It’s not just the spectacular scenery with its miles of shimmering sands, superb coastal walks, impressive gardens, that makes Cornwall so special, there’s history and mystery at every turn which is why people return again and again. Whatever your inclinations there are activities for everyone: for the artistic, enjoy the galleries, theatres and craft centres . For those seeking physical activity, surfing, sailing, horse riding, cycling, swimming, ballroom dancing, walking - whatever your passion, the list is endless!
St Michael’s Mount
Grey Seals
Praa Sands
Pengersick Castle
The Godolphin Estate
Dingley Dell - Self Catering & Bed and Breakfast
Praa Sands - Cornwall
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Local Sites
The mild climate created by the gulf stream flowing past both coasts provides a fantastic environment for many plants that would not normally be seen outside of their natural habitat.
A variety of gardens are open to the public.
Local Gardens - Map of Gardens in Cornwall
St.Michael's Mount - Marazion - nestling on terraces around the magical St. Michael's Mount and providing an excellent day out for lovers of unique maritime and sub-tropical plants.
Morrab Gardens - Penzance's own sub-tropical gardens are located in the centre of the town.
Trewidden Garden - Penzance outskirts - a beautiful display of camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and tree ferns.
Trereife - Penzance outskirts - classic house set in wonderful gardens with woodland walk and views of Mount's Bay.
Trengwainton - Penzance outskirts - woodland garden with walled gardens holding many surprises.
Hardy Exotics - Whitecross (on the A30 outside of Penzance) - unusual garden nursery offering an exotic selection of plants for your own garden.
Godolphin House & Gardens - between Penzance & Helston - wonderful house and restored gardens.
Trevarno Estate Gardens - Crowntown, nr Helston - beautiful Victorian / Georgian gardens with bonus of Britain's biggest collection of gardening antiques in a purpose built museum.
Further away (but well worth the journey!)
Tresco Abbey Garden - The Isles of Scilly - a day trip on the Scillonian from Penzance - see an amazing world-wide collection of sub-tropical plants.
Eden Project - near St.Austell - something very different in an old china-clay quarry - the world's largest greenhouses are a must see and can be accessed easily by public transport from Penzance.
Trelissick Garden - near Truro - positioned by the river Fal, stunning collection of azaleas, camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and tree ferns and a wonderful woodland walk along the river!
Trebah Garden - near Falmouth - an exotic sub-tropical garden running down to the beautiful Helford River.
Lost Gardens of Heligan - Arguably leaving the best until last. Near St.Austell - 200 acres to explore - Victorian productive gardens and ancient woods make this a special place to visit.
West Cornwall offers a range of spectacular beaches, rugged coastline and remote moorland ideal for walking, bird watching, observing marine life and photography.
Walking on the South West Coast Path or exploring many of the inland paths and trails is a delight.
Wildlife is in abundance from the unique fauna & flora in West Cornwall through great bird-watching opportunities and the chance of marine trips to see basking sharks, dolphins & porpoises and seals.
Bird Reserves & Hides in Cornwall
Cornwall Wildlife Trust The Trust delivers activities throughout the year to help visitors and locals alike enjoy Cornwall’s unique environment. On their web site link to What’s On.
Marine Discovery Penzance - Go on an exhilarating wildlife watching boat trip from Penzance Harbour in West Cornwall aboard the jet RIB `Shearwater`.
Elemental Tours In addition to marine opportunities to see whales, dolphins, seals, basking sharks, and a diverse range of seabirds, Elemental Tours also do special trips for seasonal migrants and small group, safari- style, tours and walks, with local guides.
Try something a little different, consider a tour exploring the geology of West Cornwall with Alec Gwynn’s West Cornwall Geological Tours.
Penzance and West Penwith are well known for their connection with artists and the areas boasts some excellent galleries - both public and private that can be explored at any time of the year. The artistic element does not stop with paintings - pottery, jewellery, sculpture and the performing arts all have a strong local representation.
Public Galleries
Penlee House in Penzance - originally a private house with amazing gardens, Penzance's own art gallery and museum is located in the centre of town. Regular art exhibitions, permanent 'Newlyn School' and Lamorna Group paintings, archaeology from West Cornwall and an extensive photographic library are some of the highlights to be found at Penlee House.
Newlyn Gallery in Newlyn (Penzance) - dating back to 1895 and placed on the outskirts of Newlyn (close to Penzance) the gallery offers a variety of exhibitions throughout the year and is home to the Newlyn Society of Artists. New developments are happening in Penzance so check their web site link.
Tate St.Ives in St.Ives - Part of the national Tate Galleries this modern building houses important displays of modern and contemporary art and has the added bonus of including Barbara Hepworth's studio and garden.
Theatres
Minack Theatre at Porthcurno - The world famous Minack theatre is easily accessible by car or public transport from Penzance. Go to the theatre as a daytime visitor to enjoy the stunning location, or book to see a fantastic annual programme of shows and plays.
Kidz R Us in St.Ives - A youth theatre company operating in their own theatre who provide professional productions of many and exciting shows. Check their web site link for the programme of the coming year.
Hall for Cornwall in Truro. A major venue for Cornwall with a varied programme that attracts big names and productions to the Duchy.
Dolphins @ Penzance
Isles Of Scilly
Praa Sands, a mile of golden sands with cliff walks and rock pools to explore at either end.
Sandbar - family pub/restaurant Overlooking Praa Sands beach, the Sandbar has to be one of the best locations in Cornwall. The views are stunning especially at a high tide when you get the feeling that you are on board ship! With an outdoor eating terraced area and linked to the beach it’s a great place to spend an evening.
Pengersick Castle is just across the road. A Castle must have existed on this site since the Middle Ages. It was rebuilt as a fortified Tudor Manor around 1500 and it is the surviving tower of that dwelling which still remains.
Praa Sands Golf & Country Club This lovely course, with its glorious views over the wide expanse of Mount’s Bay, has recently been fully refurbished and extended with the planned addition of an exclusive new health and leisure complex offering a range of superb facilities.
Open both to members and visitors the course is a deceptively challenging Par 62 for the men and Par 64 for the ladies, with each of the 9 tees enjoying those sea views. Expertly positioned extra tees allow players to plan a fresh approach to every game, making Praa Sands one of Cornwall’s most enjoyable courses.
View from ‘Sandbar’
Praa Sands looking West
Praa Sands looking East
Porpoises
Basking Shark
The Lost Gardens of
Heligan
Trengwainton
Minack Theatre.
Otter
(photo by Stuart Hutchings)