WEST CORNWALL
Experience the difference....
 'Penwith covers an area of
less than 60 square miles in all. Nontheless, the combined beauty of it's cliffs, coves, ancient moorland and
its resort areas of St Ives, Penzance and Hayle clearly makes this one of the world's most desirable spots' -
Helen Truszkowski, Travel Editor, Executive Woman Magazine.
Locals call West Cornwall an Island Kingdom because it is almost entirely cut off by the sea and river from the
rest of England. Yet there is a wealth of contrasts for you to see and enjoy. Golden sands, inviting seas:
matchless scenery of countryside and coastline: the moorland and rugged cliffs of the north coast and the
sub-tropical softness of the south; fishing harbours and quiet coves; little hamlets less than a mile away from
the busy holiday centres.
Everywhere in West Cornwall are reminders of past industrial greatness - the minestacks and engine houses. A
rich history over thousands of years is captured in the Bronze and Iron Age relics and the ancient crosses and
hedges. It is a place to relax in natural beauty with open spaces and friendly people.
THE BEACHES OF WEST CORNWALL.
West Cornwall has the biggest team of Lifeguards in the country to keep the beaches safe for bathing. The
waters which surround the peninsula are now probably the cleanest in Western Europe following the multi-million
pound Clean Sweep operation by South West Water.
SENNEN COVE , close to Land's End, has a magnificient 550 metre EEC award
winning beach.
PORTHCURNO , once the headquarters of the Cable and Wireless training college
now has a telegraph Museum, just a short distance from a string of golden beaches.There is remarkable variety
of beaches from the broad open spaces of HAYLE TOWANS to the charm of GWENVER SANDS , the
picturesque coves of LAMORNA , PENBERTH andPORTHGWARRA to the
majesty of CAPE CORNWALL .
LANDS END - one of the world's best known landmarks, Land's End has the
majesty of dramatic natural scenery, power and mystery. Close by lies the Long-
ships Lighthouse and on the horizon are the Isles of Scilly. The rolling tides sweep as far as the eye can see
and the crashing waves beat on the 200-feet high cliffs. And everywhere, the ocean. At Land's End the spirit of
Cornwall and the Lost Land of Lyonnesse are revealed in a series of exhibitions and in the electronic theatre
show 'The Last Labyrinth'.
THE LEGENDS . Our Island Kingdom is a treasure trove of ancient history
and antiquities.The landscape is packed with remarkable sites and monuments which hold the mysteries of
thousands of years. Farmers have unearthed folden jewellery dating back to the Bronze Age.
There are so many places to visit including Madron's Holy Well and Baptistry, the Merry Maidens and Pipers
standing stones near Lamorna, Chysauster ancient village near Penzance and the chambered cairn Ballowal on the
cliffs at Carn Gloose.
COAST TO COAST
PENZANCE. An Ideal centre from which to explore West Cornwall. You are never
more than ten miles from the other popular holiday towns, the top beaches and the hidden corners of the
peninsula. The harbour, promenadea dn Mount's Bay dominate the Penzance scene. It is a rail, bus, ferry and
helicopter terminus. The National Lighthouse Centre, Maritime Museum, unique art-deco open-air Jubilee Bathing
Pool and lovely public gardens and floral displays all add to the attractions of the Town.
ST IVES. You can arrive by rail, road or by sea and the view is equally
magnificent. Beautiful beaches ring the town, fishermen work in the harbour and the skill of artists is visible
everywhere. The displays of flowers which deck the town in summer have brought International honours.
HAYLE . Three miles of golden sands stretch to Godrevy Lighthouse and there
are miles of sand dunes for the dedicated walker. The working harbour marks the centre of the town's industrial
heritage, celebrated each summer by a festival. The Inter-nationally important bird sanctuary, Paradise Park
can be found in Hayle.
CARBIS BAY AND LELANT. The superb rail trip to St Ives runs through Lelant and Carbis Bay. The
beaches, birds and hill fort of Trencrom are some of it's many special features.
MARAZION . Lying opposite St Michael's Mount, the town carries a 400 year
old Royal Charter and lays claim to being the oldest in Britain. It has a lovely safe beach and superb sailing
waters. The fairy tale castle of ST MICHAEL'S MOUNT is the centre-piece of Mount's Bay and a jewel in
the crown of the National Trust. You can walk across the granite-coated causeway at low tide, whilst at high
tide it becomes and island reached by small ferry-boats from Marazion.
