Cornwall National Landscape

The Cornwall National Landscape isn't a single spot you tick off a map - it's the whole county, essentially. What you're actually getting is protected countryside status that means rolling moorland, dramatic cliffs, river valleys, and working farmland stay relatively unspoiled. From Truro, you can drive into it within minutes. The appeal depends entirely on what you do within it.

Walkers genuinely get the most from this. The South West Coast Path threads through sections of jaw-dropping terrain, and inland there are proper moorland rambles where you'll see gorse, granite outcrops, and the odd wild Cornish pony. Families with young kids might find the concept a bit abstract - they want attractions with gates and cafes, not a designation on a planning map. But if you've got older children who'll enjoy a 4-mile walk to a waterfall or a clifftop scramble, it's brilliant.

There's no admission fee because you're not visiting a venue - you're exploring a region. The real value comes from staying at somewhere like Trevarth Holiday Park, just outside Truro, which gives you easy access to the best walking routes. Wrinklers Wood, if you fancy glamping with wellness classes included, is also close by.

Don't expect manicured gardens or visitor centres. This is working landscape with actual people living and farming in it. The National Landscape designation protects it from over-development, which is the whole point. Spend two or three days here properly, and you'll understand why Cornish locals are defensive about their county.