Lizard Village.
Lizard village is the southernmost village in mainland Britain. The village is dominated by a large green which becomes a car park in the summer. At the side of the green is the "Top House" a large comfortable pub serving good food all throughout the summer. Dotted around the green are several cafes and gift shops, many of which sell the carved serpentine stone.
|
One can either park free in the village and take the path down to Lizard Point or you can drive down and park in the National Trust car park next to the lighthouse. The splendid Lizard Light is the oldest mainland light in Cornwall with the twin towers dating back to 1752 although a light was known to have been here since 1619. Tours of the light are conducted during the summer and it is well worth the trouble especially to see the two giant fog horns which can be heard for miles out to sea. At the point itself, there are refreshments, a small beach and the disused Lizard Lifeboat Station. |
|
|
|
Following the coastal path to the east will bring you to the Lloyds signalling tower. This was used in the old days to communicate with passing ships by semaphore to determine what cargo they were bringing back with them. The information was then taken overland to the port they were headed for. Further along is the new Lizard Lifeboat Station built at the base of a cliff in a narrow but sheltered cove. The crew reach the boathouse by means of a lift from the car park above. Carrying on to Church Cove and heading inland will bring you back to the village passing the most southerly church on the way. This walk is about five miles but seems more as the path climbs and drops with the coastline. Click the images to enlarge. |
Whether the weather is fair or foul, the Lizard is worth a visit.