Cornwall History

Image: Cornish Mine and transport. Steam trainsImage: Historic castles to visit in CornwallImage: King Arthur, myths, legends and truthImage: Historic house to visit in Cornwall

Historic houses

The National Trust runs many houses in Cornwall such as Killerton, Trerice, Glendurgan, Cotehele, Buckland Abbey, Lanhydrock, Castle Drogo, Knightshayes, Arlington Court and Trengwainton. There are also many independently owned houses that are open to the public.

Historic Castles

The National Trust looks after 28 castles, some of the best are in Cornwall. The castles and other defensive buildings they protect have a range of historical purposes; from the fortification of the home to the defence of the realm.

Mining and Transport

Cornwall's engine houses are dramatic reminders of the time when the county was a powerhouse of tin, copper and china clay mining.  There are also many opportunities to learn about the history of Cornish shipping and ride on steam trains that date back more than 100 years.

King Arthur

Cornwall claims to be the home of many King Arthur sites, from Tintagel, place of King Arthur's birth to his place of death. There are numerous museums to visit and many sites with Arthurian connections.

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Historic houses, castles, steam trains, tin mines, clay mines and anything that can throw some light on King Arthur, seem to be the most popular places for a day out if you are interested in a bit of history on your holiday.