You’re not alone if the south west of Cornwall is a bit of a mystery to you - this area is perhaps less well-trodden than other areas and tranquility is up for grabs here even at the very height of the summer. This most southerly corner of England dangles precariously into the Atlantic; the Lizard peninsula contains a raft of diminutive coves and tiny harbours that make exploring this stretch of coastline endlessly fascinating.
If you’re thinking ‘backwater’, you’re mistaken though. South west Cornwall has some of the county's most popular attractions, including the Gweek Seal Sanctuary and the perennial children’s favourite, Flambards. And many people are surprised when they visit Helston to find a thriving town whose streets are lined with elegant Georgian architecture, instead of a quaint but sleepy Cornish village, as they had expected.
There is plenty of scope for an adrenaline venture during your holiday here. The coast around the Lizard has claimed many ships; a tragedy for the sailors of old but a real bonus for divers now. While much of the coastline is battered by the gales that blow from the west, it is possible to find sheltered waters in coves ideal for windsurfing, Coverack being the best. For the best surfing, you’ll need to head north, to the jaw-droppingly wide expanse of sand at Gwithian. This bay is an excellent place for learners - due to the gently shelving nature of the beach, the waves roll in more slowly than at other breaks, giving beginners plenty of time to ‘pop up’ on their boards.
You needn’t be fully immersed to enjoy the waters here; if messing around on the river is more your scene, then take a trip up the Helford - this unique river has creeks, beaches, primeval-looking forests and great pubs along its banks. The literary-minded are always keen to spot Frenchman’s Creek, as mysterious and other-worldly now as it must have been when Daphne Du Maurier placed it at the centre of her novel.
The Cornish south west is perhaps Cornwall’s best kept secret - it is a little more publicity shy than neighbouring areas, preferring to sneak under the radar and cultivate a bit of mystique. But it’s an addictive place, we promise you…
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Our West Country
Download our in-depth guide to South West Cornwall.
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