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St. Just-in-Penwith, the most westerly town in England, it is a granite town with a long history in tin mining, reaching as far back as  Roman times. By the end of the 19th century, however, the industry was in serious decline and many Cornish miners left to use their skills in other countries. The relics of the industry remain, however, and there is much evidence of this in the surrounding countryside, the engine house stacks at Botallack and the old workings at Kenidjack are examples. Now these relics are increasingly becoming tourist attractions with institutions like the National Trust restoring some of the old buildings and opening them to public view. The town of St. Just has survived the decline and has a strong community, and is an altogether interesting place to visit.  The Church dating back to the 15th century, is worth a look, and also Plen-an-Guare on the other side of the central square is a circular amphitheatre where plays and concerts are held.

A festival with music and dance takes place over a week in July and ending with Lafrowda Day on the Saturday with concerts, street processions, stalls etc. This is called the Lafrowda Festival. 

Up on Tregeseal common behind the town is an ancient stone circle, apparently one of two that originally existed hereabouts. There are also holed stones and chambers in the area.

Essentially an Iron Age cliff castle although Neolithic axe heads were found here, Kenidjack Castle indicating that it may always have been an important tin area. The remains are very overgrown and no real excavation has taken place. It occupies a central location on the headland above the old quarry at the bottom of Kenidjack valley.

There are some beautiful valleys down to the coast and one of the most easily accessible from the town centre is the Kenidjack farm road. Walk down the main road a little way to Nancherrow, turn left and follow the lane down. Just past the farm, the lane becomes a track, and then a path, to Porth Ledden on the north side of Cape Cornwall. There is a lot of evidence here of mining and a great view of the Cape.

If you prefer to walk round and on to Cape Cornwall, then instead of continuing down to Porth Ledden, turn left just past the farm, at a bridge over the stream. This is part of the South West Coastal Path and, this is a much more beautiful, interesting and easier approach to the Cape than walking the lane from the town, which can be very busy with traffic in the summer months.

On the other side of town is Cot Valley, and another beautiful walk down to the coast at Porth Nanven. From the town square, take the road that goes past the school, then branch left down Bosorne road and follow on down.

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