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Cornwall, what is there to say about a place that has it all? Beautiful weather, nature, beaches, tons of amenities and friendly people make Cornwall the place to live in. Regardless of preference, sea or land, high or low, beach huts or even Victorian villas, there is something for everyone in the wonderful county of Cornwall. Towns in Cornwall consistently receive British Travel Awards, but what if you were to live in this piece of heaven? Well, not all parts are the same, so without further ado, here are the best places to live in Cornwall.
Table Of Contents
Best Towns In Cornwall
These are the best towns in Cornwall.
1. Falmouth
Falmouth is a great town with a rich maritime heritage that has been attracting visitors for centuries.
As soon as you arrive in Falmouth, you can feel the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling harbour town. The sandy beaches are golden, the glorious parks are colourful and the bustling community makes Falmouth a lively seaside town.
The most famous landmark in Falmouth is Pendennis Castle, which dates back to 1540 and offers fantastic views of the seaside town and the harbour below.
Falmouth also has some great private schools, such as Truro School and Marlborough College, which provide high-quality education for students from all over the world.
The thriving town of Falmouth has a rich maritime heritage and a working fishing port, meaning that you can buy and eat freshly caught seafood whenever you want.
While Falmouth does have an above-average property price, it is absolutely worth the price.
2. Truro
Truro is the county town of Cornwall and the only city in Cornwall among the towns and villages. It is an ancient settlement that has grown and prospered over the centuries.
Truro is a beautiful city filled with Victorian houses and wonderful parks and gardens.
The southerly city of Truro is just a short drive to Land’s End and Penzance and is also near Falmouth as well as Devon, making it a great commuter town.
The historical cobbled streets sit throughout most of Truro, although some tarmac roads lead to the newer developments which have sprung up around Truro in recent years.
Truro was competing hard with bigger and more popular cities to win the European Capital of Culture for 2023, an award by the European Union by which the named cities organize a series of events to promote culture and European sentiment.
Many community groups do their bit for the community in Truro, and we completely recommend you join them by moving to Truro.
3. Penzance
Penzance is a market town in Cornwall, located on the westernmost tip of the Cornish mainland and is a popular holiday destination.
The place is a seaside town with many amenities, including restaurants, hotels, shops and pubs. Penzance also has some great attractions, such as Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penlee House and the Trengwainton Garden.
Penzance also has an excellent education. Penzance’s Bay Academy Secondary School, which provides education for over 600 pupils in years 5-13, has been ranked among the best secondary schools in the UK.
The town has various houses to suit all tastes and budgets, from detached homes to flats and beach huts metres away from the sea for great seaside living. A surprising detail about Penzance is that the property prices and living costs are quite decent, making it an even greater town to live in.
4. St Ives
St Ives, the best UK seaside town to some, is located on the north coast of Cornwall, on the Celtic seaside.
St Ives offers its residents many independent shops and pleasant attractions in its narrow-winding streets. The wonderful Barbara Hepworth Museum dedicated to the famed sculptor is always a thrill to visit.
Most of all, if you enjoy the peace, St Ives is just the place for you, and if you have children, you can rest assured that it has some good schools, both primary and secondary.
St Ives is an independent seaside town from different origins and has created this special atmosphere that only St Ives could offer – peace, history and art are its cornerstones.
The average price in St Ives is a joke compared to the quality of life, so we fully recommend you give it a try.
5. Padstow
One of the best Cornish towns, Padstow is situated on the north Cornish coast and is a great town to live in because of its beautiful nature, architecture and history.
The historic town of Padstow is home to stunning beaches, picturesque gardens, quaint old cottages and Victorian villas, which have made it popular with tourists from all around the world.
The rural paradise of Padstow is also historically important as it’s where King Arthur first landed after returning from his final battle at Camlann. The legend says he pulled his sword Excalibur out of the stone just outside of Padstow.
For all cyclists, Padstow is also the start or end point of the Camel Trail that leads to Bodmin Moor.
The local property market of Padstow is steadily increasing due to the high demand for this beautiful coastal town, making Padstow one of the best places to buy property in Cornwall.
6. Looe
Looe is a town situated on the southeast Cornwall coast.
Looe and Looe Island are popular tourist destinations due to the beaches, fishing and maritime heritage, rock pooling and vibrant festivals.
Looe is popular for swimming or surfing and has good fishing spots. A short walk from Looe will take you to Polperro and Fowey harbour, where you can find rock pools filled with colourful marine life.
Looe is home to some of Cornwall’s biggest events, one of them being the Looe Music Festival, which is usually a three-day event that sees well over tens of thousands of people joining.
Moving to the Looe town centre, next to the narrow little streets, won’t be all too expensive. Looe has the average price of homes and living comparable to Cornwall as a whole, making it a perfect place for those wanting a haven by the beach.
7. Porthleven
Porthleven is a picturesque fishing village with outstanding natural beauty.
Porthleven is a small place, and most activities happen around the harbour. Visiting the beautiful little seaside town of Porthleven can be an outstanding experience since it is perfect for coastal walks and has stunning views from its cliffs.
Here you can find all kinds of accommodations, cafes, pubs and restaurants to enjoy all that Porthleven offers. Moreover, the local life is abundant enough that there’s rarely a need to go outside the small town.
Porthleven has a thriving community and feels homelier than any other place in Cornwall.
While the price in Porthleven is slightly above the average, you get more than you bargained for, and with its beautiful architecture, cliffs and seaside, Porthleven is one of the best places in Cornwall.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Cornwall Famous For?
Cornwall is famous for many things. Namely, Cornwall is a popular tourist destination for its beaches and sea heritage. The second reason behind Cornwall’s fame is the pirate history it has, with many legendary pirates having an upbringing in Cornwall. The third reason behind Cornwall’s fame is the sweet and savoury Cornish pasties that had a beginning in Cornwall.
Is Cornwall A Good Place To Live?
Cornwall is a good place to live. Cornwall is a beautiful area filled with nature. The people are some of the friendliest you’ll see, and the crime rate is extremely low. Regardless of where you live in the county, a beach, as well as any amenity you might want, is only a short drive away.
What Are The Best Places To Live In Cornwall By The Sea?
The best places to live in Cornwall by the sea are:
- Falmouth
- Porthleven
- St Ives
- Looe
- Penzance
You could also add Padstow to the list of best towns by the sea, but it technically is by the river Camel. All of these cities on the list have beaches that are swimmer- and surfer-friendly destinations.
What Are The Worst Places To Live In Cornwall?
The worst places to live in Cornwall are:
- Saltash
- Heamoor
- Portreath
- Torpoint
- Wadebridge
All of these towns have something bad going for them. There is a widespread belief that Saltash, Torpoint, Wadebridge and Portreath have unwelcoming people, Heamoor has bad water and high crime on top of the unwelcoming feeling, and Wadebridge has a poor quality of life.
What Are The Best Fishing Villages In Cornwall?
The best fishing villages in Cornwall are:
- Porthleven
- Padstow
- Looe
- Newquay
- Mousehole
There are so many choices that you could add to the list of best fishing villages, such as Polperro, Sennen Cove and Mullion Cove, but that’s up to preference. What we can tell you, without a doubt, is that the places on the list are top picks.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the best places to live in Cornwall. Even though this county has many interesting towns and villages to offer, these are our top picks for a reason. If you are planning to move to Cornwall, consider the features listed here, so you choose the best possible future home. We wish you the best of luck!
