Visit West Cornwall

Whether you are looking for a gift for a friend or relative, a souvenir of your visit, or simply to treat yourself, the towns and villages of West Cornwall offer shoppers a wonderfull mix of galleries and craft shops, fashion and textiles, designers, jewellery, antiques, and fresh farm produce.

In the narrow cobbled streets of St Ives radiating from the harbour are the studios and galleries of artists and designers inspired by the colours and light of this part of the world. There is also a good mix of surf, home interiors, clothes and high street shops. Here you can find your own unique reminder of the essence of Cornwall.

Penzance is a major market town serving the surrounding towns and villages, and the rural area comprising the Land's End peninsula. The Wharfside Shopping Centre has extended the facilities in the town and a wide range of shops are available in this charming maritime environment. Don't miss out on Causeway Head, a pedestrianised area with a wide variety of small outlets.

Hayle, which was formerly the industrial heart of Cornwall, is now a popular town with holiday makers and locals alike. The magnificent beaches make the town a magnet for surfers and there are a variety of shops offering equipment, wet-suits and designer clothing. Hayle also has a hint of the high street, with the new West Cornwall Shopping Park on the outskirts of the town.

Keen gardeners who have been inspired by the gardens of West Cornwall can visit a range of nurseries and garden centres for friendly advice to help choose exotic plants to take home for their own gardens.

Farm shops, bakeries and fish mongers are just a few examples of outlets selling local produce which can be found throughout West Cornwall. A guide for where to find, buy, or eat locally produced food and drink is available from Tourist Information Centres.

Made in Cornwall

Cornwall is renowned for its artistic qualities and craftsmanship, the description 'Cornish' is associated with quality.

The 'Made in Cornwall' scheme was developed in 1991 to identify genuine Cornish produce. Under the control of Cornwall County Council's Trading Standards Service, the 'Made in Cornwall' logo was introduced for local producers to use in association with their genuine Cornish Products.

The range of products registered with the scheme continues to grow as more and more manufacturers join.

The scheme has attracted over 1,000 small, medium and large producers looking to sell good quality, locally made products. These include food, a wide range of crafts, art, toys, clothing, jewellery, furniture, leisure goods - even motorised scooters - many of which are produced using traditional methods.

There are hundreds of studios and galleries in the towns and as many out in the countryside of West Cornwall. As you explore you will find many which welcome visitors and some also offer refreshment - explore, wander in, surround yourself.

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