Discover some of the best things to do in Cornwall; from visiting exotic gardens or ancient houses, to exploring the mining history, all encircled by a much-loved coastline. The National Trust has them all and Cornwall has such a rich history that you can explore and enjoy all of this in just one county. There are too many to list here but in our opinion these are just a few which you might like to consider visiting.

Lanhydrock (Near Bodmin)

Magnificent late Victorian country house with garden and wooded estate.

The Lanhydrock estate dates back to the 17th century, but the house was extensively rebuilt in the High-Victorian style after a devastating fire in 1881.

• Visitors can tour the family rooms, nursery, and main reception areas, which showcase a lavish lifestyle.

• The tour also offers a glimpse into the working side of the house, with one of the most complete servant quarters in England.

• One of the few remaining Jacobean parts of the original house is the magnificent Long Gallery ceiling. This intricate plasterwork was restored as part of a recent conservation project.

Gardens and estate

The Lanhydrock estate features almost 1,000 acres of parkland, woodlands, and gardens.

• A formal parterre, herbaceous borders, and a collection of magnolias and rhododendrons provide year-round colour.

• The wider estate offers walking paths that wind through ancient woodlands and along the River Fowey.

• The grounds include a range of cycle trails, from family-friendly routes to challenging mountain bike trails, with bikes available for hire.

• The 15th-century parish church of St. Hydroc is located on the grounds and is still in use.

Lanhydrock is often considered by many as a jewel in the crown of the National Trust and is well worth a visit. Allow yourself enough time not only to explore the house but also the wonderful gardens and extensive grounds.

East Pool Mine

An impressive Cornish beam engine and industrial heritage at the heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

East Pool mine, was a metalliferous mine in the Camborne and Redruth mining area, just east of the village of Pool in Cornwall. Worked from the early 18th century until 1945, first for copper and later tin, it was very profitable for much of its life.

At the very heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site sits the great beam engine in Taylor's engine house, originally powered by high-pressure steam boilers introduced by local engineer Richard Trevithick a local hero who is remembered each year on Trevithick day. Preserved in its towering engine house, as a reminder of Cornwall's days as a world-famous centre of industry, engineering and innovation.

The pumping engine is one of the largest surviving Cornish beam engines in the world.

Loocated in Pool, near Redruth, Cornwall, this preserved tin and copper mine are part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and feature two impressive beam engines, with tours available by pre-booking.

• There is lots to see and do,

• Taylor's Engine House: Houses one of the largest surviving Cornish beam engines in the world, a 19th-century pumping engine.

• Michell's Engine House: Features the last winding (whim) engine ever built in Cornwall.

• Discovery Centre: A former compressor house now housing an exhibit of mining relics.

• Winder House: A former machinery house that now serves as a cinema, screening films about Cornish mining.

• Guided Tours: A guided tour will cover the surface workings, including the engine houses, boiler room, and flue tunnel.

If you love history, the industrial past and maybe are even a little bit of an engineering geek, then East Pool Mine is well worth a visit, learn about the past, see it in action and wonder at the sheer ingenuity and skill of those that travelled deep underground risking life and limb to earn a simple living. It really does make you realise how lucky we are in these modern times.

St Agnes Head

The national trust is not all about houses and gardens, they are also custodians of some of the most dramatic, aw inspiring and fantastic coast lines in Cornwall. St Agnes head is such a place. Walk over a jewel-like carpet of heather and gorse.

Set on the cliff tops high above the Atlantic and in the shadow of the Beacon behind you, St Agnes Head was used as a light anti-aircraft artillery range in the Second World War and during the Napoleonic war it was a rifle range; this seemingly remote and peaceful spot has seen its fair share of activity over the years. Nowadays the headland is a much quieter place to visit. The only busyness you'll discover is from the insects buzzing in and out of the gorse and heather.

You can walk past the old look-out station and gaze out over the patchwork carpet of yellow and purple, with the brilliant blue of the sea beyond.

