Far West & Beyond
West Cornwall is a gem of a holiday destination because it has something to offer just about everybody! Sun-drenched sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and spectacular coastal scenery, watersports and action, culture and heritage, arts and crafts, music and celebration – it’s all here and waiting for you.
The South West Coastal Footpath runs for a spectacular 130 miles in and out of coastal valleys and around rocky coves and hidden sandy beaches.
Inland there is a superb network of footpaths that criss-cross unspoiled countryside winding through cool woodland glades to tiny hamlets, providing a real feel of Cornwall in bygone days.
The Cornish Way cycle route will take you from Truro to Land’s End. If you don’t fancy getting on your bike then why not take to the saddle and explore the area on miles of tracks. Every where are reminders of past industrial greatness – the mine stacks and engine houses of the old tin and copper mines. Cornwall’s rich history over thousands of years is captured in Bronze and Iron Age relics and ancient stone crosses dotted about the landscape.
If life for you is just a beach then this region is perfect as it offers sun-soaked sands with sparkling, crystal clear waters that foam gently onto the shoreline. In fact two of them, St. Ives Bay and Mount’s Bay, have been elected to ‘The Most Beautiful Bays in the World’ club. This prestigious world-wide association currently has 28 bays in membership and St. Ives and Mount’s Bays are the only Bays (at the time of writing) in England to qualify.
If you like to be a bit more active then you can surf, boogey or body-board in the rolling Atlantic swells on what are some famous surf beaches – it doesn’t all happen at Newquay you know!
St Ives flanks the shores of St Ives Bay and is best known as “the place of the light”. Strange but true – there is something about the light in St Ives that is so tangible you are actually aware of it even if you aren’t artistically inclined! Easy to see how it became and is still, a mecca for artists. The town itself is one of the most colourful, quaint and attractive in Cornwall with numerous granite cottages, small cobbled streets, and narrow alleyways all surrounding a sheltered harbour. One is encouraged to walk in St Ives and cars and traffic are discouraged. At busy times of the year traffic can be prohibited.
St Ives has been famous for over a century as an artists’ paradise. As a result of the artistic heritage of St Ives, the new Tate St Ives – a sister of the London Tate Gallery – was built and opened in 1993. The building is a spectacular sight placed immediately above the western beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Whilst a variety of exhibitions are held – including “Newlyn School” work – the Tate’s main focus is on modern art.
The sculptor Barbara Hepworth lived and created much of her best work in St Ives in a nearby small house that is now a gallery and a memorial to her work.
There are numerous small craft shops and galleries in the town to tempt the visitor. The harbour has a small sandy beach exposed at low tide and more beaches surround the town. Some offer shelter as they are backed by prolific flower gardens and some are exposed to the ocean.
While St Ives is undoubtedly a major tourist destination, it also remains a fishing port and the daily landing of fish on the quay and the movement of boats are popular sights for locals and visitors alike. The town is fast gaining a reputation for its fish restaurants and for good eating in general – a feature becoming increasingly commonplace across Cornwall…great news for the foodies amongst us!
Land’s End is perhaps Cornwall’s most famous location. At this landmark there is a tourist complex which features the history and heritage of Cornwall and Land’s End, with particular emphasis on ships and the sea and the hazards faced. On either side of Land’s End there are dramatic walks along the cliffs, one leading to Sennen Cove and its delightful beach.
Porthcurno is located some 7 miles south-west of Penzance. It also boasts one of the finest beaches in Cornwall. A stretch of white sand lines a cove beneath a curve of granite cliff that acts as a “sun-trap” for sun worshippers. The sea is a magnificent turquoise-blue. At the eastern end of the beach is Treryn Dinas on which stands the famous Logan Rock – a monumental stone weighing 60-70 tons. Above the western end of the beach is the famous Minack Open-Air Theatre. A sight never to be forgotten is sitting in the dusk on a beautiful day awaiting the start of a performance at the Minack, overlooking the most spectacular coastal scene and watching a school of dolphins frolicking just off shore. This little pocket of Cornwall is an absolute gem and should definitely not be missed out of any itinerary.
