Location

Plan-it Earth’s smallholding, Govena, is on the edge of the small village of Sancreed, which is in the heart of West Penwith, Cornwall. It is a short distance from the A30, and 4 miles West of Penzance. It’s easy to arrive by public transport as there is a rail and bus station at Penzance, with good connections to the rest of the country, including direct trains from London, and even from Scotland. There is also a bus stop at Sancreed providing a service to and from Penzance.

Immediate Surroundings

For those who wish to explore the area on foot, Govena is an ideal base, as it is within walking distance of a wealth of ancient sites, and diverse ecosystems, from moorland to woodland to wetland. There is also a wonderful network of public footpaths connecting all the local sites.

Sancreed village itself has a beautiful old church and a secluded playing field with wonderfully high swings that delight adults and children alike.

Just outside the village lies Sancreed Holy Well, which is a truly evocative well. Steps lead down into the well, the walls of which are covered with beautiful fluorescent moss. The thorn tree beside it is always beautifully decorated with wish ribbons.

A short distance up the hill from the well, is Sancreed Beacon. This granite upland at 184m above sea level provides wonderful views over West Penwith, and features the remains of Bronze Age burial mounds and old mine workings. The gorse and bracken covering the beacon attract an array of wildlife, including lizards, small mammals, kestrels and buzzards.

About 1km beyond the Beacon is the fascinating Carn Euny Iron-Age settlement, with courtyard houses, fogou and beehive hut. The latter are particularly atmospheric, and again feature the fluorescent moss. This is a really wonderful site to visit, particularly as it is incredibly well preserved, and completely free. To the West of the settlement are twin Holy Wells.

Also within walking distance is Drift Reservoir, which is a haven for birdwatchers, as it is regarded by many as one of the top local birdwatching sites. There is a hide at the North-Western corner and delightful walks to be had around the reservoir.

Wider Surrounding Area

Sancreed is perfectly located in the centre of West Penwith, providing easy access to everywhere in this magical area within a short drive / cycle.

West Penwith is almost entirely surrounded by the sea, and there is easy access to fantastic beaches with golden sand, such as Sennen Cove (which is excellent for surfing) and Porth Curno.There are so many beaches to choose from, some with easy access and many facilities, and others that require more of a walk to reach but pay you back with their secluded feel. With rock pools to explore, seals and dolphins to spot, and beautifully clean water to paddle and swim in it may be difficult to ever leave the beach.

The area has perhaps the highest density of ancient sites in the country, including the famous Men-an-Tol, four stone circles, mysterious fogous, quoits, burial mounds and many holy wells. It’s hardly possible to go for any walk without coming across some sign of our ancient past.

Walkers will be spoilt for choice. The network of public footpaths continues across the whole of West Penwith, whether you choose to follow the coastal path, explore the moors, go for woodland walks, or visit the fascinating remains of the old tin mines that have recently earned the area World Heritage Status.

If the weather is ever less than clement, as well as visiting the wonderful towns such as Penzance, St. Just and Mousehole, there are also numerous family-friendly museums and art galleries, including Geevor Tin Mine, the Tate Modern at St Ives, the Wayside Museum at Zennor, and the Newlyn Art Gallery, to name a few.

Eating Out

If you fancy indulging yourself (and, after all, you are on holiday), the area has plenty of delightful places to dine out. There are restaurants that specialize in Organic food or fresh local sea food, restaurants with stunning sea views, and many cosy family-friendly pubs. There are wonderful places to discover, whatever budgets and tastes, and we’ll be happy to give you recommendations and directions.