay for virtually every day of the year.
But if you can pull yourself away from the coastline (and you won’t have to go far), inland Cornwall also delivers.
Here’s a five day itinerary of Cornwall’s best attractions besides beaches. Of course, you might want to intersperse these with a few days at the coast too!
Day 1: Launceston and Bodmin Moor
Launceston is a fantastic place to start any Cornwall itinerary. It was the Duchy’s county town unti the 19th century, and most tourists drive past it when they enter Cornwall (it’s just off the A30 and sits just west of the River Tamar).
The Norman castle dominates the skyline – climb the motte for clear views over the patchwork farmland towards Dartmoor, and Bodmin Moor in the other direction.
The keep, built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall in the 13th century, still retains its circular form.
Walk down into the compact town centre to see the Southgate Arch, the last remaining medieval town gate.
Just nearby, the Lawrence House Museum holds local artefacts and occasional exhibitions in a Georgian townhouse.
See my list of the best things to do in Launceston here.
Leave Launceston mid-morning and follow the A30 west. Just past Altarnun, turn off to explore Bodmin Moor.
In the afternoon, detour south via Minions, Cornwall’s highest village.
Here you’ll find The Hurlers, three Bronze Age stone circles in open moorland.
Nearby, Cheesewring Tor rises above an old quarry, with stacked slabs of granite forming a surreal, weather-sculpted shape. There’s a small café in the village and public toilets.
After, enjoy a drive to the north of the moorland.
Park at Rough Tor car park for a 2–3 hour circular walk up to Rough Tor and Brown Willy – these are Cornwall’s two highest points. The route passes Bronze Age cairns, prehistoric hut circles, and weathered granite outcrops. Pack water and check conditions, as this part of the moor can change quickly.
See my Rough Tor blog post here – I haven’t done the full Rough Tor and Brown Willy hike yet but will do soon!
I’d recommend staying at Jamaica Inn . The 18th-century coaching inn was made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s novel and has a small museum. There’s also a brooding bar and restaurant and wonderful moor views.
Day 2: Bodmin
Begin the day in Bodmin, one of Cornwall’s oldest towns (it was also the county town after Launceston).
Start with a walk around Priory Park and the remains of the medieval priory church, then make your way to Bodmin and Wenford Railway for the morning steam departure.
Trains typically leave around 10:30am and take you through woodland and farmland to Boscarne Junction and back.
I’d also highly recommend Bodmin Jail. This Victorian penitentiary was a pioneering jail of its time in terms of prisoner treatment, and a lot of jails around the country were modelled on it. You can book tickets on Get Your Guide.
Check out all the best things to do in Bodmin here.
Then, drive to Lanhydrock House, one of the most complete examples of a Victorian country estate in Cornwall. Managed by the National Trust, the house showcases upstairs-downstairs life in a late 19th-century setting, with kitchens, nurseries, and family rooms all preserved.
Outside, the landscaped gardens bloom with rhododendrons in spring, while wooded walking trails criss-cross the wider estate.
I’d recommend driving to and staying in Lostwithiel, ready for the next day!
Day 3: Lostwithiel to Truro
Spend your morning in Lostwithiel. This inland town, also once the capital of Cornwall, has independent antique shops, a Norman bridge over the River Fowey, and the ruins of Restormel Castle up the hill.
The circular shell-keep is well preserved and gives another vantage point over the surrounding countryside.
Start your morning at The Lost Gardens of Heligan which is located just outside St Austell.
Part of the historic Heligan estate (which, fun fact, I’ve managed to trace my ancestry back to! I don’t think I can claim any ownership of it though), these Victorian gardens were left to overgrow after the First World War and remained untouched until the 1990s.
Today, you’ll find a rare mix of formal terraces, productive vegetable plots, and subtropical jungle paths. Arrive early to avoid group visits and focus your time on the northern section, where moss-covered sculptures and overgrown walkways reveal the garden’s century of abandonment.
If you’d prefer something smaller and closer, Pine Lodge Gardens (also known as Pinetum) offers 30 acres of themed garden rooms. Alternatively, for National Trust members, Trelissick Garden near Feock is a good option later in the day, with walking trails along the Fal Estuary.
From here, skip the coast and head inland through Grampound, Probus, and Ladock—villages set back from tourist routes. Probus’s 13th-century church tower is the tallest in Cornwall, and the village supports a working post office, deli and small coffee shop. In Tregony, known as the “gateway to the Roseland,” you’ll find a few open galleries and an understated high street of period buildings.
Overnight in Truro for easy access to Day 4’s locations.
Day 4: Truro to Redruth
Cornwall’s only city has a compact centre, ideal for walking.
See the interior of Truro Cathedral, built in Gothic Revival style with soaring arches and stained glass.
Lemon Street is lined with Georgian townhouses, and the indoor market offers a mix of bakeries, local produce and secondhand books.
And don’t miss the newly-revamped Royal Cornwall Museum for its excellent section on Cornish history, from prehistoric tools to mining maps.
See all the best things to do in Truro here.
Drive west on the A390 to Redruth, where Cornwall’s mining history remains visible in the shape of granite engine houses and long-defunct tramways.
Head to East Pool Mine which is owned by the National Trust. The original beam engine here still works on compressed air, and volunteers lead detailed tours of the engine house. For more technical insight into mining tools and life underground, visit King Edward Mine Museum.
Overnight near Stithians, Carnkie or Constantine to stay close to inland moorland trails without pushing out to the coast.
Day 5: Inland Penwith to Launceston
Begin your final day with a short drive to Stithians Reservoir, a quiet inland spot used more by dog walkers and kayakers than tourists. There’s a 5-mile circular trail if you’re after a longer stretch or shorter routes across the dam wall and through conifer groves on the eastern side.
You’ll likely pass grazing sheep and only the occasional cyclist. Wild Vibes cafe here opens mid-morning for tea and breakfast baps.
See my guide to Stithians Reservoir here.
Head north towards Carnmenellis, passing granite farmhouses and winding backroads. This is one of Cornwall’s oldest geological areas, with a sense of height and quiet.
Stop at Carn Brea if visibility is clear—there’s a 14th-century stone tower and panoramic views over Redruth and the coast far below. Nearby Carn Brea Castle, perched on a granite outcrop, was converted into a romantic hunting lodge in the 18th century. You can walk up from the public car park if you don’t mind a bit of a climb.
Continue through Four Lanes and across towards Praze-an-Beeble and Leedstown—small agricultural villages with no crowds, but a few local shops and plenty of character.
From here, turn east, passing Crowan Church or stopping for lunch near Godolphin Cross, where traditional Cornish hedgerows meet long views over the former mining district.
Drive inland towards Callington via the A39 or more scenic back routes through Trethevas, Mabe, and Lanner. If you’re not in a rush, pause at St Neot’s Church, known for its intricate stained glass, or stop in Altarnun if you didn’t explore it earlier in the trip.
Return to Launceston in the late afternoon or early evening. Depending on your travel plans, you can either spend a final night there or continue onwards into Devon.
If you fancy seeing the beaches, I have an itinerary for that too!
