The walk from Sennen Cove to Land's End is one of the shortest and most rewarding stretches of the South West Coast Path. In about a mile you go from a sweeping surf beach to the westernmost point of mainland England, with granite cliffs, sea birds and views out to the Longships lighthouse all the way. It is an easy walk to fit into a day in West Cornwall, and well worth doing on foot rather than driving straight to Land's End.
Getting there and parking
Sennen Cove sits at the southern end of Whitesand Bay, just off the A30 about a mile before Land's End. There is a pay-and-display car park near the harbour at the western end of the village and another above the beach. Both get busy in summer. Buses from Penzance stop in Sennen and at Land's End, so you can walk one way and catch the bus back.
Sennen Cove
Sennen is a small village with a big beach. Whitesand Bay is a long stretch of pale sand that picks up Atlantic swell, making it one of the best surf beaches in West Cornwall. In summer it is lifeguarded, and there are surf schools and board hire nearby. At the harbour end, look out for the RNLI lifeboat station, the Round House, a former capstan house that is now a gallery, and the small working harbour.
The walk
From the harbour car park, follow the coast path signs west and uphill past the lookout on Pedn-men-du, a granite headland popular with climbers. The path then runs along the cliff top, with Land's End coming into view ahead. Along the way you pass the remains of Maen Castle, one of the oldest Iron Age cliff castles in Cornwall, marked by a stone rampart across the headland.
The path is well walked and mostly level after the first climb, but it is rocky in places and runs close to steep drops, so keep children and dogs close. Allow around 30 to 45 minutes each way at a relaxed pace, longer if you stop to watch the sea.
Land's End
Land's End is the westernmost point of mainland England, about 870 miles from John o' Groats in Scotland, the classic end-to-end journey. The headland has a visitor complex with shops, cafés and attractions, and the famous signpost where you can have your photo taken, which may carry a charge. Beyond the buildings, though, the main attraction is free: the cliffs themselves, the Longships lighthouse a mile offshore, and on a clear day the Isles of Scilly on the horizon, about 28 miles away.
Wildlife to look for
The cliffs between Sennen and Land's End are good for seabirds, including fulmars, gulls and gannets diving offshore. Grey seals are often seen in the water below. In late summer, look out for basking sharks and dolphins on calm days. In spring and summer the cliff tops are bright with heather, thrift and gorse.
Making it longer
If you want a longer day, continue south from Land's End along the coast path past Nanjizal Bay and Gwennap Head to Porthgwarra and on to Porthcurno, a challenging but beautiful walk of around six miles in all from Sennen. Check bus times in advance if you plan to finish there.
Good to know
- This is an exposed headland, and the weather can change quickly. Bring a windproof layer even on sunny days.
- There are toilets and cafés in Sennen Cove and at Land's End.
- Sunset from the cliffs is spectacular. If you walk back afterwards, bring a torch.
- Dogs are welcome on the coast path but should be kept on leads near livestock and cliff edges.
Photos: The coast path near Sennen Cove by Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0; Land's End by Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0; via Wikimedia Commons.
