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A wealth of
historic sites, areas of outstanding natural beauty and evidence of
Corwall's fishing and mining history await discovery in The Far
West...
Farms, Wildlife & Animal
Sanctuaries
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Mousehole, Penzance
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Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital & Sanctuary
is a genuine sanctuary and
hospital for approximately 1500 birds a year needing care with
the aim of returning healed birds to the wild. Free admission
with donations kindly accepted. |
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Gweek, Helston
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The National Seal Sanctuary
provides a much-needed haven for Grey and Common Seals,
Californian and Patagonian Sea Lions and for a variety of other
animals, such as Otters, Ponies and Goats. |
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Hayle
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Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary
is home to around 400 species of birds, a Parrot
Jungle, a Fun Farm, miniature railway, walled gardens as well
as Glanmor House. |
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St Erth, Hayle
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Cheney Mill Farm Park
is set in 12 acres and is a family run business, run with
families in mind. It offers a ‘hands on’ experience - including
feeding farm animals and handling small mammals, together with a
range of other small animals and birds. Other facilities include
picnic areas, café, outdoor play area, adventure golf course,
battery bike race track and mini mechanical diggers
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Gardens & Historic Houses
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Trevarno
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70 acres of enchanting gardens and grounds
featuring one of Cornwall's largest and most diverse plant
collections set within magnificent formal, informal and woodland
areas. The gardens include numerous specimen shrubs and trees,
a stunning bluebell valley, ornamental lake with picturesque
Victorian Boathouse and formal cascade, Sunken Italian Garden,
Serpentine Yew Tunnel, extensive Pinetum, Bamboo collection,
atmospheric Rockery and Grotto, the Great Lawn and Summer
Terrace and many other interesting features. |
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Trengwainton
Madron, Penzance
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Intimate and closely linked to the picturesque
stream running through its valley, the garden leads up to a
terrace and summer houses with splendid views across Mount's Bay
to The Lizard. The walled gardens contain many rare and unusual
species which are difficult to grow in the open anywhere else in
the country.
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Trereife Park
Trereife,
Penzance |
Trerifife Park at Newlyn has been the home of the Le Grice
family since 1821. The site has been identified by the name from
as early as 1201. The name originates from the Cornish for a
farmstead in the original ownership or working of the original
settler of the name of Eruf. Architecturally, this is one of the
most interesting houses in
Cornwall, being a fine and typical
example of the houses in the beginning of the 18th Century. The
House is listed Grade II with the stables and adjoining walled
gardens. |
Industrial, Mining & Railways
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Geevor Tin Mine
Pendeen, St Ives
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Geevor Tin Mine opened as a Museum and Heritage
Centre in 1993 and is the largest preserved tin mining site in
Europe and one of the largest industrial heritage sites in
Britain. Historically, Geevor Tim Mine was significant in the
international development of tin mining and especially under
seas. The facility is located near Pendeen between Land's End
and St. Ives on the South West Coastal Path. It is open all year
round and has a comprehensive website which provides opening
hours (all year round) and prices together with lots of useful
information. |
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Levant Mine & Beam Engine
Pendeen,
St Ives |
Just half a mile away from Geevor Tin Mine is the
National Trust owned and restored Levant Mine & Beam Engine.
Perched on the cliff edge is a tiny engine house in which an
historic beam engine is now once again in full steam. There is
an underground tour and also on display are winding and pumping
shafts with a recently restored electric winding engine.
The steam engine
is operational from the beginning of March to the end October
and full details can be seen on the National Trust website. A
day out at Geevor Tim Mine and Levant Mine & Beam Engine is an
absolute must for anyone interested in
Cornwall's internationally famous industrial
heritage. |
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Cornish Mines and Engines
Pool, Redruth |
Located at Pool, near Redruth, the National
Trust's Cornish Mines and Engines offer an opportunity for you
to soak up more of Cornwall's impressive Industrial Heritage.
The massive 90ft beam engines built by local engineer Richard
Trevithick are hugely impressive in themselves and were used to
pump water from the mines and to wind up and down men and ore.
