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The best Cornwall villages to visit
Guests at The Nare will be pleased to learn that some of the best Cornwall villages to visit are right on the hotel's doorstep. Here, on the Roseland Peninsula, the landscape is all rolling fields and dramatic coastal cliffs – a quiet haven unspoilt by urban sprawl. There are no large towns. Instead, quaint villages dot the seashore, each as perfect as a postcard and as characterful as the next.
It is no surprise, then, that Roseland is almost as famous for its villages as its natural beauty. This guide explores some of the very best.
Veryan
1 mile (4 minutes) from The Nare
One of the best villages to visit in Cornwall lies just up the road from The Nare. Veryan – or Veryan in Roseland, as it is sometimes known – is the very definition of a hidden gem. Peaceful, unspoilt and brimming with charm, it has been described as one of the loveliest inland villages in Cornwall.
Veryan is perhaps most famous for its roundhouses – an unusual group of five perfectly circular cottages, each topped with a thatched roof and a cross. However, there are many more curiosities in store for keen-eyed explorers. The local church, which dates back to the 13th century, is believed to house the longest grave in the UK. And just outside the village sits Melinsey Mill, a working water mill with roots stretching back to at least 1210.
Veryan also has an art gallery, a well-stocked village store and a traditional pub, complete with open fires and a good selection of wines and ales.
Portscatho
6 miles (15 minutes) from The Nare
Portscatho is really two villages for the price of one. At the shore sits Portscatho proper, a picturesque fishing village nestled within a sheltered, east-facing cove. To the west lies Gerrans, a quintessentially Cornish settlement that offers an authentic slice of slow-paced local life.
The two villages have almost merged over the years, yet each maintains a distinct identity. Gerrans is tranquil and traditional, while Portscatho hosts a vibrant artistic community. Either is worth visiting, perhaps for a spot of swimming, a quiet cafe lunch or as a starting point for a bracing coastal walk.
St Just in Roseland
7 miles (15 minutes) from The Nare
Not to be confused with St Just in Penwith, which sits at England's southwesterly tip, this peaceful village is a stone's throw from the ever-popular St Mawes. The two can be reached from one another in around six minutes by car, making it well worth setting aside time to explore both. Alternatively, the connecting coastal path offers splendid views over a rewarding two-mile yomp.
As for the village, it is a classic example of rural Roseland living – peaceful, unassuming and bursting with quiet beauty. Its most notable feature is undoubtedly its parish church, which dates back to the 13th century and sits among lush riverside gardens.
St Mawes
9 miles (20 minutes) from The Nare
St Mawes is the largest settlement on the Roseland Peninsula, and its most popular tourist destination. But a bustling town this is not. Despite its popularity, St Mawes has retained all the charm of a quintessential Cornish fishing village and a modest population of around 1,000.
The village has something for everyone – popular, family-friendly beaches, a spectacular 16th-century artillery fortress and many wonderful walking routes, to name just three examples. It is best known, however, as one of the best villages in Cornwall to visit for sailing enthusiasts. St Mawes has been called a 'yachting mecca', and the many sailboats bobbing in the bay reveals why.
Port Isaac (Doc Martin's village)
35 miles (70 minutes) from The Nare
Heading beyond the Roseland Peninsula, many more charming villages sit among Cornwall's rugged coastlines and wooded valleys. Perched on the North Coast within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Port Isaac is one notable example among hundreds.
It is notable, indeed, for its bustling, vibrant atmosphere and narrow, winding streets – the very picture of a working Cornish fishing village. Today, however, it is most famous as the home of TV's Doc Martin, a much-loved comedy drama starring Martin Clunes as a hapless village doctor. Fans of the show can take themed walking tours that visit several recognisable filming locations.
