Far West of Cornwall

West Penwith, the far western tip of Cornwall provides a dramatic landscape where rugged, granite-studded moorlands reach down to a spectacular Atlantic coastline and the sea surges into picturesque, lonely coves. This rugged splendour is beautifully balanced by an abundance of wild flowers on the cliff tops. Spring comes early in West Cornwall and by early April the walker is able to enjoy a fine display of fresh greenery, primroses, violets and camellias. In high summer the moorland is ablaze with the rich purple and gold of heather and gorse.

 

Porthcurno beach with heather and summer flowers in the foregrond

 

The granite tors which overlook the coastline are dotted with stone circles, stone rows, ancient cromlechs and mysterious standing stones such as the Mên-an-tol. Many of these stones predate Stonehenge by several thousand years and contribute greatly to the mystique of the area. It is no coincidence that the vast majority of Cornwall’s fascinating folklore and mythology has its origins on this small, isolated peninsula. The starkly beautiful chimneys of abandoned tin mines are a reminder of Cornwall’s proud industrial heritage, and the reason that this area is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

View down onto the engine houses at Botallack

 

The itinerary will vary depending upon the grade and duration of the tour, but most will include a visit to the pretty village of Zennor, with its touching mermaid legend, and the tiny church where the ‘mermaid’s seat’ is on show; a walk around Land’s End for magnificent views from England’s most westerly point; the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole; Porthcurno where the famous open air Minack Theatre is cut into the cliff face; beautiful Lamorna Cove; and the ancient standing stones on the West Penwith Moors.

To give you a 'taster' of the landscape take a look at the beautiful aerial photography in this short video.

Lonely Planet lists hiking the South West Coast Path as one of the world's great adventures with “walking at its most diverse, most spectacular and most delicious", and we would definitely agree with that description.

Accommodation
Unless you ask us to customise your trip, and choose alternative accommodation, your holiday in the Far West of Cornwall will be based at a comfortable family-run guest house close to the centre of the attractive town of Penzance. Your room will have ensuite bathroom facilities and you will have a choice of continental or full English breakfast. Penzance has a good range of restaurants and pubs serving meals in the evening.

If you prefer hotel accommodation we can arrange a room at the excellent Hotel Penzance in Penzance. The Edwardian townhouse, once the home of a local ship building family, enjoys far-reaching views across Mount's Bay to St Michael's Mount. The hotel offers a range of standard, superior and sea-view rooms and suites and the restaurant showcases the best of Cornish produce. The additional cost for accommodation at Hotel Penzance will depend upon the room type chosen and whether you wish to include evening meals in the hotel restaurant.

 

What's included in the price of this holiday?

FWC map

Bed & Breakfast
Holiday Options

Easy Easy
Code:FWCSB3
Grade:Easy - Moderate
Nights:3
Price:£450.00
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Easy Easy
Code:FWCSB5
Grade:Easy - Moderate
Nights:5
Price:£765.00
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Easy Easy
Code:FWCSB7
Grade:Easy - Moderate
Nights:7
Price:£1,055.00
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Currency Converter: All of our prices are in British pounds. To estimate the cost in another currency use the currency converter here.

Travel information
Rail: Penzance. 
Onward travel: Bus or taxi.

more travel information

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