Cornwall is a ceremonial county at the south-western tip of England, 1,375 square miles (3,562 km2) of peninsula between the Atlantic and the English Channel. About 574,200 people lived there at the 2021 census, including the Isles of Scilly. Truro is the county town and the only city.
Cornwall Council runs the mainland as a single unitary authority. The Isles of Scilly, 28 miles off Land’s End, have their own council.
| Country | England, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Cornish name | Kernow |
| Area | 1,375 sq mi (3,562 km2) |
| Population (2021) | 574,219 |
| Density | 161 people per km2 |
| County town | Truro |
| Councils | Cornwall; Isles of Scilly |
| Highest point | Brown Willy, 420 m (1,378 ft) |
| Coastline | About 400 miles |
Towns and Villages in Cornwall
GeoNames records just over 1,000 named settlements in Cornwall, more than any other county in the South West. The 250 below cover every place with a recorded population plus a spread of the smaller hamlets, listed alphabetically. The Isles of Scilly are listed separately.
Cornwall (246 of 986 shown)
- Altarnun
- Ashton
- Bathpool
- Billacott
- Boconnoc
- Bodmin
- Bofarnel
- Bolventor
- Boscastle
- Bossiney
- Botusfleming
- Bradford
- Breage
- Brighton
- Bude
- Budock Water
- Bugle
- Bush
- Callington
- Calstock
- Camborne
- Cambrose
- Camelford
- Carbis Bay
- Carharrack
- Carluddon
- Carnhell Green
- Castallack
- Chacewater
- Chapel Amble
- Chyanvounder
- Clubworthy
- Congdon’s Shop
- Constantine
- Coverack
- Coxford
- Crantock
- Crofthandy
- Crowntown
- Cubert
- Darleyford
- Delabole
- Devoran
- Dobwalls
- Downderry
- Drift
- East Cliff
- Egloskerry
- Falmouth
- Feock
- Flexbury
- Flushing
- Four Lanes
- Fowey
- Foxhole
- Garras
- Germoe
- Gerrans
- Golant
- Goonamarris
- Goosewell
- Gorran Haven
- Grampound
- Grampound Road
- Grimscott
- Gunnislake
- Gweek
- Gwenter
- Halvosso
- Hayle
- Hele
- Helston
- Helstone
- Herodsfoot
- Higher Crackington
- Higher Ninnis
- Highertown
- Horningtops
- Indian Queens
- Kelynack
- Kilkhampton
- Killigarth
- Ladock
- Landewednack
- Landrake
- Lanescot
- Lanivet
- Lanner
- Launcells
- Launceston
- Leedstown
- Lerryn
- Lewannick
- Liskeard
- Little Comfort
- Lizard
- London Apprentice
- Looe
- Lostwithiel
- Lower Crackington
- Lower Trebullett
- Luxulian
- Maders
- Madron
- Marazion
- Marhamchurch
- Marshgate
- Mawgan Porth
- Mayon
- Menheniot
- Metherell
- Mevagissey
- Middlewood
- Mithian
- Morwenstow
- Mount Hawke
- Mousehole
- Mullion
- Mylor Bridge
- Mylor Churchtown
- Nanpean
- Narkurs
- Newlyn East
- Newquay
- Norris Green
- North Country
- Okeltor
- Padstow
- Par
- Parkfield
- Pelynt
- Penberth
- Pendriscott
- Penhallow
- Penpol
- Penryn
- Pensilva
- Penwartha
- Penzance
- Perranporth
- Perranwell
- Perranzabuloe
- Pityme
- Polgooth
- Polperro
- Polruan
- Poltesco
- Polzeath
- Ponsanooth
- Porkellis
- Port Isaac
- Porthcothan
- Porthleven
- Porthtowan
- Portreath
- Portscatho
- Poughill
- Praa Sands
- Probus
- Prussia Cove
- Reawla
- Redruth
- Relubbus
- Rezare
- Roche
- Rock
- Roscroggan
- Rosemelling
- Rosewarne
- Ruan Major
- Ruan Minor
- Saint Agnes
- Saint Anthony
- Saint Blazey
- Saint Columb Major
- Saint Columb Minor
- Saint Dennis
- Saint Ervan
- Saint Hilary
- Saint Keyne
- Saint Mawgan
- Saint Stephen
- Saint Tudy
- Saltash
- Scarecewater
- Sennen Cove
- Shop
- South Hill
- Splatt
- St Austell
- St Ive Cross
- St Ives
- St Just
- St Mewan
- St. Day
- St. Michael Penkivel
- Stithians
- Stockdale
- Sutton
- The Coombes
- Tintagel
- Todpool
- Torpoint
- Towan
- Tramagenna
- Trebarwith
- Trebarwith Strand
- Trebetherick
- Trebudannon
- Trecangate
- Treesmill
- Tregavarah
- Tregidden
- Tregonetha
- Tregrehan Mills
- Treknow
- Treligga
- Trelowth
- Tremethick Cross
- Trenear
- Trequite
- Tresillian
- Tresmeer
- Trethillick
- Trevalga
- Trevarth
- Treven
- Trevigro
- Trevone
- Trewarmett
- Trewennack
- Trewithian
- Treyarnon
- Truro
- Tutwell
- Uny Lelant
- Vellanoweth
- Wadebridge
- Wall
- Week Saint Mary
- West Pentire
- Whitecross
- Widemouth Bay
- Withielgoose
- Zelah
- Zennor
Isles of Scilly
- Bryher
- Dolphin Town
- Higher Town
- Hugh Town
- Isles of Scilly
- Maypole
- Middle Town
- New Grimsby
- Old Grimsby
- Old Town
- Porthloo
- St Agnes
- St Martin’s
- St Mary’s
- The Town
- Tresco
Geography
Devon is the only county Cornwall borders on land, and the River Tamar marks almost the whole of that boundary. The Atlantic lies to the north and west, the English Channel to the south.
