The Cornwall Guide 2016

The western most tip of the country revels
in a sense of individuality, which can be felt
through the captivating scenery, ancient
heritage and vibrant communities.
WEST CORNWALL
West CORNWALL
The laidback town of Sennen is worth a stop;
it retains its old fishing port charm while
embracing its status as a great surfing destination.
At Porthgwarra you’ll find lofty rock stacks,
steep slipways and mysterious tunnels bored
into the rocks, while at Porthcurno gorgeous
sandy beaches await. The small harbour and
pretty narrow streets of Mousehole earned it the
description of the ‘loveliest village in England’ by
Dylan Thomas. Across the bay you’ll catch a glimpse
of the distinctive shape of St Michael’s Mount
with its fairy tale castle. The lively seaside town of
Penzance is dotted with fine Regency and Georgian
buildings along with a number of museums and
galleries and a gorgeous Art Deco swimming pool
on the seafront. Perhaps best known for the famous
floral dance that takes place every May, Helston is
also home to the oldest private brewery in the UK.
Sample their famous Spingo at the Blue Anchor Inn.
Jutting out to sea, the Lizard Peninsula
offers a change of scenery and a haven
for exceptional plants and flowers. The
beautiful beach of Praa Sands is a perfect
seaside destination for families, and at
Porthleven you’ll find local crafts on sale,
as well as restaurants specialising in
freshly caught seafood.
Dotted with kite surfers
and paragliders, Hayle’s
vast golden sands sweep
around the bay where
you can spot St Ives in
the distance.
A firm favourite with
artists for decades
due to the light and
landscape of the
area, this pretty
little town is bustling with
shops, eateries and plenty of art galleries
and studios, as well as the iconic Tate St Ives museum.
On the road west you’ll meander through a
staggeringly beautiful landscape and past tiny
moorland hamlets. Zennor is one of the richest
areas of archaeological remains in Europe, boasting
Neolithic quoits, burial chambers and stone circles,
and St Just was at the hub of the copper and tin
mining boom in the 19th Century.
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Kynance Cove is a white sandy bay with stunningly
clear water and surrounded by rocky outcrops.
While you’re here, find out about Cornwall’s role in
worldwide communication at the Marconi Centre at
Poldhu Cove.
Inland at the well-preserved Iron Age villages of
Chysauster and Carneuny, explore the courtyards and
terraced gardens for a sense of time gone by before
heading on to the wonderfully dramatic landscape of
Cape Cornwall and Land’s End.