A great way to explore the south west of England’s jewel in the crown is to take one of the great scenic drives in Cornwall. I have hand picked two of my favourite Cornish driving routes that take in some breathtaking vista’s along the way. Whether it’s in a sports convertible or a classic vintage VW camper van. You can take both of these routes at your own pace.
St Ives to Sennen
The starting point for this journey is the iconic seaside town of St Ives. Heading south along the B3306 the road stays close to the Atlantic shoreline, whilst at the same time meandering through the wild Cornish moorland. Along the way you will see many spectacular examples of Cornwall’s rich tin mining history. A late afternoon/evening drive in the summer in particular will provide some fantastic photo opportunities at sunset.
Notable stopping points on the route are the ancient village of Zennor and Cape Cornwall . When you reach your destination at Sennen. Park up and take a stroll down to the spectacular Sennen Cove beach. From there you will have a great view of the iconic Longships Lighthouse just off the coast.
Newquay to Padstow
The lively Cornish town of Newquay is where you will begin your drive. The early part of the drive north will take you past Porth Beach, Watergate Bay and then Mawgan Porth via the B3276 . All three beaches are considered to be some of the best sand & surf beaches in Cornwall.
As you leave Mawgan Porth and head up the coast it’s worth taking some time in your schedule to stop at Bedruthan Steps. You can take a short stroll along the cliffs to view the famous sea stacks. Leaving here you can head straight to your destination, the iconic Cornish fishing port of Padstow. However, if you have more time to play with, then there are few more noteworthy places to pay a visit to along the way. These include, Constantine Bay, Porhtcothan and Trevone.