 NEWLYN. The most successful fishing port in England,
the quays are crowded with trawlers, netters and crabbers. Fishermen are busy working on their boats preparing
to return to sea. You can enjoy their catches in many local hotels, restaurants and pubs.... delicious fresh
fish, crabs and Lobsters.
MOUSEHOLE . Takes it's name from the cave just beyond the village.
Everything is centred around the delightful harbour with it's ancient pier. Tempting alleyways link small
houses, galleries and craft shops. At Christmas the harbour is illuminated by seasonal lights which bring
visitors in their thousands. A unique wild bird hospital and sanctuary is perched on the steep Raginnis
Hill.
ST JUST AND PENDEEN . There was a time when the tin-mining of West
Cornwall was the envy of the world. Down the centuries thousands of miners dug out the precious ore. St Just
and Pendeen have changed little in character and appearance since the peak mining days. A few years ago the
last working mine Geevor, at Pendeen was closed but you can still sense the atmosphere of those great
industrial years at the Heritage Centre and on guided tours of a nearby restored mine. At Levant, the mine that
went out under the sea, the original engine has been restored and the engine house renovated.
Visit Cape Cornwall - the only cape in England - which gives a 270 degree view over the Western
Approaches.
THE MINACK THEATRE . The summer season of plays and musicals at the Minack
open-air theatre on the cliffs at Porthcurno lasts from May to September. The auditorium, carved out of the
granite, is in a breath-taking setting, whether on a sunlit afternoon or a moonlit night. The panorama of
Mount's Bay, with the passing fishing boats and winking lights makes a stunning backdrop for the productions.
An exhibition centre tells of the theatre's history since it's creation over 60 years ago.
LEISURE AND SPORT . There are opportunities for activities of all kinds -
from walking to body-boarding. The coastal footpaths skirt the whole peninsula providing unparallelled walking
and there is fishing from shore or sea, sailing in the bays and around the coast, surfing, land speedsailing,
golfing, bowling, horse-riding, tennis and rock-climbing - 12 months of the year!
 NATURAL BEAUTY. Flowers from all parts of the world bloom in
gardens that are open to the public. Palm trees, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Magnolias and other exotic plants
and shrubs can be viewed. Look also for the colourful hanging baskets that decorate the town centres. Out of
the towns, the hedgerows are full of natural displays of Daffodils, Primroses, Foxgloves, Campions, Violets and
Buttercups. The cliffs and moors are carpeted with bright yellow gorse and the softer hues of wild heather and
perfumed with wild honeysuckle.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATION . There was a time when there was an artist on almost
every corner in West Cornwall. From their arrival a century ago grew the famed schools of art at Newlyn and St
Ives. Today you will find dozens of galleries and craft shops displaying everything from fine art to jewellery,
pottery and glassware. Often you can watch the craftspeople at work.
THE TATE GALLERY, ST IVES. The artistic genius that gave St Ives it's
internationhal reputation from the 1930s is captured in this gallelry opened in 1993 by the Prince of Wales. It
stands like a lighthouse overlooking the Porthmeor Beach. Close by is the Barbara Hepworth Museum, a unique
open-air garden with many of her sculptures and on the outskirts of St Ives can be found the Bernard Leach
Pottery.
NEWLYN ART GALLERY . Celebrating it's centenary in 1995. There are
national contemporary displays as well and shows by the Newlyn Society of Artists.
PENZANCE AND DISTRICT MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY . A permanent show of 'Newlyn
School' painters provides the centrepiece of this multi-media gallery. It must be said that they are truly
stunning. Locally made copperware and fabrics from earlier in the century are also on display as well as
historical and archaeological exhibits.
FOOD AND DRINK . On almost every corner you will find traditional Cornish
Inns giving a friendly welcome. Enjoy a genuine Cornish Pasty and a chat with the locals.
THE FORTUNATE ISLES . Just 28 miles from West Cornwall lie the Isles of
Scilly - fabled to be the last remains of the lost kingdom of Lyonnesse. Only five islands in the archipelago
are inhabited - the remainder being sanctuaries for birds and colonies of seals. Trips by boat around the
islands are available. The Isles of Scilly can be reached from the mainland by the ferry Scillonian 111 or by
Skybus or British International Helicopters.
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