Towns and villages of West Cornwall

Carbis Bay Holidays :: Towns and Villages

Throughout West Cornwall, there are a wealth of activities for all the family. Steeped in history and tradition there are also many festivals and events held throughout the year in the towns and villages.

Whatever time of the year you visit West Cornwall, you will slowly discover the magic of the area, you will need to return to find out more.

Truro

The bustling Cathedral City of Truro is the centre for administration, commerce and tourism for the County of Cornwall. You may be visiting to weave in and out of the doorways of the many shops that jostle for your attention or just idle away hours peoplewatching on Lemon Quay? The Farmers market is a regular Saturday event.

Padstow

Padstow is found on the North Cornwall coast with its towering cliffs, wide sandy beaches, hidden coves and beautiful countryside, the village itself is an ancient, busy fishing port with picturesque pastel colourwashed and stone cottages nestling in the narrow streets leading down to the harbour and quays.

The first day of May is Obby Oss day in Padstow. The origins of this traditional celebration are lost in the midst of time but it is thought to celebrate the arrival of Spring and May even be an ancient fertility festival.

More recently Padstow has become a foodies paradise with celebrity Chef Rick Stein offering high quality local restaurants offering everything from Fish and Chips fresh local produce.

Newlyn

Newlyn, just a mile west of Penzance is home to the largest fleet of fishing boats in the South of England. The village is clustered around the harbour, with both its old quay curling around a few small boats on the western side and the much larger quays in the centre and on the eastern side of the harbour

There are numerous small streets and alleys behind the main road which runs around the harbour connecting Penzance and Mousehole. Many of these streets have unusual names such as The Fradgan, Gwavas Quay and Bowjey Hill. Amongst these narrow streets are fisherman's cottages and pubs which are very much the home territory of the locals, but where visitors are always made welcome.

The Newlyn Orian Gallery exhibits the work of a wide variety of artistic talent, with particular emphasis on the work, past and present, of local artists in both contemporary and traditional fields.

Helston

The Helston Flora Day - the revellers make their way around the town, from Robin Hood and Little John, St George and the Dragon, St Michael and the Devil to the Spaniards of Mousehole, all reinact the battles of 'good defeating evil' to 'drive out the old and welcome in the new'. Everyone can take part in the singing of the traditional Hal-an-Tow song

Cadgwith

A beautiful chocolate-box village with whitewashed cottages. A place to fit in on the way back from Lizard Village. They have some excelled pubs serving fine local foods.

Penzance

Penzance might be famous for its legends of pirates, smuggling, ghosts and shipwrecks, but these days its streets are populated by theatre and restaurant goers, shoppers and sightseers. Amidst historic pubs and grand Victorian architecture you'll find stylish eateries (including the award-winning Abbey Resturant), galleries (incuding the Penlee House Gallery and Museum, plus new art space The Exchange) and a host of interesting shops and delis. During summer cool off in the stunning Art Deco Jubilee Pool, which holds over a million gallons of seawater, and witness the streets erupt into a riot of colour for Golowan, a traditionally raucous Celtic celebration of midsummer with music, dancing, fireworks, and a spectacular costumed procession. Stroll along the level promenade to Newlyn to visit the famous Newlyn Art Gallery or watch the fisherman hauling in their catch in the busy working harbour. Travel in the opposite direction to nearby Marazion to walk the flat, golden sands and explore the fairytale castle of St Michael's Mount.

Porthleven

Admire the tall harbour wall, fortified to protect the boats from the howling southwesterly winds. This is a great place for winter storm watching as the waves crash over the wall with the backdrop of the local church.

Mousehole

Mousehole is just three miles westward around Mounts Bay from Penzance and is one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Britain. Happily, it has remained largely unspoiled by the developments of the 20th Century and it continues to present the image of the classic Cornish fishing village of bygone days. The village, whose name is pronounced "Mowzel", is centred around a nearly circular harbour protected from the force of the sea coming across Mounts Bay by two sturdy breakwaters. Today there still remains some fishing boats based in the harbour while these are augmented by pleasure craft to make the vista of the harbour peaceful and idyllic. The fishing boats are decorated with Christmas lights and now have a worldwide reputation - well worth visit any time of the year.

Land's End

Land's End is the most westerly point in mainland Britain, and one of the most visited outdoor tourist attractions in Cornwall. Lots for all the family to see and do. Land's End has rugged wave-lashed cliffs and stunning views with the Longships Lighthouse and Wolf Rock off-shore and the Isles of Scilly in the distance. For a visit to the commercial side of Land's End, try the First and Last House, and the exhibitions. Why not take the children to see the animals at the Land of Greeb Farm? There are craft and gifts shops too an why not try the State House for a meal. To get away from the commercialism, the walk from Sennen Cove provides dramatic coastline scenery. Further on if you have the energy is Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre. The sunset at Land's End is also worth catching.

The views from this far-flung rocky outcrop at the beginning and the end of mainland Britain will make you hair stand on end. As you pick your way carefully along the craggy coastline look out for grey seals and dolphins in the waters below, or seabirds nesting on the cliffs. Listen for the church bells said to ring from the legendary lost land of Lyonesse, sunk deep beneath the ocean. On clear days, you may even be able to spot The Isles of Scilly, 28 miles out to sea. Travel north along the coast to visit Geevor Tin Mine, and the historic mining villages of St Just and Pendeen - this entire area has now received international recognition as a World Heritage Site.