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Home , Marazion, Mullion Cove, Newlyn, Perranuthnoe, Poldhu, Porthcurno

St Ives Bay St Ives

4 Falmouth 3 Falmouth 5 Bay 7 2 Mounts Land’s Bay End 6

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The rugged stretch of coastline between Point and Land’s End contains Lizard some of the best scenery, not just in Point , but in the British Isles. The turquoise waters, steep cliffs and rich wildlife in and around , Piskies Cove, and Cornish fishing village. After spending his are fantastic and the vistas honeymoon there, the Welsh poet Dylan extend along and across much of Mounts Thomas described as the Bay, where sections of the coastline have ‘loveliest village in ’. been designated as Sites of Special The secluded Cove was also Scientific Interest due to the importance the source of artistic inspiration, as it of their geology and wildlife. became a haven for the artists of the Cornwall’s largest freshwater lake lies a School in the late 19th century. little east of Porthleven; Loe Pool further Heading west, undisturbed places like emphasises the range of habitats to be and nestle amidst found in Cornwall with cormorants, a stunning landscape and provide more wigeon, teal, pochard, tufted duck, coot peaceful spots to walk in before reaching and shoveler all regularly spotted. the bustling environs of Land’s End. St Michael’s Mount – arguably Cove offers a quieter approach Cornwall’s most iconic feature – sits a to England’s most westerly point where little offshore from the settlement of you can enjoy the simpler sights – from and is a landmark ideally viewed the smallest lichen clinging to the cliffs to from Mousehole, the quintessential giant basking sharks gliding offshore. 36 Land’s End from  South West to Land’s End 1 and Mullion Coves 38 5 Lamorna Cove from Mousehole 46 Explore two of Cornwall’s famed Discover why writers and artists secluded coves, one of which was the have been drawn to this part of scene of an historic transmission in Cornwall for centuries on a the early challenging half-day walk

2 Porthleven and Penrose Estate 40 6 Porthcurno and Porthgwarra 48 Combine a visit to Britain’s most Experience some vintage Cornish southerly port with a walk along some coastline and some surprising of its most beautiful coastline history as you meander between two quiet villages 3 Perranuthnoe to 42 Follow in the footsteps of smugglers 7 Sennen Cove to Land’s End 50 and fairies on this idyllic exploration Throw yourself into the weather- of the coves near Perranuthnoe beaten landscape of mainland Britain’s most southwesterly point 4 Marazion and St Michael’s Mount 44 Take a wander around Marazion’s quieter lanes and finish up with an optional visit to a famous island with its own castle and gardens

37 X1 SOUTH WEST TO LAND’S END

Poldhu and Mullion Coves Distance 7.25km Time 2 hours 15 walk out of the village along pavement Terrain minor roads, coastal and and then roadside verge for just under countryside paths Map OS Explorer 103 1km to Angrouse Court. Turn left onto a Access bus from Helston to Mullion; free rough road and continue past Angrouse car park at Mullion (donations welcome) Farm and several houses. Once past a house called Seven Pines Peninsula’s west coast is the road narrows to a track; beyond a gate, studded with pretty beaches and this reaches Poldhu at the Marconi sheltered coves, all linked by craggy cliffs. Centre. On 12 December 1901 Guglielmo This walk, bookended by quiet roads and Marconi, the pioneering Italian inventor, paths, journeys above an exquisite stretch successfully received the first Morse of coastline to visit the stunning coves of signal transmission across the Atlantic Poldhu and Mullion. from Poldhu to Newfoundland. The Mullion is the largest village on the Marconi Centre opened on 12 December Lizard. At its centre is the fine St Mellanus 2001 to commemorate this event. Church, which dates from the 13th Turn right onto a road and walk century (though much of the present downhill to Poldhu Beach, a popular surf building is from the 1500s) and is spot and equally enticing for a break. dedicated to St Mellanus, the Bishop of Retrace your steps towards the Marconi Rennes, who was born in Brittany in 5AD. Centre but, just before this, bear right From Mullion car park, opposite the onto the coast path. This climbs onto the 16th-century Old Inn, turn right onto cliffs before leading southeast past a Lender Lane (signposted for Poldhu) and monument dedicated to Marconi above 38 POLDHU AND MULLION COVES

Polurrian Cove

the shimmering waters of the bay. Once Turn left onto Nansmellyon Road through a gap in a wall, fork right to (B3296), climbing steeply to Mullion Hill follow the path on a gradual descent, Farm and bearing right onto a public branching right again just before a house footpath and then right at a fork. A to reach a junction. Turn right here to sustained ascent takes you past reach the golden of Polurrian Cove. numerous houses to the top of a stony Cross a footbridge, then climb steep track. Go through the central of three steps onto the great folded cliffs above gates, cross a stile and follow a field-edge the cove. At a road turn right and, after path to meet the quiet Ghost Hill road. the last of several houses, go right onto a Turn left to follow this downhill and, path, then right again where a road passes when it starts to climb, look for a public a hotel and car park. A steep path on the footpath on the right which shortcuts right descends to Mullion Cove and its through woodland, across a footbridge small working harbour, which was and diagonally over a field to a stile developed between 1893 and 1895 and onto Nansmellyon Road. Turn right and financed by local landowner and MP Lord walk along the roadside into Mullion, Robartes to give protection to the pilchard keeping left onto Churchtown to reach boats that sailed from here. the car park. 39