Sightseeing
The South West Coast Path: The path runs 630 miles from Minehead in
Somerset all the way around to Poole in Dorset and it’s well worth a crack if you
have a lot of time to spare. These paths were cut by coastguards checking the
lands for smuggling. You can walk the whole coast, rarely having to go more than
a few hundred feet inland. On the basis that I’m planning these notes to cover no
more than a day’s walk from St Just it’s fair to claim our stretch as the path from
Gurnard’s Head on the north coast all the way around to Nanjizel past Lands
End. There’s not a bit of this path that I’d miss out, although at times the up and
down gets pretty hard.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
South West Coastal Path
South West Coast PathThe South West Coast Path: The path runs 630 miles from Minehead in
Somerset all the way around to Poole in Dorset and it’s well worth a crack if you
have a lot of time to spare. These paths were cut by coastguards checking the
lands for smuggling. You can walk the whole coast, rarely having to go more than
a few hundred feet inland. On the basis that I’m planning these notes to cover no
more than a day’s walk from St Just it’s fair to claim our stretch as the path from
Gurnard’s Head on the north coast all the way around to Nanjizel past Lands
End. There’s not a bit of this path that I’d miss out, although at times the up and
down gets pretty hard.
It still amazes me that you can stumble upon
something as significant as this without paying and with hardly any signs either.
Park at the foot of Chapel Carn Brea, walk up to the top for the view, then follow
the footpath across the road from the car park until you get to the Iron Age
settlement of Carn Euny, passing a holy well on the way. There are the remains of
several houses clear to see, and a fogou to intrigue any enquiring mind.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Carn Euny Ancient Village
It still amazes me that you can stumble upon
something as significant as this without paying and with hardly any signs either.
Park at the foot of Chapel Carn Brea, walk up to the top for the view, then follow
the footpath across the road from the car park until you get to the Iron Age
settlement of Carn Euny, passing a holy well on the way. There are the remains of
several houses clear to see, and a fogou to intrigue any enquiring mind.
Chûn Castle and Quoit.
The Iron Age hillfort dates from a few centuries BC
and was probably in use for 400 years or so. While now it’s little more than a
pile of stones it remains impressive. The twin walls were once twenty feet high,
but much of the stone has been removed for local buildings. It commands far
reaching views to both coasts, and round houses within the two outer walls
can clearly be identified. Remains of a furnace containing both tin and iron slag
suggest minerals were processed here two thousand years ago. The well still
offers water and was used by locals until 1949. While the castle is the remains of
something ancient, the quoit a couple of hundred metres away is two thousand
years older! Quoits are burial chambers with massive capstones that are
particular to the far west of Cornwall, and they’re usually in places of panoramic
views – we’re dead a long time, so why not rest somewhere with a great view!
Chun Castle
Chûn Castle and Quoit.
The Iron Age hillfort dates from a few centuries BC
and was probably in use for 400 years or so. While now it’s little more than a
pile of stones it remains impressive. The twin walls were once twenty feet high,
but much of the stone has been removed for local buildings. It commands far
reaching views to both coasts, and round houses within the two outer walls
can clearly be identified. Remains of a furnace containing both tin and iron slag
suggest minerals were processed here two thousand years ago. The well still
offers water and was used by locals until 1949. While the castle is the remains of
something ancient, the quoit a couple of hundred metres away is two thousand
years older! Quoits are burial chambers with massive capstones that are
particular to the far west of Cornwall, and they’re usually in places of panoramic
views – we’re dead a long time, so why not rest somewhere with a great view!
One of the best known megalithic structures in Britain, the grand
name simply means ‘holed stone’. The small site is worth seeking out, perhaps
on a circular route to include Ding Dong mine and the Nine Maidens stone circle.
I like to park at Carn Galver mine on the B3306 where there’s a little parking area,
then walk up to the dominating Carn Galver (once believed to be the home of the
gods) then follow the path to Nine Maidens and on to Ding Dong, then return via
Mên an Tol.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Men-an-tol
One of the best known megalithic structures in Britain, the grand
name simply means ‘holed stone’. The small site is worth seeking out, perhaps
on a circular route to include Ding Dong mine and the Nine Maidens stone circle.