There is also an Industrial Heritage Discovery Centre which
offers audio visual presentations and a social history
exhibition. Opening times, prices and other details can be found
via the National Trust website link provided.
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Mineral Tramways Discovery Centre
Troon, Cambourne |
Located at Pool near Cambourne, The Mineral
Tramways Discovery Centre is an ideal place to find out about
the old mineral tramway routes between Hayle, Portreath and
Devoran as well seeing the remains of the mines they served.
With trails and footpaths, the area is ideal for exploring the
industrial heritage of Cornwall. There are a number of well
defined trails such as The Great Flat Lode Trail to follow on
foot, on bike or better still, on horseback. The Great Flat
Lode itself is a great example of a mining landscape and has
been proposed as a World Heritage Site.
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Poldark Mine
Wendron,
Helston |
Poldark Mine, a free entry
site, offers a fascinating insight into the life and works of
17th & 18th Century Cornish tin miners. Set in the beautiful Wendron
Valley, close to Redruth, Poldark Mine was originally known as
Wheal Roots and changed it's name in recent times to reflect
it's connections with the Poldark TV drama. There are lots of
things to do at Poldark Mine - you can take an underground tour,
visit the Museum, relax in the Garden Café and browse the
comprehensive range of local craft and antique shops. For kids,
there is a play area and amusement arcade as well as craft
workshops such as candle making, pot painting, wood turning and
panning for precious stones. For opening hours and other
information, visit the website. |
Landscapes & Heritage
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The Lizard & Kynance Cove
Lizard
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The Lizard is the most southerly point of
mainland Britain and the turning point of one of the busiest
shipping lanes in the world. The coastline on either side offers
dramatic cliff walks, masses of rare wild flowers and
fascinating geological features. The area played a key role in
the history of modern communications. And you can visit the
Lizard Wireless Station and the Marconi Centre at Poldhu. Two
miles north of Lizard Point lies Kynance Cove - white sand,
turquoise water and islands of multi-coloured serpentine rock
with stacks and arches hidden amongst the towering cliffs.
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Godrevy
Gwythian, Hayle
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The National Trust owns all the coastline from
Godrevy to Navax Point. Fantastic for walking, you can enjoy the
cliffs, smugglers coves and long sandy beaches. The main beach
below the summer car park connects to Gwithian Beach, forming an
impressive sweep of unbroken sand around the edge of St Ives
bay. Away from the bustle of the beach the coastal grasslands
and heathland are rich with wild flowers and provide open access
for miles of walking. Seals are a common sight and guillemot,
razorbill, fulmar and cormorant breed on the cliffs
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The Goldolphin Estate
Goldolphin Cross, Helston |
The Goldolphin Estate is Historic landscape offering extensive
walks and wonderful views over west Cornwall from Godolphin
Hill. The National Trust acquired this ancient 555 acre estate
in 2000 and have made and are making; improvements to public
access. From Godolphin Hill there are wonderful views over west
Cornwall. There are more than 400 recorded archaeological
features which range from Bronze Age enclosures to dramatic
19th-century mine buildings. |
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Land's End
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The dramatic scenery of Land’s End combined with
an extensive visitor centre and range of attractions ensure a
great day out for all the family. There are magnificent cliffs,
seabirds and wild flowers so see and over 20 separate shops,
cafes and attractions to visit.
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Penrose Estate
Helston
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At the heart of the Penrose Estate lies Loe Pool,
Cornwall's largest freshwater lake that meets the sea at the
dramatic shingle bank of Loe Bar. Surrounding the Pool is a mix
of rich farmland and woodland through which there are many
paths, including the 5-mile circuit of the Pool itself. Wildlife
is in abundance here, including many birds and mammals including
notable species such as the otter. At Gunwalloe, two sandy
coves lie either side of the 14th-century church (not NT) and
the valley reed bed provides a haven for bird life.
