Sennen Cove
Sennen Cove sits at the base of Land's End, the westernmost point of mainland England, within a curving bay that faces directly west into the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of Cornwall's most beautiful beaches and most popular surf locations, a broad crescent of pale sand backed by the whitewashed cottages and lifeboat station of the small village, with the Land's End headland rising to the north and the open Atlantic stretching to the horizon in every other direction. The beach benefits from the Atlantic swells that have crossed thousands of kilometres of open ocean to arrive at this corner of Cornwall with all their energy intact. The consistent quality of the surf here attracts surfers of all levels throughout the year, with conditions suitable for beginners in gentler summer swells and challenging waves for experienced surfers during autumn and winter storms. The beach's west-facing aspect means it can pick up swell from a wide range of angles, and its relatively sheltered position within the cove provides some protection from the most extreme conditions. The village of Sennen has maintained its character as a working harbour community alongside its role as a tourist destination. The lifeboat station, now housing one of the most modern lifeboats in the RNLI fleet, represents a tradition of maritime rescue service that stretches back to 1853 and reflects the historic dangers of this exposed stretch of coast. The harbour itself, used by local fishing boats and pleasure craft, retains much of its original structure and the Round House at the harbour entrance is one of the most photographed buildings in Cornwall. Land's End, a mile or so north along the coastal path, provides the dramatic clifftop scenery and the famous signposts indicating distances to various world cities. The South West Coast Path running through Sennen toward Land's End and north toward Cape Cornwall passes through some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in southwest England, with ancient granite cliffs carved into extraordinary shapes by centuries of Atlantic battering. The sunsets over the Atlantic from Sennen Cove are among the finest in Britain, and the absence of light pollution in this remote corner of Cornwall makes the night sky here exceptional for stargazing.