Sennen Cove

In the far south west of Cornwall only a mile from Lands End, sheltered from the Atlantic storms by Pedn-men-du Headland, tucked into a corner of the wide sweep of Whitesand Bay, with Cape Cornwall and the Brisons Reef - the only Cape in England in the far distance.

Sennen Cove was once a pilchard fishing station, now with a few commercial boats remaining, largely unspoilt and a Cornwall tourist holiday destination. Fishing boats in the harbour, winched up by electric power rather than capstan, or indeed towed back up the granite slipway by tractor. Often fishing buoys swinging in the breeze. Warnings Beware of ropes, moving tractors, lobster pots and other gear as well as loose sand on the slipway and boats being winched. Though the breakwater looks beautiful, waves do sometimes crash right over the top of it, at any time of year so please keep off it at all times. Thank you.

West Cornwall Beach-Sennen Cove

West Cornwall Beach. Popular with both families and surfers for its west facing beaches; Whitesand (a Blue Flag Award winner) and Gwenver, totally unspoilt a mile walk from the Cove, backed by a grassy sloped cliff, off the beaten track and rarely crowded. As is the case with so many Cornish beaches, at Gwenver beware of rips so not for those with little or no experience of Cornwall Surfing conditions or those without local knowledge.

With walkers for some of the best cliff scenery in the west of the County, and with birdwatchers both for passing migrants and for rarities blown off course from as far afield as North America.

Gifts, clothes and beachwear from the shops in the Cove- one even bakes bread daily in season.. Have a relaxing meal from the terrace of the beach restaurant. Visit the Lifeboat house. Read of the long and distinguished history of an RNLB lifeboat station at the Cove. Did you know a rescue launch is called a 'service'? In 2009, the slipway was extended for the arrival of the new Tamar class all-weather lifeboat- City of London III, in December of that year. Admire paintings, sculpture ceramics and photography, all the work of local artists in the Roundhouse Gallery. In season a surf shop and tuition from professional instructors- with wetsuit, vest, and surfboard included in the price.

Buses run to Penzance, and St Just. Dog ban on Whitesand Beach in the summer. In season both the beach and harbour car parks fill early, there is a large car park on the top of the hill.

Follow the Cornwall Coast Coast Path toward Cape Cornwall and beyond to Botallack, or westwards around to Lands End and Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre.

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Page Updated Dec. 2010

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