The Minack Theatre, built in the style of an ancient Roman Amphitheatre, was constructed in the 1930s as a hobby project by the late Miss Rowena Cade. There is no theatre in the world with a more dramatic backdrop – the magnificent blue ocean some 100 plus feet below, where dolphins are often spotted. Over the years the theatre has developed into a world-famous venue – a suitable tribute to the great effort of Rowena Cade. Each year The Minack hosts a summer season of plays and musical entertainment from the end of May until late September. The Theatre’s adjacent Visitor Centre tells of the history and development of the Theatre.
The Museum of Submarine Telegraphy in Porthcurno village commemorates its importance as the first landing place of Britain’s network of international telephone and telegraph cables. The Museum is housed in a series of underground tunnels established during the Second World War that served as a secret communications base. Its exhibits include a lot of important historical telegraphy equipment.
Penzance is the area’s major town. It has the only seashore promenade in Cornwall which extends from the harbour towards the fishing port of Newlyn – a mile or so to the
west and a most enjoyable stroll.
Penzance is famed for its flowers, being favoured by a very mild climate, and a profusion of flowers and palm trees are found in the town’s Morrab Gardens. Nearby is the Penzance Museum and Art Gallery that houses one of the largest collections of paintings by the famed Newlyn School of artists.
At the end of June each year, celebrations take place to celebrate the Feast of St John and the arrival of mid-summer in Penzance. The Golowan Festival has as its ultimate event, Mazey Day, and the colourful processions, music and merriment provide for a memorable experience.
The fishing port of Newlyn is home to the largest fleet of fishing boats in the South of England and the landing of fish at the market on the quay can be a sight to watch. The Newlyn Fish Festival is held annually the end of August and the village positively hums with a very vibrant atmosphere. Newlyn fish market is also worth a peek. Newlyn may be joined to the western end of Penzance but it does retain a separate identity.
Just around the corner from Newlyn is the pretty little village of Mousehole and the first sight of it is picture post card pretty. All but one house was burnt to the ground by the Spaniards in 1595 and that house is still standing today! Mousehole was once a bustling port landing mainly Pilchards. Today it retains much of its old world charm. Narrow streets are filled with small shops, galleries and restaurants and cottages made of local Lamorna granite huddle around the harbour. The area is protected from the sea by 2 sturdy breakwaters but even so, in winter extra timber is laid across the harbour entrance to protect the village from the worst winter gales.
Visitors should note that car parking in the village is extremely limited and the roads are very narrow. It is recommended that you park on the outskirts of the village and walk in. There is a regular bus service from Penzance to Mousehole.
Just around the bay is Marazion, the oldest chartered town in Cornwall having been granted this status by King Henry III in 1257.
The bustle and activity of the port give the visitor a fascinating glimpse into the dangerous and hard-working industry of fishing that has long been the mainstay of this community. On a road leading back from the harbour you can visit the Pilchard Museum that has recently been established to show how this small, yet so vital, fish – once the major product of the local industry and put on the culinary map by Rick Stein – is processed and packed for shipment to an eager public all over the world.
Marazion, with its wonderful view of St Michael’s Mount, faces onto one of the most beautiful wide stretches of safe sandy beach in the west of Cornwall. There are several quaint narrow streets and interesting shops in the town, but glimpses of the sea around every corner remind the visitor of the town’s dramatic neighbour – St Michael’s Mount.
For those interested in sailing, there are often major National championship races which bring many hundreds of small craft to the town beach for week-long competitions – frequently of a very high international standard.
St Michael’s Mount is a well known landmark remarkable in similarity to its twin in France. The island is accessible at low tide via a causeway and boat trips are available.
St Michael’s Mount rises gracefully to the church and castle at its summit. Some of the buildings date from the 12th Century and there is a 30 strong community that lives and works on the island. The gardens are particularly attractive, with many of the plants clinging to the rocky cliff face in parts.
