Sennen Cove
OS grid ref:- SW 352 261
Sennen Cove, on the Penwith Peninsula, lies a mile (1.5km) northeast of Land's End.
Sheltered by the headland of Ped-men-du, the cove nestles in the southeast corner of Whitesand Bay and is a popular spot with surfers. Once a pilchard fishing station, there is a harbour and beach, where pleasure boat cruises operate regularly.The wide sandy beach is popular with surfers.
The South West Coast Path passes the cove, which is about a mile walk from Land's End, this particular stretch of the path traverses some of the most spectacular scenery Cornwall has to offer.
The unspoilt village of Sennen strddles the hillside above the cove and is the most westerly village in Cornwall. Sennen, known in Cornish as Sen Senan, has a pub/restaurant and a gallery/gift shop in the Roundhouse. Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station was founded in 1853. Sennen Parish Church dates from the thirteenth century and holds the distinction of being the westernmost church in Great Britain, there has been a religious building on the spot since the sixth century. St. Sennen or Senanus was an Irish abbot who accompanied St. Buryan into Cornwall.
Nearby Mayon Cliff, owned by the National Trust, is surmounted by an impressive cliff castle, with drops sheer down to the sea. Basking sharks may sometimes be sighted off the rocks in the summer months. The name Mayon derives from the Cornish maen, meaning stone.
Walks from Sennen Cove
*Land's End Cliff top Walk - commencing from the car park behind the Roundhouse, this walk is part of the Southwest Coast Footpath, encompassing some panoramic scenery. Dolphins and seals can sometimes be sighted. The walk passes ancient Maen Castle, dating from pre-300B.C., it is now owned by the National Trust.
*Whitesand Bay Walk - commences where the footpath meets the road leading into Sennen Cove and continues to Aire Point. It is possible to walk back along the beach if the tide is out.