After arriving in St Ives, leave the car at Barnoon Long Stay Car Park or St Ives station car park—both are easier than trying to navigate the narrow centre. Allow 10–15 minutes to walk down towards St Ives Harbour, where the afternoon light catches the fishing boats and the town’s whitewashed façades. Spend about 90 minutes wandering the harbour, browsing the small galleries and independent shops along Fore Street, and ducking into side lanes such as Tregenna Place. The cobbles can be slick after rain, so your waterproof walking boots are worthwhile; keep the daypack light, with a waterproof pouch for your camera and phone.
Continue on foot to Tate St Ives in Porthmeor, roughly 10 minutes from the harbour. It is usually open from around 10:00am to 5:20pm, with last admission often before closing; check the April exhibition schedule and book ahead if a popular show is running. Allow about 90 minutes for the modern British collection, particularly the galleries facing Porthmeor Beach. Standard admission is generally around £12–£15, with concessions available. The building is compact, but the views are a major part of the visit—this is a good place to slow down rather than rush through every room.
From Tate St Ives, step straight onto Porthmeor Beach for an hour of fresh air. Walk west along the sand towards The Island if the tide and weather are comfortable, or simply follow the promenade for a breezier, easier outing. April sea temperatures are cold, and currents can be strong, so treat a dip as optional and use the staffed or clearly permitted areas only; a warm layer, beanie and dry clothes in a dry bag will make the difference. Finish at Porthminster Beach Café, reached via the harbour or a roughly 15-minute walk around the town. Book ahead for an early-evening table, especially on a weekend, and expect approximately £20–£35 per person for seafood or Cornish fare. Check its current seasonal service hours before setting out, as April opening times can vary.
Leave St Ives around 7:30am for Cape Cornwall, allowing roughly 40 minutes via the A3071 and B3306. Parking is available near the headland, but spaces are limited, so an early start is worthwhile. Spend about 90 minutes following the paths around the granite headland and old mine workings; the wind is often fierce even on bright April mornings, so wear your waterproof jacket and sturdy boots. From the headland, walk down to Priest Cove—a steep descent and climb back, taking around 45 minutes. It is wonderfully quiet, but the path can be slippery after rain, and swimming is not advisable because of the currents.
Drive 10 minutes east to Botallack Count House and Crown Mines, where the coastal path passes the dramatic engine houses and cliffs of the former mining landscape. Allow two hours to explore slowly, with binoculars handy for seabirds and plenty of care near unfenced cliff edges. The paths are rough and muddy in April. For a break, settle at The Count House, Botallack, for a light lunch or drink—budget approximately £12–25 per person, and check the day’s opening hours before setting out, as seasonal hours can be limited. After lunch, continue south by car towards Porthcurno Beach, roughly 25–30 minutes away, for an hour beside the pale sand and turquoise water. Keep this as a gentle final stroll rather than a long coastal walk; the beach access is steep, and the exposed cove can feel much colder than inland.
From Porthcurno, return to St Just in about 25 minutes via the B3315 and B3306, or continue to your booked accommodation if you are staying elsewhere in west Cornwall. Have dinner in St Just rather than driving again—The Star Inn is a good traditional-pub option, while The Commercial is convenient for a relaxed meal and local ale. Coastal paths are not places to linger after dusk, so carry the headlamp in your daypack and keep the evening route on paved roads.
Set off early for Minack Theatre at Porthcurno, ideally around 8:00am from St Just. The drive takes roughly 25–30 minutes via the B3315, and arriving near opening time makes parking much easier at the theatre’s own car park. Allow about 90 minutes to explore the extraordinary cliffside auditorium, gardens, and sea views; admission is usually around £12–£15, with seasonal opening hours varying in April, so check the official schedule before leaving. Wear your waterproof boots—the steps are steep and can stay slippery after rain.
Continue about 15 minutes by car to Land’s End, where the marked paths around the headland provide the best experience beyond the main visitor area. Give yourself roughly 90 minutes for the cliffs, lighthouse views, and seabird watching, but keep well back from the edges in strong wind. The visitor-centre attractions can be skipped if you prefer the scenery; parking is generally paid, around £3–£6 depending on duration. From there, it is a short drive to Sennen Cove for lunch. Settle in for an unhurried hour and a half by the beach—The Old Success Inn is a dependable choice for a proper pub lunch, while 190 Degrees West is good for coffee or something lighter. Budget approximately £15–£30 per person, and expect limited April hours outside the main season.
