Emma’s Guidebook
Eating out
Goldsithney is a lovely place with a friendly village shop packed full of interesting local produce (they have an impressive selection of gins to try too). Both pubs (The Trevelyan Arms and The Crown) offer good pub grub and local beers but if you are looking for fine dining try some of the recommendations below (but do book in advance as they’re very popular):
The Trevelyan Arms
Fore StreetGreat food and always a warm welcome.
Simply delicious Asian/Cornish fusion food; I recommend the oysters! And they've won numerous awards.
https://kotarestaurant.co.uk
54 locals recommend
Kota Restaurant
HELSTONSimply delicious Asian/Cornish fusion food; I recommend the oysters! And they've won numerous awards.
https://kotarestaurant.co.uk
If you love shellfish and a fun, friendly atmosphere, this is the place to go. Book in advance as it's very popular (I mean months in advance). Alternatively, leave your details on their answer machine and fingers crossed, they'll contact you with a cancellation.
65 locals recommend
The Wheelhouse
Upton SlipIf you love shellfish and a fun, friendly atmosphere, this is the place to go. Book in advance as it's very popular (I mean months in advance). Alternatively, leave your details on their answer machine and fingers crossed, they'll contact you with a cancellation.
The Tolcarne Inn
9 Tolcarne TerraceStunning fish - all locally caught and fresh off the boat.
The Shore offers a small seafood menu with all produce being ethically sourced. It's definitely worth a visit.
46 locals recommend
The Shore Restaurant
13-14 Alverton StThe Shore offers a small seafood menu with all produce being ethically sourced. It's definitely worth a visit.
I simply love this place, whether it's just popping in for a quick drink after walking the dog or dinner with friends; it never fails to impress.
https://www.victoriainn-penzance.co.uk
52 locals recommend
Victoria Inn
I simply love this place, whether it's just popping in for a quick drink after walking the dog or dinner with friends; it never fails to impress.
https://www.victoriainn-penzance.co.uk
The Peppercorn Cafe
Lovely lunches. Had a great Thai chicken soup.
Great international street food.
https://www.facebook.com/mermaidalley/
27 locals recommend
Mermaid Alley
45 New StGreat international street food.
https://www.facebook.com/mermaidalley/
Excellent food and always welcoming. Have a look at their menu. https://www.themexicoinn.com/fooddrink
44 locals recommend
The Mexico Inn
4 RiversideExcellent food and always welcoming. Have a look at their menu. https://www.themexicoinn.com/fooddrink
Stunning Mousehole location and good food. They also have another pub on the north coast near Zennor (St Ives way) called The Gurnards Head. Both serve excellent food - but again, book in advance as they're very popular.
21 locals recommend
The Old Coastguard Hotel station
Stunning Mousehole location and good food. They also have another pub on the north coast near Zennor (St Ives way) called The Gurnards Head. Both serve excellent food - but again, book in advance as they're very popular.
The Cook Book
4 Cape Cornwall StCafe Dog & Rabbit
North RowBest beaches
There are so many to choose from but if you are looking for a big sandy beach with lifeguards, my particular favourites are Sennen Cove (nr Lands End) and Porthcurno. Perranuthnoe is smaller but ideally located as it’s within walking distance from the cottage and has lifeguards during the summer months and two cafes.
A beautiful (all year) dog friendly beach. Even if you don't have a dog, enjoy a circular walk from the church down to the beach (parallel with the estuary) and then back up over the cliffs close to the golf course. There are splendid views of St Ives and Godrevy Lighthouse.
Lifeguards on beach during the summer.
54 locals recommend
Porthkidney Beach
Church RoadA beautiful (all year) dog friendly beach. Even if you don't have a dog, enjoy a circular walk from the church down to the beach (parallel with the estuary) and then back up over the cliffs close to the golf course. There are splendid views of St Ives and Godrevy Lighthouse.
Lifeguards on beach during the summer.
What can I say? This is where my grandfather was born and my favourite childhood beach. Great cafe supplying well needed pasties after spending the morning swimming or surfing (wetsuit and surf board hire available too). There is a pub, cafes, lifeboat station, small working harbour and The Roundhouse Gallery too.
Lifeguards on beach during the summer.
