Cornwall Pictures: 19 Photos That’ll Make You Want to Visit Cornwall
From stunning St Ives to Bedruthan Steps, these pictures of Cornwall show why this is the most beautiful place to visit in England! Cornwall – or Kernow as they say in Cornish – is home to mile upon mile of dramatic coastline, golden sands, rolling countryside, rugged moorland and picturesque fishing villages. It is one of the most photogenic counties in the UK; so if you are a keen landscape photographer, you really need to begin planning a road-trip to Cornwall in order to capture its breathtaking scenery.
Planning Your Photography Trip
Getting around Cornwall is easy by rental car. If you plan to visit Cornwall from outside the UK, you'll fly into London. From there, you can rent a car and embark on the five-hour drive to Cornwall — no need to hop on another flight. There's also a small airport near Newquay in the north of Cornwall. If you book a cottage or apartment somewhere around Newquay, you'll reach every photo location from Cornwall's north to its western tip within 90 minutes. I'd recommend finding something closer to Redruth or Hayle though.
I always visited Cornwall in late May or early June, which is one of the drier times in that area. It is also when you can expect many coastal flowers along the Cornish coast and bluebells in the forests. Another interesting time to visit Cornwall is winter. With frequent storms, you can encounter dramatic weather with huge waves in the area.
Top Photography Locations
St Ives and Port Isaac
St Ives is one of those places that seems straight out of an old fashioned English novel and it is one of the cutest places in the UK. Port Isaac is a tiny little fishing village somehow carved into the coast of Cornwall. Port Isaac is a bit of a foodie destination with the Michelin-starred Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, and his other restaurant Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is amazing too. Basically, I think they only do beautiful towns and villages in Cornwall.
The Bedruthan Steps
The Bedruthan Steps is a small stretch of coastline in Cornwall with jagged cliffs jutting out of the sea. It is very raw and rugged and you can just imagine pirates using this place as a smugglers cove. They almost look like the 12 Apostles in Australia, but you know, only British. They say a picture tells a 1,000 words, and I feel photos of the Bedruthan Steps says it all. The beach here is stunning too, though make sure you check when low-tide is otherwise you’ll only be able to see it from the cliffs above.
Holywell Bay and Godrevy Lighthouse
Holywell Bay is a wide stretch of golden sand surrounded by dunes and cliffs. Toward its western end, you find two large sea stacks called Gull Rock. The best time to photograph Holywell Bay is when the tide is receding. Heading west, the rocks facing Godrevy Lighthouse provide another spectacular photo spot. Between the rocks, you find many crevices you can use to frame your photos, but getting there is only possible at low tide.
Porth Nanven and Pednvounder Beach
Porth Nanven is a cove very popular with local photographers. The roundish rocks at the beach offer beautiful foreground interest and two little islands called the Brisons offer a subject in the distance. Pednvounder Beach is a sunrise location you can photograph at any tide. In late May, this area is filled with coastal flowers, making it a beautiful coastal garden.
Summary of Key Photo Spots
- St Ives: One of the most popular places to visit in Cornwall with a classic novel feel.
- Port Isaac: Small fishing village featuring Michelin-starred dining and gorgeous views.
- Bedruthan Steps: Rugged cliffs and sea stacks; best visited during low tide.
- Holywell Bay: Golden sands and sea stacks; ideal when the tide is receding.
- Godrevy Lighthouse: Spectacular rocks and crevices; best on stormy or overcast days.
- Porth Nanven: Famous for roundish foreground rocks and the Brisons islands.
- Kynance Cove: Located on the Lizard Peninsula; offers many sunset compositional opportunities.