Best things to do and places to stay on your summer holiday to Cornwall

Thanks to the G7 summit in June, the world’s spotlight will shine on one of England’s sunniest counties.

And with half of us having already booked a staycation in the South West, it’s about time you brushed up on the best activities to get up to while you’re there.

And if you’re late to the party when it comes to having already nabbed a holiday cottage, we’ve rounded up some fabulous places to stay.

Let’s find out what Cornwall was to offer….

Bodmin Jail Hotel, Bodmin Moor

One of the most exciting things to happen here this year – apart from the prospect of Joe Biden’s armoured vehicle getting stuck down a narrow Cornish lane – is the transformation of Bodmin Jail, overlooking Bodmin Moor, into a stylish hotel.

Dating from the 1770s, it held prisoners until 1916, then became a run-down attraction. ‘People tried to dynamite it but failed, thanks to the thickness of the walls,’ laughs the hotel’s GM, Rajesh Joshi.

‘Now it’s been beautifully restored, using original features – even the bars on the windows come from former cells.’

You can expect 70 luxurious rooms, a gourmet restaurant, al-fresco dining, a gin and champagne bar, with glamping on-site, too, and a spa coming this summer. One spooky reminder of the building’s origins comes with the Jolly Hangman Tavern.

‘Yes, the name does refer to the fact the jail once carried out executions,’ says Rajesh, ‘but don’t worry, it’s not haunted. I hope.’

Rooms from £150pn, click here to book.

St Michaels Resort, Falmouth

Fancy trying wild swimming for the first time, or, if you’re not a novice, doing it in a special setting?

From £515pp including meals and accommodation, click here to book.

Headland Hotel, Newquay

If you just fancy bobbing about, or focussing on lanes, get yourself to the Headland Hotel in Newquay, which has just launched their new, £10 million Aqua Club, a swimming and wellness space.

Click here for more information.

Jubilee Pool, Penzance

Lido fans should make a beeline for Penzance’s Art Deco Jubilee Pool, one of Europe’s only remaining geothermal salt water tidal pools, which underwent a £2 million restoration a few years ago.

Click here for more information.

Gin School, Padstow

Cornwall’s been part of the UK’s gin renaissance over the past decade, and this year one of the most successful distilleries, Tarquin’s Cornish Gin, based in Padstow, is opening its first Gin School.

Classes cost £85pp, click here for more information.

Gin fans should also try…

New to the market is Penzance Gin, a unique, citrussy, amber-coloured gin created by three friends who came up with the idea during a pub quiz at their local.

Check out their website here.

Prawn on the Law, Padstow

If you need something to soak up all that booze, premium seafood purveyors Prawn on the Lawn are opening their pop-up restaurant at Trerethern Farm in Padstow for the second summer running.

Expect local brown crab, lobster and oysters, as well as freshly grilled fish.

Click here to find out more.

Three Mile Beach, St Ives

Those looking to spend their time by, and indeed, on, the sea (via a surfboard), have a host of hot new spots to choose from when it comes to a slick beach stay.

From £2,000 for seven nights/£71pp pn. Click here to book.

Gwel Tresa, Polzeth

In Polzeath, you’ll fall asleep to the sound of the waves – after a day hanging ten over them – at Gwel Tresa, an impressive, newly-constructed, four-storey house right on the sand.

From £26pp pn for a seven night stay. Click here to book.

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