Tourists should still visit Cornwall. But it needs to change.

I’ll confess, despite half my family being about as Cornish as you can get (absolutely everybody from my grandma to the 12th century was born and bred, without any influence even from Devon – my gran was the first who moved away), from, studying the region’s history and culture and popping across the border whenever I get an excuse, I’ve never personally lived in Cornwall. 

Does that make me a visitor? I’m not sure. I live in Devon, although I grew up in South East London. Devon is certainly home, but due to my family history, I also feel a sense of belonging in Kernow.

Cornwall’s a beautiful part of the world, both in scenery and culture, and in my opinion, beautiful places should be shared. Travel has so many positive benefits; sharing cultures and ideas,  While, contrary to popular opinion, Cornwall could survive without its tourist industry, many small businesses wouldn’t. 

But I can clearly see the negative effects that over tourism has had on Cornwall. I know plenty of people who can’t afford houses, despite so many second homes being left empty. I personally refuse to visit from mid July to the end of August, but locals don’t have a choice, and have to deal with congested roads and rammed beaches. 

But what’s the solution? 

Let’s investigate the good and bad parts of tourism in Cornwall, and what could change. 

Why we should visit Cornwall

Ruins of a tin mine, Wheal Coates Mine, St. Agnes, Cornwall, England at sunset

Sometimes on Facebook, it can seem as if nobody in Cornwall wants any tourists. But I would argue that generally, they’re just talking about tourists behaving badly. 

Take a look at my list of things you should never do in Cornwall for a few examples of this!

In fact, there are plenty of reasons why visiting Cornwall is good for everyone. Here are some examples: 

Tourism sector

Cornwall does have a big tourist sector, and when people visit, they are financing it. Granted, I know it does have other industries, but there’s no denying the enormity of the visitor sector – it makes up 15% of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s economy.

On a personal level, there are the hundreds of tourist-focused businesses that would collapse if there were zero tourists.

Culture

Many people outside of Cornwall don’t know anything about its culture. When I was in the Royal Cornwall Museum, next to an exhibition about the Cornish language, I overheard two ladies talking about it. 

“I had no idea there was a Cornish language… I’ve not heard anyone speaking it”. 

I explained that it’s a Celtic language that became nearly extinct when England/ English “took over”, but recently there have been more efforts to revive it. 

They were really interested, and commented how different Cornwall felt to other places they’d been in England. 

Through these kinds of exchanges, we can promote Cornish culture more, which can lead the way to more governing autonomy or in general more recognition of Cornwall as a vibrant region, rather than just somewhere with nice beaches.

Benefits for tourists

Beautiful Dramatic Coastline on the Lizard Peninsula, in Cornwall, UK.

Obviously, there are many benefits for tourists who decide to visit Cornwall. They’ll have surfable beaches, epic hiking trails and charming towns and villages at their fingertips. While overseas holidays have gained more in popularity, there is something that can be said for finding glorious places in your own country – and Cornwall has plenty. 

What does that mean for Cornwall? Well, happy tourists are likely to spend more and return (a whopping 95% of Cornwall’s tourists are repeat visitors), benefiting the industry. They also might be more perceptive to discussions about culture. 

And in general, if there are beautiful places like Cornwall (and Devon – I do live here!), visiting can have great mental health benefits, which is generally better for the country’s psyche as a whole. 

Inevitability 

People are always going to travel. They have since the beginning of of time – and I’ll wager that most Cornish people have been on a few holidays in their lifetime. 

Even the most adamant anti-tourist local won’t be able to stop tourism – and I don’t think they should be able to. But what we can do is encourage tourists to travel differently. 

So how does this look?

How to combat over-tourism and travel sustainably

Carbis Bay Cornwall England near St Ives and on the South West Coast Path with a sandy beach and blue sky on a beautiful sunny day

Avoid Cornwall in the summer holidays

I really dislike Cornwall in August. Granted, if you have school-age kids, it might be the only time you can visit – but if you don’t, I highly recommend avoiding Cornwall this time of year. It’s a completely different (and much less stressful) experience in May or September. And in all honesty, I love visiting Cornwall in winter!

Spend some time in less-crowded spots

I try and share as many hidden gems as possible on my platforms, not because I want them to get crowded too, but I think it’s important to spread out a bit more.

Next time you’re in Cornwall, perhaps avoid Kynance Cove (which is tidal and only has a small car park which often fills up) and instead visit Poldhu Cove, which is just a little further south on the Lizard.

See my list of hidden gems in Cornwall here.

Stay in local guesthouses rather than Airbnbs

Airbnbs are one of the worst things to happen to Cornwall.

Quite often, they will be second homes and only be on Airbnb for the minimum time required to not have to pay second home tax.

Then the owner will use it for a few weeks, and the rest of the time it’ll be empty – despite the high rates of homelessness in Cornwall. 

If you do want a rental, I’d recommend using a company that specialises in tourist lettings, such as Classic Cottages

Better still? Stay in a locally-run guesthouse.

Large cave on the golden sandy beach at Holywell Bay Cornwall England UK Europe

Use local businesses as much as possible

Support the local economy by choosing independently-run cafes, restaurants, shops and activity providers. 

This means skipping chain stores and instead spending your money in businesses that directly benefit the community.

 Whether it’s purchasing handcrafted jewellery from a local artisan or eating out at a small bistro that sources its ingredients from nearby farms, your choices make a significant impact.

Learn about Cornwall’s culture and history

It’s easy to focus on Cornwall’s beaches and landscapes – they are epic after all – but taking the time to learn about the Duchy’s heritage will only enrich your visit. Uncover mining, stories surrounding the sea and its unique Celtic identity.

Visiting cultural sites like Geevor Tin Mine or the Museum of Cornish Life gives insight into the industries that shaped the region. 

Cornish culture isn’t only in the past, though—it’s alive today in its language, art, and music. Keep an eye out for events like traditional ‘Obby ‘Oss festivals or performances by Cornish choirs, and you’ll see how this distinct heritage continues to thrive.

It’s not about not visiting Cornwall – it’s about visiting differently. And by doing so, you’ll likely find you have a much richer experience! Let me know your thoughts over on Facebook.

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