Amanda’s guidebook to West Penwith and Beyond
Sightseeing
St Michael's Mount is an iconic spot within Mounts Bay accessible by boat or foot on a causeway from Marazion. It is run by the National Trust.
690 locals recommend
Saint Michael's Mount
St Michael's Mount is an iconic spot within Mounts Bay accessible by boat or foot on a causeway from Marazion. It is run by the National Trust.
The Tate St Ives sits above Portmeor Beach, has stunning views from the galleries and roof-top cafe. The Tate whilst focusing on its links to artists who have lived and worked in Cornwall, also showcases international exhibitions too. For latest information go to https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives
453 locals recommend
Tate St. Ives
The Tate St Ives sits above Portmeor Beach, has stunning views from the galleries and roof-top cafe. The Tate whilst focusing on its links to artists who have lived and worked in Cornwall, also showcases international exhibitions too. For latest information go to https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives
The Tremenheere Sculpture garden offers a beautiful garden to explore with stunning views of Mounts Bay and St Michaels Mount together with inventive sculptures, an excellent cafe and shop.
215 locals recommend
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
The Tremenheere Sculpture garden offers a beautiful garden to explore with stunning views of Mounts Bay and St Michaels Mount together with inventive sculptures, an excellent cafe and shop.
Fascinating insight into the recent mining past of Cornwall with the opportunity to go down into the mine.
133 locals recommend
Geevor Tin Mine
Fascinating insight into the recent mining past of Cornwall with the opportunity to go down into the mine.
The Minack is an outdoor theatre in a stunning location above Porthcurno Beach and at low tide the Treen lagoon beyond. you can visit to see a theatre production, take a warm coat or in the day to visit the small museum. https://www.minack.com/minack-theatre
180 locals recommend
The Minack Theatre
The Minack is an outdoor theatre in a stunning location above Porthcurno Beach and at low tide the Treen lagoon beyond. you can visit to see a theatre production, take a warm coat or in the day to visit the small museum. https://www.minack.com/minack-theatre
Cape Cornwall is the only cape in the UK and before the Victorians turned Land's End into the end of the UK was the most westerly point. Stunning location with enviable views just down from the old mining town of St Just
76 locals recommend
Cape Cornwall
Cape Cornwall is the only cape in the UK and before the Victorians turned Land's End into the end of the UK was the most westerly point. Stunning location with enviable views just down from the old mining town of St Just
Local fishing village on the western edge of Penzance renowned for its fishing and art. Early morning fishing market and local fishmongers on the quayside. Also home to the Newlyn Art Gallery not he sea front. Also a boutique cinema Newlyn cinema. A lovely walk from Newlyn to the charming and quaint mini-St Ives of Mousehole.
37 locals recommend
Newlyn Harbour
Local fishing village on the western edge of Penzance renowned for its fishing and art. Early morning fishing market and local fishmongers on the quayside. Also home to the Newlyn Art Gallery not he sea front. Also a boutique cinema Newlyn cinema. A lovely walk from Newlyn to the charming and quaint mini-St Ives of Mousehole.
A tour around the tin and copper mining history right on the coast just beyond Pendeen and the more modern mine at Geevor.
34 locals recommend
National Trust - Levant Mine and Beam Engine
A tour around the tin and copper mining history right on the coast just beyond Pendeen and the more modern mine at Geevor.
Among the many standing stones the Men-an-Tol is a local favourite, a lovely walk over the moors from Atlantic Jig with further options to take in the nine maidens stone circle and the remains of Bodrifty iron age settlement beyond.
33 locals recommend
Men-an-tol
Among the many standing stones the Men-an-Tol is a local favourite, a lovely walk over the moors from Atlantic Jig with further options to take in the nine maidens stone circle and the remains of Bodrifty iron age settlement beyond.
