Things To Do and See
Motor boat charter
Our 42ft Princess, which can sleep up to six people (four comfortably) is available for fishing trips, picnics to secluded beaches or perhaps to explore further afield to the scilly Isles. Bookings need to be made in advance with the boat’s skipper.
Walks
There are many very good walks in the area, including the West Cornwall Coastal Path which extends right round the coast. The most immediate section is from Mousehole to Larmona (about an hour), which begins at the top of Raginnis Hill.
Beaches
There are plenty of good beaches within easy driving distance.
The beach at Porthcurno is 15 minutes by car from Carn Du, and a little further on, hidden away, is the lovely Porthchapel beach.
Sennen, just beyond Land’s End, offers some of Cornwall’s best surfing, along with the very popular beach at Newquay. Further afield, some good surfing can be had at Watergate Bay, (with Jamie Oliver's restaurant nearby). You can also surf at Porthmeor beach in St Ives. There are several other beaches to the east, including one in Penzance of course, but we prefer the ones to the west. It is also possible to swim in Mousehole Harbour, which is very popular with children.
Coastal Path Website
Art
The Tate at St Ives (closed Mondays) houses frequently changing exhibitions. Nearby is the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden. You can buy joint Tate/Hepworth tickets. Penless House in Penzance has a small but fine collection of works by Cornish artists and a good programme of special exhibitions, as well as a café with outside tables. Over the years, the area has attracted many artists. Beyond Penzance is Newlyn, Cornwall’s fishing capital, where the light is so special that the Newlyn School of artists was formed. The group, led by Stanhope Forbes and Walter Langley exhibited at the turn of the century, followed later by Laura Knight. There is still a flourishing school, with many artists living and painting in the area. The summer and Christmas exhibitions at the Newlyn Gallery are big events.
The Tate Gallery Website
The Newlyn Art Gallery Website
Coastal Path Website
Theatre and cinema
There is a theatre (the Acorn) and a cinema (the Savoy) in Penzance. The famous open-air Minack Theatre, cut into the rock face high above Porthcurno Beach is well worth a visit even if you don’t go to a production there.
Minack Website
Choral
The Mousehole Male Voice Choir gives regular concerts. The harbour-font newsagent’s board gives good notice of when one is imminent.
Day trips
The Scilly Isles can be reached by helicopter from Penzance. Flights are every hour and cost £75 per head for a return.
Helicopter Website
Coastal Path Website
The Eden Project
Good for a wet day. The huge greenhouse domes, just off the A30 near St Austell, replicate climates from other parts of the world. Often least crowded at weekends when people are busy arriving in, or leaving, Cornwall.
Eden Project Website
Gardens
South Cornwall is renown for its gardens, among them the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey, one of the most famous, takes you back to pre-First World War times of near self-sufficient estates. The fruit and vegetable gardens have been restored, also the pleasure gardens and exotic jungle.
Heligan Gardens' website
Coastal Path Website
Golf
There are 18 hole courses at Cape Cornwall and Lelant, and a shorter, but scenic 18 hole course at Tregenna Castle, just outside St Ives on the road to Hayle.
Cape Cornwall Website
West Cornwall Golf Club Website
Tregenna Castle Website