Heart of Cornwall
The heart of Cornwall provides not only some of the county’s prime beaches and superb watersports, it is also where you will see the most evidence of Cornwall’s heritage and history. The countryside around Redruth and Camborne, through which part of the Cornish Cycle Trail goes, is scattered with the lonely, towering remains of tin mines. One such atttaction is the Poldark Mine near Wendron where you get a good insight into the rich history of tin mining.
Helston is famed for its Flora Dance. The whole town and a lot more people turn out for this festive and traditional day when the townsfolk dress up and dance around the town, weaving their way in and out of homes and shops. It is considered an honour to be invited to participate in the official Dance through the town. The recommendation is to get there early if you want to find a good vantage point and be prepared to be swept up in a feeling on bonhomie in a great atmosphere.
The best known resort in Cornwall is of course, Newquay. This is fondly referred to as Britain’s surfing capital and for those who love to surf, Fistral Beach is the place to go. As well as great sandy beaches everywhere you look, Newquay is a lively resort and does become a haunt of the younger set in summer.
Just down the road you’ll find Watergate Bay, home of extreme sports. Kite surfing is popular here and there is a school where you can learn if you are brave enough but for many, it is enough to sit and watch all the action! For those to whom the air holds more appeal then not far away is RAF St Mawgan and Newquay Airport, that has opened up opportunities to travel easily to Cornwall. RAF St Mawgan holds an Open Day each year and it is a great day out for enthusiasts and families. See our events calendar for details.
Also popular on the surf calendar and great for families is Perranporth. Aside from its huge sandy beach, it has a real holiday feel about it with ice cream, bucket and spade shops interspersed brightly with surf shops. For golfers, Perranporth has a good links course.
Around St Agnes there is some fantastic coastal walking with rugged scenery that will take your breath away and makes you wish you could see such splendour every day!
Hayle is known for its 3 miles of golden sandy beach stretching from the estuary to Godrevey Lighthouse. United at low tide but separated at high tide, the beach areas offer both safe family bathing and surfing. The area around the estuary particularly is excellent for bird watching and it isn’t unusual to find wild orchids growing in the surrounding grasses.
All in all this area has something for everyone and once visited, a part of this heart of Cornwall will remain with you always.
Lizard Peninsula
Holidaymakers often miss the beauty of the Lizard and Lizard Point, choosing instead to head straight to St Michael’s Mount and from there to the West and Land’s End. What a shame as this is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Cornwall and well worth the “left turn”. Both coastal sides of the Lizard offer a choice of idyllic beaches, particularly on the west.
Kynance Cove must be one of the most photographed beaches in the county but please be warned, whilst beautiful, the sea here is not for swimming in. Rugged and dramatic landscapes are on the menu on the lower west coast of the Lizard, whilst on the east side discover some magical fishing villages like Cadgwith.
Lizard Point is famous for its serpentine rocks, a unique metamorphic rock that is dark green with veins of red and white. There has been a lighthouse here at Britain’s most southerly point since 1751, to protect ships from the notorious Man ‘O War Rocks (Mannacle Rocks). If you want to see what havoc these Rocks have wreaked over time then you need only visit the church cemetery at St Keverne.
Mullion is the largest village on The Lizard and the dramatic Mullion Cove is owned by the National Trust. The village has all the amenities visitors require and there is a nearby golf course as well as a number of sandy beaches and spectacular cliff walks.
One attraction worth a visit is the Goonhilly Earth Satellite Station, the largest satellite tracking establishment in Europe and also a nature reserve.