Lovely gardens with views back down over Mount's Bay around 10 minutes drive from the barn, great cafe and shop too. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trengwainton-garden
42 locals recommend
Trengwainton Garden
Boscathnoe LaneLovely gardens with views back down over Mount's Bay around 10 minutes drive from the barn, great cafe and shop too. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trengwainton-garden
Stunning gardens on the Carrick Roads river estuary with wider views towards the sea and Falmouth, opportunities to visit the house, orangery, cafes, woodland walks and more formal gardens.https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick
220 locals recommend
National Trust - Trelissick Garden
Stunning gardens on the Carrick Roads river estuary with wider views towards the sea and Falmouth, opportunities to visit the house, orangery, cafes, woodland walks and more formal gardens.https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick
Beaches
Sennen Cove is a stunning beach renowned for its surfing, a short walk over the dunes will also take you to the less popular Gwenver Beach. Beach cafe, pub, further eating options, fishing harbour, a short walk from Land's End.
246 locals recommend
Sennen Cove
Sennen Cove is a stunning beach renowned for its surfing, a short walk over the dunes will also take you to the less popular Gwenver Beach. Beach cafe, pub, further eating options, fishing harbour, a short walk from Land's End.
Stunning local beach a short drive away parking at Pendeen lighthouse or a short walk from the barn on the south west coast path. Be aware currents are strong so swimming should be kept close to the shore. There are no lifeguards. A waterfall brings a river onto the beach. Rarely busy as it entails a walk to get there but always beautiful.
36 locals recommend
Portheras Cove
Stunning local beach a short drive away parking at Pendeen lighthouse or a short walk from the barn on the south west coast path. Be aware currents are strong so swimming should be kept close to the shore. There are no lifeguards. A waterfall brings a river onto the beach. Rarely busy as it entails a walk to get there but always beautiful.
St Ives has four main beaches at Porthmeor beach,
Porthminster beach,Harbour beach and
Porthgwidden beach as well as the smaller
Bamaluz beach
252 locals recommend
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor HillSt Ives has four main beaches at Porthmeor beach,
Porthminster beach,Harbour beach and
Porthgwidden beach as well as the smaller
Bamaluz beach
over 5 kilometre long beach with popular surfing spots and the iconic Gwithian lighthouse view
142 locals recommend
Gwithian Beach
over 5 kilometre long beach with popular surfing spots and the iconic Gwithian lighthouse view
Food and Drink
The Gurnard's is a wonderful treat for foodies, enjoy the cosy bar area or restaurant or outside garden for a pint or light lunch. http://www.gurnardshead.co.uk. A short drive from the barn or a lovely walk on the coast path, makes a perfect lunch spot before a walk back perhaps over the moors to make it a circular walk.
27 locals recommend
Gurnards Head Hotel
The Gurnard's is a wonderful treat for foodies, enjoy the cosy bar area or restaurant or outside garden for a pint or light lunch. http://www.gurnardshead.co.uk. A short drive from the barn or a lovely walk on the coast path, makes a perfect lunch spot before a walk back perhaps over the moors to make it a circular walk.
Quintessentially Cornish pub in the charming village of Zennor 10-15 minutes drive from the barn or a magical coastal 2.5 to 3 hour walk. The Tinners has a fabulous cosy bar area, wider restaurant space and delightful garden. Excellent food and drink options.
67 locals recommend
The Tinner's Arms
Quintessentially Cornish pub in the charming village of Zennor 10-15 minutes drive from the barn or a magical coastal 2.5 to 3 hour walk. The Tinners has a fabulous cosy bar area, wider restaurant space and delightful garden. Excellent food and drink options.
Rosemergy is the next hamlet down the road towards Zennor and St Ives, it makes for a lovely walk on the coast path towards the ruined tin mine and a stop off at our friends Cream Tea garden where you will be treated to Clotted cream and the best homemade scones served up in their garden with views to the moors and sea.
8 locals recommend
Rosemergy Cream Tea
Rosemergy is the next hamlet down the road towards Zennor and St Ives, it makes for a lovely walk on the coast path towards the ruined tin mine and a stop off at our friends Cream Tea garden where you will be treated to Clotted cream and the best homemade scones served up in their garden with views to the moors and sea.
Vivian Olds is an old fashioned high quality butchers shop that also sells other local delights. They are renowned for having supplied Harvey Nichols in London.
VIVIAN OLDS LTD
2 Chapel RdVivian Olds is an old fashioned high quality butchers shop that also sells other local delights. They are renowned for having supplied Harvey Nichols in London.
