West Cornwall Holidays | Cornish Traditional Cottages

About Cornwall

A rugged peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic, Cornwall’s western tip is wild and wonderful. When you spend your holiday in West Cornwall, you’ll be treated to a unique mix of dramatic coastlines, ancient fishing villages and golden beaches alongside art galleries, castles and famous attractions.

One of the best things about staying in West Cornwall is how easy it is to see and do everything on your holiday bucket list. Cornwall’s western peninsula is narrow, so you can be exploring the sheltered coves of the south coast in the morning, then head for the windswept north coast in the afternoon.

Of course, holidays on Cornwall’s west coast offer everything you’d usually expect from the county. There are plenty of picture-perfect fishing villages and tiny harbours to visit, like Mousehole, Cadgwith, Mullion and Sennen. Fresh seafood fills most menus, from crab sandwiches in seaside pubs to stylish fish restaurants in Falmouth, Porthleven and St Ives, while Newlyn’s Fish Market is the place to go if you want to cook your own seafood supper back at your holiday cottage. Water sport opportunities are abundant; Falmouth’s huge harbour and the surrounding Helford River and Carrick Roads are a mecca for sailing and boating adventures, there’s popular surf breaks at Sennen Cove, Porthleven and Godrevy and the calm, turquoise waters of Mount’s Bay are perfect for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Several of Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches pepper the western peninsula. Porthcurno and neighbouring Pedn Vounder beach, with their bright white sand and sparkling turquoise waters, look like they belong on a Greek Island. Falmouth, St Ives and Marazion all boast big soft sandy beaches perfect for families, with lifeguards, water sports hire and beachside cafes. And if you love the idea of discovering secret coves, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with the Lizard Peninsula, Helford River estuary and coastline between Zennor and Sennen offering up handfuls of hidden gems.

Those planning a walking holiday in West Cornwall will be treated with stunning cliff top trails, riverside paths and countryside rambles spanning in every direction. Whether on a family dog walk or a day-long hike, you’ll love spotting seals and seabirds, old tin mines and Poldark filming locations.

But West Cornwall is also home to a plethora of unique, iconic and magical attractions. Here you can visit Land’s End, mainland England’s most westerly point. You can watch mesmerising performances at the Minack Theatre, a clifftop amphitheatre overlooking the ocean (the charms of the sea tempt a distracted glance from even the most gripping performance). You can visit famous art galleries including Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum. You can catch a ferry from Penzance and spend the day on the Isles of Scilly. You can discover Cornwall’s fascinating industrial heritage and visit old tin mines. And you can even follow in the footsteps of a giant to St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island topped with a beautiful castle.

No matter what type of holiday you’re dreaming of, whether a family holiday filled with adventure or a relaxing romantic getaway, West Cornwall has it all.

Locations to visit

Things to do

Food & drink

Beaches

Things To Do In Cornwall

Pendennis Castle
(1)

One of Henry VIII’s finest coastal fortresses, Pendennis Castle has protected Cornwall against invasion since the Tudor period and operated throughout the period 1539–1956. When you visit you can learn about how the castle has evolved, experience the sights and sounds of battle, and examine the role of the castle as part of Fortress Falmouth during the First World War. The castle dominates a high rocky headland on the south side of the Fal Estuary, overlooking the English Channel. It’s a great day out for families or those who are just interested in the area, with lots of events available throughout the summer months. The castle is open from March to September and prices start at £7.90 for non English Heritage members.

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a wet and windy trip but a good castle to explore

November 2019

National Maritime Museum
(3)

Through their varied exhibitions programme the National Maritime Museum brings new and diverse perspectives to maritime issues, and highlight their relevance to the present day. They also bring rare objects from around the world to Cornwall to tell local, national and international stories.

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Enjoy £1 off admission with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card

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Great museum with plenty to interest all ages. Glad they belatedly found out that there were two different half term weeks in the country! Great craft activity

November 2019

An interesting place to visit especially on a damp day.

June 2019

Great experience for all ages. Very interesting and informative displays.

April 2019

Glendurgan Garden
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Run by the National Trust, Glendurgan Gardens span over three valleys, filled with sub-tropical plants, exotic flowers and bright blooms. The peaceful gardens lead down to the unspoilt beachside hamlet of Durgan. Here you can take a rest and enjoy the stunning views of the Helford River, treat yourself to an ice cream, build sandcastles and watch the wildlife on the water. Glendurgan Garden offer a great day out for the entire family thanks to its impressive maze and Giant’s Stride rope swing, shop and teahouse, which serves traditional Cornish cream teas, light lunches and Children’s meals.

Glendurgan Garden, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth TR115JZ (T: 01326 252020)

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No dogs allowed

September 2023

We would love to visit Glendurgan, but cannot do so until they become dog-friendly. In contrast, Trebah gardens nearby allow dogs and they do not appear to cause any problems.

May 2023

Brilliant place run by the National Trust - rhodos,etc were finished so do book your holiday for end of April, spring Bank holiday if its spring flowering stuff you want to see -

May 2022

Beautiful gardens. Enjoyable walk down the gully to the village and beach. Then the steep walk back! Lovely sub tropical plants, nice cafe at the top

May 2022

Beautiful gardens with lovely cafe and second hand bookshop.

October 2021

Gardens have been kept lovely but unfortunately there were staff shortages so long queues for food or ice cream. There were no plants to buy this year but that is hardly surprising. The staff all worked very hard to make the visit pleasant. They deserve a medal!

September 2021

Mawnan Craft Centre

An authentic, centuries old smithy which has been restored as a working forge, offering you the chance to watch a skilled blacksmith, sign-writer, silversmith and furniture maker as they work and browse their unique, hand-crafted products. There’s also an exhibition where you can learn all about the history of Mawnan Smith and the restoration of its smithy.

Mawnan Craft Centre, Carwinion Road, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth TR11 5JF

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Helford River Cruises
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Spend an afternoon exploring the stunning natural beauty of the Helford River with a boat tour helmed by an experience skipper. This memorable trip aboard The Hannah Molly – a traditional Cornish boat with room for 12 people – begins from Budock Vean. From here, you’ll travel along Port Navas Creek, past Helford Passage and Trebah Gardens, before crossing to Helford village and its surrounding creeks and inlets, including Daphne du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek.

Helford River Cruises, Budock Vean Hotel, Mawan Smirh TR11 5LG (T: 07941 027732)

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On demand service. We used the river boat service to travel from the Ferry Boat Inn on one side of the river to explore the sleepy and picturesque village on the other. Happy to take under 5s too.

July 2021

Amazing company - our daughter and friend hired kayaks and boats, and despite running the latter aground, the staff were good humoured and helpful. (Sorry folks, but we'll be back next year!).

June 2021