246 locals recommend
Sennen Cove
What can I say? This is where my grandfather was born and my favourite childhood beach. Great cafe supplying well needed pasties after spending the morning swimming or surfing (wetsuit and surf board hire available too). There is a pub, cafes, lifeboat station, small working harbour and The Roundhouse Gallery too.
Lifeguards on beach during the summer.
If you're looking for turquoise water and dramatic scenery, this is the beach for you. Lifeguards on beach during the summer.
144 locals recommend
Porthcurno
If you're looking for turquoise water and dramatic scenery, this is the beach for you. Lifeguards on beach during the summer.
Cape Cornwall is the only cape in England. From here the Brisons (a twin-peaked islet about 1 mile from shore) are spectacular (it's supposed to look like Charles De Gaulle lying on his back in the bath!)
76 locals recommend
Cape Cornwall
Cape Cornwall is the only cape in England. From here the Brisons (a twin-peaked islet about 1 mile from shore) are spectacular (it's supposed to look like Charles De Gaulle lying on his back in the bath!)
Lovely local beach complete with lifeguards and cafe. Very handy for the cottage. There are also some lovely coast walks here - especially round to Marazion and St Michael's Mount.
43 locals recommend
Perranuthnoe
Lovely local beach complete with lifeguards and cafe. Very handy for the cottage. There are also some lovely coast walks here - especially round to Marazion and St Michael's Mount.
Small and intimate... bit of a walk to discover this beauty.
No lifeguards or facilities.
36 locals recommend
Portheras Cove
Small and intimate... bit of a walk to discover this beauty.
No lifeguards or facilities.
Another remote and isolated beach. Combine it with a walk and it'll be the perfect place to stop and eat your picnic.
42 locals recommend
Nanjizal Beach; Song Of The Sea Cave
Another remote and isolated beach. Combine it with a walk and it'll be the perfect place to stop and eat your picnic.
This is the beach of my childhood and one of my favourite places. The media sometime refer to it as 'Dinosaur Egg Beach' because of the round boulders that cover the shore, however, we always knew it as 'Pennanwell'. It is a scramble to get down to the beach but the surrounding valley and clifftop walks are just beautiful and worth a visit. Grab a pasty from Warren's in St Just and enjoy a picnic at Cot Valley.
13 locals recommend
Porth Nanven
This is the beach of my childhood and one of my favourite places. The media sometime refer to it as 'Dinosaur Egg Beach' because of the round boulders that cover the shore, however, we always knew it as 'Pennanwell'. It is a scramble to get down to the beach but the surrounding valley and clifftop walks are just beautiful and worth a visit. Grab a pasty from Warren's in St Just and enjoy a picnic at Cot Valley.
Things to do
Here's a few ideas of where to go... but I would recommend looking at the Visit Cornwall website (search West Cornwall).
https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/west-cornwall
These images don't do it justice. Penzance's stunning 1930s Art Deco outdoor swimming pool is reopening this summer after a Crowdfunded renovation. It now boasts a geothermal pool (35 degrees). Have a look at their website for further information on opening hours.
https://www.jubileepool.co.uk
165 locals recommend
Jubilee Pool Penzance
Battery RoadThese images don't do it justice. Penzance's stunning 1930s Art Deco outdoor swimming pool is reopening this summer after a Crowdfunded renovation. It now boasts a geothermal pool (35 degrees). Have a look at their website for further information on opening hours.
https://www.jubileepool.co.uk
Country Skittles
Bunkers HillSkittles anyone...
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Flambards Theme Park
Clodgey LaneTate St. Ives
Such a tranquil garden.
https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives/barbara-hepworth-museum-and-sculpture-garden
209 locals recommend
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
Barnoon HillSuch a tranquil garden.
https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives/barbara-hepworth-museum-and-sculpture-garden
The perfect backdrop for a performance. Take a picnic (and a blanket if it's in the evening). Most times I've been the dolphins (out to sea) have delivered a stunning pre-performance show. The theatre is open between performances if you just want to see the impressive feat of engineering.
https://www.minack.com
545 locals recommend
The Minack Theatre
The perfect backdrop for a performance. Take a picnic (and a blanket if it's in the evening). Most times I've been the dolphins (out to sea) have delivered a stunning pre-performance show. The theatre is open between performances if you just want to see the impressive feat of engineering.
https://www.minack.com
Eden Project
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
B3273Sail on a catamaran and watch for the local saline. On our last sailing we saw birds, seals, dolphins and an enormous basking shark. It was fabulous!
