Rashmir’s guidebook
Things to do
Things to do when you want a break from the beach or walking, especially good for rainy days.
Learn about Cornwall's fascinating and groundbreaking communications history, including the story of the first undersea telegraph cables that went from Porthcurno to the US and Porthcurno's more recent history as a company town. Or stop in for a Cornish pasty on your way back from the beach.
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PK Porthcurno
Learn about Cornwall's fascinating and groundbreaking communications history, including the story of the first undersea telegraph cables that went from Porthcurno to the US and Porthcurno's more recent history as a company town. Or stop in for a Cornish pasty on your way back from the beach.
The Minack Theatre is a spectacular outdoor theatre built into the cliff face above Porthcurno Beach. Check out what's on and book as far in advance as you can. The theatre is worth a visit during the day just to marvel at the construction feat and the views. There is a small exhibition outlining the history of the theatre and a cafe that is open during the day, and occasional day time events. There is parking, but I recommend walking from The Rest House to avoid traffic jams at busy times. It's 30-40 mins along the road on foot.
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The Minack Theatre
The Minack Theatre is a spectacular outdoor theatre built into the cliff face above Porthcurno Beach. Check out what's on and book as far in advance as you can. The theatre is worth a visit during the day just to marvel at the construction feat and the views. There is a small exhibition outlining the history of the theatre and a cafe that is open during the day, and occasional day time events. There is parking, but I recommend walking from The Rest House to avoid traffic jams at busy times. It's 30-40 mins along the road on foot.
Lovely local cinema with an artsy feel, super comfy seats and an unexpectedly solid bar/restaurant.
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Newlyn Filmhouse
23-31 The CoombeLovely local cinema with an artsy feel, super comfy seats and an unexpectedly solid bar/restaurant.
Well worth a visit for a bit of art and incredible beach views. The light really is different in St Ives, so it's easy to see why so many artists have been drawn there over the years.
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Tate St. Ives
Well worth a visit for a bit of art and incredible beach views. The light really is different in St Ives, so it's easy to see why so many artists have been drawn there over the years.
Small yet delightful museum and garden that was formerly Barbara Hepworth's home and studio. Perfect coupled with a potter around St Ives town and harbour.
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Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
Barnoon HillSmall yet delightful museum and garden that was formerly Barbara Hepworth's home and studio. Perfect coupled with a potter around St Ives town and harbour.
Learn about Cornwall's rich yet often tragic mining history. Park here, explore the museum, grab a bite in their cafe, then head out for a coastal walk. You can walk north from here to Pendeen Lighthouse or south to Cape Cornwall. Whichever way you go, you'll be all set for stunning coastal cliffs pockmarked with the vestiges of old mines.
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Geevor Tin Mine Museum, Main Road station
Learn about Cornwall's rich yet often tragic mining history. Park here, explore the museum, grab a bite in their cafe, then head out for a coastal walk. You can walk north from here to Pendeen Lighthouse or south to Cape Cornwall. Whichever way you go, you'll be all set for stunning coastal cliffs pockmarked with the vestiges of old mines.
This National Trust owned mine has the only Cornish beam engine still operated by steam. Take a tour, or pass by on a coastal walk. (It's a short walk from Levant to Geevor, so you can park at one and take both in on the same day.)
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National Trust - Levant Mine and Beam Engine
This National Trust owned mine has the only Cornish beam engine still operated by steam. Take a tour, or pass by on a coastal walk. (It's a short walk from Levant to Geevor, so you can park at one and take both in on the same day.)
Food scene
Nearby places for drinks, cakes, meals and beers. There's also a few of my favourite restaurants that are a bit further away, but worth booking in advance during the busy season (Easter to October, and holidays).
Local cafe. Great for refuelling on your way back from Sennen or Land's End, or stop in for lunch as part of a circular walk that takes in Nanjizal and Land's End. (Closed in January and part of February)
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The Apple Tree Cafe
Local cafe. Great for refuelling on your way back from Sennen or Land's End, or stop in for lunch as part of a circular walk that takes in Nanjizal and Land's End. (Closed in January and part of February)
Great pit stop during coastal walks. Stop in for a pasty or a cream tea. (Closed out of season.)
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Porthgwarra Cove Cafe
Great pit stop during coastal walks. Stop in for a pasty or a cream tea. (Closed out of season.)
A good local's pub, with good pub grub. Worth stopping in for lunch during a walk, or an evening meal.
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The Logan Rock Inn
A good local's pub, with good pub grub. Worth stopping in for lunch during a walk, or an evening meal.
Great beach cafe a short walk from Porthcurno beach. (Closed out of season.)
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Playa de Porthcurno
Great beach cafe a short walk from Porthcurno beach. (Closed out of season.)
Consistently good food in the restaurant and friendly bar, with occasional events. Go for lunch or dinner and get a lovely walk in beforehand. Be sure to book well in advance to ensure you get a table as this is a very popular spot with locals and tourists alike!
