Holiday rentals in Sennen Cove

Of all of Cornwall’s beautiful beaches, spectacular Sennen Cove ranks right up there with the best. Sapphire waves lap against its golden sands while chilled vibes emanate from streets peppered with galleries, surf shops, and traditional pubs. This is one of the farthest-flung parts of the county, giving Sennen a thrilling end-of-the-line feel, and making it a prime spot for some of the best surfing conditions in the country. The village is home to one of the United Kingdom’s longest-running surf schools, with breaks around the bay suited to all abilities.

Other great beaches punctuate the coast in both directions, including crowd-free Nanjizal and tiny, white-sand Porthgwarra to the south, and the arty harbours of Mousehole and Newlyn lie on the east side of the peninsula. A lovely mile’s walk leads to Cornwall’s westernmost tip, Land’s End, whose noisy amusements seem somewhat out of place in this gloriously untrammelled and wildly beautiful landscape.

On a hot day, Sennen can be absolutely glorious. The heavenly summer season for booking one of the area’s cottages stretches from May to October, when basking sharks can sometimes be spotted offshore. Book outside of the peak school holiday period from mid-July to the end of August if you want to avoid crowds. The cleanest, most consistent surf is usually in spring, particularly April, although big swells can hit in autumn and winter. Fun local festivals include the gorgeous neighbouring village of St Just’s jolly Lafrowda in July, an arts and music celebration with parades and kids’ activities; and the Newlyn PZ International Film Festival in April, which showcases short films about Cornwall and by Cornish directors.

Arty harbours

Cross the Penwith Peninsula east to discover the postcard-perfect towns of Newlyn, Penzance, and Mousehole, home to many art galleries and fabulous seafood restaurants. Newlyn is a renowned artists’ colony, whose history dates back to the 1880s when artists were drawn here by the quality of natural light.

Minack Theatre

This magical open-air theatre has one of the most incredible settings in the world, carved into granite cliffs overlooking the sea. Behind the stone stage, the water sparkles and the audience perches on amphitheatre-style seats to watch performances that range from opera and plays for children to musical acts. The theatre is open seasonally, from April until October. Be sure to appreciate the subtropical gardens, which add exotic colour to the setting, and pop down to the wonderful Porthcurno Beach, a short walk below the cliffs.

South West Coast Path

The 630-mile South West Coast Path follows the entire Cornish coastline, and then some, passing Sennen. Go as far as you can in either direction for astounding black cliffs, white sand coves, and killer views that will vie for space as your screensaver.