After lunch, drive east towards Long Rock Beach, just outside Penzance, allowing about 35–40 minutes. Spend an hour walking the shoreline and looking across Mount’s Bay towards St Michael’s Mount; the beach is especially rewarding in clear weather, though the exposed promenade can feel much colder than inland. There is parking near the beach and along the seafront, but check restrictions carefully and keep valuables out of the car. Finish at Jubilee Pool on Penzance seafront, a roughly 10-minute drive away. Allow 90 minutes for the art-deco seawater pool if it is open—April sessions are weather- and season-dependent, and advance booking is sensible. Bring swimwear, a warm layer, and a dry bag; even on a bright day, the wind after swimming can be sharp. If the pool is closed, take a gentle walk along Alexandra Road and have an early dinner at The Shore Restaurant or The Bakehouse, both within easy reach of the seafront.
From Falmouth Docks, take a taxi or walk roughly 25 minutes east along Castle Drive to Pendennis Castle; the walk is pleasant but uphill in places. Aim to arrive near opening time, usually around 10:00am, and allow two hours for the Tudor fortress, artillery displays, and headland views. Adult admission is typically around £15–£20, with online tickets often cheaper; check the seasonal schedule before setting out, as April opening days can vary. The exposed grounds are notably windy, so this is a good morning for your waterproof shell, warm layer, and sturdy walking boots.
Walk or take a short bus ride back towards town, then continue along the seafront to Gyllyngvase Beach for an easy hour beside the water. Follow the promenade and coastal path north rather than lingering only on the sand—the views towards Pendennis Point are especially good in clear weather. For lunch, walk about 15 minutes into the harbour area and settle at The Working Boat, a relaxed waterside spot known for seafood and harbour views. Allow around 90 minutes and £20–£35 per person; arrive early or accept that a little waiting is possible on a busy spring day.
After lunch, drive or take a taxi to the King Harry Ferry crossing at Feock—allow roughly 25–35 minutes from central Falmouth, depending on traffic. The ferry takes cars across the River Fal in only a few minutes, but queues can build in the afternoon; check the sailing status and carry a card or contactless payment. From the far side, it is about a 15-minute drive to St Mawes Castle, where you can spend 90 minutes exploring the compact coastal fort and its commanding views across the Fal estuary. Admission is generally around £8–£10, and the site may close by late afternoon in April, so check the exact closing time before making the crossing. Finish with an hour around St Mawes Harbour and the village lanes: browse the waterfront, watch the small boats, and pause for coffee or a drink if the weather turns. Return via the King Harry Ferry before the last crossing, or arrange a taxi connection in advance if you are not driving.
Leave Falmouth around 7:00am by car for Kynance Cove, roughly 35–45 minutes via the A394 and A3083. The National Trust car park is the practical arrival point; it can fill on fine spring mornings, and the final approach is narrow. Allow about two hours for the beach, serpentine rock formations, and the cliff-top path. Check the tide before descending: at high water, the beach access is restricted, and the rocks can be slippery. Waterproof boots, a windproof layer, and a dry bag are useful here, even in April.
Continue about 10 minutes by car to Lizard Point, parking near the National Trust visitor area and lighthouse. Spend around 90 minutes following the cliff paths toward Britain’s southernmost mainland point, keeping well back from the edges in strong wind. The National Trust café is a sensible place for a hot drink or cake if the weather turns, though opening times can be seasonal, so bring a flask and snacks as backup. From here, drive approximately 15 minutes to Cadgwith for lunch; use the village car park above the harbour rather than attempting to squeeze through the narrow lanes.
In Cadgwith, wander down the steep lane to the working harbour, where colourful fishing boats are still hauled up on the beach. For lunch, try The Cadgwith Cove Inn for pub classics and local seafood, or The Old Cellars for a lighter café-style meal; budget roughly £15–30 per person. Allow about 90 minutes, but keep an eye on the time because the next stops are easiest by car. After lunch, drive around 10 minutes to Church Cove, a quieter spot near Lizard, for an hour of beach and coastal-view walking. It is less developed than the headline locations, so expect limited facilities and muddy sections after rain.
