Whilst we may be sited near the very south westerly tip of Great Britain, this little area packs a punch and there are countless west Cornwall attractions to keep visitors occupied. Perhaps the most iconic is St Michael’s Mount, a rocky island on which is perched a historic castle and mediaeval church. At low tide, wander across the cobbled causeway to uncover this National Trust site, when the tide is in, adventure over on one of the ferry boats – a truly memorable experience.
Along the coast from St Michael’s Mount lies the pretty fishing village of Newlyn, home to an array of art galleries, Jelbert’s ice cream shop and several lovely cafes. Continue along the coast road and you’ll find yourself in Mousehole, a charming fishing village with a rich history waiting to be discovered. Spend a couple of hours on the golden beach, meander the narrow streets or revive with a home cooked meal in one of the many notable eateries.
Heading away from the south coast the landscape unfolds into swathes of wild moorland. It is here you will find ancient sites such as the Iron Age settlement of Chysauster, indeed the Penwith Moors are almost littered with such ruins making for interesting walks for ramblers, hikers and families. There is also an abundance of wildlife here as these moors are one of the largest expanses of semi-natural habitat in the South West. The entire site is a designated SSSI acting as a haven for rare flora, fauna, birds and insects so do tread carefully, taking only your memories.
For souvenir shopping, pretty St Ives has it all. From tropical looking beaches to a buzzing creative scene, days here can be spent wandering the historic, cobbled streets that tumble down to the sheltered harbour before whiling away the evening hours in the many bars and restaurants, admiring the sweeping sea views across the Atlantic.
If it’s man-made entertainment you’re after then the west Cornwall attraction of Flambards is hard to beat. Arguably the best theme park in Cornwall there are numerous rides, indoor attractions, and entertainment as well as the fascinating ‘Britain in the Blitz’ exhibition. There’s plenty to do for little ones to big kids making it a great family day out.
Find out moreIf you are keen to do something completely different, experience the Isles of Scilly on a day trip from Penzance. Catch the Scillonian ferry across to St Mary’s where you can spend several hours on this far-flung archipelago. Lying 28 miles off the Cornish coast, the Isles of Scilly are stunning with Caribbean-esque beaches, azure waters, incredible bird life plus fabulous food. Sailing back to Cornwall allows the chance to view the rugged Cornish coast from a whole new perspective too, you may even spy a dolphin along the way!
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