This West Cornwall itinerary takes in the BEST of the country

This little pocket of Cornwall – everything west of St Ives and Penzance – is the most dramatic and isolated part of the South West. 

With rugged cliffs, white sand beaches, Cornish culture and tin mining history, there may not be any large towns past Penzance, but there’s a colossal amount to do!

You could spend a week in the region (especially if the weather’s sunny!) but this three day West Penwith itinerary squeezes all the highlights into a long weekend. 

Road trip itinerary route 

This is the West Penwith road trip itinerary. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that, despite the name of this trip, you don’t have to do it by car. 

There is actually a bus – the Land’s End Coaster – which stops in nearly all of these spots on the coast. You’ll have to skip a few of the smaller viewpoints and it might require a few more logistics to avoid carrying luggage around (you could, for example, stay in St Just and do day trips from there), but it’s a fantastic option for someone without a car! 

Read more about the Land’s End Coaster here. 

Day 1: St Ives to Pendeen via Zennor

Start your day early in St Ives

St Ives gets busy by mid-morning, especially in peak months, so aim to arrive or wake early. Park at the Trenwith Car Park (long stay, uphill but reliable). 

Walk down into the old town and harbour.

There are a few things to visit in St Ives. 

From Smeaton’s Pier, wander past the fishing boats and shopfronts, then head up to St Nicholas Chapel on The Island for a wide sea view. This area often has seals visible from the headland.

Stroll across Porthmeor Beach, which sits just beneath the Tate, or nip over to Porthgwidden for a quieter spot with a beach café.

If you fancy a coffee, try The Yellow Canary for takeaway coffee or Olives Café if you want a slower start with breakfast.

St Ives has long been somewhere associated with art – artists started to move here in the 1920s, inspired by its incredible beauty. 

If you want to absorb the town’s art culture, the Tate St Ives opens at 10am and is compact enough to visit in an hour if modern art interests you. I also love the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, which is a homage to one of St Ives’ most famous artist residents.

Mid-morning: Drive to Zennor (20 minutes)

Take the B3306, but stop at Gurnard’s Head lay-by if the sky’s clear—it gives you a wide panorama over the Atlantic.

Zennor’s only a quick stop, but I’d recommend heading into St Senara’s Church. The church is known for the Mermaid of Zennor bench carving. It’s an old local legend and is easy to miss unless you walk the nave.

Then there are The Tinners Arms. This 13th-century pub is a good stop for a simple lunch—Cornish rarebit or soup and bread are usually available. They often have local cider on tap.

If you’re up for a one-hour round trip, walk the inland path westwards towards Towednack, or part of the coast path towards Gurnard’s Head. The terrain is rugged and slow-going, so don’t commit unless you have solid boots and clear weather.

Early afternoon: Scenic drive to Pendeen (30–40 minutes with stops)

This section of the B3306 is one of the most scenic rural roads in Cornwall—single-track in parts, with moorland and sea views the entire way. Take it slow!

There are a few places to stop, including Gunard’s Head. Pull in just past the Gurnard’s Head Hotel. You don’t need to walk all the way to the headland unless you’re keen, but even a few minutes off-road gives a dramatic clifftop view.

There’s also Porthmeor Cove – a tiny beach and viewpoint which is usually empty. There’s limited parking on a small pull-in.

Arrive at Geevor and Botallack

Geevor Tin Mine is one of my favourite attractions in Cornwall. It is open until 5pm, with last entry usually at 3:30pm. 

You can explore preserved buildings, machinery and even walk into one of the historic mines. Allow 60–90 minutes. It is closed on Saturdays.

To engage even more with Cornwall’s tin mining history, walk from Geevor to Levant Mine and Botallack. Follow the coast path south for 20–30 minutes. You’ll reach Levant Mine, then further on, the Crowns engine houses at Botallack. These are built right into the cliffs! 

This is one of the most iconic mining views in Cornwall. Sunset here, if timed well, is excellent.

Where to stay

I recommend staying in Pendeen or St Just.

Take a look at Pendeen accommodation here or St Just accommodation here.

Day 2: Cape Cornwall to Porthcurno

Morning: Cape Cornwall and Cot Valley (1–2 hours)

Start from your base in Pendeen or St Just and drive 10 minutes to Cape Cornwall.

Arrive at Cape Cornwall car park. It was once thought that Cape Cornwall was the most southwesterley point of the UK mainland, before modern cartography! 

