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Kernow a'gas Dynnergh: "Welcome to Cornwall", a land of seafaring, legends, luxurious beaches and tropical gardens.

Wheal Coates Engine House (St Agnes) © TAB

Cornwall is located at the south-west tip of England and bordered in the east by the River Tamar. The county has the longest stretch of coastline in England, containing over 300 golden beaches, and thanks to its isolated position on the south-west coast, much of it has remained untouched for centuries. Cornwall boasts some of England's finest and most dramatic scenery, with historic market towns, small hamlets and quaint fishing villages dotting the landscape.

The Cornish landscape around the coastal areas is mainly undulating hills, some being very steep, with the central area covered by moorland. The coastline is rich and varied, with small rocky coves, wide sandy beaches and high rugged cliffs, especially along the north Atlantic coast. The south coast is gentler and less steep, interspersed with inlets and river estuaries that wind inland from the sea. The Lizard peninsular is the most southerly point in mainland England, with Land's End its most westerly.

Cornwall has a rich history with copper and tin mining once bringing it substantial wealth. Today its major industry is tourism, however, market gardening, dairy farming, fishing, civil engineering and ship repairing all contribute to its current economy.

Cornwall has retained a strong individuality from the rest of England, over the centuries. The Cornish language was widely spoken up until the 18th century and many words still survive in the names of places.

The following prefixes or suffixes are common in place-names: bron = hill, car, caer = camp, lan = monastery, maen = stone, pen = headland, pol = pool, ros = heath, tre = homestead, worthal = creek or estuary.

For more information on the Cornish language visit the Cornish Language Partnership MAGA

The rugged coastline around Cornwall has always been treacherous for shipping. One of the worst incidents was is in 1981, when the Penlee lifeboat attempted to save a freighter in difficulty. Both vessels were lost with all hands.

'From Padstow Point to Lundy Light is a sailor's grave by day or night.'

Local saying

The Meaning of Cornwall

First recorded in 891 as Cornwalam; the first syllable of the name is taken from the latin 'Cornu', meaning horn, describing the shape of the land. The second syllable is derived from the Old English 'wahl', meaning foreign; as that was how the English termed the Britons in this area.

Map of Cornwall

South West England

Towns and Villages in Cornwall

Attractions in Cornwall