Discover the magic of The Lizard Peninsula with our guide to the very best beaches, activities, walks and of course places to stop along the way for a tasty treat!
BEACH LIFE
Sit at Kynance Cove and simply enjoy the view of this spectacular beach. With an arc of white sand and rich serpentine rocks, the reflected sunlight turns the water turquoise. It’s probably the most photographed location in Cornwall and can be reached by a steep 10-minute walk down to the cove.
Enjoy a pasty or cake from the eco-friendly cafe, wander over to the towering rock stacks and hidden caves at low tide, or walk the two-mile scenic walk around the coast to Lizard Point.
Kennack Sands, near the village of Kuggar, are two beaches divided by a rock feature and small hill of Carn Kennack. The easterly beach is a nature reserve reached by the footpath – a wildlife haven to sit amongst with a picnic or hot chocolate in hand. Kennack is a hot spot for surfers, regularly boasting up to 5-foot waves.
Whether you’re looking for surf or leisure, Kennack also has its own shipwreck stories and vessel remains are often spotted close by.
Coverackis a picturesque fishing village with a small sand and pebble beach. It’s rocky but a good family beach nonetheless and can provide ideal conditions for anglers. The Manacles are located just off the Coverack coast (a group of dangerous rocks which have caused the sinking of many ships) – making it a popular area for divers exploring shipwrecks.
Click to view video of Kynance Cove by Duncan Scobie
OUR TOP LIZARD ACTIVITIES
1.Visit St Winwaloe Church, right on the beach at Gunwalloe Church Cove. Dating from the 13th century and known as the Church of Storms, there is a separate bell tower behind the church and inside you’ll find a 16th century rood screen made of wood from a Portuguese wreck.
Gunwalloe is well known for its history of shipwrecks. So, it’s apt that Poldark’s dramatic wreck scene was filmed here at Church Cove.
Just next door is Dollar Cove, named after the Spanish ship San Salvador. It was wrecked there in 1669 and lost its cargo of silver dollars. People say coins still occasionally wash up on the beach after storms, so keep an eye out when you visit. Click to read about the National Trust – Silver Dollar, Shipwrecks and Scenic Views Walk
2. Explore the Lizard Lighthouse -shining a light for over 260 years, it’s the only lighthouse you can climb in Cornwall. Find out about maritime history in the visitor centre and pack your binoculars to lose yourself in the breath-taking views from the top of the lighthouse. Be sure to check the website for opening times. The Lizard Lighthouse
3. In the warmer months, enjoy a sea fishing trip where you can watch the wide variety of wildlife and catch your supper for barbecuing on one of the many Lizard beaches.
4. At Poldhu Cove you can visit the Marconi Centre to discover the fascinating historical advances made in transatlantic radio communication. Be sure to check the website for seasonal opening times. The Marconi Centre
5. Wander through the peninsula’s many independent shops for interesting trinkets, serpentine carvings (famous at the Lizard) and artwork. Painters, potters, sculptors, jewellery makers, weavers and photographers have all made this area their home, drawing their inspiration from the magnificent scenery around them. Local artisans work and sell from their studios, so watch out for sign posts down country lanes and along craft trails.
REMARKABLE RAMBLES
The South West Coast Path provides oodles of walks in yet another Cornish Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The rare geology here creates a plethora of gorgeous flowers and during a stroll you’ll see small farms, Bronze Age barrows and historic standing stones. Or walk a little further to find visually dominant structures built in more recent times, such as Goonhilly Earth Station and wind turbines.
TASTY TREATS
The villages on the Lizard are picture-perfect – think thatched cottages clinging together in coves where small fleets of fishing boats catch fresh lobster and crab each morning. In the pubs by the shore you can stop for a break, listen to traditional Cornish shanties and sip plenty of local tipples to keep you going.
Take a peek at a real, working, organic Cornish farm at Roskilly’s. Watch their award-winning ice-creams being churned and fudge made in front of you, gobble a sweet treat, then walk it off while exploring the nature trails around this family farm.
And of course, no trip to The Lizard would be complete without a lovingly handmade authentic Cornish pasty from Ann’s Pasties.
Arrive at The Lizard Green and you can walk west, south or east, following the land until it stumbles into the ocean. Look for choughs, guillemots, gulls, seals, dolphins and basking sharks.
With thanks to our friends at Visit Cornwall and The National Trust for sharing some of their top tips with us.
