Visit West Cornwall

The sea makes the Land's End Peninusla an 'almost-island' and wherever you are on the Peninsula you are never more than a few minutes from sight and sound of the Atlantic. The Cornish have always been outstanding seagoers, experts in fishing, pilotage and sea trade. Smuggling also played its colourful part, but above all, it is the noble history of the Cornish lifeboat service that stands out to this day. The area's great tradition of seafaring still plays its part in the life of West Cornwall, in the embattled, yet still vigorous fishing industry, in recreational sailing and boating.

Penzance, Newlyn and St Ives are the main harbours and there are smaller harbours at Mousehole and St Michael's Mount. The passenger ferry to the Isles of Scilly, Scillonian III, leaves from Penzance's South Quay and the adjoining inner harbour is always busy with fishing boats, cargo vessels and larger yachts. St Ives was one of the greatest fishing ports of the West Country and today still has a small fleet of fishing vessels. Newlyn is a major fishing port and its busy harbour is full of interest.

Sailing has always been a great local skill. In the 1930s, West Cornwall fishermen were in demand as crew on the huge racing yachts of wealthy businesspeople that raced at Cowes and in the Mediterranean. Today, Cornish sailing clubs produce Olympic hopefuls and champions. The lively Cornish sport of gig rowing has become a major feature in the maritime calendar. For the visitor, the romance and intrigue of maritime West Cornwall will always be a delight. It touches the seagoing spirit in all of us.

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