Zennor, West Penwith, West Cornwall

Zennor SW 45 38
Charming linear village steeped in myth and legend and nestling on the scenic B3306 coast road only 4 miles west of St Ives. Surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery and ancient fields on one side and high, gaunt moorland on the other, the village is a great place for walkers, with interesting folk museum (over 5,000 items and an extensive collection on people who have lived in the area), church and inn.

Legend has it that the mermaid of Zennor was so entranced by the singing of a local chorister that she lured him to the sea, never to return. A bench-end in the Norman and later medieval church displays a carving of the mermaid, while the traditional Tinner’s Arms, where D H Lawrence stayed before moving elsewhere in the village to write “Women in Love”, provides an hospitable example of the area’s literary connections. Nearby Zennor quoit is a large Neolithic chamber tomb and there are magnificent coastal walks around Gurnard’s Head (Iron Age cliff castle on nearby spectacular coastland).

Wayside Folk Museum, Zennor
Cornwall’s oldest private museum contains over 5,000 items devoted to life in the area from 3000BC to the 1950s, a listed watermill and book and gift shop. Limited opening. Phone for times and prices.
01736 796945
Centre of Zennor – a short walk from bus stop.