Land's End - Local Info
YHA Land’s End is located in the Cot Valley just south of the St Just-in-Penwith and to the north of Land’s End and Sennen Cove. This is an ideal base form which to explore the Penwith peninsula by foot, bike, car or even open top bus! St Ives, Penzance, Porthcurno (Minack theatre), Mousehole and St Michaels Mount are all within easy reach.
St just with its galleries and open-air medieval theatre is just 15 minutes away by foot on green lanes. The most westerly town in England has most local services including post office, cafes, pubs, bakery, butchers and doctors surgery. Porth Nanven beach and the south west coast path is a 10 minute walk away following the Cot Valley. You can head north towards Cape Cornwall or south to the sandy surfing beach at Sennen Cove and on to Land’s End itself.
Penwith is renowned for its archaeology, both ancient and industrial. Walk north along the coast path to the lighthouse at Pendeen Watch and you’ll find evidence of burial mounds, forts, mine engine houses including the spectacular Crowns Mines, Botallack and Geevor Mine – the last Penwith mine to close in 1990 and now a visitor centre with trips down the mine. For a day out with a difference, fly to the Isles of Scilly form the nearby Land’s End Aerodrome, or take a trip on the ferry from Penzance.
Art lovers will enjoy the galleries all over Penwith, most famously at the Tate in St Ives, Penlee House in Penzance and in the Newlyn Art Gallery. Watch out for many smaller artisan workshops off the beaten track in villages and hamlets including St just and Lamorna. For theatre look out for performances at the Minack, an open air theatre perched on the cliff edge or at the Plain-an-Gwarry in the middle of St just.
You are never far away form the Atlantic Ocean in Penwith. Surfers will head for Gwynver, Sennen Cove or St Ives, whilst swimmers can enjoy some more hidden but sheltered bays including Porth Nanven. You can hire surf equipment and book lessons at Sennen Cove and St Ives. Take a fishing or boat trip on a traditional luger from St Ives or Penzance harbours.
The Cot Valley’s peaceful location provides a haven for rare migratory birds in the spring and autumn and is home to birds of prey, badgers, rabbits and foxes. On the coast you are likely to spot a seal and may be lucky enough to see dolphins and basking sharks.