Visiting West Cornwall in the off-season is the perfect opportunity to discover something new about somewhere you love.
Coast: top picks
Things to do in West Cornwall
See what’s waiting for you with our top picks for the low season.
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- Coast: top picks
- Activity level: Easy
- Duration: 2-3 days
You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.
Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.
Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.
Create your own inspiring itinerary
If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.
Things to do
Geothermal swim
With its striking art deco style, Jubilee Pool is the perfect place to enjoy the benefits of a saltwater dip without the chill. This incredible seawater lido is the largest in the UK. It also benefits from a geothermal pool, which was completed in 2020 and is heated to 30-35 degrees by water from an underground well. Book your Geothermal Pool ticket here to enjoy a 55-minute soak.
Fishing port and market
From its bustling fish market to the traditional granite cottages and the brightly coloured boats bobbing around in the harbour, there’s so much about Newlyn that feels quintessentially Cornish. Over the years, the town has also attracted artists and creators, so there are galleries and unique shops to explore too. See the Newlyn Harbour website for more inspiration.
Scenic railway
The beaches, art galleries and restaurants of St Ives are just a short train journey from Penzance. Board at Penzance station, sit back and relax as the spectacular St Michael’s Mount rolls past your window. At St Erth, join the St Ives Bay Line for a scenic journey along the coast, through Carbis Bay to St Ives. Find out more about the journey here.
Beach clean
Do something good, feel even better. Explore the coast while taking part in a beach clean and help us to create a safer and more sustainable environment for our wildlife – all while enjoying the great outdoors and getting to meet some lovely people. Check the Sustainable Penzance Facebook page to see when they’re hosting the next beach clean at Longrock and keep an eye out for the silent disco events from Plastic Free Penzance.
Gwelen
If you’ve ever visited Mount’s Bay, home of St Michael’s Mount, it might surprise you to learn that beneath the waves lies the remains of an ancient forest. To bring this secret landscape to life, local artist Emma Smith has created a site-specific artwork, ‘Gwelen’. To find her wooden ‘seeing sticks’, join the section of the South West Coast Path that connects Marazion and Penzance. This unique installation is accompanied by a podcast, which will introduce you to Emma Smith and her work.
Places to Eat
Argoe Restaurant
Making the most of its proximity to Newlyn fish market, Argoe specialises in fish, seafood and natural wines. Situated on the harbourfront of this charming town, the restaurant is an atmospheric place to try local favourites, such as John Dory and lobster (depending on the catch of the day). Book your table inside or at the counter here.
Essential Information
Places to Stay
Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.
More inspiration?
Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.
Accessibility
Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.
Local knowledge
Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.
Getting around
Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.
Positive impact
We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.
Itinerary last updated on
This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.