The Cornish Riviera
The port of Falmouth has one of the world’s deepest natural harbours and is fast developing a global reputation as one of the best centres for sailing and water sports. Falmouth is never short of interest and spectacle for the visitor. Aside from the delights of the port, Falmouth’s mild climate enables botanical gardens such as Glendurgan, Trebah and Gyllyndune to flourish. In total there are 7 gardens to be explored and all are within easy travelling distance of the town. 16th Century Pendennis Castle, perched on the headland by the harbour, is a showpiece of British history and the National Maritime Museum is a nautical mine of information. Of particular interest is the history of the famous Falmouth Packet Ships and the Falmouth Art Gallery where you will find a renowned collection of Tuke paintings. The town centre has a good collection of specialist shops and restaurants as well as many notable and unusual listed buildings such as the King’s Pipe, used to burn contraband tobacco in the days of old style smuggling. Falmouth has 4 superb beaches and when you have finished lazing around in the sun there are the creeks and inlets of the Helford Estuary to be explored. Falmouth is famous for its oysters and the Falmouth Oyster Festival each October is a must!
Almost connected to Falmouth is Penryn, which in its hey day, used to export dressed granite all over the world. Examples of that granite can be seen today in the structures of London Bridge and the South Bank. Penryn is still a centre for water sports and it has numerous boat yards and chandleries.
Across the estuary from Falmouth is the verdant and fertile finger of land that is the Roseland Peninsular, snaking its way between a natural phenomena of 2 drowned river valleys leading to the sea, framed with rolling green hills. At its tip sits the pretty village of St Mawes looking towards Falmouth with St Mawes castle perched on one side of the Fal Estuary and Pendennis Castle on the other. The vistas are picture perfect. The area is ideal for walking whether you seek a gentle stroll around the headland from St Mawes to the ancient parish of St Just, with its beautiful ancient church, or a longer excursion across the harbour via water taxi to St Anthony’s headland, with its lighthouse and hidden beaches.
The mild Mediterranean type climate means the village’s Lamorran Gardens offer a particularly pleasant stroll. The larger garden attractions of Trelissick and the tropical gardens of Trebah are a short drive away via the King Harry Ferry – a car ferry famed as the shortest, most scenic ferry ride in the UK!
A foot ferry takes you between St Mawes and Falmouth to experience its maritime flavour. From the village harbourside water taxis offer visitors an opportunity to explore some of the hidden creeks in the Helford Estuary where some great pubs (best kept secrets) can be found!
The Roseland is beautiful to explore. Aside from some excellent child-friendly beaches , the more temperate climate permits the cultivation of such exotic crops as tea and wine and there are one or two wineries where you can stop and have a look around. The village of Veryan is known for its round houses, built so to ensure the devil had no corners to hide in! Portscatho is a lovely little fishing village with a sandy beach and lots of walking on this gentle coastline. Pendower and Carne beaches offer great expanses of sand at low tide.
At Caerhays you will find not only a beautiful castle and gardens in a wonderful setting, you’ll also find a great little beach that is very popular with families.
The county capital of Truro, the only city in Cornwall, is a vibrant city with its iconic cathedral, high street shopping, some terrific restaurants, cinema, bowling and other entertainment. It is also home to the Royal Cornwall Museum and Hall for Cornwall theatre.
St Austell made it onto the tourist map with the Eden Project, located on the outer edge of St Austell in adjoining St Blazey. Dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World” the Eden Project is pretty special and if you think you have seen all manner of botanical gardens, think again – Eden is just so much more!
Gardens do abound in this area. Close by are also the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Pine Lodge gardens.
The historic port of Charlestown, a popular maritime film location, is an ideal stopping point if just to see the Tall Ships that berth there – pretty spectacular if you can time your visit to the launch of one of these huge vessels that have to be towed out of the tiny harbour by hand!
The fishing port of Mevagissey, with its narrow lanes and eclectic selection of shops is very picturesque and worth a visit in the last week of June, which is Feast Week – need we say more!!
