Day or Night: Explore Land’s End with Royal Buses from Polmanter

By Day: The Land’s End Coaster Day Trip

Running every Tuesday throughout August, the Land’s End Coaster Day Trip is a relaxed way to see some of West Cornwall’s best-loved sights, taking in Marazion, St Just and, of course, Land’s End. The bus departs from Polmanter at 10.35am and returns to St Ives by around 5pm, giving you a full day out without needing to think about traffic, directions or parking.

The running order flips depending on the tide: on weeks when low tide falls before 1pm, Marazion is the first stop of the day; when it falls after 1pm, Marazion comes last instead, on the way back. On 28 July, for example, low tide is around 11.27am, so that week the bus will head to Marazion first, then pop into St Just on the way home after your Land’s End visit.

Marazion and St Michael’s Mount

One of the stops along the way is Marazion, home to one of Cornwall’s most photographed views: St Michael’s Mount, rising out of the bay. They try to ensure the timing falls around lower tide, so depending on conditions there may be a chance to walk out along the famous causeway rather than just admiring it from the beach.

Even if the water’s in, it’s a lovely spot to stretch your legs, and with around an hour for this stop, there’s usually time for a drink at the Godolphin Arms overlooking the bay, a wander along the sand, or a look in the shops on the high street. Our tip: If you like to spend time on St Michael’s Mount itself, you’d be best to make a dedicated day trip, as you’ll need around 3-4 hours to get your money’s worth from a ticket to explore the gardens and house, and advance bookings are highly recommended.

St Just

The trip also calls in at St Just, Britain’s most westerly town, for a shorter stop of around 45 minutes. It’s just about the right amount of time for a scoop of ice cream at Moomaid of Zennor, a mooch around the town square, and a look at the parish church. Keep an eye out too for the Plen-an-Gwarry, a medieval open-air amphitheatre right in the centre of town, one of only two left standing in Cornwall. If there’s a spare few minutes, the Jackson Foundation gallery on the square is free to pop into and well worth a look.

Land’s End

The main stop of the day is Land’s End itself, with two and a half to three hours to explore. The clifftop paths and the famous signpost are free to enjoy, so a wander along the coast path or the obligatory photo at the sign costs nothing. If you fancy more, the site’s four family attractions – Aardman Presents a Grand Experience, the Jolly Roger 4D film, Greeb Farm (a 200-year-old Cornish farmstead), and an indoor adventure golf course, The Lost Treasure of Lyonesse – can each be visited by purchasing tickets on the day.

For food, there’s a good range of food and drink options to suit everyone, from Cornish pasties and doughnuts at the kiosk to a full sit-down meal at the self-service Cornish Pantry or the Land’s End Restaurant & Bar, which looks straight out over the Atlantic. However you like to spend your visit, there’s enough time here not to feel rushed.

Source: Land’s End Landmark

By Night: Magic in the Skies at Land’s End

There’s something special about spending a summer evening at Land’s End. As the sun begins to set over the Atlantic, the site comes alive with a fantastic atmosphere, making it one of the highlights of Cornwall’s summer events calendar.

Every Thursday throughout August, Land’s End hosts its Magic in the Skies Fireworks & Drone Display. Before the main event begins, visitors can enjoy an evening of live entertainment, with DJs, saxophonists and local bands performing throughout the site, alongside a great selection of food and drink. It’s the perfect opportunity to find a spot overlooking the ocean, enjoy dinner as the sun sets and soak up the lively atmosphere.

As darkness falls, all eyes turn to the sky. At 10pm, an impressive synchronised drone display lights up the night above Land’s End, followed immediately by a spectacular fireworks finale over Cornwall’s most westerly point.

Royal Buses make it easy to enjoy the evening without the worry of driving or parking. The bus departs Polmanter at 6.25pm, giving you plenty of time to make the most of everything on offer before returning to St Ives at around midnight.

Source: Land’s End Landmark

What to bring

Cornish weather can change quickly, even in the height of summer, so we’d recommend bringing a light waterproof or extra layer.

If you’re joining the evening trip, something warm is definitely worth packing once the sun goes down. For daytime visitors, don’t forget the suncream too – much of Land’s End and Marazion is wonderfully exposed, but that also means there’s very little shade.

Source: Land’s End Landmark

How to book

Seats are £10 each for the day, and children under 5 travel free. Both trips are run entirely by Royal Buses rather than by us here at Polmanter, so if you fancy a seat, the way to book is by messaging or calling them directly on 07495 636059. Exact timings on the day trip are subject to change. On-the-day bookings are sometimes possible too, subject to availability, though as ever with these things, worth checking ahead if you can.

Whether you choose a full day exploring West Cornwall or an unforgettable summer evening watching fireworks and drones over Land’s End, it’s a fantastic way to experience more of Cornwall without anyone needing to drive.