Cornwall Info » West Cornwall » Mounts Bay, Marazion, Penzance and Mousehole to Porthcurno
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Marazion is perhaps better known as the stepping-off point for the fairytale isle of St Michael's Mount. From Celtic times, pilgrims and visitors have come to this small village on Mounts Bay to take the ferry or wait for the tide and walk the 600 yards of causeway. Marazion itself is a collection of cottages on the hillside above the water's edge with a few shops, Inns, a church and a couple of hotels.
Penzance offers a wide range of holiday activities. Set in the lee of the Land's End Peninsula this bustling seaside resort and market town has a fishing port, harbour, a high street and winding lanes with interesting small shops. For the beach going family there is a sweep of open sand from Penzance to Marazion and incidentally one of the best sunshine records in the British Isles. The bay offers sheltered waters for swimmers and is popular for wind surfing and sailing. Both rail and buses serve the town with hoppa buses regularly running to Newlyn and Mousehole for those who prefer not to use a car.
The busy port of Newlyn harbours the second largest fishing fleet in the country. A town of charming granite cottages and narrow streets, Newlyn has a working museum, ‘The Pilchard Works’, several art galleries, and boasts an impressive annual display of christmas lights.
Described by Arthur Mee as "a fisherman's town as typically Cornish as Cornish granite and Cornish cream", Mousehole (pronounced 'Mouzel' locally), lies on the sheltered side of Land's End Peninsula, three miles west of Penzance and its neighbouring fishing village of Newlyn. A collection of snug stone cottages, clustered around the small harbour and up the hillside of the cove. The coast hereabouts is generally rugged - rocks, caves and shingle - but there is a swimming pool set in the rocks, and in the harbour, a small beach of golden sand. The fish quays at Newlyn are worth a visit in the early morning. An excellent choice for those families who may wish to holiday without a motor car in the far west.
Porthcurno has one of the finest golden beaches in Cornwall, but is perhaps most famous as the home of the amazing Minack open-air Theatre. Carved into the cliffs, this unique venue attracts a wide range of performers and has the best backdrop of any theatre in the world. Just up the valley you will find the ‘Museum of Submarine Telegraphy’, which commemorates Porthcurno’s importance as the landing place for the UK’s international telephone cables. Pemzance is about 9 miles and Sennen 4.
Midway between the pretty harbour town of Porthleven and St Michael’s Mount, Praa Sands is one of the excellent sandy beaches to be found in Mounts Bay. A mile of golden sand with easy access makes this an ideal family beach with a 9 hole golf course, pub serving food, wet suit and surf board hire shop, and shop / post office. Life guards operate in season. Penzance is just over 8 miles and Helston just over 6.
St Ives Bay stretches from Godrevy Point in the East to St Ives Head and Clodgy Point in the West, encompassing a vast stretch of golden sand.
Although St Ives has grown from a small fishing village to become a modern resort with excellent hotels and the other holiday amenities to service its fine beaches, it has never lost its original charm. For instance, there is still the old fishing quarter with its narrow cobbled streets and alleys and their cosy stone cottages. The artists’ colony that achieved fame the whole world over and has retained it for nearly a century, still flourishes, attracted by the clarity of the atmosphere and the gentle climate that makes outdoor painting possible for much of the year. St Ives has a comprehensive range of shops, restaurants, pubs and galleries and includes the famous Tate of the West Gallery, the Barbara Hepworth Museum, and the Bernard Leach Pottery.
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Come on an exhilarating wildlife watching boat trip from Penzance Harbour in West Cornwall aboard our exciting jet RIB `Shearwater`. Book one of our exclusive sea safaris and join us in search of seals, seabirds, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and more along the stunning Cornish coastline.
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Global Boarders provides luxury Cornwall surfing holidays, Corporate surfing days, Family Surfing Holidays, School Surf Trips and unique Cornwall Surf Experience packages. Combining the finest surf locations in Cornwall, the highest quality of instruction, customer service, accommodation and food, Global Boarders' Surfing Holidays in Cornwall will leave you with a feel good factor that will be with you long after your holiday is over.
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Local cinema in Penzance.
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25 metre competition standard swimming pool with spectator seating, a learner pool, water flume, sports hall, fitness gym, health suite, dance and aerobic studio, cafeteria, creche, meeting rooms, outdoor football pitch.
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Main pool and children's pool, fully air conditioned gym and studio and sports cafe.
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The Pirate Inn in Penzance is a very popular pub for locals and visitors alike! We have a fabulous grassed garden area where families with children can eat during those long, warm, summer days and evenings, safe in the knowledge that the kids can play to their heart's content.