Fowey is a historic sea-faring town with a vibrant atmosphere, offering a myriad of shops and galleries as well as bustling activity on the water. It was once the home of author Daphne DuMaurier and Fowey hosts the annual Daphne DuMaurier Festival of Literature and Art each May.The town’s setting on the Fowey Estuary, surrounded on three sides by rolling green hills, provides the Red Arrows with a particularly spectacular flying opportunity each year during the August Regatta. Fowey is only a 15 minute drive from the famous Eden Project and a further 15 minutes from the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Caerhays Castle Gardens. Also within easy driving distance are the pretty and historic towns of Lostwithiel, known for its antique shops and Bodmin, with its moody but beautiful surround of Bodmin Moor. Fowey is a handy base for visiting attractions such as the National Trust’s Llanhydrock House near Bodmin, St Austell’s Wheal Martyn Clay Museum and the little ports of Charlestown, with its tall ships and Mevagissey. Fowey itself has a wonderful atmosphere that envelops visitors and all who leave do so with happy memories and a desire to return to savour its delights. It’s an excellent base for visiting some of Cornwall’s key attractions and if you fancy a change on any one day, it’s only a 40 minute drive over to the contrasting rugged north Cornish coast.
North Cornwall
Welcome to North Cornwall and the Atlantic Heritage coast, another area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Bude is the first major stop along this coastline. Before its appeal as an ideal holiday destination was established early in the 19th Century, Bude was known for its canal that was used to transport the calcium rich beach-sand to the infertile upland country where it was sold to farmers as fertiliser. It is worth a visit to Bude Museum to find out more and to enjoy meandering along the canal tow path. The town is well placed to enjoy the spectacular coastal path scenery and is blessed with family friendly, beautiful sandy beaches.
The inland area around Bude is praised for its outstanding natural beauty, dotted with villages, many with feature churches and their own bit of Cornish history. One example is Marhamchurch, originally founded as a monastic settlement by Saint Morwenna. On August 12th each year the village holds the Marhamchurch Revel to celebrate the saint’s good works. Another example is Poundstock, just north of St Mary, which has the oldest inhabited manor house in Britain, Penfound Manor.
A must see on a north Cornwall travel list is the pretty port of Port Isaac. Most will recognise it on arrival as “Port Wen” the fictional name of the town that is the TV home of Martin Clunes when filming “Doc Martin”. It also played host to Brenda Blethyn who, again with Martin Clunes, starred in the successsful film “Saving Grace”. Over the years, Port Isaac has proven a popular location for TV and film. It also claims to have the narrowest street or lane in the county – possibly the UK so if you have time to squeeze it in……
Another attraction not to be missed is Tintagel and its legendary Tintagel Castle, once said to be the home of King Arthur. Also on the pretty coastal route you will find Boscastle. Sprinkled out at the bottom of steep cliffs, it hard to imagine how it was almost swept away in a freak flood.
Polzeath is a real surfers’ paradise. The scenery from the cliffs between West Pentire and Port Quin particularly is quite breathtaking. Just down the coast from Polzeath is the little resort of Rock. Popular as a water sports centre with its sandy beaches, Rock hit the headlines as the holiday destination of choice for young Princes William and Harry.
Daymer Bay and Trebetherick beaches are also a worthwhile stop. Not just for their superb sandy beaches, much loved by families as well as a choice location for windsurfers, but also for the beautiful natural surroundings. Just up from Daymer Beach is St Enodoc Church, once buried in the sand and now the final resting place for Sir John Betjeman. St Enodoc also boasts a fine golf course.
The vibrant town of Padstow, on Cornwall’s north coast, needs little or no introduction – its fame as a seafood loving destination having spread to all points of the globe. For those who think it stops there, think again! Padstow is oft described as the working port that wears a holiday hat. Its colourful harbour, surrounded by pastel-washed medieval houses is an attraction in itself. Nestling by the beautiful Camel Estuary, Padstow offers easy access to walking, cycling, fishing, sailing, surfing, golf and beautiful sandy beaches. Nearby are the attractions of Prideaux Place, Camel Valley Vineyard, Llanhydrock House (National Trust) and the Camel Trail on which you can walk or cycle to the pretty market town of Wadebridge where once upon a time husbands could sell their wives for next to nothing!!
Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor sits in the heart of Cornwall, offering a stark contrast to the white sandy beaches around the county’s fringes. It can be moody, playful, stunningly beautiful and subject to mood changes at will. There is wonderful walking and the highest point in Cornwall, Rough Tor, is quite accessible and the views it affords are magnificent on a clear day. The moor is dotted with standing stones and other ancient stones and was also the location of one of Cornwall’s most notorious murders – that of Charlotte Dymond. The town of Bodmin was the capital of Cornwall in those days and at its Courtroom you can experience first hand the trial of Charlotte’s slayer. From Bodmin, attractions such as Llanhydrock House, the Eden Project and both north and south coasts are easily accessible.
A short drive away is the town of Lostwithiel, fondly known as Cornwall’s antique capital because of its abundance of antique shops. It’s a favourite of BBC TV’s “Flog It!” programme and it’s easy to see why. Pretty riverside location, good shopping besides the antiques and some pretty good eating establishments as well. Fowey and south coast beaches are but a short drive away as is the “8th Wonder of the World” the Eden Project.
Liskeard is one of the county’s old Stannary towns and some of its history is depicted in colourful murals dotted about the town. Nearby on the road to Dobwalls you will find Carnglaze Caverns and a shopping experience not be be missed at Trago Mills!!
Once you get onto the Moor on the main A30, you can stop off and visit Jamaica Inn, setting for one of Daphne duMaurier’s best known books. Its theatrical presentation of her book is a must see. Alternatively just get on the the Moor proper and wend your way across the Moor by car, cycle or foot. On a clear day you can almost see the whole county spread out before you.
South East Cornwall
South East Cornwall is an altogether gentle affair of ancient Cornish history, idyllic market towns, and historic fishing villages such as the ever popular Looe and nearby Polperro.
In Callington you will find the results of the Murals Project on walls throughout the town, created by amateur and professional artists. If you are a honey fan then make sure you pop into Callington on the first Wednesday in October for the Honey Fair. For the energetic there is an annual run up Kit Hill each June – if you can get up there, the views out over Bodmin Moor are pretty spectacular.
Launceston, just off the main A30 at the eastern end of Cornwall was once upon a time the capital of old Cornwall. On the Devon and Cornwall border and between two Moors — Bodmin and Dartmoor, the town allows easy access to West Devon, the Tamar Valley and North and South Cornwall . The first thing you will notice about Launceston is the Norman Castle. Now in the care of English Heritage, it dominates the surrounding landscape – perched on top of a large, natural mound this was the ultimate status symbol of Middle Age wealth and power.
Originally known as Dunheved, the Castle was an impressive and strategically important building that controlled the river crossing in and out of Cornwall . In Saxon times it was the site of a Royal Mint and for centuries the Assizes were housed here, both in the castle itself and the Guildhalls in the town.
Beautiful Looe on the South East Cornwall coast is built on 2 sides of a river giving East Looe and West Looe, the two connected by a 7 arch bridge. East Looe, the livelier of the two is particularly popular with holiday makers, especially families on a budget. It’s all here – a holiday seaside feel, a stunning fishing harbour, numerous arts and crafts shops, tea rooms, pubs, beaches and opportunities for scuba diving, fishing or pleasure boat trips.
Polperro is a smaller port and beautifully quaint in appearance. Cars are banned and visitors park at the edge of the town and either enjoy a pleasant stroll in or take the local shuttle. The town holds an annual Arts Festival in June and there are lots of community events and activities on throughout the year.
Between Polperro and the Cornish border there are lots of pretty villages, towns and places to see in the beautiful Tamar Valley before you reach Saltash. One special place is Cothele House and Gardens, a NT medieval and Tudor estate that hosts a number of events throughout the year. Not far from Torpoint, with its alternative ferry service to Plymouth is Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, another stately home well worth a visit.
The first and the last town in Cornwall, Saltash is situated on the bank of the river Tamar immediately you cross Brunel’s beautiful bridge from Plymouth. Sir Francis Drake married a Saltash girl!