Local Gallery
A stunning location up the road towards Pendeen where Gilly the gallery owner has created a haven for art both inside a conservatory and gallery space where seasonal exhibitions showcase both paintings, jewellery, ceramics and sculpture with larger sculpture within the gardens. https://yewtreegallery.com/current/
6 locals recommend
Yew Tree Gallery
A stunning location up the road towards Pendeen where Gilly the gallery owner has created a haven for art both inside a conservatory and gallery space where seasonal exhibitions showcase both paintings, jewellery, ceramics and sculpture with larger sculpture within the gardens. https://yewtreegallery.com/current/
Walking
We are ideally situated for extensive walks along the South West Coast path from St Ives to Land's End but also along the south coast to Penzance. https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
72 locals recommend
South West Coast Path
South West Coast PathWe are ideally situated for extensive walks along the South West Coast path from St Ives to Land's End but also along the south coast to Penzance. https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
Neighbourhoods
Charming, old village right by the sea and about 10 minutes from the barn, includes the wonderfully atmospheric Tinner's pub, church with the mermaid's chair and walks down to the sea.
67 locals recommend
Zennor
Charming, old village right by the sea and about 10 minutes from the barn, includes the wonderfully atmospheric Tinner's pub, church with the mermaid's chair and walks down to the sea.
St Ives is around 20 minutes drive away from Atlantic Jig or you can walk on the coast path (take the whole day) or take the open top coastal bus. It is a vibrant town renowned for its artistic heritage, home to The Tate, Barbara Hepworth gallery, numerous award-winning restaurants and stunning beaches. There are charming narrow lanes with quirky shops, galleries and eateries. You can enjoy swimming, surfing and boat trips.
610 locals recommend
St Ives
St Ives is around 20 minutes drive away from Atlantic Jig or you can walk on the coast path (take the whole day) or take the open top coastal bus. It is a vibrant town renowned for its artistic heritage, home to The Tate, Barbara Hepworth gallery, numerous award-winning restaurants and stunning beaches. There are charming narrow lanes with quirky shops, galleries and eateries. You can enjoy swimming, surfing and boat trips.
Local sizeable town with a great variety of shops, including major supermarkets Morrisons, Tesco, Lidl, Sainsburys and Coop as well as delicatessen options and local fish. Local fishing trips from the harbour. Penlee Gallery and Exchange Gallery. Famous Egyptian House in the lovely Chapel Street. Morrab sub-tropical gardens. Jubilee pool open air 1920s lido.
161 locals recommend
Penzance
Local sizeable town with a great variety of shops, including major supermarkets Morrisons, Tesco, Lidl, Sainsburys and Coop as well as delicatessen options and local fish. Local fishing trips from the harbour. Penlee Gallery and Exchange Gallery. Famous Egyptian House in the lovely Chapel Street. Morrab sub-tropical gardens. Jubilee pool open air 1920s lido.
Local village towards St just with a well stocked shop, fish and chip shops and several pubs. Access to Pendeen lighthouse.
15 locals recommend
Pendeen
Local village towards St just with a well stocked shop, fish and chip shops and several pubs. Access to Pendeen lighthouse.
Cornwall's County town, approximately 45 minutes drive from the barn, large selection of shops and access to boat trips to Falmouth. Museum, theatre and parks.
397 locals recommend
Truro
Cornwall's County town, approximately 45 minutes drive from the barn, large selection of shops and access to boat trips to Falmouth. Museum, theatre and parks.
Well known and magical small fishing harbour and village, a mini St Ives on the south Coast with wonderful walks to both Lamorna Cove beyond and Newlyn towards Penzance.
154 locals recommend
Mousehole
Well known and magical small fishing harbour and village, a mini St Ives on the south Coast with wonderful walks to both Lamorna Cove beyond and Newlyn towards Penzance.
Wonderful location by St Michael's Mount, small town with cafes, shops, pasties and cream teas. Family safe beach and shallow waters for warm swimming.
64 locals recommend
Marazion
Wonderful location by St Michael's Mount, small town with cafes, shops, pasties and cream teas. Family safe beach and shallow waters for warm swimming.