Lat 50.0760° N, lon 5.6980° W●Cornish village

Sennen CoveSennen

Sennen is the parish at the western tip of the Penwith peninsula, about 8 miles west southwest of Penzance.

Where to stay

Sennen Cove at a glance

Sennen Cove and Sennen: Whitesand Bay surf, a lifeboat harbour and the coast path to Land's End

Sennen is the parish at the western tip of the Penwith peninsula, about 8 miles west southwest of Penzance. Its church town is described as the most westerly village in mainland England. Sennen Cove is the harbour village below it, about two miles from Land's End, reached by a spur road off the A30.

Sennen Cove Beach sits at the southern end of Whitesand Bay, a large sandy beach that runs north towards Gwenver. Visit Cornwall calls it the most westerly surf spot in the country. RNLI lifeguards patrol daily from 10am to 6pm in the main season, which runs from early spring to the start of November. The beach is exposed to Atlantic swell, so always swim between the red and yellow flags.

The harbour shelters a small fleet of fishing boats behind a breakwater built in 1908. Sennen Cove lifeboat station was founded in 1853 and runs an all weather and an inshore lifeboat. The Round House beside it once held a winch for hauling boats up the beach and is now a gallery and shop.

Sennen Cove was once Cornwall's most important seine fishery for mullet. In 1881 a transatlantic telegraph cable was landed here. Up the hill, the parish church, dedicated to St Sinninus, has stood since at least the 15th century and has a three stage battlemented tower.

The South West Coast Path runs through the cove. It climbs past Pedn men du headland and the Iron Age cliff castle at Maen Castle to Land's End, about a mile away. The open top Land's End Coaster bus stops in the cove between St Just and Land's End, and buses link Sennen Cove with Penzance.

Planning questions

Frequently asked questions about Sennen Cove

Is Sennen Cove beach lifeguarded?

Yes. The RNLI patrols Sennen beach daily from 10am to 6pm in the main season, from early spring to around the start of November. Dates can change at short notice, so check the RNLI page before you go. Lifeguards only cover the area between the red and yellow flags.

Can dogs go on Sennen Cove beach?

Cornwall Council bans dogs from Sennen beach from 15 May to 30 September, between 10am and 6pm. Outside those dates and times dogs are welcome. Nanjizal, a little beyond Land's End on the coast path, is described as dog friendly.

Where is the harbour car park in Sennen Cove?

The harbour car park is the smaller one at the far western end of the cove, past the lifeboat station. Another car park sits right behind the beach, and a large field car park is at the top of the hill. The lower car parks are pay and display and fill up early in summer.

Where is the Old Success Inn?

The Old Success Inn is in Sennen Cove, TR19 7DG, overlooking Whitesand Bay. CAMRA says it began as a pair of granite cottages and became an alehouse in 1671. It serves food at lunch and in the evening and has 12 letting rooms and 3 flats.

How long is the walk from Sennen Cove to Land's End?

Land's End is about a mile from Sennen Cove along the South West Coast Path. The route is mostly flat, with one long climb from the cove up to Mayon Cliff. You pass Pedn men du headland and Maen Castle, an Iron Age cliff castle. A circular version returns on part of National Cycle Route 3 and is about two and a half miles.

Is Sennen Cove good for surfing?

Yes. Sennen is well known for surf and Visit Cornwall calls it the most westerly surf spot in the country. The cove is more sheltered from wind and swell than Gwenver at the other end of the bay, and it works best with a westerly swell and a light easterly wind. Surf gear can be hired on the beach.

⌖

Interactive map

Looking for somewhere to stay in Sennen Cove?

See the stays on the map, add your dates and guests, then check availability on Booking.com.

Plan your stay in Sennen Cove on the map