Accessible Guide to Cornwall

With over 300 miles of rugged coastline, Cornwall is a lush and varied destination offering accessible experiences across dramatic seascapes, peaceful countryside, historic towns and vibrant cultural centres. Visitors are drawn like a magnet to Cornwall for its mild climate, charming fishing villages, spectacular coastal views and abundance of sensory experiences. From the sound of Atlantic waves and the scent of sea air to the taste of local produce and the sight of expansive beaches, Cornwall offers rich opportunities to taste, touch, smell, hear and see.

Cornwall can broadly be explored by region. West Cornwall stretches to the western tip of the British mainland, rich in tin mining heritage and dramatic coastline. The Lizard Peninsula is the southernmost and one of the quietest parts of the county, known for wildlife and peaceful coves. Mid Cornwall North centres around Newquay with strong transport links, sandy beaches and family attractions. Mid Cornwall South includes Truro and Falmouth, offering estuaries, gardens and maritime heritage. North East Cornwall spans Padstow, Wadebridge, Bude and Bodmin Moor, blending coast, countryside and folklore. South East Cornwall includes Looe, Liskeard and the Tamar Valley, an area of scenic railways, historic estates and tranquil waterways.

West Cornwall

This region is defined by historic tin mining, charming fishing villages and some of Cornwall’s most dramatic coastline. The area is well connected by rail and offers a strong mix of museums, scenic landscapes, food destinations and accessible attractions.

Attractions and places of interest include:

• Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary
• PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications
• Tate, St Ives
• Minack Theatre
• Land’s End
• Tehidy Woods Country Park
• Geevor Tin Mine
• Penlee House and Gallery
• Jubilee Pool, Penzance
• Stithians Lake
• Cornwall Gold
• Trevaskis Farm Shop and Restaurant
• Beach Club Restaurant at Carbis Bay Hotel
• Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens

The Lizard Peninsula

The Lizard is one of the wildest and most peaceful areas of Cornwall, featuring cliffs, secluded coves, woodland and traditional fishing villages. Its quieter environment can be particularly calming for visitors with autism. Wildlife is abundant with opportunities for seal and bird spotting.

Attractions and experiences include:

• Trevassack Lakes - home to the Children’s Sailing Trust and Sailability
• Cornish Seal Sanctuary
• Roskilly’s Farm and Ice Cream Parlour
• Mullion Meadows Chocolate Factory
• Mullion Cove Hotel and Spa
• Penrose Trail National Trust
• Lakeside Café Coronation Park
• Polurrian Hotel and Restaurant
• Gwella Dairy
• New Inn Manaccan
• House Bay Hotel The Lizard
• Croust House at Roskilly’s Farm

Mid Cornwall North

This area is highly popular due to excellent transport links and Cornwall’s main airport. Expect sandy beaches, surf culture, clifftop walks and inclusive family attractions. It is also home to national leaders in accessible water sports.

Attractions and activities include:

• Blue Reef Aquarium
• Newquay Zoo
• Lappa Valley Steam Railway, near Newquay
• Peg’s Surf Coaching
• The Wave Project at Watergate Bay
• Lewinnick Lodge, Newquay
• The Bowgie Inn overlooking Crantock Beach

Mid Cornwall South

Estuaries, castles, gardens and strong town life define this region. Accessibility is enhanced by rail, ferry and boat connections.

Attractions include:

• Hall for Cornwall Theatre
• National Maritime Museum
• Pendennis Castle
• Trebah Gardens with Tramper hire and accessible visitor centre
• Mylor Sailing School
• Falmouth Art Gallery
• Wetwheels South West
• County Arms, Truro
• The Shed Discovery Quay, Falmouth
• The Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, Truro
• Slice of Cornwall, Falmouth

North East Cornwall

From Padstow to Bude and inland to Bodmin Moor, this region combines folklore, coastal scenery and family friendly attractions. It includes iconic filming locations and historic landmarks.

Attractions and experiences include:

• Lady Vale Walk, Cardinham Woods
• Camel Trail with adaptive bikes from Bridge Bike Hire
• Bodmin Jail
• Bodmin and Wenford Railway
• National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
• Tintagel Castle with assisted transport options
• Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
• Wave Hunters Boat Trips, Padstow
• Adsurf, Bude
• Screech Owl Sanctuary
• Cornwall Birds of Prey Sanctuary, Winnards Perch
• Trevibban Mill Vineyard
• The Weir, Bude
• Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor
• The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
• Bude Canal and Marshes
• Goss Moor Multi Use Trail
• National Trust Café, Boscastle

South East Cornwall

A quieter and charming area characterised by lush valleys, estuaries and historic estates with scenic coastal towns.

Attractions include:

• Eden Project
• Fowey Estuary
• Looe Beyond Paradise filming location
• Tamar Valley Rail Line
• Looe Harbour Heritage Centre and Sardine Factory
• Liskeard to Looe Railway
• Looe town and promenade
• Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum
• Sterts Theatre, Liskeard
• Lost Gardens of Heligan
• Sometime Gardens, St Austell
• Siblyback Lake
• Caerhays Castle – partial accessibility

Accessible Beaches

Fistral Beach
Gyllyngvase Beach
Maenporth Beach

Mawgan Porth Beach
Marazion and St Michael’s Mount
Perranporth Beach
Polkerris Beach
Polzeath
Porthcothan Bay
Porthminster Beach, St Ives

Pentewan Beach

St Agnes Beach
Portreath

East Looe Beach

Readymoney Cove
Summerleaze Beach Bude
Towan Beach, Newquay
Watergate Bay
Harlyn Bay Padstow
Sennen Cove

Seaton Beach

Changing Places Toilets

Changing Places toilets are available across Cornwall in locations including town centres, leisure centres, hospitals and transport hubs. These facilities allow visitors with complex needs to spend longer at destinations. Availability of these essential facilities continue to expand, and visitors are encouraged to check Access Cornwall for up-to-date listings.

Places such as:

• Newquay
• Wadebridge
• St Austell
• Wadebridge
• Truro
• Redruth
• Penrose 
• Polurrian On The Lizard

All have this valuable facility.  In particular the attractions listed below have an onsite Changing Places toilet:

• Newquay Zoo
• Camel Trail, Wadebridge
• Camel Creek Family Adventure Park, Wadebridge
• Pentire Headland Country Park, Wadebridge
• Eden Project 
• Lost Gardens of Heligans, St Austell
• National Trust – Pentireglaze, Wadebridge
• Trevassack Lake, Helston 

Transport

Cornwall is served by accessible low floor buses across most routes. Rail services connect key towns including Penzance, St Ives, Newquay, Falmouth, Truro, Liskeard and Looe. Scenic rail journeys such as the Tamar Valley Line and St Ives Bay Line offer step free access with assistance available when booked in advance.

Cornwall Airport Newquay offers assistance to passengers with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities to ensure smooth and easy travel through the Airport.  They have staff trained in access requirement. 

Mobility Hire

Access Cornwall provides detailed accessibility information and equipment hire including beach wheelchairs, Tramper mobility scooters, Hippo beach wheelchairs and rollators.

Cornwall Mobility and Shopmobility Falmouth offer additional equipment hire and local support.

Countryside Mobility and The National Trust have various Tramper hire sites. 

Cornwall continues to strengthen its reputation as an inclusive destination. With accessible beaches, adaptive activities, trained staff and rich sensory experiences, the county offers memorable experiences for visitors of all abilities. Visitors are advised to check individual venues in advance to ensure facilities meet personal access requirements.