Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
West Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly
Why Go?
While most visitors head for the tourist honey pots of the north coast, the wild west of
Cornwall receives fewer visitors outside the major draws of St Ives and Land's End. But
the real beauty of this corner lies off the beaten track: it's a land where stone monuments
rise up from the hilltops, ancient moorland butts up against gorse-topped cliffs, and forgot-
ten mine stacks stand out in relief against the skyline.
With its sparkling seaside setting and artistic connections, the attractions of St Ives are
very well-known, and the town can feel uncomfortably crowded between July and Septem-
ber, but time your visit for early spring or autumn and you'll find things quieter. Similarly,
the main beaches around Gwithian, Sennen and the Lizard can be very busy, but many
more remote coves can be reached via the coast path. And for a real escape, the lesser-vis-
ited islands of Scilly feel like a whole different world.
When to Go
»
May
St Mary's on the Isles of Scilly hosts the World Pilot Gig Championships over a
weekend in early May. Accommodation is almost impossible to find, so you'll need to
book at least six months' ahead.
»
Jun
Penzance stages its big summer street celebration during the Golowan Festival: try
and visit on Mazey Day if you can, when the whole town turns out to party.
»
Dec
Christmas lights cover the harbour around Mousehole, and Penzance's pagan Mon-
tol Festival provides a slightly more alternative view of the festive season.
Best Places to Eat
»
Tolcarne Inn (
Click here
)
»
Porthminster Beach Café (
Click here
)
»
Gurnard's Head (
Click here
)
»
Ben's Cornish Kitchen (
Click here
)
