Route Highlight
St Austell Bay
Cornwall’s biggest town has an unglamorous reputation despite interesting visitor centres at its brewery and china clay quarries. Yet the old Victorian town centre is a relaxing non-touristy place to wander.
St Austell Bay is a more popular attraction with visitors: Charlestown is a picturesque historic harbour familiar to fans of TV’s Poldark, while there are fine sandy beaches at Par, Polkerris, Porthpean and Carlyon Bay.
During your trip
Other Route Highlights
Looe
Looe is a classic small seaside resort with nautical pubs, cafes and shops in narrow streets either side of a busy harbour at the river mouth. Energetic visitors try coastpath adventures, particularly towards Polperro, and boat trips to Looe Island.
Polperro
Park at the top of the pedestrianised village and walk down cobbled lanes and alleys. They lead between whitewashed fishing cottages and seafood eateries perched on cliffs around a tiny medieval harbour.
Fowey
Pastel-painted terraces and narrow winding streets overlook a deep wooded estuary full of bobbing yachts and fishing boats. Between stylish bars, galleries and restaurants you can find a museum, castle and aquarium.
Eden Project
Just a mile inland from St Austell Bay there’s a chance to visit one of the UK’s most popular gardens. The futuristic domes of the Eden Project fill the crater of a former china clay quarry.
RAME PENINSULA
The big C-shape on the map to the southwest of Plymouth is awkward to drive to because it’s one giant dead-end. But it’s worth the detour to this forgotten corner of Cornwall.
