Experience West Cornwall out of season

From guided foraging walks to rock pooling and fishing trips, there’s so much more to the coast than buckets and spades. Visiting in the off-season means you get to make the most of the wide-open spaces, plus most of the beaches are dog friendly from autumn onwards.

Visit West Cornwall beaches out of season

Whether you’re brave enough to join the local sea swimmers or want to learn more about what’s beneath the waves, these itineraries will inspire you to get out there. There’s even a site-specific artwork, Gwelen, to discover along the coastal path between Penzance and Marazion. Experience the coast without the crowds and the beauty of Cornwall’s beaches in the winter.

Cold water swimming; Marazion

There’s nothing quite like a skin-tingling swim in the sea to reinvigorate you during a break. In Marazion, you’ll find the shallow and relatively sheltered waters of Mount’s Bay, home to St Michael’s Mount. Swimmers dare to dip even in the winter, but make sure you have a warming cup of tea waiting for you when you get out, and follow this advice from the RNLI.

Please note: There are no lifeguards in the off-season, so it’s always safer to swim with others.

Fishing trips with Hook & Cook

In the half-day rock fishing trip, Justin at Hook & Cook will guide you to the best fishing spots in West Cornwall. He’ll show you how to use your lure and keep or release any fish you catch. With mackerel, pollock and sea bass found in the area, it’s a great way to find a new connection to the coast and your food.

Or you can set sail for a true taste of the coast. ‘The whole adventure’ from Hook & Cook is a two-day fishing experience in Penzance. On day one, you’ll set sail from Penzance Harbour on a chartered boat for a 4hr fishing experience. On day two, you’ll learn how to prepare and cook your catch in the Hook & Cook kitchen or at your holiday let. Find out more and book your experience here.

Treen walk along the South West Coast Path

Explore a traditional Cornish village and enjoy a spectacular coastal walk. In Treen, you’ll find granite cottages, the Logan Rock Inn and the perfectly balanced rock that gives the pub its name. From the cliffs, you can continue along the coast path to the soft sands of Porthcurno beach and the dramatic Minack Theatre. Keen to pull on your walking boots? Get the route here.

Paddleboard lesson; Hoxton Special

Experience the beauty of Mount’s Bay on a stand-up paddleboard. The sport has grown in popularity over recent years and it’s easy to see why people enjoy floating around the bay, enjoying St Michael’s Mount from the sea. You can arrange paddleboard hire and lessons through the Hoxton Special, then pop into their café afterwards for a warming flat white and a bagel.

Geothermal swim at the Jubilee Pool

With its striking art deco style, the Jubilee Pool is the perfect place to enjoy the benefits of a saltwater dip without the chill. This incredible seawater lido is the largest in the UK. It also benefits from a geothermal pool, which was completed in 2020 and is heated to 30-35 degrees by water from an underground well. Book your Geothermal Pool ticket here to enjoy a 55-minute soak. More info here.

Fishing port and market; Newlyn

From its bustling fish market to the traditional granite cottages and the brightly coloured boats bobbing around in the harbour, there’s so much about Newlyn that feels quintessentially Cornish. Over the years, the town has also attracted artists and creators, so there are galleries and unique shops to explore too. See the Newlyn Harbour website for more inspiration.

Penzance to Marazion (Walk/Cycle) on the South West Coast Path

You don’t need a car to have a coastal adventure in Penzance. This gentle 2.7-mile walk from Penzance to Marazion follows the recently upgraded coast path and enjoys views across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount. More information here.

While you’re gazing out at the water, it might surprise you to learn that below the waves lies the remains of an ancient forest. To bring this secret landscape to life, local artist Emma Smith has created a site-specific artwork, ‘Gwelen’. You will find her wooden ‘seeing sticks’ dotted along the coast path. The installation is accompanied by a podcast, which will introduce you to Emma Smith and her work.