Lamorna Cove is a small fishing village on the Penwith peninsula on the western tip of Cornwall.  With just a few collection of cottages clustered around the harbour and stone pier, Lamorna Cove is one of Cornwall’s most unspoilt holiday destinations.  Lying 7 miles to the south of Penzance, Lamorna’s location gives it a feeling of seclusion.  Lamorna is serviced by a pub: “The Wink” and a café on next to the harbour. 

History of Lamorna Cove

The village of Lamorna and Lamorna Cove has an interesting history.  Lamorna Cove is a traditional Cornish fishing village, but fish was not the only bounty that landed on its quay.  Lamorna Cove was used extensively for smuggling and this past is said to have given rise the name of its pub, The Wink, as giving “the wink” would be a sign used to signal that contraband was available!   Lamorna Cove is also famous for producing Lamorna stone – an attractive form of granite that has been used extensively in famous land marks such as the Victoria Embankment, the Houses of Parliament and Penzance’s St John’s Hall.  Looking further back, there are a number of Bronze age monoliths and Stone circles in the area including the evocatively named 19 stones making up the “Merry Maidens” just outside Lamorna.

Artistic Lamorna

Lamorna has a very artistic background, and many illustrious painters have trained and worked from Lamorna and the nearby Newlyn School of Art.  A group of impressionists in the early part of the 20th Century became known as the the “Lamorna Valley Artists”.  They included the likes of Sir Alfred Mullins and S.J. “Lamorna” Birch who loved the place so much that he changed his name to include it! The area remains popular for artists and there are many exhibitions and galleries to be found in the area, including the Tate in nearby St Ives. Lamorna has not only been an inspiration to artists, it has also inspired Lamorna pottery which has a shop and gallery in neighbouring Mousehole, and literature with Lamorna’s pub being the subject of a book: “The Lamorna Wink” by Martha Grimes.

Lamorna Cove Holidays

Lamorna Cove is nestled into one of the most beautiful stretches of Cornwall’s coast.  Lamorna Cove can provide a peaceful retreat for those looking to get away from it all.  Lamorna holidays are great for nature lovers, as wildlife and birds abound. The beach at Lamorna Cove is pebbly and very sheltered making it an excellent place to swim.  Lamorna Cove is a very pet friendly holiday destination, dogs are even allowed on the beach.  There are miles of coastal walks around Lamorna, with the South West Coast path joining it to the other charming coves and bays around the Penwith peninsula, alternatively you explore inland to the shady delights of the wooded Lamorna Valley.  For a more active Lamorna holiday there a wide range of options from Golf and horse riding, cycle hire and a whole variety of water and adventure sports nearby. 

Lamorna Cove Holiday Cottages

Lamorna is made up principally with traditional cottages and as such there is a range of quaint holiday cottages in Lamorna available.  Staying in a holiday cottage in Lamorna is a great way of experiencing the atmosphere of the place that has inspired so many. 

Lamorna Cove Self Catering

Self catering accommodation is one of the most flexible options for a visit to Lamorna Cove.  By staying in self catering accommodation in Lamorna Cove you have the freedom to either go and try the local eateries in the Lamorna or neighbouring villages – or to just stay in and cook some of the delicious local produce yourself.  Self-catering accommodation in Lamorna Cove allows you to come and go as you please, you can set your own time table and agenda.