As locals, we have spent countless hours walking the South West Coast Path. In fact, when you are walking the coast path, time becomes irrelevant, it is almost like a meditation as you hike through these evocative landscapes.
The circular route from Sennen to Land’s End is a particularly special route that all ages love, especially as we combine it with a trip to the Minack Theatre.
This coast path route takes us to the most westerly part of the UK – the famous landmark of Land’s End – with its spectacular views out across the Atlantic Ocean!
One of the things we love about this circular walk is that it includes both the coast and some inland paths too.
On the inland walk back, the route takes us across farmer’s fields and even through someone’s back garden! Don’t worry, these are all part of the official coast path with its rights of way that date back hundreds of years.
For our Junior Summer School students, the walk from Sennen to Land’s End is perfect. At Land’s End there is a small theme park where our teenage students enjoy browsing for souvenirs, getting a snack and enjoying the attractions. Then we can make our way back inland and complete our loop back to Sennen, where we relax on the sand and have a beach picnic before our evening entertainment at the Minack Theatre.
The walk from Sennen to Land’s End is brimming with unforgettable moments:
As soon as we arrive in Sennen, we have stunning views across to Cape Cornwall (which, until the first Ordnance Survey in the early 1800s, was believed to be the most westerly point in Cornwall!).
On a clear day, it’s possible to glimpse the Scilly Isles on the horizon. This archipelago is made up of around 140 islands, with 5 of which that are inhabited by about 2,000 people.
On the inland stretch of our walk, we cross beautiful farmland and fields (all still following the official coast path route). This takes us right up to the historic lighthouse keepers’ houses. These were the houses where the men tending to the iconic Land’s End lighthouse would spend their rest weeks. It’s hard to imagine how isolating it must’ve been living in the lighthouse for weeks at a time.
On the coastal stretch of our walk, we can stop to look down at an actual shipwreck! The RMS Mulheim was a German cargo ship that hit the rocks in 2003 and its remains have stayed against the cliffs ever since. Fortunately, no one died in the accident but it’s a stark reminder of the power of the ocean.
No visit to this area would be complete without a stop at the famous Land’s End signpost, marking the UK’s most westerly point. Here, students can take photos and read how many kilometres they are from the Isles of Scilly, New York and John O’Groats (one of the most Northerly points of the UK mainland).
Because Cornwall has so much to offer, no two excursions are ever the same! We love to offer something a bit different to every group, depending on their ages, interests, and requests. For those that fancy a chill time at the beach, returning to Sennen is the perfect option for a picnic. But others might want to extend this easy walk into something even more special, and Nanjizal is a truly special spot, especially if you are interested in a sea dip.
A huge part of these coast walk excursions is us sharing our local knowledge along the way.
There are so many stories we can share as we pass the lighthouse keepers’ houses and look down upon the shipwreck that lies amongst the rocks as we make our way from Sennen to Land’s End.
The most memorable of these stories has to be the legend of Lyonesse. This is Cornwall’s very own Atlantis! A legendary village that sat on the land the once connected this coastline to the Isles of Scilly.
The myth speaks of Lyonesse disappearing in a single night. The village also played an important role in the Arthurian legend, Tristan and Iseult. This tale of star-crossed lovers predates Romeo and Juliet, and finds its roots in Cornwall, with Lyonesse being Tristan’s home.
As with many legends, the lines between myth and reality are blurred. There is archeological evidence of Bronze Age settlements between Land’s End and the Scilly Isles that have since been lost to the ocean.
Sharing these stories with our students, as we look out across the ocean, gives them a real flavour of the rich history of this land.
These coastal adventures are a chance to connect with Cornwall’s beauty, history and culture. The walk from Sennen to Land’s End is perfect for all ages and interests, particularly as we finish up at the Minack Theatre!
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