Land’s End, Britain’s famous most south-westerly point, is one of those places that everyone should probably visit – once. The coast at the tip of Cornwall is rugged and spectacular, with 65-foot (20 metre) high granite cliffs, worn and sculpted by the Atlantic and weather for centuries. There are seabirds, including Cornwall’s adopted bird, the Cornish chough, and sometimes seals can be spotted basking on the rocks below. Out to sea are the Longships rocks, with their famous lighthouse, and on clear days it’s even possible to glimpse the Isles of Scilly on the horizon.
Land’s End is often one terminus of 874-mile journeys along the length of Britain, to or from John O’Groats at the end of mainland Scotland. But it is not the most westerly point on mainland Britain – that honour falls to Ardnamurchan Point in the Scottish highlands. Nearby Lizard Point is the most southerly point of mainland Britain, however.
Although there is free right of access to Land’s End itself, including walks and the coast, there is a charge for parking at the privately owned visitor centre. This has all the usual trimmings – shops, cafes and so on – and a spectacularly located hotel, which is a popular wedding venue. Still, it is quieter along the coast and Sennen Cove, to the north, is a popular surfing beach. The National Trust also owns nearby Cape Cornwall. Free parking is included with National Trust membership.
Photo via Pixabay.