The Best 13 Things to do at Land’s End, Cornwall

There are more than 100 acres of natural landscape at Land’s End Cornwall and they are all free to enter.  Once the edge of the known world, this part of far west Cornwall is home to legends and myths and has a history dating back more than 10,000 years.  Whether you come here to take a photo at the iconic Land’s End signpost, walk part of the South West Coast Path or take in some or all of the Land’s End Attractions, this is a legendary place.  Land’s End is also the most visited place in Cornwall.  Come on in and explore all the things to do at Land’s End, Cornwall.

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The 13 Top Things to Do at Land’s End, Cornwall

This legendary and majestic headland on the Penwith peninsula has been inspiring visitors since the times of the Ancient Greeks.  From walking trails, that include part of the South West Coast Path, to 4D experiences, fireworks, and the first and last pub in mainland Britain, there’s are heaps to do here. Welcome to our Land’s End Cornwall things-to-do guide.

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1. Get your Photo Taken at the Land’s End Signpost

This is the Land’s End attraction that you simply can’t miss.  Land’s End’s iconic signpost.  There’s been a signpost here since the 1950s – and it’s famous for those folks who have made the legendary trip from John O’Groats to Land’s End – the End to Enders – and had their photo taken here.  There is a charge to get your photo taken here (for £10!), but you don’t have to opt for the official photo, although you might have to undertake a few contortions to get the shot in without the official fee.

This is one of the best views in Cornwall. Check out our other great Cornish views here.

2. Look out for Wildlife at Land’s End

There are a wide variety of family – and often wheelchair and buggy friendly – paths at Land’s End.  All of which are free to use.  They’re a great way to explore and look for the Land’s End wildlife that lives here.  We recommend that you bring binoculars as this is a great place for spotting birds and sealife.  In the sea here you could see basking sharks, dolphins, and seals.  We see all of them regularly!  In the air and on the cliffs around Land’s End is a legendary place for bird watching.  Look out for the once thought-to-be-extinct Cornish Chough, as well as Gannets, Shags, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, and Fulmars.  This guide to British Birds is a useful aid!

3. Go for a Walk at Land’s End

The most famous walk here is the stroll to the iconic Land’s End signpost.  The path here is suitable for everyone –including buggy and wheelchair users.  There is a myriad of other trails, including two short sections of the 630 miles long South West Coast path which takes in Land’s End, so for your visit, you’ll likely want to take one of – or both of these trails.  The Southward Walk at Land’s End is 1.6 miles long and takes you past Greeb Farm and to Pordenack Point.  The Northward path is slightly longer, at 2.8 miles, and goes past the First and Last Inn and heads towards the beach and village of Sennen. Sennen and nearby Gwenever are some of the best beaches in West Cornwall.

If you want a longer walk, then the walk from Land’s End to Cape Cornwall is truly glorious. 

4. Look out for the Longships Lighthouse at Land’s End

The Longships Lighthouse is an active lighthouse from the 19^th century about 1.25 miles from Land’s End.  The lighthouse is automated and has been since 1988 and has run on solar power since 2005.  It flashes twice every 10 seconds, with white seaward flashes which become red due to tinted sectors in the lenses for any vessel that comes too close to either Gwennap Head to the southeast or Cape Cornwall to the north.  The Longships lighthouse has a white light range of 15 nautical miles and the red tint has an 11 nautical mile range.  In bad weather, the fog horn sounds once every 10 seconds.  It is called the Longships Lighthouse as it’s built on the Longships rocks.

Fancy staying in a lighthouse? Here are the Cornish Lighthouses that you can stay in.

5. Explore the Miniature Cornish Village at Land’s End

It won’t take you long to discover the miniature Cornish village, which gives some idea of the traditional buildings of Cornwall.

6. Understand the End to End Story

As a child, it was a dream of mine to walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End.  Then as I got a little older to ride a horse on the same route.  I still think I’d like to take the journey, but I haven’t yet joined the ranks of those people who are called the “End to Enders”.  The End to End Story celebrates those celebrities and ordinary people who have made this iconic journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats, or vice versa.  This unique attraction at Land’s End chronicles those who have made this journey using a huge variety of transit methods!