I like to park at Carn Galver mine on the B3306 where there’s a little parking area,
then walk up to the dominating Carn Galver (once believed to be the home of the
gods) then follow the path to Nine Maidens and on to Ding Dong, then return via
Mên an Tol.
This one’s so close to home it’s easy to forget. Behind
Archavon, and at the true heart of the town is the Plên (The Cornish pronounce it
Plain). This medieval amphitheater has been used for public events, in particular
staging of the miracle plays. It is considered to by Britain’s oldest theatre. The
big rocks in the space look as if they might have ancient significance, but were in
fact used for hand drilling contests until recently.
Plain-an-Gwarry
This one’s so close to home it’s easy to forget. Behind
Archavon, and at the true heart of the town is the Plên (The Cornish pronounce it
Plain). This medieval amphitheater has been used for public events, in particular
staging of the miracle plays. It is considered to by Britain’s oldest theatre. The
big rocks in the space look as if they might have ancient significance, but were in
fact used for hand drilling contests until recently.
This is a short walk from St Just and will get you
onto the barren yet beautiful moor with Carn Kenidjack at the top. There’s an
alternative telling of the origins of this stone circle on The Cornish Way’s blog,
look for the March 29th 2016 post entitled The Legend of Archavon.
Tregeseal Stone Circle
This is a short walk from St Just and will get you
onto the barren yet beautiful moor with Carn Kenidjack at the top. There’s an
alternative telling of the origins of this stone circle on The Cornish Way’s blog,
look for the March 29th 2016 post entitled The Legend of Archavon.
The only sandy cove on the north coast before St Ives, Portheras is a hard but rewarding
walk along the cliff path from St Just that passes the interesting remains of
many mines, including the most recently working Geevor Mine, and the restored
Levant. Portheras is a wide stretch of good clean sand. Boat Cove is a tiny sandy
cove separated from it by rocks that are just about passable at low tide. There
are often seals here. To drive head along the north coast towards St Ives and turn
right for Chy Praze Farm just before Morvah, there’s an honesty box for paying
for parking in a field. No lifeguard and no facilities, so be careful.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portheras Cove
The only sandy cove on the north coast before St Ives, Portheras is a hard but rewarding
walk along the cliff path from St Just that passes the interesting remains of
many mines, including the most recently working Geevor Mine, and the restored
Levant. Portheras is a wide stretch of good clean sand. Boat Cove is a tiny sandy
cove separated from it by rocks that are just about passable at low tide. There
are often seals here. To drive head along the north coast towards St Ives and turn
right for Chy Praze Farm just before Morvah, there’s an honesty box for paying
for parking in a field. No lifeguard and no facilities, so be careful.
The Blue Flag beach at Sennen Cove is definitely one of the jewels of
the far west. A wide expanse of beach that is vast at low tide. We walk to Sennen
from St Just now and then, but it’s a long stank! Follow either of the routes to
Gwenver and keep going to the next beach. The sea is generally benign here,
and there are lifeguards all summer. Sennen also has cafes, a pub, stores, surf
schools and a gallery.
246 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sennen Cove
The Blue Flag beach at Sennen Cove is definitely one of the jewels of
the far west. A wide expanse of beach that is vast at low tide. We walk to Sennen
from St Just now and then, but it’s a long stank! Follow either of the routes to
Gwenver and keep going to the next beach. The sea is generally benign here,
and there are lifeguards all summer. Sennen also has cafes, a pub, stores, surf
schools and a gallery.
It’s worth going to Nanjizel just for the stunning high cliffs between
Lands End and there. At Nanjizel there’s a quiet beach that’s a mix of coarse
sand and pleasingly rounded boulders, with caves and the beautiful arch, called
the Song of the Sea. Walk to the beach from Lands End or from Trevescan where
there’s a great café called the Appletree. Opposite the Appletree and to the left
there’s a bus stop and the path starts behind it crossing a couple of cottages’
drives. There’s only one real junction to the path and at that take the right turn.