Chapel Porth beach, Wheal Coates old mine works and Trevaunance Cove are all a stone's throw away. Climb up to the top of the Beacon to take them all in and see for miles and miles.

Do you remember the bafta winning television series Poldark?

Many of Poldark’s famous gallops along the rugged Cornish clifftops were filmed on the cliffs above Chapel Porth, St Agnes. From here, you get panoramic views of yellow gorse, purple heather and miles of ocean. Beneath the gorse and heather the slopes are littered with mine shafts, wheel pits, spoil heaps and the ruins of dressing floors.

While exploring take a walk along the cliff path, enjoy the stunning views and explore Wheel Coats Mine works and imagine how they would have looked, felt and smelt in their heyday.

Glendurgan Garden

A historic and exotic wooded valley garden leading down to the Helford River.

Glendurgan Garden was described by its creators, the Quakers Alfred and Sarah Fox, as a 'small peace of heaven on earth'.

Created in the 1820s Alfred and Sarah developed it into a garden featuring rare and exotic plants. They also built a school room where local children, as well as their own, could learn; and they planted a maze. Descendants of Alfred and Sarah Fox live in the house to this day.

There are three valleys of Glendurgan to lose yourself in - full of amazing plants. Sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks, and plants with big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the subtropical lower valley. In Spring, an abundance of wildflowers fill the sloping sides of the valley.

Wandering through the garden leads you down to the unspoilt hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River.

Walking up from Durgan you can find a boat seat, a gigantic tulip tree and ponds teeming with wildlife. You can also learn about the Fox family who created this valley of adventure.

The maze has been foxing people for over 200 years. Who will be first to reach the middle of the living puzzle?

Glendurgan was created in the 1820s by Alfred and Sarah Fox, who then developed it into a garden featuring rare and exotic plants. They also built a school room where local children, as well as their own, could learn; and they planted a maze. Descendants of Alfred and Sarah Fox live in the house to this day.

This is a fantastic garden to visit and on a summers day walking down to Durgan and paddling in the river Helford and perhaps even having an ice cream just makes for a perfect day. If you love exploring and wonderful exotic plants make sure to visit this fantastic garden while you are in Cornwall. Be aware though it is a little steep in places.

Cothele

Cotehele was the ancestral home to the Edgcumbe family for centuries. The Tudor house, perched high above the River Tamar, is decorated with tapestries, arms and armour, pewter, brass and old oak furniture. The interior tour has changed little over the years, although the furnishings were titivated as Cotehele continued to inspire its adoring owners.

Outside, explore the formally planted terraces, or lose yourself in the Valley Garden, which includes a medieval stewpond and dovecote and leads down to the river. Seek tranquillity in the Upper Garden or visit the two orchards planted with local apples and cherries.

From early spring flowers to herbaceous borders in high season, to the orchards in the autumn and snow drops in winter, you’ll find horticultural activity all year round.

In the 19th century local industries boomed and Cotehele Quay bustled with vessels loading and unloading cargo. Paddle steamers came upriver to see the Tamar Valley’s famous blossoming orchards and small boats carried market-gardening produce back down the river for sale at Devonport Market.

The restored sailing barge 'Shamrock' is moored at the quay where you’ll also be able to treat yourself to a Cornish 'jam-first' cream tea in the Edgcumbe. The Discovery Centre here tells the story of the Tamar Valley, offering a gateway to the wider estate and is just a short walk through the Morden valley to our sister property Cotehele Mill.

Don’t forget the magnificent Garland which is hand made from flowers grown in the gardens and hung in the Great Hall from November to January, a must see if you get chance.

There is so much to see and do in Cornwall no matter what the time of year, you won’t be disappointed. Through the national trust these fantastic buildings and areas of land are cared for and looked after for generations to come and are open for all to enjoy.

There is every reason to visit Cornwall, so why not stay at one of our wonderful properties to use as a base to enjoy all this county has to offer while visiting and enjoying the history and beauty of all the National Trust has to offer.