7. Visit Greeb Farm, Land’s End

Greeb Farm is just a short walk from the entrance area to the Land’s End attraction and is a restored 200-year-old farmstead similar to those that dotted this landscape.   This is a family-friendly experience where everyone in the family can meet sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, miniature ponies, and even ferrets.   If you arrive at Greeb Farm during feeding time there’s the chance to get involved with feeding too.  Greeb Farm is also where you’ll find the Land’s End craft workshops – with leatherwork, pottery, jewellery, and landscape paintings all created here at Greeb Farm and available to buy.

8. The 4D Cinema Experience

The 4D Film Experience at Land’s End includes squirting water, shaking seats, blasts of air, and general excitement as Robinson Crusoe, who’s survived a shipwreck with his dog Aynsley, is forced to make a new home on a desert island.  Great for all the family!

9. The Aardman Grand Experience at Land’s End, Cornwall

The Land’s End Aardman Grand Experience brings together Wallace and Gromit, Morph, and Shaun the Sheep in a cracking adventure.  you can wander around Wallace and Gromit’s living room and their inventing workshops and explore Morph’s interactive room.  You can join Shaun the sheep in throwing poo at the naughty pigs (!) as well as helping Shirley to cook with the ingredients in her pen. 

10. Take on Arthur’s Quest at Land’s End, Cornwall

Arthur’s Quest has you journeying through a magical world.  where you’ll need to solve puzzles to make your way through the magical portal that is Arthur’s Quest to save the King.  There’s a Mirror Maze here and you’ll get to discover Merlin and the Black Knight.

11. Visit the First and Last Inn at Land’s End, Cornwall

The First & Last Inn is one of the most famous pubs in Cornwall.  It’s been a port of call for visitors, fishermen, smugglers, and wreckers since the 1600s!  The First & Last Inn is found just a mile away from Land’s end in the most westerly village of mainland Britain, Sennen.   The pub has a great reputation for local real ales, home-cooked food (check out our guide to Cornish food here), craft beer, and local ciders too!  This is a family-oriented pub and there’s a great play area for kids.  Explore their menu at their website.

12. See the Sunset at Land’s End

It’s one of the most iconic places in the United Kingdom to see the sunset.  The end of the country, the end of the world.  During the summer season, the opening hours of Land’s End extend so you can take in the sunset at Land’s End while you explore the 100 acres of land in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Land’s End is the LAST POINT in mainland Britain to see the sunset, it’s a whole 22-23 minutes after the sun sets in London!  The cafes, restaurants, bars, and snacks shops stay open later on summer evenings so you can make the most of the glorious West Cornwall sunset.  There’s even live music some nights to accompany the fabulous natural display.

13. Watch the Fireworks at Land’s End

During the summer months – usually from the end of July until the beginning of September – to coincide with the school summer holidays – you can experience stunning fireworks displays at Land’s End.  The Land’s End fireworks displays occur on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and are set to a specially designed soundtrack for the event.  It’s a magnificent way to end your visit to this stunning area.  Check the website for up-to-the-minute times and display details, but you can expect the fireworks at Land’s End every Tuesday and Thursday over the summer just after dusk, so they can be enjoyed by all the family.

Where and What to Eat at Land’s End, Cornwall

It’s a great idea to bring a picnic to eat for your day out at Land’s End, but if you don’t you’ll find a variety of places to eat here.  There’s the Cornish Pantry, the Bakehouse, the Land’s End Dough ut Company, and Ice Cream Parlour.  If you’re looking for something a little more special, then the Land’s End Restaurant and Bar have fabulous views out over the Atlantic.  What to eat here?  Take a look at our guide to Cornish Food and pick your favourite!

Where to Stay at Land’s End, Cornwall

You have several options if you wish to stay in the Land’s End complex area.

