A brief history about Cape Cornwall

Cape Cornwall is the only Cape so called in England. Up until the 18th century, it was thought that Cape Cornwall was the most westerly point in Britain, until accurate surveying found Land's End to be slightly further West. Cape Cornwall was bought by H.J.Heinz and given to the National Trust in 1987. You will find the ruins of St. Helen’s Oratory here along with a National Trust Car Park and National Coastwatch lookout. Like the lighthouse, Coastwatch plays a vital role in the safety of shipping. Read about the history of the area on our blog: West Penwith - Through the ages.

Things to do at Cape Cornwall

Priest Cove
The popular rocky beach at Priest Cove has a small, man-made tidal pool, which makes a safe place for children to swim and the dog friendly beach makes it an ideal place for a family day out. Priest Cove looks out towards the Brisons, where an annual swim from Brisons into Priest Cove takes place. The Brisons rock formation, just off the beach is said to resemble Charles De Gaulle in the bath!

Cape Cornwall Golf Course
A par 69 challenge on a natural course ranging across farmland and cliffs with a mix of challenging holes. Read more on our blog post about Golf Courses in West Cornwall.

Ride the Open-Top Bus
If you want to give your feet and legs a rest, you can hop on the No 300 Bus, known as the open-top. The double decker trundles through high-hedged Cornish roads. It goes on a circular route around West Penwith. It's easy to hop on and to hop off. Don't forget that sunscreen!