The Cove

There’s little at Lamorna Cove apart from a small café. Picturesque Mousehole is the nearest village and a five minute drive away.

Best picnics

The Merry Maidens stone circle is Lamorna’s very own mini Stonehenge (leaving The Cove, turn left onto the main road and it’s half a mile down, in a field on the left). Legend has it that maidens dancing on the Sabbath were turned to stone.

Best beaches

Lamorna Cove has a smuggler's pile of rocks to clamber over but no sandy stretches to sun yourself on. Head for the white sands of Porthcurno's National Trust beach – voted one of the world’s top 50 beaches by The Independent. It’s just five miles to your left, as you leave The Cove.

Best walks

Take the stunning two-mile cliff walk to Mousehole – left from Lamorna Cove. (Warning: it’s rocky and not so kiddy-friendly). Alternatively, go down to Lamorna Cove and head right towards Penbarth; when the tide goes out you’ll discover the pools of water where local Newlyn artists used to hang out naked.

Shopping

For self-catering supplies, Penzance is a 20-minute drive away and has a Tesco on Bramwell Lane; the perfect stop-off shop if you’re arriving via the A30 (Tuesday to Friday: open 24 hours; Monday: 8am–12am; Saturday: open until 10pm; Sunday: 10am–4pm.) Also in Penzance is a Co-op on Market Jew Street (Monday to Saturday: 8am–10pm; Sunday: 10am–4pm) and Threshers on Market Place (Monday to Saturday: 9am–10pm; Sunday: 12pm–10pm).

Activities

The open-air amphitheatre at Minack Theatre in Porthcurno is THE must-tick (+44 (0)1736 810181; www.minack.com). Built into the rocks, waves crash dramatically behind the set as you sit facing the sea. (Locals' tip: pack a picnic hamper for a sunset play.) There’s also a great little clifftop café, worth a visit even if you’re not watching a performance. The Lost Gardens of Heligan (www.heligan.com) are a 45-minute drive away: think Kew Gardens, then double it. Sennen beach is Cornwall's famous surfing spot. Fly by helicopter from the Penzance Heliport to the Isles of Scilly (+44(0)1736 363871, www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com).

Cafes

Jessie’s Dairy

+44 (0)1736 732192

For just-out-of-the-oven Cornish pasties and dollops of clotted cream with everything. This café also has a secluded garden at the back.
9 Fore Street, Mousehole, Penzance, Cornwall. TR19 6TQ

2 Fore Street

+44 (0)1736 731164

A fresh pastel-coloured café and restaurant with courtyard, serving everything from coffee and cake to fresh fish, crab florentine and pan-roasted hake. Open 10h–23h (lunch 12h30–16h; dinner 18h–23h).
2 Fore Street, Mousehole, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6PL (www.2forestreet.co.uk)

Restaurants

The Old Coastguard Hotel Bar & Restaurant

+44 (0)1736 731222

Sea-view dining inside – or outside on a manicured garden terrace. With fresh local lobster, fish from Newlyn harbour, specialist breads and organic sorbets, turbot, this place has the reputation as being Mousehole’s best restaurant.
Mousehole, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6PR (www.oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk)

Fifteen Cornwall

+44 (0)1637 861000

Jamie Oliver’s place is near the airport, so stop off on your way home – or when arriving. Breakfast: 08h30–10h30. Lunch: 12h–17h. Dinner: 18h30–00h. Restaurant closed on Thursday 21 June for breakfast, and all day on Friday 22 June.
On the beach, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA

The Cornish Range Restaurant

+44 (0)1736 731488

Once a pilchard-processing factory, this is now a great eatery in which to feast on succulent seafood. If you've already indulged in a holiday's worth of haddock and co, try the local meats and West Country cheeses.
6 Chapel Street, Mousehole, Cornwall, TR19 6SB

Bars

Lamorna Wink

+44 (0)1637 731566

Next to The Cove, this pub dates back to the 1830s. Stone walls are covered in booty sailors have brought back from their travels; swords, caps and flags hang from the ceiling. Open 11h–15h for bar snacks, then 18h –23h for drinks only.
Lamorna Wink, Lamorna, TR19 6XH

Logan Rock Inn

+44 (0)1637 810495

On the way to Minack Theatre and Porthcurno beach, this is definitely worth a lunch stop. Wood-panelled walls and beams stretch over Cornish real ales, ploughmans plates and bowls of crumble with clotted cream. Open 10h–00h (last orders at 23h).
On the beach, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA

The Ship Inn

+44 (0)1637 731234

Mousehole’s ancient harbour-side pub with St. Austell ales
South Cliff, Mousehole, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6QX

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Cornwall, check out our Cornwall restaurant guide

For a full list of recommended activities in Cornwall, check out our Cornwall destination guide

Print property details