Route: Lizard Point
Area: Cornwall
Date of walk: 13th October 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 9.9 miles
Ascent: 1,400 feet
Weather: Bright at first but soon clouded over, with some light drizzle
We’d followed a section of the long distance South West Coast Path on yesterday’s walk to St Anthony Head and decided to follow another section today, the most southerly on the route. We started from the public car park at the edge of the small fishing village of Cadgwith. The walk could also be started from Lizard Point or Kynance Cove but we preferred to leave the easy inland section until the end. We joined the South West Coast Path, which took us along the cliffs and past the Devil’s Frying Pan and its rock arch. The path was narrow, with countless ups and downs, and hugged the coastline as it weaved back and forth around coves and gullies
We descended to Church Cove and watched the rough seas for a while before climbing up again to pass by the coastguard’s lookout station at Bass Point. Beyond Bass Point, Lizard Point came into view. The Lizard is the most southerly place on mainland Britain and is infamous as a site of shipwrecks in the past. It overlooks one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world
At the end of the Lizard Peninsular we headed along an easy grassy path towards the final destination of the coastal section of the walk, Kynance Cove. The cove is flanked by spectacular rock stacks and the approach to it was one of the highlights of the walk. We descended to the small sandy beach and walked past the Kynance Cove Cafe – at high tide it’s necessary to take a higher path. We reluctantly turned inland here, following a path through Lizard Downs Reserve. The downs are best visited in the summer months. At this time of year, especially under grey skies, it’s a rather featureles place. It was easy walking though and, at the end of the heath, we followed country lanes and paths back to the start. Despite the indifferent weather it had been a wonderful walk
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The start of today's walk from the small fishing village of Cadgwith. The blue skies will soon give way to grey
Cadgwith Cove
We join the South West Coast Path, indicated by one of the waymarker posts which are dotted along the route
Views back to Cadgwith as we gain height...
We pass above the Devil's Frying Pan
Looking back along the cliffs
Polgwidden below
Looking down to a natural rock arch at Polbarrow headland
A view back along the path
We descend to Church Cove
Church Cove...
After climbing up to the cliff top again we pass above the Lifeboat Station. There's a poignant memorial here to the 12 crewmen of the Ardgarry who were lost in a storm in 1962. The RNLI spent 14 hours searching for survivors but none were found
Bass Point ahead...
On reaching Bass Point, another milestone appears in the distance - Lizard Lighthouse
We pass by Lloyd's Signal Station, built in 1872 as a safety beacon for passing ships. It is now the most southerly holiday home in the country
Housel Bay. We will follow the path at the top of the cliffs (which is perfectly safe)
Lizard Point. The sea stack on the left is Bumble Rock
Housel Cove below and our path above
Lizard Lighthouse ahead
The lighthouse was built in 1752 and marks the most southerly point of mainland Britain
We pass above the Polpeor Cove Lifeboat Station, now closed
We continue around Lizard Point
The end of the coastal section in the distance - Kynance Cove
Last of the cliffs on Lizard Point as we round the headland and aim north
Kynance Cove ahead
Wonderful rocky scenery as we follow the undulating path on the right
Crane Ledges
We walk above Pentreath Beach
Lion Rock and Gull Rock guarding the waters of Kynance Cove
Looking back along our path
Lion Rock and Gull Rock again
We descend to Kynance Cove
The waters of Kynance Cove are aquamarine, despite the overcast conditions
We approach Kynance Cove via the lower path. At high tide it's necessary to take a higher path
We descend to the small beach below
The Bishop left of picture, then Gull Rock and Asparagus Island
We cross the stony beach
Lizard Point in the distance
The Bishop again
A final gaze out to sea as we reluctantly turn away to set out on the inland return section of the walk
Looking back along a track which takes us to the downs
Lizard Downs, which would be a wonderful sight when the heather is in bloom. The terrain is quite featureless but it makes for an easy return leg after the tortuous coastal path
At the edge of the downs we walk through a hedge tunnel
After a section through the fields and along a quiet lane, we pass by the church of St Grada of the Holy Cross, or St Grade's Church
The end of a fabulous walk as we follow the lane back to the car park at Cadgwith