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St Michael’s Mount
Marazion
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St Michael’s Mount is a rocky island with a
medieval church and castle on it’s summit. Accessible on foot at
low tide across a causeway, at other times it is reached by a
short evocative boat trip. The oldest surviving buildings date
from the 12th century, when a Benedictine priory was founded
here. Following the English Civil War, the island was acquired
by the St Aubyn family, who still live in the castle. In the
intervening years many additions and alterations were made to
convert it for use as a mansion house. Fascinating rooms from
different eras include the mid-18th-century Gothick-style Blue
Drawing Room. St Michael’s Mount was the film location for
Orsino's castle in 'Twelfth Night' |
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Chysauster Ancient Village
Gulval, Penzance |
This Celtic settlement was originally occupied
almost 2,000 years ago. The 'village' consisted of eight
stone-walled homesteads known as 'courtyard houses', which are
only found on the Land's End peninsula and the Isles of Scilly.
Each house had an open central courtyard surrounded by a number
of thatched rooms. The houses form one of the oldest village
streets in the country |
Museums and Art Galleries
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British Cycling Museum
Camelford |
The British Cycling Museum is a must for anyone
interested in the history of cycling over the past 125 years.
The museum is aptly located in an old Victorian railway station
in Camelford. The museum opened in 1992, the passion of an
enthusiast that had amassed a large collection of cycling
equipment and memorabilia. With over 400 cycles, over 1000
cycling medals and badges and an old cycle repair workshop, it
is no wonder that the museum attracts enthusiasts from all over
the world. There is also an extensive library of books,
pictures, cycle lamps and other memorabilia. Normally
open Sunday - Thursday and at other times, The British Cycling
Museum does not have it's own website but can be contacted on
01840 212811 |
Theatre & Cinema
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Acorn Theatre
Penzance |
The Acorn is a full-time theatre offering a broad
base of performing arts and cultural activity all
year round. The programme run by The Acorn is very varied and
ranges from theatre to music to dance to film to cabaret -
something for everyone.
For more information you
can contact Acorn on 01736 363545 or email
admin@acorn-theatre.co.uk.
A full programme of events can be found on their website and
bookings can be made by calling the Box Office on 01736 365520,
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm and 11am to 3pm on Saturdays |
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Minack
Theatre
Penzance
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The Minack Theatre was created by
Rowena Cade in her cliff top garden over a long period, starting
in 1931. Minack looks as though it was built by the Romans but
instead, it was Rowena’s vision that crafted and built the
theatre in such a ‘rocky place’ (or ‘Minack’ in Cornish) for a
performance of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ . Today, the Minack
Theatre has a packed
schedule of productions
starting with ‘Fame – The Musical’ at Easter and running all
through the season culminating in the ‘Proms at the Minack’ in
late September. Truly an inspiring experience, an afternoon or
evening at The Minack is a must for any visitor to Cornwall.
Tickets
for Minack performances can be bought on-line though the Minack
Theatre website (from 1st May 2006) or by calling the
Box Office on
01736
810181 or 01736 810471 .
Click here to view their what's on brochure. |
Theme & Adventure Parks
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Flambards
Helston
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Established nearly 30 years ago the Flambards
Experience is one of the most popular days out in Cornwall. Not
only does the Theme Park have thrill rides in Cornwall, but also
the Flambards Victorian Village and Britain In The Blitz indoor
attractions. |
Other Attractions
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Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station Experience
Goonhilly, Helston
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The Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station Experience,
the largest and oldest satellite station in the World
welcomes more than 80,000 visitors a year. With over 60 Giant
Satellite dishes, a multimedia Visitor Centre, a guided shuttle
bus tour and a web based museum of communications, ‘Connected
Earth’, Goonhilly is an interesting and unusual attraction
unique to Cornwall. Also special is surrounding heathland, a
nature reserve heathland purchased in 1976 by English Nature,
which has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. |
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The Lizard Cider Barn
The
Lizard Cider Barn
The Lizard
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The Cider Barn is our new cider
making barn rebuilt from part of the wartime RAF station at
Predannack. Come and enjoy tasting the wide selection of
different ciders, wins, liqueurs and meads. We also have an
outdoor display of ancient Cider presses too. Producers of
Cornish Blacksmith Cider. Cornish Country wines and Cornish
Liqueurs. |
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