Welcome to South West Cornwall

At the far end of the county lies the area of Land’s End and the far west of Cornwall - an area of rugged cliffs and wide estuaries, where small boat sailors delight in the sheltered Helford River, while their intrepid seagoing counterparts in the Fastnet race sweep round the Lizard with all sail set! Many people think this is the real essence of Cornwall; for at this point the peninsula narrows so that both coasts come together and you can see the sea on both sides as you journey down the last miles of the toe of England.

From the well-known village of Marazion, with St. Michael’s Mount standing proud across the causeway and making a landmark recognised by all, to the small rocky coves where few go and you can lie and listen to the beating surf, this is a part of the county to explore at leisure. If you feel energetic, walk all or just a section of the coastal footpath. Or just laze on the beaches whilst the children explore the rock pools. Lands End does now lack something of its original wild splendour, but nothing can take away its setting.

Sun, surf and superb facilities for the tourist make up the attractions of the North West coast of Cornwall. From the crafts centres and artists’ paradise of St. Ives to the sun bathed beaches and tourist attractions of the coastal bays and headlands this is an area with much to see and more to do. The coastline is superb - and the history of the region is all around you. Tin and pilchards were the mainstays of its economy in the old days. The fishing ports and mining relics still remain but even industrial ruins seem to blend with the landscape here. We owe much to local and national bodies for restoring and conserving our industrial past in a way that does not lose its character. Stand on nearly any headland and the whole coastline is laid out before your eyes - then visit the tiny inland villages nestling in sheltered valleys.

This was probably one of the first Cornish areas to cater for the family seaside holiday - though it has much, much more to offer today. Enjoy yourselves here - we are sure you will.