There are no facilities or lifeguards at Nanjizel. There are often seals though.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nanjizal Beach; Song Of The Sea Cave
It’s worth going to Nanjizel just for the stunning high cliffs between
Lands End and there. At Nanjizel there’s a quiet beach that’s a mix of coarse
sand and pleasingly rounded boulders, with caves and the beautiful arch, called
the Song of the Sea. Walk to the beach from Lands End or from Trevescan where
there’s a great café called the Appletree. Opposite the Appletree and to the left
there’s a bus stop and the path starts behind it crossing a couple of cottages’
drives. There’s only one real junction to the path and at that take the right turn.
There are no facilities or lifeguards at Nanjizel. There are often seals though.
A good walk from St Just with a couple of picturesque routes.
Gwenver (Gwynver) is quiet most days of the year because of the hard walk back
to the car park at the end of the day. The sandy beach is a local’s favourite and
has a lifeguard in the summer. Take care swimming there at other times as there’s
often a rip current. Every adventurous child will love the rock pools at the north
of the beach when the tide is low. You can walk to Gwenver along the cliffs from
Cot Valley, or across the fields aiming for the hamlets of Trevegean and Tregiffian.
There are no facilities at Gwenver.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gwynver Beach
South West Coast PathA good walk from St Just with a couple of picturesque routes.
Gwenver (Gwynver) is quiet most days of the year because of the hard walk back
to the car park at the end of the day. The sandy beach is a local’s favourite and
has a lifeguard in the summer. Take care swimming there at other times as there’s
often a rip current. Every adventurous child will love the rock pools at the north
of the beach when the tide is low. You can walk to Gwenver along the cliffs from
Cot Valley, or across the fields aiming for the hamlets of Trevegean and Tregiffian.
There are no facilities at Gwenver.
Not a beach in the sandy sense, but a great spot where the locals
flock on a sunny day. Priest’s Cove is a working fishing cove and the slipway
makes a good entry point for swimmers. It’s in the shadow of Cape Cornwall,
Beaches
Down here at the end we have mostly small sandy coves, and
then Sennen, the jewel in our crown that breaks the rule.
one of my favourite spots in the far west. There’s an ice cream van for much
of the year in the National Trust car park above the cove, and there are toilets
there too. In late July or early August look out for signs for Cape Sports, the
annual swimming race in from The Brisons, the big rock in the bay – it’s only ever
advertised in St Just and doesn’t happen if the weather is bad. To get to the cove
walk down Cape Cornwall Street, or better still, across the fields.
Priest Cove
South West Coast PathNot a beach in the sandy sense, but a great spot where the locals
flock on a sunny day. Priest’s Cove is a working fishing cove and the slipway
makes a good entry point for swimmers. It’s in the shadow of Cape Cornwall,
Beaches
Down here at the end we have mostly small sandy coves, and
then Sennen, the jewel in our crown that breaks the rule.
one of my favourite spots in the far west. There’s an ice cream van for much
of the year in the National Trust car park above the cove, and there are toilets
there too. In late July or early August look out for signs for Cape Sports, the
annual swimming race in from The Brisons, the big rock in the bay – it’s only ever
advertised in St Just and doesn’t happen if the weather is bad. To get to the cove
walk down Cape Cornwall Street, or better still, across the fields.
Porthcurno Beach, located in the far west of Cornwall has won many awards and it's easy to see why. With gorgeous fine soft white sand washed by a sea that turns turquoise in the sun and high cliffs on both sides providing shelter, it's an oasis of stunning natural beauty.
It does get really busy in the summertime.
99 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno Beach, located in the far west of Cornwall has won many awards and it's easy to see why. With gorgeous fine soft white sand washed by a sea that turns turquoise in the sun and high cliffs on both sides providing shelter, it's an oasis of stunning natural beauty.
It does get really busy in the summertime.
