2021 didn't pan out as I hoped, but fortunately I was able to spend a week exploring the delightful Cornwall. I had only visited Falmouth previously and it was great to go further west and to plan some walks and hikes which included Cape Cornwall which has incredible views of the cornish coastline (including Lands End). Other highlights included the theatre on the cliffs, Cornish pasties in Marazian and learning the right way to eat a scone... :) #staycation #camborne #capecornwall #stives #cornishpasty #penzance #minaktheatre
Highlights
St Ives / Carbis Bay
Minak Theatre
Cape Cornwall
Marazian
St Micheal's Mount
Penzance
Eden Project
As we were based in Camborne, it was a short drive to St Ives which is a beautiful coastal town. There is plenty to see in the town with a variety of shops and attractions including the Barbara Hepworth Museum and St Ives Tate Gallery. It can get quite busy on weekends and bank holidays, so arrive early in order to secure parking!
Also if you are planning to go out for dinner, do make sure you book in advance and check the COVID restrictions. Some of the restaurants are not able to accommodate large groups or are fully booked weeks in advance. However, if you really get stuck then there is always the seaside favourite - fish and chips! :)
The spectacular Minak Theatre is perched perilously close to the Cornish coast and is a must-see attraction if you are in Penzance. You can visit during the day to explore the surroundings, this alone is pretty impressive as it is a very unique setup with some good vantage points for pictures. However, if you can, I would recommend securing tickets for a live show. There are shows on during the day and evening, with a host of local talent. If you are going in the evening, make sure you bring extra layers as it can get chilly (especially if you are up in the Gods!). I recommend bringing along a blanket and cushions and also some food and drink. The plays are generally over 2 hours with an interval so those refreshments will come in handy!
If you are a fan of coastal trails, then Cape Cornwall is the place for you. There are some excellent hiking trails along the Cornwall coast which will suit casual hikers as well as those who are looking for more of a challenge. A well known route is from Cape Cornwall to Lands End which is around 7-8 miles so you can start at either end and complete this in 2-3 hours. Alternatively if you want to make a day of it you can extend your walk towards St Ives and see some of the old mines in Botallack and Pendeen which is what we did, this route includes some interesting relics of Cornwall's mining past and you can also visit the museum in The Count House or Geevor Tin Mine. If you get tired of walking then get in the car and drive down the B3306 towards St Ives, there are some great views of the coastline and some little known gems to visit on the way - I recommend Zennor Cove.
If you are driving to Penzance from the south, it's hard to miss Marazian as you have to go through this small town on your way to the A30 intersection which takes you further west along the Cornish coast. Even if it's not on the way, it's well worth a visit for 2 reasons:
- St Michael's Mount
- Marazian Beach
St Michael's Mount is a historic castle which is managed by the National Trust and At Auburn family. In order to access the castle you need to go to Marazian beach and either get a short ferry across to the island where it is situated, or there is a walkway which is accessible during low tide but this is seasonal.When you arrive, take a nice leisurely walk to entrance of the castle, it's a bit rocky so make sure you have appropriate footwear. On the way you will be guided through the natural habitat of the island and introduced to various myths and legends about the castle. Look out for the giant's heart!
We spent a good couple of hours walking around the castle and taking in the views before heading down to the beach for a game of Kubb. The beach is nice and clean, if a little small. However this should be fine if it is not too busy. Usally you can walk a bit across the stone walkway to the island even if it is high tide and this can be fun as it sort feels like treading water. The shops nearby offer some great souvenirs and treats such as homemade fudge and traditional Cornish pasties. We went to
Philips who were one of the more established shops there, the pastries wered tasty and they were super quick with our orders!
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