Stay at The Land’s End Hotel

The Land’s End Hotel has 30 en-suite rooms.  Book your room at the Land’s End Hotel here.

Stay at Penwith Studios, Land’s End

The Penwith Studios at Land’s End Hotel were originally built as a temperance hotel for non-drinking Victorian visitors.  Today it’s been converted into four luxury en-suite studios.  There’s more information and booking.

Stay in the Saddle and Stablerooms at Land’s End

The Saddle and Stablerooms are a five-star luxury option at Land’s End.  Here you’ll find three studio rooms and an exceptional apartment.  There’s a large outdoor dining area and garden as well as the stunning Land’s End scenery. Book a luxury five star studio at Land’s End here

Stay in a Holiday Cottage near Land’s End

The Bunker is a glorious five-star holiday home near Land’s End. Boasting four bedrooms, a kitchen, garden and private parking, this stunning cottage is a fabulous place to stay near Land’s End. Check rates and rooms here.

Stay at a B&B in nearby Sennen near Land’s End

Sennen Rise, at Mayon Farm is just a 6 minute walk from the beach and 700 metres from Sennen Cove Beach, this lovely bed and breakfast has both WiFi and free of charge private parking. Each room has a seating area with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bathrobes, a hairdryer and shower. Check rates and room availability here.

Stay in the Hostel near Land’s End

The YHA hostel in the Cot Valley is the closest hostel to Land’s End. It has great facilities and you can book a bed here.

Find a Camping or Caravan Park near Land’s End

Use Pitchup to find a campsite here.

A Brief History of Land’s End

There have been people living at Land’s End for more than 10,000 years.  Archaeological discoveries at Land’s End date back to 10,000-4000 B.C. – the Mesolithic Period.   During Ancient Greek times, Land’s End was known as Belerion or the Shining Land, which likely related to some of the myths about the place.

And while people have travelled here in numbers for centuries it wasn’t until the coming of the railways that mass tourism took off.  The Great Western Railway reached Penzance in 1859, bringing with it tourists and visitors and building hotels like the Land’s End Hotel to house the visitors.

Features and attractions at Land’s End have grown and changed with the times too.  A major building project in the 1990s brought interactive entertainment and family-oriented temptations

FAQs about visiting Land’s End

Got questions about things to do at Land’s End? Or want to know more about visiting Land’s End and we haven’t answered your questions?  Check out our frequently asked questions about what to do at Land’s End below, or ask us yours in the comments.

What are the opening times of Land’s End?

The visitor centre and attractions at Land’s End are open from 10 am until the last admission at 4 pm – the opening hours in summer are long.  You can check the most up-to-date details here.

Do I have to pay to visit Land’s End?

Visiting the Land’s End area is free.  However, there are charges for car parking at Land’s End and you’ll have to pay to enter some of the attractions here. 

What can I do for free at Land’s End, Cornwall?

The Land’s End area is free to access, although you do have to pay for parking and to enter specific attractions.  So walk here and the whole area is free.

How much is the parking at Land’s End, Cornwall?

Car parking charges at Land’s End are £6 for the day, this gives free readmission for a week.  The fees charged go towards preserving the Land’s End area. 

What’s the best time of day to visit Land’s End?

We recommend you visit either early in the day or late in the day, to avoid the crowds.  Because you will encounter crowds here.  This is a major tourist attraction in West Cornwall.  

Final Words on the top 13 things to do at Land’s End, Cornwall

It’s hard to justify coming this far west and NOT going to Land’s End.  This is, after all the last place in mainland Britain to see the sunset.  This is a legendary spot.  Full of myths and legends.  It’s easy to access, but you’ll want to come early (or late) to avoid the crowds as it’s the most visited place in Cornwall.  There’s a hotel, some swanky studios, and cottages.  You can drink here – in England’s first and last Inn. You can buy souvenirs.  There are cliff-top walking trails, many of which are designed for wheelchairs too, information boards that provide details of the flora and fauna of the area, and a host of other attractions.  There’s definitely lots to do here at Land’s End!

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