Cornwall &
The Isles of Scilly
To cross the Tamar is to enter a land of myth and maritime soul. These walks trace the rugged spine of Cornwall, from the engine houses of the tin-mining coast to the sheltered, subtropical creeks of the south. Beyond the mainland lies the Isles of Scilly—an archipelago of white sand and crystal-clear waters where the pace of life slows to the rhythm of the tides. Whether you are navigating the 'rotting granite' of the Penwith moors or island-hopping across the Fortunate Isles, these routes explore the wilder, ancient heart of Britain’s high kingdom.
A Landscape Shaped by the Atlantic
Cornwall is a peninsula shaped by wind, tide and centuries of both mining and seafaring history. Along its wild northern coast the Atlantic Ocean hammers at enormous headlands where engine houses from the county’s tin-mining past still stand watch above the sea.
On the southern English Channel Coast the landscape softens into wooded creeks and sheltered coves where the warm influence of the Gulf Stream allows subtropical gardens to flourish.
Walking the Coast of Cornwall
Cornwall offers some of the finest coastal walking in Britain. From the granite headlands of the far west to the sheltered creeks of the south coast, the peninsula is threaded by ancient paths and fishing routes that now form part of the South West Coast Path. The walks collected here explore cliff-top routes, historic harbours and quiet coves that reveal the wilder character of Britain’s Atlantic edge. Take a look at the Classic Fowey walk as one ideal example..
Inland Cornwall
But do not forget the delights that the Duchy has away from the sea. There are magnificent hills and moorlands such as Brown Willy, Godolphin and the granite moors of West Penwith.
The Wild West: The Granite Moors and Land’s End
The far west of Cornwall feels older than the rest of England. On the windswept moors of Penwith, prehistoric standing stones and ancient field systems sit among the granite outcrops.This is a landscape of open horizons, Atlantic storms and quiet fishing villages where the rhythm of life still follows the tides.
The Isles of Scilly
Beyond the mainland lie the islands of Isles of Scilly — a scattering of granite isles set in astonishingly clear water. Despite lying far out in the Atlantic, the islands enjoy a remarkably mild climate. White sand beaches, subtropical vegetation and a slower pace of life give the archipelago an atmosphere quite unlike anywhere else in Britain. The isles offer some of the best walking to be found anywhere in Europe - each one has a footpath that circumnavigates its shores - and you will hardly ever see a car or any other kind of vehicle.
Cornwall’s Ancient Character
Cornwall has always been slightly apart from the rest of England. Its Celtic heritage, maritime traditions and mining history give the county a strong sense of identity that visitors quickly notice.From the granite moors of the far west to the sheltered creeks of the south coast, Cornwall remains one of the most distinctive landscapes in the British Isles.