Lizard Point

The Lizard peninsula is the most southerly part of the British mainland, a place apart from anywhere else. Dramatic and historic coastline, complex and unique geology and interesting flora and fauna.

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The Lizard Lighthouse Heritage Centre with its distinctive twin towers marks the most southerly point of mainland Britain. It is open from March to October and you will find interactive displays and exhibitions about the history of the building. A tower was first built here in 1619 at the expense of philanthropist Sir John Kilgrew. The current beam can be seen for 26 miles. For those of you who love lighthouses,  (Jo, I hope you are reading this), you can climb up to the top of the tower and even sound the foghorn or send messages in Morse code.

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And if you are at all interested in staying here those delightful lighthouse cottages are holiday rentals. Just remember the foghorn.

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As usual I arrived there too late to gain entry, so I had a little wander down to stand at the tip of the Lizard Point and look out to sea.

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Unlike the last time I came this way today is a glorious day, sun shining, warm and hardly any breeze. We are about two miles from Kynance beach and I am heading to the Polpeor Café which is a perfect place to stop off for a cream tea (unless like me you have already had one) as you have spectacular views across the Lizard.

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You have the choice of using a meandering footpath or a steep flight of steps. I took the footpath one way and passed this entrance to Polbrean youth hostel. Another amazing place to spend the night in.

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The views are simply stunning.

Below the café  is Polpeor Cove, a disused Victorian lifeboat station remains that once bore witness to the RNLI’s largest rescue operation in 1907 saving 167 lives.

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I am attracted to a decaying building with the most wonderful lichen covered corrugated iron roof. I retrace my steps and head up the steps amongst the native bluebells, wild garlic, thrift, sea campion and stonecrop which turns the steep cliff sides a deep red. Next time I visit I’ll try to make it in time to climb the lighthouse.

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If you enjoy a walk, long or short, then have a look at Jo’s site where you are welcome to join in. I do hope she will forgive me for this extremely short walk.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

62 thoughts on “Lizard Point”

    1. I thought I had replied to this but apparently it disappeared 😕
      I am surprised that this building has survived so long given its position!

  2. I wonder if yours is the same cafe where I, as a fairly young child, won the jackpot on a fruit machine. I promptly spent my winnings on a blow up beach ball which equally as promptly blew over the Lizard Point never to be seen again.

    1. Oh, I bet you were very unhappy at that! There is only one café at the point so I expect it is the one.

  3. I wondered about the name, thinking perhaps lizards are found there or the coast in that region has the outline of a lizard, but no. According to Wikipedia, Lizard Point is “from Cornish an Lysardh, meaning ‘the high court’…”

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