You’re right, it does take a while to get here, but when you arrive in the far west of Cornwall, you’ll feel as though you’ve crossed the border into an entirely different country.
There’s a real sense of space here and the environment has an incredibly raw and wild feel; parts of the countryside appear to be unchanged since pre-historic times. The 21st Century is nibbling away at bits of it, but this area remains defiantly unspoilt. The smug feeling of having genuinely escaped from ‘the real world’ can make it difficult to stop smirking.
That’s not to say that you won’t find the welcome little luxuries we all look for in a holiday - some of the region’s finest restaurants are tucked away in this little corner of Cornwall, watersports are big news here and St Ives is a Mecca for art lovers. Historic houses and gardens, one-off little shops, family attractions, museums and one of the most intriguing theatres on the planet (the Minack - worth visiting even when there are no plays on) - you’ll never be stuck for ways to amuse yourself in the far west of Cornwall.
If beaches are a vital part of your break, you’re in for a real treat - the coastline here is peppered with vast swathes of the whitest sand in Cornwall and the merest hint of sunshine turns the sea turquoise. Squint a little and you could almost be in the Caribbean. For bucket and spade fun, the bigger beaches have all those facilities that make a family day on the sand a cinch, from easy parking and loos to cafes and restaurants. If, however, you are feeling more intrepid, the far west of Cornwall has some of the most stunning hidden little coves you’re ever likely to clap eyes on; grab an Ordnance Survey map, don sturdy boots (the gorse can be spiteful) and lay claim to your own pristine stretch of sand.
A word of warning - when you’ve comfortably slipped into far west Cornwall time (you’ve stopped rushing and find yourself frequently stopping to admire the view), the urge to stay another week can be overwhelming. Well, you’ve not yet managed to squeeze in that day trip to the Isles of Scilly, and the lady in the newsagents mentioned a good pub in the next village along… You might find yourself planning a return trip before you’ve even got the last bag in the boot for the drive home.
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Our West Country
Download our in-depth guide to Far West Cornwall.
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