A spine of granite runs down the peninsula in separate masses: Bodmin Moor, Hensbarrow, Carnmenellis, the Land’s End peninsula and the Isles of Scilly. Brown Willy on Bodmin Moor, at 420 metres, is the highest point. Lizard Point is the southernmost land in Great Britain, and Land’s End the most westerly on the mainland.
The two coasts differ sharply. The north is exposed cliff and surf beach, from Bude through Newquay to St Ives. The south is cut by drowned river valleys, the rias at Falmouth, Fowey and the Fal, which give Falmouth one of the deepest natural harbours in the world.
Demographics
The 2021 census recorded 571,948 people in Cornwall and 2,271 on the Isles of Scilly. Cornwall’s population rose about 7% over the decade, mostly through people moving in rather than births.
The age profile is notably older than England as a whole, a mix of retirement migration and younger people leaving for work. The Cornish were recognised as a national minority under the Framework Convention in April 2014. Cornish, a Brythonic language closely related to Breton, died as a community tongue in the eighteenth century but has several hundred speakers today through the revival movement, and appears on road signs and council branding.
Economy and Local Life
Tourism carries the county. Around five million staying visitors a year fill Newquay, St Ives, Padstow, Falmouth and the Roseland, and the season still concentrates heavily in summer, which is why underemployment in winter remains a live local issue.
China clay is the surviving heavy industry, worked around St Austell since William Cookworthy identified the deposits in 1746; the pits and spoil tips there are visible from miles away. Newlyn, near Penzance, lands more fish by value than any other English port in most years. Farming means dairy, early potatoes, cauliflower and cut daffodils.
The Eden Project, built in a worked-out clay pit near St Austell and opened in 2001, draws about a million visitors a year. Interest in Cornish lithium and tin has revived exploration in the old mining districts around Redruth and Camborne.
History
Cornwall was the heart of the Brythonic kingdom of Dumnonia and kept its own language and law long after the rest of England was absorbed. Tin was traded from here in the Bronze Age, and by the medieval period the Stannary courts gave the tinners their own parliament and privileges.
Copper and tin mining peaked in the nineteenth century. At its height Cornwall produced two thirds of the world’s copper; when prices collapsed after the 1860s, tens of thousands of miners emigrated to Australia, South Africa and the Americas. The engine houses left behind form the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, a World Heritage Site since 2006.
The Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 and the risings of 1497 both began here. Dolly Pentreath of Mousehole, who died in 1777, is traditionally named the last monoglot Cornish speaker.
Getting There
The A30 is the main road, running the length of the county from Launceston past Bodmin, Redruth and Camborne to Penzance. The A38 crosses the Tamar at Saltash on the Tamar Bridge, and the A39 Atlantic Highway serves the north coast through Bude and Wadebridge.
The Cornish Main Line runs from Plymouth to Penzance with Great Western services to London Paddington, including the overnight Night Riviera sleeper. Branch lines reach St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay, Looe and Gunnislake, several of them scenic routes in their own right.
Cornwall Airport Newquay handles domestic and seasonal flights. The Isles of Scilly are reached by the Scillonian III ferry from Penzance or by fixed-wing flights from Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cornwall?
571,948 at the 2021 census, or 574,219 including the 2,271 residents of the Isles of Scilly.
What is the largest town in Cornwall?
St Austell and Falmouth are the largest towns by population, followed by Newquay, Truro, Camborne, Penzance and Redruth. Truro is the county town and the only city.
How many villages are in Cornwall?
GeoNames lists just over 1,000 named settlements, most of them hamlets and small villages.
Is Cornwall part of England?
Yes. Cornwall is an English ceremonial county, though the Cornish are recognised as a national minority and the county keeps a distinct Brythonic identity and language.
What are the postcode areas for Cornwall?
PL for the east around Bodmin, Liskeard and Saltash, and TR for the west and centre including Truro, Falmouth, Penzance, Newquay and the Isles of Scilly.