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The Gurnards Head
Consistently good food in the restaurant and friendly bar, with occasional events. Go for lunch or dinner and get a lovely walk in beforehand. Be sure to book well in advance to ensure you get a table as this is a very popular spot with locals and tourists alike!
Fantastic fish restaurant in Penzance. Book in advance during the summer.
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The Shore Restaurant
13-14 Alverton StFantastic fish restaurant in Penzance. Book in advance during the summer.
Great place for foodies, particularly fish lovers. Open for lunch and dinner during the holiday season. Worth a visit. It's tiny though, so you might have to wait for a table during busy times.
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Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar
New RoadGreat place for foodies, particularly fish lovers. Open for lunch and dinner during the holiday season. Worth a visit. It's tiny though, so you might have to wait for a table during busy times.
Pub owned by former Michelin starred chef Ben Tunnicliffe. Loved by locals, you can stop in for a beer or a meal. Be sure to book well in advance for evening meals though!
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The Tolcarne Inn
9 Tolcarne TerracePub owned by former Michelin starred chef Ben Tunnicliffe. Loved by locals, you can stop in for a beer or a meal. Be sure to book well in advance for evening meals though!
There's a number of little cafes and places to potter, eat and drink in St Just, but the Dog & Rabbit is a local favourite. It's definitely worth stopping in St Just on your way to or from Pendeen's mines or as part of a walk taking in some ancient sites. There is also a Co-op for general provisions and a free car park (look for the signs).
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Cafe Dog & Rabbit
North RowThere's a number of little cafes and places to potter, eat and drink in St Just, but the Dog & Rabbit is a local favourite. It's definitely worth stopping in St Just on your way to or from Pendeen's mines or as part of a walk taking in some ancient sites. There is also a Co-op for general provisions and a free car park (look for the signs).
Local cafe between Sennen harbour and Sennen Cove beach. Open all year round, stop in for a full Cornish breakfast or for cup of coffee and a cake. They have great cakes!
Little Bo Cafe
Cove HillLocal cafe between Sennen harbour and Sennen Cove beach. Open all year round, stop in for a full Cornish breakfast or for cup of coffee and a cake. They have great cakes!
Beaches
Whether you're a sun lover, wild swimmer, or sea cliff explorer, there's no shortage of good beaches in West Penwith. The most famous ones tend to get packed in summer and on bank holiday weekends, but rest assured there's one a little further off the beaten track that will be quieter.
Gorgeous local beach, white/golden sand with seashells, turquoise sea when the sun is out, good for swimming when calm, and surfers when there's a swell. Strong undercurrents, so be careful and wise when swimming.
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Playa de Porthcurno
Gorgeous local beach, white/golden sand with seashells, turquoise sea when the sun is out, good for swimming when calm, and surfers when there's a swell. Strong undercurrents, so be careful and wise when swimming.
Pretty beach and access tunnel in this historic fishing village that was regularly featured in the most recent Poldark series. The cafe is open during the season.
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Porthgwarra Cove Cafe
Pretty beach and access tunnel in this historic fishing village that was regularly featured in the most recent Poldark series. The cafe is open during the season.
One of my favourite local spots. This rocky beach is a 30-minute walk from The Rest House, only accessible on foot, which limits the crowds. It's great for seaweed foraging at low tide, and when the tide is out there is a pool to play in right by the sea tunnel. Walk east through RSPB land and incredible birdlife or south-west to Land's End. Chances are you'll see choughs, and a variety of foragable plants.
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Nanjizal Beach; Song Of The Sea Cave
One of my favourite local spots. This rocky beach is a 30-minute walk from The Rest House, only accessible on foot, which limits the crowds. It's great for seaweed foraging at low tide, and when the tide is out there is a pool to play in right by the sea tunnel. Walk east through RSPB land and incredible birdlife or south-west to Land's End. Chances are you'll see choughs, and a variety of foragable plants.
Lovely long stretch of beach. Great for walking, sunbathing, playing, swimming, surfing and bodyboarding. During the season, you can hire wetsuits and boards at the beach. Surf lessons are available. There's also a Surf Bar/restaurant and takeaway point, a decent pub, a cafe, and art gallery/shop, and the Sennen Lifeboat station.
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Sennen Cove
Lovely long stretch of beach. Great for walking, sunbathing, playing, swimming, surfing and bodyboarding. During the season, you can hire wetsuits and boards at the beach. Surf lessons are available. There's also a Surf Bar/restaurant and takeaway point, a decent pub, a cafe, and art gallery/shop, and the Sennen Lifeboat station.
Two beaches along from Porthcurno, accessible only on foot. Tricky descent, so be careful and wise if you decide to go down. Also bear in mind that Pedn Vounder is a nudist beach and is subject to tides. So be aware of tide times and don't get stuck when the tide comes in.
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Pedn Vounder Beach
South West Coast PathTwo beaches along from Porthcurno, accessible only on foot. Tricky descent, so be careful and wise if you decide to go down. Also bear in mind that Pedn Vounder is a nudist beach and is subject to tides. So be aware of tide times and don't get stuck when the tide comes in.