Cornwall: Penzance and Beyond
Last Updated on 22nd December 2020
Since moving to the UK, I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Cornwall and its beauty. I had been to Cornwall before for a music festival but being stuck in a field, tipsy, with 1000s of strangers doesn’t count.
After travelling length of the Great Britain I decided to end my journey by relaxing on a beach for a few days. I took a long journey via train from the Lake District to Penzance, staying a night in Exeter to break up the journey. Basing myself in Penzance, for two days I explored the Cornish coast, walking barefoot on its white sands and splashing in its azure waters.
Atlantic Coasters Bus Service
Before I get into the places I visited while in Cornwall, I need to highlight the Atlantic Coasters bus service. The Atlantic Coasters is a bus service that runs four scenic routes along the Atlantic Coast. It’s a great way to see the Atlantic Coast of Cornwall; buy a day or week pass so you can jump on or off at your own leisure. It’s worth 100% considering. Please note, the open-top A3 service runs during summer only.
Kynance Cove
Kynance Cove is absolute proof that the UK can be absolutely stunning. It is included in the South Coast West section of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you can see why.
Kynance Cove’s beautiful turquoise waters and golden sands are comparable to idyllic exotic beaches across the world. It’s quite easy to forget you are in the UK. The contrasting dramatic rocky green coast line makes the area even more magical.
Arriving at Kynance Cove, I begun to wonder why I had bothered. The weather was attricious with gale force winds and torrential rain. By the time I got to the Cove I was miserable, wet, cold, and covered in mud having trekked through fields to get there. I snapped a few photos and then hurried inside to the Kynance Cove cafe for a hot chocolate and a warming baked potato. Having securing a window seat I watched the sun chase away the rain clouds and before I knew it, it was a beautiful summer’s day.
I had the most amazing time exploring Kynance Cove; rock pooling, dipping my feet into the ocean and watching the waves crash on the rocks. I also spent a fair bit of time watching the surfers. The one thing I did not do was go for a swim; the waters were icy cold following the storm. But if you fancy a dip, Kynance’s beautiful clear waters are ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
What more can I say about Kynance? It’s one the most beautiful spots I’ve visited in the UK. I’m going to let my photos do the talking….
Now I think this looks like a sleeping dinosaur. Am I right!?!
Before You Leave
Before catching a bus back to Penzance, I popped into Ann’s Pasties (Beacon Terrace, Lizard – which is the street opposite the bus stop) for a proper Cornish pasty for dinner, albeit a veggie one. It smelt so delicious I gobbled it down before I even reached the bus stop! You can’t leave Lizard or Cornwall without trying one of Ann’s pasties!!!
Getting There
If you are driving there is a car park at Kynance Cove
It takes approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes by bus to get to Kynance from Penzance. Catch the U4 from Penzance bus station to Helston, changing to the L1 to Kynance Cove Turn/Lizard Green. First Buses journey planner is here. You can buy a day ticket £12 (First Bus app)/£13 (on the bus), which will give you the freedom travel anywhere in Cornwall. Or £26/£28 for a week’s pass if you plan to stay in Cornwall for a few days.
The bus should drop you off at Kynance Cove Turn (ask the bus driver if they are stopping there). From there it’s a 19 minute walk to Kynance Cove. If the bus is only stopping at Lizard Green (where I got off), you have two routes; the longer scenic route and one not so scenic quicker route:
- Pentreath Lane – Walk through Lizard Green car park (opposite the bus stop) and follow the path signed to Kynance Cove, which is approximately 30 mins (1.2 miles/2km)
- South West Coast Path – this is the scenic route and will take you by Lizard Point, which is definitely worth visiting if you have the time. One way, this will take you over an hour to walk (2.9 miles/4.7km).
I caught the bus back from the Green stop, simply because I liked the safety and comfort of having a physical bus stop and other people around, as oppose to standing on the side on the road by the Turn hoping for the best.
Geevor Tin Mine
Geevor Tin Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Great Britain’s largest preserved tin mine. This once active mine was the life blood of Pendeen until drastic falling tin prices saw the closure of the mine in 1990. It is now a museum and heritage centre. For admission fee, you can walk through the mine building to view the old mine machinery and take a guided underground tour in a 18th century mine.
My visit to Geevor was quite sobering. The guides are ex-miners and their stories of days gone by are both delightful and reflective. I got chatting to our guide at the end of the tour; we talked about how the closure of the mine impacted the local community and how this heritage centre had revitalise the area. Culture regeneration is a topic that I am quite passionate about, which is why you’ll see a common theme in my posts.
Before You Leave
I didn’t take photos on the interior of the mine because I was too caught up in our guide’s narrative. However, I did take heaps of photos of the old Levant mine. So before you leave, head above ground to explore the ruins.
Getting There
The A17 bus will get you to Geevor from Penzance, taking about 40 minutes. Like Kynance Cove, ask the bus driver to let you now once you are at the mine. However, you can do this apart of the Atlantic Coasters route.
Sennen Cove
From Geevor I took the number 7 bus to Sennen Cove, which took 45 minutes (if there over summer, you can take the A3 Atlantic Coaster). You could, however, walk the South West Coast path to Sennen which will take you about 3.5 hours.
There isn’t really a lot I can say about Sennan Cove, except it’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful! While there all I did was splash around in the beautiful crystal clear waters then had lunch before heading along the South West Coast path to Land’s End.
Land’s End (South West Coast Path)
Because it was gorgeous summer’s day, I walked from Sennan Cove along the South West Coast path to Land’s End.
The SW Coast path hugs the coast line and should take you only 45 minutes to walk (without stops). At the start of the walk I was greeted by this sign. I chuckled at their novel way to keep trespassers out (the view from their house is tempting) but was slightly worried there were snakes. There are no snakes in Cornwall, especially not on the SW Coast path.
As you walk along the path remember to look behind you to say goodbye to Sennan and be sure to take one final photo.
Also, look out for the puffin rock.
Arriving in Land’s End, I brought an ice-cream from the First and Last House café. Then found a quiet spot to read my book while also taking in the scenery. There was something quite mystical sitting on Britain’s most south-westerly point, looking at across the Atlantic Ocean. I did desperately try to look for America but maybe it’s a little too far away.
Leaving Land’s End I could have taken the A1 bus direct to Penzance but I decided to take the scenic route back via St Ives, on the A3, changing to the A2 to Penzance. Which only fuelled my appetite to come back to Cornwall for more.
Where to Stay in Penzance
This is more of where to stay at Penzance, as I did not spend much time there. I did explore the town at night and did shop for Cornish Mead fruit flavoured wine, taking home the elderberry and strawberry flavour (it’s delicious, you must buy some!). I didn’t manage to get to St Michael’s Mount because my itinerary meant I missed the last amphicraft and causeway opening times (I was always too tired to go at night, preferring to chill out at the hotel bar).
I had a wonderful stay at Hotel Penzance. The staff were wonderfully helpful and friendly. I managed to get a good deal on a room as it was slightly off season (i.e kids had gone back to school). Actually, thinking about it, I may have got an upgrade to a better room. The view from the room was great; I did take photos but they’re all fuzzy. They have an outdoor pool, which I didn’t get a chance to swim in. Weather permitting, you can sit on the balcony for a drink overlooking the harbour.
The restaurant’s maitre d’ took great care of me (I wish I could remember his name) ensuring I got the best table in the restaurant when I dined there. There was no ‘whoops I’m on my own’ uncomfortable feeling. All the meals where fabulous; breakfast and dinner.
And that is how I ended my two week tour of the UK, in beautiful Cornwall.
Happy & safe travels!
L x 👣