Finish with a 15-minute drive to Mullion Cove, arriving in the late afternoon when the cliffs often catch softer light. Park at the National Trust car park and walk down toward the small harbour for roughly an hour; the cove is especially atmospheric in breezy weather, but avoid scrambling onto wet rocks. If you want a warm drink afterward, check The Mounts Bay Inn in nearby Mullion for seasonal service. Return to Helston before dark via the A3083, allowing about 20 minutes, and keep headlights on through the narrow lanes and exposed stretches.
Leave Helston around 7:00am for Charlestown, allowing roughly 1 hour 15 minutes via the A394, A30 and A3058. This is a full day by car, so set off with fuel, water and a waterproof layer; spring showers can arrive quickly. Use the paid car park at Charlestown rather than trying to find a space along the harbour lanes, then walk down to the waterfront. Allow about 90 minutes to wander around the Georgian harbour, granite quays and ship-filled basin—its preserved appearance is why it frequently doubles as a historical-film location. The harbour is best before the day-trippers arrive, and the slippery stone surfaces are a good reason to wear your waterproof walking boots.
Take a relaxed coffee or light lunch at Charlestown Harbour Café, right by the waterfront, allowing roughly an hour and £8–20 per person for drinks, cake, sandwiches or a simple lunch. Check the day’s opening time before leaving Helston, as April hours can be seasonal, and keep a little flexibility if the weather turns wet. From Charlestown, drive about 15–20 minutes inland to Eden Project at Bodelva; pre-booking timed admission is sensible, with adult tickets commonly around £35–45 depending on date and booking terms. Give yourself around four hours for the two enormous biomes, Mediterranean and rainforest planting, outdoor gardens and environmental exhibitions. There is plenty of walking between areas, so carry your daypack and water, and use the site shuttle if available when your legs need a break.
Continue by car for roughly 25 minutes to The Lost Gardens of Heligan near Pentewan. Allow around two hours for the restored gardens, woodland paths and wilder sections, but check the April closing time carefully—last entry can be significantly earlier than in summer, and seasonal hours vary. The gardens are often muddier and quieter late in the day, so waterproof boots and a packable rain jacket will be more useful than trainers. If you arrive with time before closing, prioritise the Victorian Productive Gardens and the Jungle paths, then finish with a warm drink on site rather than rushing through every trail.
Leave St Austell around 7:30am via the A30 and A389, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes. Arriving early matters in Padstow: the harbour car parks fill quickly, especially during school holidays and on sunny days. Use Riverside Car Park or Padstow Harbour Car Park, then spend an easy hour around Padstow Harbour, the old fish-market area, and the lanes near Duke Street. The waterfront is at its best before the day-trippers arrive; bring binoculars for harbour birds and a waterproof layer, as the estuary can feel surprisingly exposed.
For lunch, head to Pride of Britain Fish & Chips in the harbour area, allowing about an hour. Expect roughly £12–25 per person, with takeaway or casual seating depending on the day. Check the serving hours locally when you arrive—April opening patterns can vary—and avoid leaving this too late, since popular lunch spots become busy around midday.
After lunch, walk or drive the short distance to Prideaux Place for the early-afternoon tour and deer park, allowing around 90 minutes. The house is open only on selected dates and generally operates by guided-tour times, so confirm the April schedule before setting out; admission is typically in the region of £15–20 for an adult. Afterward, drive roughly 10 minutes to Trevone Bay for a relaxed hour on the sand and the surrounding cliff paths. Check the tide before walking close to the shoreline, and keep footwear on the firm coastal paths rather than attempting the wetter cliff edges.
Finish with the South West Coast Path from Padstow toward Stepper Point, an out-and-back walk of about two hours. Allow extra time for photographs and turn around before the light fades—the path becomes muddy and slippery after rain, with several exposed sections and no meaningful shelter. A 10-minute drive brings you back from Trevone Bay to harbour-side Padstow; leave room in the day to wander along North Quay afterward, perhaps stopping for a coffee or an early drink before returning to the car. Waterproof boots, a charged phone, and a dry bag are worthwhile for this final Cornish coastal walk.