Cornwall's Hidden History Blog
In 1890 there was a huge landslip on the north coast of Cornwall. This cliff fall was so dramatic, so catastrophic that it literally changed the face of the coastline and became known locally as ‘The Earthquake’. A name that that section of the coast retains to this day. Great fissures in the rock face […]
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Between Gorran Haven and Mevagissey, not far from the jutting finger of Chapel Point, there is a deep cleft in the jagged line of the coast. This rocky fissure has been known as Bodrugan’s Leap for more than 500 years, ever since Henry Bodrugan jumped for his life from the cliff top. It is a […]
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“Cornish author Tim Hannigan gives a fascinating, lyrical account of an east-west walk across Britain’s westernmost and most mysterious region . . . Combining landscape and nature writing with deep cultural inquiry The Granite Kingdom is a probing but highly accessible and personal tour of one of Britain’s most popular regions, justaposing history, myth, folklore […]
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Mullion Cove has to be one of the most picturesque places in Cornwall. On a calm day the little harbour, enclosed by the protective arms of its sturdy walls, seems sheltered not only by these man-made additions but also by the rocky island just off shore. But as we well know this coast has many […]
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The curve of Whitesand Bay stretches from Aire Point to Pedn-Men-Du headland, like a rough, rocky bite out of the Land’s End coastline. This bay, which encompasses Sennen Cove and Gwynver Beach, is a popular surf spot where huge rollers tumble in from the Atlantic. But in centuries past those waves brought with them some […]
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With its long tradition as a home of pirates and smugglers it’s little wonder that there are numerous tales of buried or sunken treasure to be found around the Cornish coast. From shipwrecks such as the one at Dollar Cove to hideouts belonging to pirates like John Piers and even strange legends of magical underwater […]
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In the early hours of the 22th March 2003 the cargo ship RMS Mülheim was making its way from Cork in Ireland to Germany when a freak accident occurred with disastrous consequences. This unusual event caused the ship hit the cliffs at Gamper Bay, between Lands End and Sennen Cove, at about 5am. In the […]
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The artist Albert Reuss was one of many Jewish refugees who fled Nazi occupied Europe and the terrible violence of the Holocaust to the safety of the United Kingdom. However it was a chance meeting with a Cornish Quaker that not only brought about that escape but also meant that Albert and his wife were […]
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For many visitors and local people alike the little lake known as Swanpool just outside of Falmouth is a favourite place for a stroll. For generations it has been a popular spot to bring the little ones to feed the ducks and to stretch your legs before heading to the beach. However, this coastal lagoon […]
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For hundreds of years damaged reputations were avenged and arguments were settled with a duel. Whether with sword or pistol challenging your enemy to a one on one contest was thought by many to be an honourable way to assuage your hurt feelings and answer a perceived slight. After coming across a couple of almost […]
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