10 reasons Cornwall is a great place to retire

Beautiful coast and beaches

Whether you fancy sun-bathing in a sheltered cove on the south coast in the summer, or walking along the wind-beaten cliffs and long stretching beaches of the north coast, Cornwall can accommodate you. We have around 300 miles of stunning coastline and enjoy all types of shorelines, from rocky outcrops and sandy shores to shingle beaches and estuaries.

We are famous for our beaches. If you feel like a swim, we would suggest waiting for the late summer months, but we have locals in the water all year round. If you or your family want to learn to surf, there are lots of surf schools, and scuba diving too!

Wheal Edward Mine, St Just. Shutterstock image by PJ Photography

Lots of great places to visit

As well as lots of lovely walks, beaches and outdoor spaces to enjoy, Cornwall boasts of lots of great attractions such as Tintagel Castle, Land’s End, the Eden Project, as well as many great gardens such as the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Polkerris Beach, St Austell. Shutterstock image by Helen Hotson

Fascinating and rich history

The people of Cornwall are proud of its Celtic roots and tin-mining history.

We have lots of historical landmarks here that are protected and cared for, as well as various museums celebrating Cornwall’s past. We have some great architecture too, from ancient castles to great big granite houses from the mining age, as well as quaint little fishermen’s cottages in the coastal villages and traditional farmhouses in the rolling fields of the countryside.

Lost Gardens of Heligan. Shutterstock image by Simon Bond

Pet and family friendly

We have various beaches that are dog-friendly and lots of great places to walk if you’re looking to stretch your legs. Many of us have pets and there are lots of family friendly activities available across the county. We have a very family feel here.

Siblyback Lake, Bodmin Moor. Shutterstock image by Mike Charles

Inspiring and creative place to live

Cornwall has inspired artists and literary greats throughout the generations, from Rosamunde Pilcher, Daphne Du Maurier and Winston Graham (the author of the Poldark novels) to the screenwriters of Poldark and Doc Martin. It has also produced beloved national treasures, such as the incredible Dawn French. Our beautiful landscapes and unique culture make a perfect platform for creativity and the arts.

Truro Cathedral. Shutterstock image by Ian Woolcock

Unique and relaxed culture

We have a strong sense of community in Cornwall. They say ‘everyone knows everyone’; that might not be quite true, but it’s certainly not far off. Almost all of us know our neighbours (it would be considered weird not to), often relying on them to look after our pets while we’re away (and perhaps watering their plants in return).

With lots of independent and creative businesses, our work (and play) culture is also surprisingly vibrant, with lots of interesting things going on, such as music festivals and art shows. We have a friendly, flexible and supportive environment to live in and it’s a great place to work too if you’re looking for a healthy work/life balance.

Porthminster Beach, St Ives. Shutterstock image by Ian Woolcock

Outstanding natural beauty

While we are most known for our gorgeous coastline, we also enjoy beautiful green landscapes in-land, with rolling fields, enchanting woodlands and pretty rivers.

We have 12 areas across Cornwall designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for special landscape protection. The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 370 square miles, about 27% of the total area of the county. These areas are:

• Hartland (Morwenstow and Kilkhampton)
• Pentire Point to Widemouth
• Camel Estuary
• Trevose Head to Stepper Point (Bedruthan to Padstow)
• St Agnes
• Godrevy to Portreath
• West Penwith
• South Coast – Western (Lizard and Marazion to Helford River)
• South Coast – Central (Mylor & the Roseland to Porthpean)
• South Coast – Eastern (Par Sands to Looe)
• Rame Head
• Bodmin Moor

 

Herring Gull, Newquay. Shutterstock image by 'bearacreative'

Fantastic local cuisine

As well as being known for famous pasties and clotted cream teas, Cornwall is also home to many great restaurants, cafes and bars. We enjoy fresh meat and fish from our local fishermen and farms, as well as home-grown vegetables and locally-made beverages. We have restaurants from top chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein and John Torode, as well as lots of great fish restaurants and local eateries.

And don’t worry if you’re vegetarian or vegan, we have some great spots for you too!

 

Traditional Cornish pasties. Shutterstock image by D Pimborough

Lots of activities available

As you might expect, Cornwall is best for its outdoor activities – you can spend a whole day outside without spending a penny - but it doesn’t end there. Sure, we have some great walks, lots of swimming and surfing spots, water-sports and rock-climbing, but we also have some more extreme activities, such as paintballing, zorbing, scuba-diving and even sky-diving! If you’d rather be out on the town, Newquay has a very vibrant night-life, and there are lots of pubs and centres across the county that put on activities and events such as quizzes, music and bingo nights.

If that all sounds a bit much for you, don’t worry, we also have several cinemas, museums, shops and art galleries for you to enjoy.

Helford Passage. Shutterstock image by Brian Kennedy

A popular retirement and holiday destination

Cornwall is already one of the top destinations in the UK for retirement and holidays, so we have all the bases covered for a great living experience here. If you’re just looking to test it out, there are various holiday parks and accommodation available.

With a large elderly population, we are also prepared for the latter stages of life, with various residential and nursing homes, as well as home care services.

At Cornwall Care, we have 16 residential and nursing homes, an extensive home care service covering the county as well as a supported living service for people over the age of 18. We are passionate about providing the very best living experiences and as the largest care provider in Cornwall, we are trusted to look after you when you reach that age when support or care is needed. We have some beautiful gardens and offer our residents a variety of activities and outings across the county.

We understand how difficult thinking about care can be though, so if you’re not quite ready for that, we also offer respite and day care services to give you an insight into what life can be like in those golden years.

Until then, we welcome you to join us on our gorgeous sandy beaches!