The Best Photography Locations in Cornwall: A Comprehensive Guide
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. Cornwall lies in the southwest of England, and getting around Cornwall is easy by rental car. 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.
Top Coastal Photography Spots
Holywell Bay
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. At sunset, those provide a beautiful subject in the distance. The best time to photograph Holywell Bay is when the tide is receding. Closer to the water, you'll find interesting patterns in the sand, and near the cliffs in the west, a river is leading out into the sea.
Godrevy Lighthouse
The rocks facing Godrevy Lighthouse provide another spectacular photo spot. Again, keeping an eye on the tides is crucial when photographing this location. Between the rocks, you find many crevices you can use to frame your photos, but getting there is only possible at low tide. If you spend some time in Cornwall, try to visit Godrevy Lighthouse on a stormy day with waves crashing on the rocks.
Porth Nanven
Close to St Just in the west of Cornwall, you'll find a cove very popular with local photographers - Porth Nanven. The roundish rocks at the beach offer beautiful foreground interest. And again, similar to Holywell Bay, two little islands called the Brisons offer a subject in the distance.
Kynance Cove
Kynance Cove has to be one of the most iconic locations in Cornwall. Located on the western tip of the Lizard Peninsula, it's quite secluded so expect a bit of a drive to get there. It is one of my favorite sunset locations because it offers many compositional opportunities. Kynance is certainly at its most beautiful when the skies are blue and the sun is out, but don't discount it when it's grey.
Unique Beaches and Villages
Pednvounder Beach and Porthcurno
Pednvounder is one of the most impressive beaches I’ve ever seen. The best view is where the path starts heading downward. Rocks and coastal flowers provide foreground interest at this location. Nearby, Porthcurno is the beach that everyone photographs and pretends they are in the Caribbean. This beach has the whitest sand in the county, the clearest waters, and some of the most beautiful clifftop views.
St Michael's Mount
This is one of the more famous spots in the south of Cornwall. When the tide is low you can use the granite causeway to reach the mount. It's a short walk but make sure you check the tide times.
St Ives and Mousehole
St Ives is incredibly famous, with some of the cutest streets you've ever seen. It can be very busy, so I recommend shooting in the low season to get that lovely soft light Winter brings. If you're after traditional fishing village vibes, Mousehole is a picturesque, quaint little town with fishing boats and ice cream shops.
Atmospheric Locations
Merlin's Cave
Located in Tintagel, this looked like a place you might see in Iceland, not England! The cave fills with water at high tide, but has a sandy floor and is explorable at low tide. It is especially breathtaking when it is very misty.
Zennor
Zennor is purely rugged and barren. With nothing but rolling hills, ragged cliff tops covered in granite boulders, and epic seascapes, you'll get here and never want to leave. Expect it to be quite windy, all year long!
Summary of Key Photography Locations
| Location | Best Tide / Time | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Holywell Bay | Receding Tide | Gull Rock sea stacks, dunes |
| Godrevy Lighthouse | Low Tide | Rock crevices, lighthouse views |
| St Michael's Mount | Low Tide | Granite causeway, historic mount |
| Porth Nanven | Sunset | Roundish rocks, The Brisons |
| Loe Bar | Autumn/Winter Sunset | Clear skies, direct sunset view |
| Merlin's Cave | Low Tide | Sandy cave floor, misty atmosphere |
Whether you're looking to come down to Cornwall to shoot your next campaign or are just a photo enthusiast, these are some of the most beautiful places in the county. Plan in enough time if you visit these locations to explore the rugged land and spectacular scenery.