The ancient town of St Ives sits on the south coast of St Ives Bay. The quaint town, historic harbour, and clean safe beaches are a great attraction. St Ives is also home to the Tate Art Gallery, Barbara Hepworth Museum and the Bernard Leach Pottery. Parking in St Ives in the summer can be problematic - use the Park and Ride and take the train from Lelant Saltings and enjoy one of the most beautiful railway journeys into the bargain.

 

Fishing trips,scenic boat trips and self drive boats available.

Web:http://www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/

These three towns are all located on the coast of Mounts Bay which is of course dominated by St Michaels mount. The mount itself is accessable at low tide by causeway at

Marazion, boats also operate in season.

 

Penzance is the western terminus of the Great Western Railway and Jubillee Pool is one of the very few open air art-deco lidos still in existance. http://www.penzance.co.uk/

 

Penzance is joined to the neighbouring town of Newlyn which is at the centre of the fishing industry in Cornwall. http://www.newlyn.info/

Just off the Helston-Penzance road, is the historic harbour at Porthleven. Dating from the Napolionic Wars, Porthleven is still a working harbour for local fishing an pleasure boats. On the end of the harbour is the Bickford-Smith Institute with its clock tower. There is also a nice beach. A short walk along the coast is the Penrose Estate and Loe Bar, a natural shingle bank which seperates the freshwater lake of Loe Pool from the sea.

Web:http://www.porthleven-online.com/

Porthcurno is located three miles east-southeast of Land`s End. The beautiful south facing beach is bordered by the Minack Theatre to the west Logan Rock to the east. Porthcurno was once a very important comminication centre. Telegraph cables linking cornwall with distant parts of the world were laid under the sandy beach. The former contol centre built into the cliff is now a museum.

On the coast near Lands End is the hamlet of Lamorna. Lamorna was made famous by Victorian Cornish Artists most notably Samuel John 'Lamorna' Birch. Once important for quarrying, the valley side is still littered with huge boulders dating from those days.

Web: http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/Lamorna-village.htm

 

Penberth owned by the national trust is in the next cove. A small local fishing fleet operate from its ancient slipway.

Web:http://www.penberthcove.co.uk/

Mousehole

(pronounced "Mowzel") is one of Cornwall's most picturesque hamlets; a stunning collection of yellow-lichened houses huddled together around the inner edge of the harbour. A small and very safe beach is located in a sheltered part of the harbour which is popular with families.

Web:http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk/westcornwall/mousehole.htm

 

Porth Nanven (NT)
Situated at the end of the Cot Valley near St Just Porth Nanven. The amateur geologist will note the raised beach and the rounded granite boulders. Offshire are the twin peaks of the Brisons.

Web:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porth_Nanven

Gwithian, Godrevy(NT) and Hells Mouth
On the coast road north of Hayle is Gwithian Beach. This is a popular beach surfers and other watersports including kite surfing and land yatching. http://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/Gwithian-beach.htm

 

North of Gwithian is the Headland of Godrevy dominated by Godrevy Island and the Lighthouse. This section of coast in owned by the National Trust.

 

Mutton cove, north of Godrevy, is a popular 'hauling out' beach for seals (there is no access but you can see the seals from the coast path above)

 

A little further around the coast are the cliffs of Hells Mouth

 

Porthtowan is one of the UK's top surfing beaches, bordered by soft white sand and rolling dunes. There is a large car park close to the beach and a number of shops, cafes and bars. One of the most popular with both visitors and locals is the Blue Bar, situated just at the edge of the beach
Web:http://www.connexions.co.uk/areas/html/porthtowan.html

Chapel Porth is renowned for surfing and, when the conditions are right, produces some of the finest waves in the Europe. There is plenty of parking in the National Trust car park at the beach as well as more spaces in the car park at the top of the hill above the cove

Perranporth has a wide sandy beach and lots of facilities. It is a very popular family orientated beach.

Lands End
The most westerly point in England, Lands End, has been turned into something of a three ring circus in recent years with a collection of tawdry 'attractions'. I suppose the kids may like them. If you can ignore them, then what remains of the natural scenary is worth a visit.
http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk/attractions/lands-end/

The most Southerly point in Britain is owned by the National Trust and is dominated by the Lighthouse and Lloyds Signal Station. Recently the Cornish Chough has made a come-back and can be seen nesting on the cliffs here.

Web: http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/The-Lizard/

Kynance Cove
Just around the corner from Lizard Point is Kynance Cove, also owned by the National Trust. There is a walk down from the car park to the cove itself where you will find wonderful scenary, a spectacular beach and a very welcome cafe.

Web: http://www.kynancecovecafe.co.uk/

The picturesqe fishing village of Mullion Cove and its harbour is now managed by the National Trust is on the western side of the lizard. Cadgewith and Coverack are on the east.