We are also dog friendly, so why not bring your faithful friend along to enjoy a lovely drink or meal with us! -
Situated on the bridge at Newlyn is our dedicated fish restaurant. Offering Shellfish Platters, Fish Pies, Mussels, Bisques and much more including: daily specials of fish from the Market here in Newlyn. All cooked simply in our small open kitchen.
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Here at Poolside Indulgence we pride ourselves on serving good quality, affordable food in the most beautiful of surroundings. The café overlooks the fabulous Jubilee Pool, one of the best preserved lidos in the country, and from the top terraces you can enjoy spectacular views across the bay to St. Michaels Mount.
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The bakehouse and steakhouse, situated in its own flower and palm filled courtyard just off Chapel Street, Penzance. Whether it’s a business lunch, a special occasion, an informal get together with friends or just a good cup of coffee, pop in and you can be assured of a warm welcome.
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We serve a great range of freshly cooked bar meals using local Cornish produce. We offer a traditional Sunday lunch every week with a range of roasts. We also have themed evenings such as our Pie Night and occasional BBQ's.
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The Chapel Street Brasserie and Wine Bar in the heart of historic Penzance offers a new style of French wine bar and dining to the far south west! In a modern, relaxed and comfortable setting you can enjoy modern, simple but delicious food with a French twist made with only the best Cornish ingredients.
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The Trewellard Meadery now promised Good Food, Reasonably priced and cooked in the old fashioned way. The atmosphere is excellent and all the family will love it!
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Fresh fish doesn't get much better than this, simply choose your local fish or seafood from our refridgerated display cabinets, tell us how you would like it cooked, then add your choice of sauce, potatoes, salad and vegetables.
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A well established restaurant in the heart of St Ives serving traditional Italian food and a selection of fresh local fish and seafood.
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Experience the taste of Cornish mead if you dare, deliverable to your door and a fantastic refreshment for BBQs, or why not take a trip to one of the local meaderies around the county, a sure treat with medieval style banqueting in candlelight, served by barefoot wenches.
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Serving great food, with fresh, local fish and seafood on the menu, in stylish surroundings with magnificent views across Mount's Bay, The Bay is the perfect place for a romantic evening out.
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Travel to the Isles of Scilly, with Skybus flights from Southampton, Bristol, Exeter, Newquay or Land's End, Or, Scillonian III sailings from Penzance. See the website for Schedules, Special Offers, Booking Online and more.
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An absolute must see, The Minack Theatre is a great place to visit all year round. From 1931 until she died in 1983 the Minack Theatre was planned, built and financed by one determined woman - Rowena Cade.
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Located on the historic site of one of the largest preserved mine sites in the country, housed in 2 acres of listed building, Geevor's outstanding collections tell the story of Cornwall's industrial mining past.
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Part of Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. See the famous Levant Engine that has been restored after 60 years by the 'Greasey Gang' volunteers.
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Discover a medieval castle, a sub-tropical paradise and a close knit island community. Stray from the mainland on foot or by boat and get up close to the beguiling beauty of the castle-topped isle standing proud in Mount's Bay.
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Built in 1865 as a gracious Victorian home, Penlee House has been converted to crear a first class gallery and museum set within an attractive park.
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A unique feature of a visit to Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is the opportunity to enter the underground telegraph station and see original equipment actually working, an indepth coverage of the subject.
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With plants from around the globe scattered throughout this 10-hectare (25 acre) garden, there is something to inspire around every corner.
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This Iron Age settlement was originally occupied almost 2,000 years ago. The village consisted of stone-walled homesteads known as 'courtyard houses', found only on the Land's End peninsula and the Isles of Scilly. The houses line a 'village street', and each had an open central courtyard surrounded by a number of thatched rooms. There are also the remains of an enigmatic 'fogou' underground passage.
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A fine manor house with beautiful gardens and quaint cafe, serving homemade cakes and hot winter soups.
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Ceramic, jewellery, paintings and sculpture, the Glasshouse Gallery boasts an impressive collection from local artists.
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Seascapes, blown glasswork, wood and ceramic, the Gallery on the Square has much to offer from many well known local artists.
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At the market you can find a wide range of local food to meet your needs, including meats, vegetables and baked goods – depending on who trades on a particular day and what is in season.
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A family run business, producing a range of handmade Chutneys, Marmalades and Jams, using locally sourced quality ingredients.
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Providing the freshest Cornish fish for over 25 years, this family run company can deliver the finest catches of the day direct to the door of your holiday home.
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Friendly and reliable car hire, with local delivery and competitive prices.
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A family run business, providing competitive prices for easy and reliable car hire for your Cornish holiday.
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The longest running helicopter service from the mainland to the Isles of Scilly, ideal for a Scillies escape whether for a day or a week.
