I really don’t remember the last time that I visited Lands End, for me the famous point that so many travel to see has been turned into some kind of strange theme park, expensive and overcrowded. I do however still love it’s sister headland, Cape Cornwall.
In the summer it also has it’s fair share of visitors but the cliffs here seem to me to still retain all of their natural dignity and drama without the added “attractions” of an action hero King Arthur, Shaun the Sheep (weird I know, not sure why he’s there) and being over-charged for a photograph in front of a signpost.
Joking aside this truly is a stunning stretch of coastline by anyone’s standards and it now belongs to the nation because of a rather unlikely benefactor. In 1987 to celebrate their centenary year H J Heinz Co Ltd purchased Cape Cornwall and then generously gave it to the National Trust.
I have a suspicious feeling that their choice of purchase may have had something to do with the rather distinction (ketchup-bottle-shaped?) red chimney that can been seen from miles around in every direction! It is what remains now of this headlands mining past and was built in 1864. When the mining ended in 1883 the chimney was left in place to act as a day mark for shipping.
And as for Charles De Gaulle . . . you are really wondering where I am going with this one aren’t you!! Well just off the coast of Cape Cornwall there are a couple of massive rocky islands known on the maps as The Brisons however I found out recently that they have another local name too . . .
They are known as De Gaulle in the bathtub. And if you look at their wonderful profile above I think you will agree it is a rather fitting description.
Further Reading:
Ballowal Barrow, Cape Cornwall
Chapel Carn Brea – Cornwall’s First and Last Hill
The Prehistoric beach of Porth Nanven
Newlyn: The Last Port for the Mayflower
Walking Opportunities:
Cape Cornwall to Levant Circular Walk
St Just to Cape Cornwall Circular
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But if you avoid the ghastly theme park and go to the cliffs it is as wonderful as ever.
I really enjoyed that and I have learnt a few things in the process. Thank you xxx
I wish I had read your post before visiting that overcrowded, expensive and blank spot that is Lands End! Although I have no idea where Cape Cornwall is, to be honest!
it’s just north a bit. for a long time it was considered (wrongly) to be the westernmost point
Love the ketchup bottle shaped chimney. I’ll look out for it. Interesting that many people share the same view of Land’s End too.
Fortunately I have not been to land’s end for 3 decades and I will avoid it this time