It’s as beautiful as it looks. A fairy tale island castle still lived
in by the St Aubyn family. It’s National Trust owned and there are boats across to it
when the tide is in.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
St. Michael's Mount
Harbour ViewIt’s as beautiful as it looks. A fairy tale island castle still lived
in by the St Aubyn family. It’s National Trust owned and there are boats across to it
when the tide is in.
Local Pubs and Food
Dog friendly.
No food but a fantastic drinking pub with live music on Thursdays nights.
Usually a great atmosphere and some interesting photos of the mines and ship wrecks.
Check out the drill on the wall – imagine operating that for a long shift in horrendous
underground heat!
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Star Inn
1 Fore StDog friendly.
No food but a fantastic drinking pub with live music on Thursdays nights.
Usually a great atmosphere and some interesting photos of the mines and ship wrecks.
Check out the drill on the wall – imagine operating that for a long shift in horrendous
underground heat!
The Commercial Inn is right opposite ArchavonStudio, the closest place to eat in St Just, the food is locally sourced and great value.
Try their Commercial burger it's awesome :-)
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Commercial
13 Market SquareThe Commercial Inn is right opposite ArchavonStudio, the closest place to eat in St Just, the food is locally sourced and great value.
Try their Commercial burger it's awesome :-)
Beautifully clean cafe with polite attentive staff.
It's only open in the daytime but it's a little gem.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Dog & Rabbit
North RowBeautifully clean cafe with polite attentive staff.
It's only open in the daytime but it's a little gem.
14th century inn offering a warm welcome, log fire, home cooked food using local ingredients and good ales. Dog friendly.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kings Arms
5 Market Square14th century inn offering a warm welcome, log fire, home cooked food using local ingredients and good ales. Dog friendly.
Fantastic little sandwich shop, open 9am to 8pm.
Also does amazing pizza's from 4pm.
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Square
10 Market SquareFantastic little sandwich shop, open 9am to 8pm.
Also does amazing pizza's from 4pm.
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options.
Local chinese, walking distance from ArchavonStudio :-)
Open everyday 5pm - 10pm except Tuesday.
Red Star
1 Cape Cornwall StreetLocal chinese, walking distance from ArchavonStudio :-)
Open everyday 5pm - 10pm except Tuesday.
The Copper Kettle Cafe!!
A little hide away from the square but well worth finding.
The Copper Kettle is a family run business producing delicious home cooked cuisine, Vicky and Brendan will not disappoint.
Open 9.30am to 2pm week days.
The Copper Kettle
1 Chapel StreetThe Copper Kettle Cafe!!
A little hide away from the square but well worth finding.
The Copper Kettle is a family run business producing delicious home cooked cuisine, Vicky and Brendan will not disappoint.
Open 9.30am to 2pm week days.
Walking distance from ArchavonStudio.
The Wellington Hotel is an imposing granite building that was built before the Battle of Waterloo. It was converted into a hotel in 1813 and named after the The Iron Duke.
Wellington Hotel
Market SquareWalking distance from ArchavonStudio.
The Wellington Hotel is an imposing granite building that was built before the Battle of Waterloo. It was converted into a hotel in 1813 and named after the The Iron Duke.
Art Gallery
Right in the heart of St Just.
The Jackson Foundation is a unique, ambitious and award-winning art-space celebrating and championing arts and the natural world.
Address: Jackson Foundation,
North Row, St Just, TR19 7LB.
Phone: +44 (0)1736 787638
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jackson Foundation
North RowRight in the heart of St Just.
The Jackson Foundation is a unique, ambitious and award-winning art-space celebrating and championing arts and the natural world.
Address: Jackson Foundation,
North Row, St Just, TR19 7LB.
Phone: +44 (0)1736 787638
A mix of work by Jane (some fun animal ceramics) and
other artists and makers. It can look a bit of a jumble from the outside, but it’s
worth a look, there are often a few gems there. On Fore Street just past Clemos.
The Jane Adams Gallery
41 Fore StA mix of work by Jane (some fun animal ceramics) and
other artists and makers. It can look a bit of a jumble from the outside, but it’s
worth a look, there are often a few gems there. On Fore Street just past Clemos.