Local Sightseeing


Cape Cornwall

Porthcurno from the
Minack Theatre

Minack Theatre

St Michael's Mount
Kerris Farm is an ideal base for visiting the many sights of West Cornwall including Land's End, St Ives, the Minack Theatre and St Michael's Mount, being situated 2.5 miles inland from Mousehole and Newlyn.

Newlyn is a busy fishing port supplying fresh fish to many restaurants in West Cornwall. There are art galleries to visit and places to eat.

Nearby Mousehole has a picturesque harbour, and is ideal for eating having many pubs, restaurants, and fish and chips.

Further along the cost are small beaches Penberth, Porthcurno, and Porthgwarra. The famous Minack Theatre overlooks the beach at Porthcurno from the cliffs above.

Around the corner from Land's End is Sennen Cove, of ancient smuggling fame. This beach offers surfing from a mile of golden sand, with Land's End half a mile away and within walking distance.

Cape Cornwall is the only cape in England, where two seas meet, the Atlantic and the English Channel. The coastline from here round to St Ives is rugged and dramatic, steeped in the history of Cornwall's mining past.

One of the best places to see evidence of the old tin mines is at Levant, where on certain days during the season, the beam engine is fired up, and guided tours take place. (See the National Trust web site for further details).

Further around the coast is Gurnards Head, with views to the Pendeen lighthouse.

St Ives is noted for its artist community and the Tate Gallery. The quaint streets are worth a visit and there are many fine places to eat. There are also wonderful beaches.

Numerous south coast beaches are within easy reach of Kerris, from tiny unspoilt coves, some reached only on foot, to the easily accessible sweeping sands of Mounts Bay and St Michael's Mount at Marazion.

Penzance is the nearest town, with several good places to eat, and views across Mounts Bay.

Around Penzance there are gardens to visit, including Trewidden and the National Trust's Trengwainton.

Inland there are many ancient sites to visit, including stone circles, fogous, standing stones and prehistoric huts.


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the EU, EAGF and DEFRA

Kerris

Kerris itself has its oldest building dating back to the 1200's. It has been a site of habitation since the Iron Age. The Celts arrived from Western Europe around 800BC heralding the arrival of the Iron Age. They spoke the Brythonic language, the forerunner of the Welsh, Cornish and Breton languages.

The Iron Age hill fort at Kerris was known as a Roundago. What remains of it today is no more than low humps in a field. The Roundago was an elliptical structure, with four pillars at its entrance, each eight feet high. Most of the stones were taken away in 1820 and used to rebuild Penzance Pier.

Standing stones, or 'Menhirs' as they are known in Cornish, are very common in this area. A few yards away from the Roundago is the Tresvannack Stone, which stands around 3.5m tall, with a further 1.2m below ground. At the base of this stone in 1840 were found a pair of urns under a large slab of granite. The urns are now kept at Penlee Museum.


Further afield



The Lost Gardens of Heligan


Within easy travelling distance of Kerris are famous attractions such as the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and the beaches at Newquay.

There are many fine gardens to visit. Trelissick and Glendurgan gardens are near Truro, both properties being National Trust. Trebah gardens are next door to Glendurgan, both reaching down to the Helford River Passage. Trerice gardens are inland near Newquay. Truro itself has a magnificent cathedral.

The Lizard is the most Southerly point in England, and has fine views over the English Channel from the clifftops. There are good walks along the costal paths in both directions. Kynance Cove is worth visiting and is just round the coast from the Lizard.




The Lizard