Nowadays, it’s usually very quiet. Walk up to the distinctive stack at the summit for views across to the Brisons, two jagged rocks in the sea that often catch morning light.

Follow the coast path into Cot Valley and loop back via the inland path (45–60 mins, easy-moderate). The valley is home to rare birds and has a stream that runs to a quiet rocky cove. You might spot a seal here!

Mid-morning: Land’s End to Sennen Cove walk (1.5 hours loop, or 45 mins each way)

Drive to Sennen Cove (15 mins) and park by the beach. From here, follow the coast path up and around to Land’s End. This section avoids the main Land’s End car park and lets you approach on foot, which is quieter and more scenic.

Land’s End itself is commercialised but has wonderful views and cliffs further west. Walk a bit past the visitor centre to see the granite formations like Enys Dodnan Arch and The Armed Knight.

Loop back the same way or use the inland path for a change of scenery.

Early afternoon: Porthgwarra (20 mins from Sennen)

This is a small, quiet cove with steep cliffs and birdlife—popular with swimmers if the tide’s right and you don’t mind cold water (it was freezing when we went for a dip here!). There’s a small café near the car park (limited hours), or bring your own snacks.

A short but rewarding clifftop path takes you to Gwennap Head, which has a lookout point and the Runnel Stone Daymark (navigational cone and pyramid). Allow 45 mins round trip if you’re walking to the lookout and back.

Mid afternoon: Porthcurno (15 mins from Porthgwarra)

First, stop at the Minack Theatre, a Clifftop amphitheatre carved into the rock. Book timed entry online even if not seeing a show, which gives access to the terrace, backstage area, and gardens. Of course, if there’s a show on you could stick around for that!

Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is also worth a visit. It covers the beach’s role as a hub of global communications and includes WWII tunnels.

Toast to a succesful day at Porthcurno Beach! With white sand and turquoise water (when sunny), it can feel Mediterranean but gets very busy—late afternoon is the best time.

Evening: Stay in or near Porthcurno, Lamorna or Mousehole

I’d recommend driving to The Old Coastguard in Mousehole – a charming, family-run guesthouse.

But you could also look for Porthcurno accommodation here, Lamorna accommodation here or Mousehole accommodation here.

Day 3: Mousehole to Penzance via Newlyn

Morning: Mousehole (1.5–2 hours)

Start the day early to enjoy Mousehole before the tour groups and day-trippers arrive. Parking is tight—try South Quay car park or the Harbour car park which is just outside of the village.

Explore the tight grid of streets just inland from the quay. Mousehole is full of tiny galleries and working fishermen’s cottages, with traditional granite fronts and flower-draped doorways.

The harbour is beautiful, and in the summer you can rent a paddleboard or take a boat trip. 

See some more things to do in Mousehole here. 

📝 If you’re keen to walk part of the coast path today, the stretch from Mousehole to Newlyn (approx 2 miles) is easy-going, paved, and follows the sea wall. You can walk one way and bus/taxi back if needed.

Midday: Newlyn (1–1.5 hours)

Drive or walk to Newlyn, Cornwall’s largest working fishing port. It’s less polished than Mousehole but has depth – look past the trawlers and fish merchants and you’ll find artists, smoked fish, and a growing local food scene.

First, stop in Newlyn Art Gallery. This Focuses on contemporary art in a clean, modern space with a sea-facing garden. Often has temporary exhibitions with a regional slant.

Then there’s the Pilchard Works, which is a small, under-the-radar space showing the history of the Cornish pilchard trade, including old press equipment and tools.

Afternoon: Penzance (2–3 hours)

The last stretch takes you to Penzance, a 5–10 minute drive or a longer sea-wall walk from Newlyn.

Park near the Jubilee Pool, one of the UK’s best examples of Art Deco architecture. It’s open for swimming if you want a dip (book a time slot in advance) and has a geothermally heated section.

Also worth visiting is Morrab Gardens, Tropical-style public gardens with sub-tropical plants, palm trees and hidden benches and the Penlee House Gallery & Museum which houses Newlyn School paintings and info on West Cornwall’s social and artistic history.

📝 If the tide is right and you have time, you could detour east from Penzance to Marazion (10 mins drive) for a view of St Michael’s Mount—or cross the causeway if it’s walkable!

Evening departure or extra night

Penzance has regular train services to Exeter, Plymouth, and London Paddington. If you’re driving back, allow time for traffic on the A30!

There are a few places to stay in Penzance. Take a look at them here.