Visit West Cornwall

West Penwith with its three seas, rugged coastal headlands with cliffs and stacks, open heaths and moors, farmland, and the sheltered sandy bays and estuaries, is important for wildlife and offers great opportunities to get close to nature. The air is clear and clean giving spectacular views and a healthy environment in which to enjoy it.

The confluence of the English Channel, Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea off West Cornwall, makes this one of the richest districts in England for sea life. About 10 species of cliff nesting seabirds come here in varying numbers to breed and the area supports important populations of species such as shag as well as good numbers of species such as fulmar, razorbill and guillemot. Grey seals breed and are a regular sight around the coast. During migration, hundreds of thousands of seabirds pass these shores including a significant proportion of the world’s gannets, kittiwakes, Manx and Balearic shearwaters. These enjoy our plankton-rich seas with a wide variety of other marine life including bottle-nosed dolphin, harbour porpoise, basking shark and turtle.

As you go west even the roadside walls and hedges overflow with vivid wild flowers, throw in the brilliant Cornish light and life really does take on a mellow rosy glow. We guarantee you'll smile as you spot butterflies and little creatures you haven't seen since you were closer to the earth, as a child.

Spring comes earliest here, the dramatic coastline of West Cornwall is covered with swathes of heady scented semi-wild narcissi and golden daffodils, fluffy pink thrift, powder-blue quill, and snow-white campion. Miles of wild garden at your feet - and it's all free, thanks to the Cornwall Coastal Footpath.

There is a lot more to life in West Cornwall, if you take a bit more time to look, listen and take it all in. Tread gently though, as you are sharing your holiday with lots of wildlife, some fragile, others rare or disappearing.

More information on wildlife in West Cornwall

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