Today we will be driving down to the most southerly point of mainland Britain, having already visited the most westerly, northerly and easterly points earlier on this trip! The unpredictable British weather has generally been kind to us along our journey, but today will be very wet…
Photo of the day
Fishing boats at Cadgwith Cove.
Pentewan
After leaving St Austell we followed the St Austell River to Pentewan. We were going to get soaking wet if we had walked to the beach, so made do with visiting the village set-back from the seafront.Leaving Pentewan heading to Mevagissey with views over the rolling fields to the coast.
Mevagissey
Mevagissey was still slowly waking up on this rainy Saturday morning. Everyone else had clearly decided it was better to stay in bed.Mevagissey still has a working fishing harbour, but it was very quiet this morning.
Gorran Haven
We had just driven down the crazy narrow Church Street into Gorran Haven.A stream tumbling down Gorran Haven Beach.
Porthluney
A few paddle-boarders were testing the waves at Porthluney Beach, at the foot of the Caerhays Estate.
Portloe
Portloe was a really cosy coastal village. It had a lovely genuine feel to it.The small boat slipway nestled into the valley.A rather rocky looking entrance to the tiny harbour.
Pendower
As we arrived at the National Trust Pendower Beach the heavens opened and it absolutely poured with rain. After a while we made a quick dash for the beach with our umbrellas, and through the rain manged to catch views across Gerrans Bay.
St Mawes
We then continued our journey down the Roseland Peninsula to St Mawes.We had visited St Mawes and the castle last year with Julian’s parents, so we just made a brief stop in the small town. However, we still managed enough time to squeeze in a morning coffee and sausage roll from the famous local Curtis bakery.The passenger ferry to Falmouth in St Mawes Harbour.
St Just in Roseland
St Just’s Church tower peeping above the trees through the church lych gate.The 13th century St Just’s Church in a charming wooded valley overlooking Carrick Roads.Exploring the church grounds.The church was quite compact inside, it felt almost chapel like.
King Harry Ferry
Avoiding a long trip north via Truro, we cut across the River Fal from Philleigh to Feock on the King Harry Ferry.The ferry captain kept watch as we crossed the river.A surprisingly large Dutch ship was anchored in the River Fal.
Trelissick
Exploring the National Trust Trelissick grounds, looking down to Channals Creek and the River Fal. Still raining!
Falmouth
We made our next stop at Falmouth, which was much larger and busier than we had been expecting. It actually made quite a nice change from the quiet fishing villages. We discovered the port is the busiest in Cornwall.Yay! Finally we found some ‘beach huts’ in Cornwall at Falmouth’s Discovery Quay.Falmouth’s Custom House Quay, with Flushing and Carrick Roads through the drizzle in the background.
Pendennis
From Pendennis Head we could just about see across to St Anthony Lighthouse south of St Mawes.
Gyllyngvase Beach
Gyllyngvase Beach just south of Falmouth, overlooking Falmouth Bay.
Gweek
As we continued our journey south to the Lizard peninsula we crossed over the Helford River at Gweek.
Goonhilly
The satellite dishes at Goonhilly Earth Station suddenly appeared on the horizon, so we made a quick stop at the nearby Goonhilly Downs National Nature Reserve to take a closer look.
Coverack
Coverack Beach and Cove with views over to Lowland Point. The small village was still recovering from a flash flood that had damaged property and the sea wall earlier in the year.
Cadgwith
A sunshine yellow fishing boat adding a bit of colour to this grey day.Cadgwith Cove felt like another cozy and authentic Cornish village.Cottages nestled around the narrow streets.
The Lizard
Finally we made it to The Lizard.The Lizard Lighthouse, dating back to 1752, sitting above the lighthouse keeper cottages.Lizard Point, the most southerly point of mainland Britain.On day 17 of our coastal road trip we visited the most westerly point of mainland Britain at Ardnamurchan. On day 24 we visited the most northerly point at Dunnet Head. On day 35 we reached the most easterly point at Ness Point. Then today (day 45) we finally reached the most southerly point at Lizard Point!And it was so quiet, just us and another couple. Hint, to miss the crowds visit on a cold rainy late Saturday afternoon in November! So that was our final stop of the day before we drove back up the western side of the Lizard peninsula to Helston for the night.
