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About ~
Local
Area. |
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The Local Area Of
Mullion
in
Cornwall.
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| Mullion is the largest village on the Lizard and has shops, inns, cafes and restaurants, craft shops and art galleries. In the centre of the village, the 15th century church of St Mellanus is renowned for its richly-carved oak bench-ends depicting biblical scenes, including that of Jonah and the Whale. |
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| Mullion Cove has a pretty working harbour, protected from the winter gales that rage across Mount's Bay by two stout sea walls. The harbour was completed in 1895 and financed by Lord Robartes of Lanhydrock as a recompense to the fishermen for several disastrous pilchard seasons. You can still see the old pilchard cellar and net store. |
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| There are plenty of smuggling tales too. In 1801, the King's Pardon was offered to any smuggler giving information on the Mullion musket men involved in a gunfight with the crew of HM Gun Vessel Hecate. |
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| The cove had a lifeboat station from 1867 -1909, and with good reason: in the six years up to 1873 there were nine wrecks under Mullion cliffs along a mile-and-a-half stretch of coastline. Inland are the remains of Wheal Unity copper mine, which operated from the early 18th century to 1919. A large copper boulder from the mine is in the Natural History Museum, London. |
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| Nearby Poldhu Cove is an ideal and easily accessible family beach. In December 1901, on the cliffs above Poldhu, Guglielmo Marconi conducted his famous experiment in trans-Atlantic radio communications. The beach at Polurrian, popular with surfers, is approached by an attractive walk along the cliffs or through a valley, and is well worth the effort. |
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| The village has a variety of shops to browse, Mullion Cove is a stunning natural harbour and close by Poldhu Cove is a safe, sandy beach. |
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The Local Area Of
The Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall.
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The Lizard Peninsula is unique. Stunningly beautiful at any time of the year, there is nowhere quite like it anywhere else in Britain. It is for this reason that the Lizard has been a continuing source of inspiration for artists and writers. Almost surrounded by the sea, the peninsula stands alone, in a very real sense, from the rest of the county.
In a line from London to Land’s End, the backbone of Cornwall is a route to somewhere. |
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| The Lizard. Not a cross-roads, a junction, or a place to drive through, but a journey’s end, a destination. Standing proud in the sea, the peninsula presents a rugged face to the elements, yet paradoxically the climate is probably the warmest in Britain. The air is crisp, clear and unpolluted by industry. |
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| The rocks and cliffs of the coastline offer shelter to the tiny fishing villages huddled into their coves, looking now much as they did centuries ago. |
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Small cottages, thatched and whitewashed, cluster around tiny harbours. Colourful fishing boats, pulled up on the beach, bare testimony to the fact that these small communities still depend largely on the sea for their livelihood. |
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Winter is a quiet time here. The fishermen’s choirs sing in their local pubs, and the harbours are decorated with lights and lanterns for Christmas. Big log fires keep out the chill from the sea when the evenings draw in. Inland, the moors of the peninsula are criss-crossed by tiny country lanes, wide open spaces spread thick with heather, and dotted casually with Celtic landmarks. It is an ancient place, where history is indelibly inscribed on the landscape. For these reasons, the Lizard Peninsula has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is recognised as being of international botanical importance - and here you can find 15 of Britain’s rarest plants!
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The warm local climate has led to the abundant growth of sub-tropical vegetation, and a constant profusion of colour all year round. Where else do primroses flower before Christmas, or camellias open in December? Daffodils often decorate the hedgerows in January, to be followed closely by a myriad of other wild flowers, the abundance of which is rarely seen elsewhere. |
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Ferns and palm trees, tree ferns and giant rhubarb are no rarity along the shores of the thickly wooded Helford river. In summer the riot of blooms and colour in all the cottage gardens is simply overwhelming; truly an experience at any time of the year. |
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There is much organic farming on the Lizard, and locally grown, or caught, food is served in many restaurants, pubs and hotels. Local crab, lobster, or a huge cream tea is hard to better. |
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The south west coast path winds its way round the peninsula, through the changing scenery, providing exceptionally beautiful walks. Much of the area is owned and managed by the National Trust, whose Enterprise Neptune campaign ensures that it remains unspoilt. The peninsula is full of contrasts; flat grassy paths wind across the clifftops from Mullion, with breathtaking views of Kynance Cove, along to the dramatic cliffs of Lizard Point, while to the east the softer, greener landscape of the Helford presents another face of this extraordinary region.
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| Tourism is low key and individual here. We still have time to talk, and time to live, at any time of the year. There is no pressure to "do things". You can be as active or as lazy as you like. Sail from the Helford, walk, surf or windsurf, go horse riding, play golf on the superb course at Mullion, or laze and swim from any of the beautiful beaches and coves. |
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| There are so many gardens to visit that you will be spoilt for choice. Join a village barbecue or take a fishing trip with a local boat from Cadgwith. Or just soak up the charm and solitude of this enchanted region. But beware - it is very addictive! |
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