14 locals recommend
Marine Discovery Penzance
Sail on a catamaran and watch for the local saline. On our last sailing we saw birds, seals, dolphins and an enormous basking shark. It was fabulous!
https://www.facebook.com/Penzancetourguide/reviews/?ref=page_internal
Anna has an amusing way of revealing the history of Penzance on this fascinating walking tour.
Tour Guide Penzance
5A Albert Streethttps://www.facebook.com/Penzancetourguide/reviews/?ref=page_internal
Anna has an amusing way of revealing the history of Penzance on this fascinating walking tour.
One of the most fun ways to spend an evening in beautiful St Ives (but take the train from St Erth or Lelant). My son and I throughly enjoyed this tour, amusing, engaging and full of historical info. It's a must!
Shanty Baba's Lantern Ghost Storywalk, St Ives Cornwall
Westcotts QuayOne of the most fun ways to spend an evening in beautiful St Ives (but take the train from St Erth or Lelant). My son and I throughly enjoyed this tour, amusing, engaging and full of historical info. It's a must!
Catch the train from either St Erth or Lelant for wonderful coastal views... it's also so much easier as the traffic can be dreadful! If you're feeling energetic, walk from Lelant to St Ives and then catch the train back!
Once there, visit The Tate but also the Barbara Hepworth Museum.
610 locals recommend
St Ives
Catch the train from either St Erth or Lelant for wonderful coastal views... it's also so much easier as the traffic can be dreadful! If you're feeling energetic, walk from Lelant to St Ives and then catch the train back!
Once there, visit The Tate but also the Barbara Hepworth Museum.
Walks (and cycling)
This is walking country and there are some walking guide books on the bookshelf in the dining room but these websites are helpful too:
https://archaeology-travel.com/destinations/europe/england/cornwall-isles-of-scilly/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cornwall/articles/west-cornwall-pub-walks/
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/articles/the-8-most-beautiful-coastal-walks-in-cornwall/
Rinsey
Prussia Cove
South West Coast PathLands End Cycle Hire
Lodey SailsGood reviews, reasonable rates and a great selection of bikes.
It's the perfect way to explore West Penwith.
https://penzancebikehire.co.uk
Penzance Bike Hire Torwood
Alexandra RoadGood reviews, reasonable rates and a great selection of bikes.
It's the perfect way to explore West Penwith.
https://penzancebikehire.co.uk
Super costal walks and a lovely beach too - all within walking distance of the cottage. Perranuthnoe boasts two cafes and a few craft shops.
43 locals recommend
Perranuthnoe
Super costal walks and a lovely beach too - all within walking distance of the cottage. Perranuthnoe boasts two cafes and a few craft shops.
Prussia Cove
South West Coast PathAnother beautiful walk with stunning views.
Great walk to the standing stones, you can carry on further to Ding Dong mine.
https://www.penwithlandscape.com/trails-and-ancient-sites/trail-guide-men-an-tol-circular/
33 locals recommend
Men-an-tol
Great walk to the standing stones, you can carry on further to Ding Dong mine.
https://www.penwithlandscape.com/trails-and-ancient-sites/trail-guide-men-an-tol-circular/
https://www.penwithlandscape.com/trails-and-ancient-sites/chun-castle-and-bosullow-trehyllys/
Chun Castle
https://www.penwithlandscape.com/trails-and-ancient-sites/chun-castle-and-bosullow-trehyllys/
Carn Kenidjack
Walk from Cape Cornwall to Care Kenidjack; it's one of my favourite walks.
Spa days
If you fancy a spa treatment, there are a number of places to choose from. Carbis Bay Hotel and St Una are two good options, or you could try St Michael's in Falmouth.
16 locals recommend
Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate
If you fancy a spa treatment, there are a number of places to choose from. Carbis Bay Hotel and St Una are two good options, or you could try St Michael's in Falmouth.
St Michaels Health Club
Stracey RoadUna St Ives Resort
Laity LaneSurf School
Sennen Cove
Excellent beach and surf school.
Paddle boarding school
Marazion Beach
South West Coast PathPaddle boarding school