Land’s End: A Guide to an Iconic Cornish Landmark

As one of the most iconic landmarks in Cornwall, Land’s End has long been a popular destination to visit in the Duchy.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Land’s End and explore everything this attraction has to offer.

From its natural beauty to its fascinating history, and the more recent entertaining additions, there’s something for everyone.

Read more for a virtual tour of Land’s End…

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Why is Land’s End famous?

Land’s End is famous for being the most south-westerly point of Britain’s mainland. Land’s End is part of Cornwall at the tip of the Penwith Peninsula, the area of West Cornwall.

Where is Land’s End?

Some of the nearby villages and towns include Sennen, Porthcurno, and Penzance. Land’s End is just under 18 miles from St Ives, around a 35 minute’s drive.

Known for its stunning coastal views and rich history, the terrain is made up of rocky headland. Granite cliffs reaching heights of 200 feet tower over the Atlantic Ocean below.

Visitors can enjoy devouring the views of the Isles of Scilly, around 8 miles from the shore, as well as waves crashing on Longships Lighthouse.

History of Land’s End

Dating back to the Iron Age, the history of Land’s End tells us that ancient Celts built a number of hillforts on the cliffs.

In later years, Romans built several settlements there too. It was only coming into the Middle Ages that Land’s End became an established and important trade route.

Fisherman and smugglers brought goods in and out of the country here, adding further history and legend to the location.

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Is it free to visit Land’s End?

The short answer is yes, you can visit Land’s End for free.

The only thing you definitely will have to pay for is parking. You can park at Land’s End car park which is more expensive, or you can park further out somewhere cheaper, like Sennen, and walk to Land’s End from there.

Land’s End has become an all-singing, all-dancing visitor attraction, so it makes a great day out for families and tourists.

But if you’re just searching for those stunning views and clifftop strolls at the end of England, then you can do just that.

Can you visit Land’s End in the evening?

Yes you can. Make a trip after hours to watch the sunset at Land’s End for a magical experience.

According to reviews on TripAdvisor, the parking rates are cheaper after hours, the crowds are nearly non-existant and the views are uninterrupted. What’s not to love?

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Is Land’s End worth visiting?

We think Land’s End is definitely worth visiting if you’re visiting West Cornwall. It’s one of the UK’s most iconic attractions and offers some stunning scenery to take in.

As mentioned already, Land’s End has lots of new additions in terms of its attractions in recent years.

You can grab a delicious doughnut from Land’s End Doughnut Company, grab an ice cream from their very own Ice Cream Parlour, and even enjoy a bit of shopping at The West Country Shopping Village.

You can also see the First and Last House, named as such because it’s either the first house in England you come to or the last, depending on whether you’re leaving or arriving!

Events at Land’s End

As well as its year-round attractions, Land’s End hosts various events throughout the year.

So far for 2023, Land’s End is putting their popular Magic in the Skies Fireworks evenings across 12 dates this summer.

Described on their website as an evening of “live music, sunsets and a cocktail of pyrotechnic wizardry”, it’s a great way to enjoy this attraction.

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Attractions at Land’s End

Aardman Presents: A Grand Experience

Featuring several iconic Aardman characters you know and love, this “baaa-rilliantly interactive experience” is great for all ages.

Take a look at Morph’s interactive room, and even nosey at Wallace & Gromit’s living room.

Find Shaun the Sheep there too and the naughty pigs!

Arthur’s Quest

Did you know that King Arthur of Camelot could have really been King Arthur of Cornwall?

Arthur’s Quest is an exciting adventure of history and legend. You’ll learn about how Arthur was probably a real person, as well as more of the myths and legends that surround him.

On this quest you must escape the fiery beast and solve a puzzle to free the imprisoned King Arthur.

Using the latest technology to create an exciting and sometimes scary atmosphere, this is sure to raise some hairs on the back of your neck!

4D Film Experience: Jolly Roger

Take in an exciting 4D experience during your Land’s End day out.

The 4D cinema experience will see you immersed in the screen, with 3D visuals as well as air blasts, seat movement and even squirting water! You will literally feel as though you’re right there in the film.

The film currently showing is Jolly Roger 4D. The story follows Robinson Crusoe and his dog Aynsley who are shipwrecked. They must find their way home back to England despite the obstacles that nasty pirates throw in their way. It’s great fun for all the family!

Greeb Farm

Found just a little ways away from the other Land’s End attractions is Greeb Farm.

