Marazion to Penzance

© Automobile Association 2008. © Crown Copyright Licence number 100021153

Getting to the start

From Penzance, take the A30 past the heliport. At the second roundabout turn right, signed Marazion. The Godolphin Arms car park is signed right (towards the beach).

1 This ride is part of the First and Last Trail, the first stretch of the Cornish Way long-distance cycle route, which starts at Land's End and runs for 180 miles (288km) through the county. Marazion, where this ride starts, is Cornwall's oldest charter town, dating from 1257. Its unusual name comes from the Cornish 'marghas yow' - Thursday market. Marazion was the main trading port in Mount's Bay until Penzance overtook it in the 16th century. It's worth having a look around this attractive village before you set off.
From the pub car park cycle uphill (away from the beach) onto West End. (The Godolphin Arms can be found by turning right.) Turn left along West End and cycle out of the village. There is a parking area on the left along much of this road, so look out for people opening their car doors suddenly. Marazion Marsh lies to the right.

2 Where the road bears right to cross the Penzance to Exeter main railway line, keep straight ahead through a parking area, with the Pizza Shack (and toilets behind) on the right. Again, take care cycling through the car park.

3 Keep ahead and leave the car park to the left of the old station (now the Station pub), to join a level track that runs along the back of the beach. Follow this track, passing more public toilets on the right.

4 Take care where the track drops to meet an entrance road to a beachside car park (there are warning notices 'Give way to traffic'). Pass through the parking area and continue along the track, with the railway close by on the right.

5 Pass the heliport, from which helicopters fly regularly to the Isles of Scilly, which lie more than 17 miles (28 km) southwest of Land's End (day trips are available). Good views open up ahead towards Penzance.

6 On approaching the station the track narrows into a concrete walkway and becomes busier, so look out for pedestrians. Follow the track into the car park by Penzance railway and bus station, with the tourist information centre to the right. This is where you should turn round and return to Marazion. The First and Last Trail actually runs along the road to Newlyn and beyond, but is pretty busy in terms of traffic and is not recommended for families with young children.
There is a lot to see in Penzance, however, which developed as in important pilchard fishing centre in medieval times. Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole (along the coast to the west) were all destroyed by Spanish raiders in 1595, but by the early 17th century Penzance's fortunes had revived on account of the export of tin from local mines, and it became a fashionable place to live. The coming of the Great Western Railway in Victorian times gave the town another boost and it is now the main centre in Penwith (the far western part of Cornwall). The harbour is always full of interest, and it is from here that the RMV Scillonian makes regular sailings to the Isles of Scilly.