Information on Lizard

Almost at the toe of the Lizard Peninsula is Lizard village, a motley array of houses radiating a short distance from a central square and car park. There are a number of small shops, pub, public conveniences and a bus terminal.
It is a good place to leave the car and explore on foot as it is an easy walk to the places of interest in the surrounding area. To the south is the lighthouse, Lizard Point and Housel Bay; to the east is Church Cove and to the west, beautiful cliff walks. There is another car park on the road to the point.

The Lighthouse was built in 1752 and is one of the oldest in Britain. Its light can be seen for 20 miles or more and has certainly reduced the amount of wrecks around these rocky shores. It is open to the public at certain times throughout the summer months.

Serpentine. One of the industries on this part of the Lizard is the working and polishing of Serpentine stone and there are lots of beautiful ornaments for sale at good prices. The stone is local and can be seen in its raw state in some of the coves.

Go east from Lizard village and you discover a much more sheltered and lush environment. Down through Landewednack Churchtown with its cottages and 13th century church with a serpentine tower; on to Church Cove, steep and narrow with its now unused lifeboat station. From here walk on in a southerly direction toward Bass Point, and then round to Housel Bay. In summer the cliffs along here are a sight to behold, with the blue and turquoise sea as a backdrop. At Housel Bay there is a little sandy beach when the tide is out. Walking on and round you come to an area where there is a little cafe and hut where serpentine is polished; here you can walk up the road back to the village.

Walking west from the village is a different, but exhilarating experience. Take the road out past the public conveniences toward Caerthillian Cove, the road soon becomes a track and past the houses, a footpath, which connects with the coastal path. Turn left and before you go over a stream, enjoy the views back to Kynance Cove and across to Mounts Bay. Walking now in a southerly direction, you come to Lizard Point and views of the huge array of rocks lying offshore. Turning the corner, you will soon come in sight of Polpeor Cove, the home of the original lifeboat station; a very hazardous place from which to launch a boat as records testify. Further on you will connect with the road down from the Village.

Accommodation in The Lizard

Return to Top | Return to Map