This 200-year-old farmstead is home to an array of small animals and is a fantastic family-friendly attraction.

Both you and your little ones can make friends with goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, miniature ponies and pigs!

Greeb Farm have special feeding and petting times too so you can get even more up close. The farm also has a few traditional Cornish craft workshops, converted from the old barn.

The Iconic Signpost

Established by a local family-run business who erected the sign in the 1950s, the Land’s End Signpost is now an iconic image.

If you’re embarking on the epic Land’s End to John O’Groats journey (see more about that here), then it’s essentially a requirement to get a photo with this sign!

Do you have to pay for a photo at Land’s End?

Yes and no… A local photography company still owns the sign, so you do have to pay to pose right next to it. They will make it personalised though, by putting the name of your town and the distance from Land’s End on the sign.

However, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a selfie with the sign or getting one with the sign that’s slightly further away for free like I did!

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Land’s End walks

Sennen Cove to Land’s End Circular Walk – 3.3 miles/5.3 km

Described as a moderately difficult walk, Sennen Cove to Land’s End or visa versa is a beautiful and relatively short walk.

The route takes you along the South West Coast Path one way and back through the Penwith Peninsula countryside the other. It’s also a great way to avoid paying for the more expensive Land’s End parking if you begin at Sennen Cove!

Land’s End to Porthcurno Linear Walk – 5.8 miles/9.3 km

This walk takes in some epic scenery and sights! From shipwrecks and secluded shores, to a cliffside theatre and ancient artefacts. And amazing wildlife along the way if you’re lucky!

Travelling along the South West Coast Path once again, this walk takes you from Land’s End Hostel to Porthcurno.

Enjoy exploring the granite cliffside, and taking in the beautiful Cornish seascape.

Keep a look out for the soft-plumaged petrel and the black-browed albatross at Gwennap Head. And in summer, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and sometimes even basking sharks.

When you reach Porthcurno, be sure to check out the amazing Minack Theatre. Minack is Cornish for ‘rocky place’ and is an apt name for this outdoor theatre built into the Logan Rock headland. Hosting a range of plays, weather permitting, throughout summer, it’s one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions.

• Like the sound of these walks? Read our blog post on coastal walks in Cornwall here.

Land’s End to John O’Groats

Land’s End to John O’Groats is the furthest journey you can take within the British Isles without changing direction. This epic route, also known as the ‘End-to-End’, is usually cycled on roads totalling a distance of 874 miles.

But there are some brave hikers who have taken the off-road route, around a whopping 1,200 miles! As a walk, it’s usually completed in 2 to 3 months. There are some motivated people out there who have run the distance, with the record set by Andi Rivett with a time of 9 days and 2 hours.

But it’s not just running, cycling, and walking records that have been set. Back in 2010, three skateboarders took on the End-to-End challenge and averaged 50 miles of skateboarding a day. They managed to beat the previous UK distance skateboarding record by 5 days, completing the long journey in 21 days.

You don’t have to complete it all in one go though! Some people choose to tackle the route over the course of years, decades, or a lifetime.

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Wildlife at Land’s End

Like much of Cornwall, Land’s End is home to some beautiful wildlife. Bring your binoculars if you’re an avid birdwatcher.

With the rugged cliffs offering excellent homesteads, you can catch sight of a variety of seabirds. Look out for guillemots, puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, razorbills, and even the once extinct Cornish chough.

Are there dolphins at Land’s End?

Land’s End is one of the top places in Cornwall for dolphin spotting. Common and bottlenose dolphins are regularly sighted throughout the year.

The clifftop Wildlife Discover Centre hide, owned by the RSPB, is a great spot to view dolphins at Land’s End. You can access this hide via the South West Coast Path and take advantage of the hide’s high powered optics.

Can you see whales at Land’s End too?

Yes, if you’re lucky! There’s usually a handful of whale sightings a year, mostly Minke whales.

Views are often from an extreme distance though. More common species sighted are Risso’s dolphins and the harbour porpoise.

Basking sharks are often seen in warmer weather, between April and September, and can be several metres in length.

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Holiday cottages near Land’s End

Visit one of Cornwall’s most iconic landmarks during a self-catering break to Cornwall. Book a luxury base in Carbis Bay or St Ives for all of your West Cornwall adventures.

Land’s End is only a 35-minute car journey, or a 2-hour cycle, from Carbis Bay and St Ives.

Book a Carbis Bay Cottage today