Uncovering Cornwall – The Best Things to do in Truro
Famous for its stunning architecture and quaint cobbled streets, Truro is one of the smallest cities...
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Hertz car hire in Cornwall
Hire a car in Cornwall to soak up the beauty of West Country living. Visit the Cornish capital Truro with its magnificent cathedral, or head to Newquay – home of sensational sea and surf.
The county is a driver’s dream, with the peaks and troughs of moorland sliced through by streams and rivers, and winding coastal drives offering inspiring glimpses of the shimmering sea.
Car hire in Cornwall whisks you through a proud county of outstanding, often otherworldly beauty – shot through with enchanting myth and legend. This peninsula can boast jaw-dropping gorgeousness both inland and at the coast, where former tin mining communities have reinvented themselves as creative hubs with beaches made for basking on.
Whether you’re on a romantic break or on a family holiday, you can explore Cornwall in a great choice of vehicles. Plump for a spacious SUV with room for everyone – and their buckets and spades – or choose a convertible to make the most of the summer sunshine.
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Points are earned on per day time and mileage charges only. Free rental days cover base rate (time and mileage) only. Taxes, optional extras and any other fees are excluded. One-car-class upgrade applies to Compact, Intermediate, Standard & Full-size rentals with a maximum upgrade to a Premium. Additional terms and exclusions apply
- Skip the counter and go straight to your car
You can skip the counter once your membership is activated after your first rental. Available at select locations only.
Benefits from day one.
Join 
for free.
- Make travel feel golden with Hertz Gold+
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- Skip the line, choose your ride, and go
Skip the rental counter at selected locations – just head to your car and go. At selected US rental locations, you can also choose from a wider selection of cars, including exclusive vehicles for top-tier members.
- Earn points to redeem for free rental days
Earn free rental days with every booking. The more you rent, the faster you unlock elite status.* *Points are earned & redeemed on the base rental rate only. Taxes, fees, & options are excluded. Additional terms apply.
- Share the drive for free
Add your spouse or partner as an additional driver for free.
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Everything you need to know about hiring a car in Cornwall
Main roads and motorways in Cornwall
- The A30 connects the south-western tip of Cornwall – Land’s End – with popular destinations such as Penzance and Redruth. It runs north-east to Launceston and on to Exeter in Devon.
- The A38 is the other main road in this motorway-free county. It too leads from Exeter and takes a more southern route through Plymouth and Liskeard before ending in Bodmin.
- The A39 is known as the Atlantic Highway – a winding and highly scenic route that runs along the north coast of Cornwall.
How to get to the Eden Project?
The magnificent biomes of the Eden Project (Bodelva, PL24 2SG) are on the south coast, close to St. Austell and Fowey.
- From Truro – follow the A390 north-east, before taking a left onto Luxulyan Road and continuing on to Bodelva Road. The journey takes about 35 minutes.
- From Newquay – there are several routes for the 35-minute drive from Newquay to the Eden Project, but this is perhaps the simplest. Leave Newquay on the A3058 and join the A3059 heading east, then south-east. Take the 3rd exit at Trexenning roundabout for the B3274, then the A391 which takes you the rest of the way.
How to get to St. Michael’s Mount?
St. Michael’s Mount (Marazion, TR17 0HS) is an imposing island and a stunning sight – topped with an abbey and connected to the mainland via a narrow causeway.
- From Truro – head west on the A390 before joining the A30 south-east. At the Newtown roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Newtown Lane, then bear left along the coast.
- From Newquay – drive along the A3075 out of Newquay before joining the A30.
When to go to Cornwall?
Cornwall is a popular destination all year round, but if you want to see the county at its quietest, you might want to visit outside of the peak summer season. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are just as pretty here, but with more space on the roads and beaches. Of course, if basking in the sun is the whole reason you want to visit Cornwall, you’ll want to plan your visit in June, July or August.
Where to hire a car in Cornwall?
Truro
Handsome buildings, thriving markets, a soaring cathedral and neo-Palladian estates are just some of the many delights of Cornwall’s only city.
Newquay
While the town has a buzzing night life, the nearby coast is more sedate, with trendy indie hotels and the sweetest of views.
Plymouth
Across the county border in Devon, this regenerated town has fabulous restaurants and Britain’s biggest aquarium.
A quick guide to Cornwall
The Lake
Maidenwel, Cardinham, PL30 4DW.
Looking for a unique stay with plenty of solitude? The Lake is a converted container ideal for couples seeking seclusion. The Lake itself is a flooded clay quarry where you can go rowing when you’re not relaxing in the splendour of the surroundings. There’s a wood-burning stove for cooler nights and misty views of local wildlife – perfect in all seasons.
Watergate Bay Hotel
Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA
Positioned right next to the bay, this is a very family-friendly hotel that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The ethos here is for guests to make the most of the beach and sea. Take it easy at one of the numerous excellent restaurants, or join the Extreme Academy for kitesurfing, paddle boarding and more. If it’s out of season and the ocean looks too cold, head to the hotel pool instead.
Nancarrow Farm
Zelah, Truro, TR4 9DQ
If you’re looking to escape urban life, there are few better places than Nancarrow Farm. Converted barns and even a one-time chicken shed are now luxury rooms full of upcycled furniture and surrounded by acres of meadows and farmland in a blissful rural escape. Feast events showcase the farm’s own organic produce and local suppliers – so you’ll really feel part of the community.
FAQs about car hire
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Rent an electric car in Cornwall
Looking for a greener way to explore Cornwall? Hertz offers electric car hire at Cornwall, making sustainable travel easy and convenient. Choose from the latest EV models and enjoy a smooth, quiet, eco-friendly drive with zero emissions. Experience the future of driving.
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