Towns and Villages
Hayle
Hayle boasts some fine natural assets such as miles of fine sandy beaches and an estuary teaming with birdlife. Both are within walking distance of the town which has some great features if you know where to look.
Hayle has built its reputation as a resort town on its "3 miles of golden sand" its beaches are beautiful and well worth a day out. At low tide there is an uninterrupted stretch of beautiful, fine sand reaching from the estuary mouth all the way to Godrevy Point in the north.
The beaches closest to the estuary are referred to as the Towans and despite being closest to town have a wild feel with high windswept dunes and wide open space. Gwithian and Godrevy at the north are popular with surfers and also great for kids with plenty of facilities and some super rock pools.
Hayle town centre is unusual in that it is really only one street. However, it is a very long street joining the historic Foundry district to the shops of the Copperhouse district. It has an abundance of unusual shops and boasts many eateries along its route.
Marazion
Marazion is a thriving town situated on Cornwall's South coast overlooking Mounts Bay with a magnificent view of St Michael's Mount.
Marazion itself has an excellent, safe, sandy beach which is ideal for swimming, sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. The main street runs parallel to the sea and offers a variety of gift and craft shops along with art galleries and cafes.
Marazion is a great place to stay if you are a keen (or casual) walker or cyclist. Situated on the South West Coast Path, Cornwall Coastal Path and the Pilgrim’s way, Marazion offers easy access to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the UK. There is also a whole network of local footpaths and bridleways to explore.
The Cornish Way cycle path provides an easy, safe cycle route from Marazion to Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole.
Birdwatchers will find Marazion Marsh of great interest. This RSPB reserve is home to a large number of birds and hosts a number of regular rare visitors including Crakes and Warblers. The Kingfisher Hide, overlooking one of the pools is situated at the back of the reserve, accessed by a well signposted footpath
St. Michael’s Mount
The world-famous St. Michael’s Mount is just a quarter of a mile away, accessed by foot at low water or regular ferry service. With its spectacular castle dating back to the 12th century in parts, the island is a delight to visit. The island village has a charming Victorian harbour and wonderful views of Mount’s Bay.
Porthleven
Porthleven has a beautifully quaint harbourside village. A gentle walk on a sunny afternoon is a must. Around the imposing double harbour, there are good cafes, pubs and restaurants. Fishmongers sell the day’s catch of crab, mackerel and lobster and a lively market of local crafts and food is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from May to October.
Experienced surfers flock to Porthleven to do battle with one of the finest reef breaks in Cornwall. This makes great viewing but don't attempt to tackle it unless you know what you are doing!
The town is home to an ever-growing colony of art galleries and craft shops promoting works by local artists. Choose from seascapes, abstracts, oils, watercolours, pen and ink or sculptures, etc.
Nearby Loe Pool is Cornwall’s largest natural freshwater lake separated from the sea by the Loe Bar, a long wide stretch of sand. The pool and bar are part of the National Trust owned Penrose Estate, accessible from both Porthleven and Helston.
St Ives
Having been home to some of the worlds greatest artists and sculptors. Artists such as JMW Turner, Barbara Hepworth, Bernard Leach, Henry Moore, Henry Irving and Whistler have all lived in St Ives. Today the town is world-famous as an art centre with many studios and galleries. It is home of the Tate art gallery which is well worth a visit.
St Ives has everything you need for a day out. A choice of beaches, stunning views, great surf, and a wide range of places to eat. The shopping streets are full of quirky shops as well as well-known names, with side streets brimming with small art galleries. Visitors pour into St. Ives by the dozen and the parking is expensive and its small streets are not designed for the volume of visiting traffic. Park your car at St. Erth railway station and enjoy one of the most spectacular train rides into the town.
Helston
Helston was an important centre in Cornwall's mining days when it was one of the Stannary towns, the ancient town of Helston retains much of its charm.
At the heart of the town itself, there’s a wonderful boating lake where you can hire a boat or sit and grab a coffee in the park café. Medieval buildings stand throughout the town, and the high street has a mix of independent shops and big-name brands for you to peruse.
The town is possibly best known for the annual Flora Day, a festival that celebrates the end of winter and gets everyone taking part in the historic ‘Furry Dance'... visit during May to join in! Throughout the rest of the year there’s still plenty of fantastic sights to see and things to do.
Newlyn and Mousehole
Very close to each other are Newlyn and Mousehole.
Newlyn is a historic fishing port and artist colony on the south coast of Cornwall, England, known for its flourishing fishing fleet and connection to the Newlyn School of Artists. The town boasts a major fishing port, with the daily haul of fish making it the largest in England by tonnage alone. Newlyn is also famous for its art scene, particularly the Newlyn School, a group of artists who painted en plein air in the area.
A bit further along the coast is Mousehole, a historic fishing village in Cornwall, known for its picturesque harbour and the Christmas illuminations. Pronounced "Mowzel," it's located just south of Penzance and retains much of its original character. The village is famous for its small, sandy beaches within the harbour quays and a long pebble beach running east.
