Visiting West Cornwall in the off-season is the perfect opportunity to discover something new about somewhere you love.
Heritage: 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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- Heritage: top picks
- Activity level: Moderate
- 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
The mining experience
Get your hands dirty and delve into Cornwall’s tin and copper mining history. Geevor Tin Mine is the largest preserved mining site in the country. Nestled in the St Just mining district, Geevor was the last mine in the area to close its doors. It reopened to enable locals and tourists to experience what life was like for Cornish miners – you can even travel down into the tunnels of Wheal Mexico Mine. Plan your visit here.
Fascinating library
The Morrab Library can be found in the subtropical Morrab Gardens in Penzance. It was founded in 1818 and is one of only (approximately) 50 independent libraries in the UK. If you’re around on a Friday, there is a free library tour at 2pm, which explores the nooks and crannies of this iconic house. Find out more here.
Walk the promenade
Penzance Promenade is a beautiful open stretch of newly refurbished seafront. Penzance prom has been designed for all travellers to enjoy, be it on foot or by bike. Feel free to stop off and read some of the information boards, which tell you about the wildlife and history of the area. Don’t forget to pop into Jelbert’s to experience their popular clotted cream-topped ice cream.
Tin coast walk
Experience Cornish mining history in the real world, where engine houses stand tall against a backdrop of the vast Atlantic Ocean. The Tin Coast walk follows seven miles of rugged coastline in West Penwith, which has been designated a World Heritage Site. On the walk, you can explore three National Trust sites: Botallack, Cape Cornwall and Levant Mine. Find out more here.
Cornish ancestry tour
Experience Poldark country with a full day’s guided tour. Visit Marazion and St Michael’s Mount, explore Botallack or Portreath Heritage Port, and pause for a miner’s lunch (Cornish pasty) or cream tea. Absolutours will partner you with a Cornish Blue Badge Guide and the tour includes transport. Book this fascinating day out here.
Ancient monument
Lanyon Quoit is a megalithic tomb near the road that connects Penzance and Morvah. With three upright pillars and a large capstone, it’s an imposing monument that dates back to the Neolithic period. According to the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN), it was rebuilt in the early 19th Century – potentially because treasure hunters kept undermining its foundations. Find out more here.
Places to Eat
Traditional Cornish pub
Whether you’re walking the South West Coast Path or exploring the ancient sites of West Penwith, make sure you pause for lunch in Zennor. The Tinner’s Arms is a traditional Cornish pub that claims to have been built in 1271. It boasts a crackling fire, local ales and a delicious menu to fuel your adventures. The story goes that DH Lawrence once stayed here for a fortnight. Find out more 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.
