Land's End
Cape Westernmost Cornwall headland famed for dramatic cliffs
At Cornwall’s western tip, Land’s End marks a prominent promontory with cliff paths and Atlantic vistas; visitors photo the headland, walk coastal trails and explore nearby fishing villages.
Land’s End is a rocky headland at the western extremity of mainland Cornwall, England, and one of the country’s best-known coastal landmarks.
The site offers dramatic clifftop sea views, a photographic signpost, and a small visitor complex with viewing platforms and walks. The South West Coast Path passes the headland, so many people visit as part of longer coastal hikes rather than only a short stop. Cliffs drop steeply to the Atlantic and there are marked paths and safety railings at the main vantage points.
The promontory is a natural feature of granite and has long been used as a navigational reference and a focal point for coastal tourism. The modern tourist facilities and signage were developed in the 20th century to support day visitors and walkers.
Land’s End sits on the Penwith peninsula in west Cornwall, about a short drive west of the town of Penzance, on the edge of the Atlantic coast.
- Coast path: The South West Coast Path runs past the site as part of a coast-to-coast trail exceeding 600 miles, making the headland a common stop on long-distance walks.
- Visitor note: A signpost and visitor complex mark the tourist viewpoint; the cliffs are exposed and windy so dress in layers and allow for sudden gusts.
How to Get to Land's End #
Land’s End is at the western tip of Cornwall, England, about 8 miles (≈13 km) west of Penzance by road. From Penzance railway station you can take a local bus (seasonal services to Land’s End) or a taxi; driving from Penzance typically takes around 20-30 minutes via the main roads west out of town with local minor roads into the Land’s End area.
Tips for Visiting Land's End #
- Walk in early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak coach crowds and to get better light on the clifftop views; summer mid-days are busiest with day-trippers.
- Approach via the South West Coast Path (from Sennen Cove or the nearby car park) to access quieter cliff-top trails and viewpoints that most visitors to the commercial Land's End complex miss.
- If you want photo opportunities without the visitor-complex backdrop, continue a short distance along the coast path west or north for more rugged, less-crowded headland perspectives.
Best Time to Visit Land's End #
Best visited from late spring through early autumn for milder weather and the best conditions for coastal walks and views at Land's End.
Weather & Climate near Land's End #
Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 6°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1014 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (126 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
