Local Places of Interest (see pictures above)

The Little Barn and The Cabin are situated on the edge of the wild Cucurrian Valley through which runs a swift and darkly flowing stream known as the Red River. Its source lies in the high and wild Penwith Moors above Zennor and it meanders down to Cucurrian Valley creating numerous waterfalls on its way, finally emerging on the beach and into the sea at Marazion.

A round walk from The Little Barn or The Cabin takes you to a little known beauty spot, The Ford, where the stream flows across a small country road. A pretty rustic footbridge allows one passage. This is a favourite spot for children to play and fish.

Ludgvan Church dates mostly from the 14th and 15th century, with a 7th century font. Sunday services are at 10 am.

The local pub The White Hart (14th century) is next to the church at Church Town, Ludgvan within walking distance of The Little Barn, The Cabin and St Michael's Farmhouse.

Restaurants: some excellent local eateries, including fish, vegetarian and Thai. Extensive list incuded in all our properties with recommendations.

Ancient Sites (click links below for more information)

West Penwith is famous for its numerous ancient sites, some dating back to Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age times.

Trencrom is a local Iron Age fort overlooking the narrowest part of the country, allowing spectacular views of both the north and south coasts. Nearby are Chûn Castle and Chysauster iron age settlement. Others worth a visit are the Nine Maidens, Carn Euny, Men an Tol, Boscawen-ûn and Lanyon Quoit.

Historic

For those fans of the Poldark TV series, Godolphin House, an Elizabethan gem, is only 8 miles away, and Trerice is near Newquay.

You can visit some of the sites of Cornish tin mining, for example at Geevor and Zennor.

Gardens

Cornwall with its mild climate is famous for its gardens.

Trewidden and Trengwainton are near Penzance, Trevarno is near Helston and Glendurgan and Trebah are near Falmouth.

Further afield are the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan, Caerhays, Lanhydrock and the Eden Project, and the Abbey Gardens at Tresco in the Isles of Scilly.

Local Towns

Penzance is a lively historic market town with a harbour where trips to the Isles of Scilly can be made, and there are also helicopter flights from the heliport at Longrock.

Newlyn is a working fishing harbour worth an early morning visit to see the return of the catch and fish market.

St Ives and Mousehole are picture postcard former fishing villages.

Marazion is a former fishing village with smuggler connections, from which one can either walk across the cobbled causeway at low tide or take a local boat to visit the historical and mystical St Michael's Mount. From the ramparts of St Michael's Mount its possible to look inland and pick out St Michael's Farmhouse on the skyline.

Artistic Connections

A rich heritage of work by the famous Newlyn artists can be viewed at Penlee House and Gardens Penzance. For more modern work visit the Newlyn Gallery and Exchange Gallery. In St Ives there is the Barbara Hepworth Museum, Tate Gallery and the Leach Pottery.

Leisure Activities

• Golf at Tehidy, Praa and Lelant courses.
• Horse riding at Lelant and Halsetown.
• Bird watching at Marazion Marshes and Hayle Estuary.
• Sailing from Marazion, Falmouth, Hayle, St Ives, Helford and Gweek, all of which have yacht clubs.
• Activities of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
• Walking the many designated country and coastal foot-paths, e.g. St Ives to Zennor.
• Fishing - numerous sea and freshwater locations, organised trips etc.
• The Cornish Federation of Sea Anglers has 30 affiliated clubs.
• Boat trips available, for example with Marine Discovery.
• Cycling: a great way to explore the many country and coastal roads of West Penwith.

Beaches/Surfing

One of the main advantages of a stay at Little Barn Holidays and St Michael's is the close proximity of the wonderful beaches. On the south at Marazion, only 5 minutes drive away, is one of the safest and cleanest beaches in the country, and is ideal for children. At Perranuthnoe and Praa Sands, good surf can be found. On the north coast the famous Sennen, St Ives, Gwithian surfing beaches. Numerous picturesque coves including Porthcurno, Porthchapel, Lamorna, Prussia, Stackhouse and Porthgwarra.

Two cottages at Perranuthnoe - Morlais offers a sense of a traditional beach house and The Nest offers a cosy luxurious feel.

Festivals

• Golowan: Mid Summer, old Feast of St John. Lasts a week end of June. Lots of cultural events, visiting bands, musicians, street processions and dances. Main street with stalls.
• St Ives: yearly event lasts all September - music , poetry, art etc.
• The Montol Festival is an annual heritage, arts and community festival in Penzance, Cornwall held between the 14th and 22nd of December each year.
• The Newlyn Fish Festival celebrates the Cornish Fish Industry on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Favourites with the Children

• Lands End
• Bird Paradise , Hayle
• Flambards, Helston
• The Earth Satellite Tracking Station, Goonhilly on the Lizard
• Seal Sanctuary, Gweek
• Roskillys Farm, home of the famous ice cream
• Dairy World, The Aquarium and Zoo at Newquay