Goonhilly

The Lizard has incredibly varied scenery, from the high dramatic cliffs, coves, and beaches of Kynance on the west side to the luxuriant green valleys of the Meneage and around the beautiful Helford River, which is tidal and has an abundance of bird life. The flat serpentine plane of Goonhilly now houses the disc of the Earth Station. As you drive south towards St. Keverne along the B3293 you cannot fail to see the satellite dishes of Goonhilly appearing over the trees until, as you come level with the Earth Station, you see them in the full power of their stark majesty.

The very first antenna, called “Arthur” was built in 1962 to track the Telstar satellite, which was launched by NASA and AT&T. The antenna was responsible for receiving the first live transatlantic television broadcast on the 11th July 1962 from America. Since then many other high profile events have been transmitted and received via the Goonhilly antennas, such as the football World Cup, the Olympic Games and the Apollo 11 moon landing etc.

The visitor centre is sadly closing this year but it is hoped that some of the dishes will remain. Incongruous against the almost desolate landscape of Goonhilly Down, a well taken photograph can produce an almost otherwordly image.

Communications advances have a rich history on the Lizard. In 1900 the Marconi International Marine Communication Company Ltd was registered and Guglielmo Marconi came to stay at the Housel Bay Hotel in his quest to locate a coastal radio station to receive signals from ships equipped with his apparatus. He was to lease a plot “in the wheat field adjoining the hotel” and the Lizard Wireless Telegraph Station still stands today. Recently restored by the National Trust, it is fitted with spark transmitter and coherer receiver and looks as it did in 1901, when Marconi received the distance record signals of 186 miles from the Isle of Wight.

In 1910 the station received an SOS call, which was two years before the Titanic, and was the first recorded reception of SOS by a coast station. The Lizard Wireless Station is the oldest Marconi station to survive in its original state in the world and is located to the west of the Lloyds Signal Station in what appears to be a wooden hut. It is owned by the National Trust and leased the Trevithick Trust. In addition to the 1901 display, has a fully operational amateur radio station.

Travelling further round the Lizard coast you will come across many hidden coves and beaches which are well worth a stop, to enjoy the beautiful scenery and solitude in this AONB.

Coverack is a fishing village built on both sides of a spur of rock that juts out into the sea. Coverack has a large crescent shaped beach in the sheltered bay that is ideal for swimming & windsurfing. Fishing boats and pleasure craft bob side by side in the small harbour which is built of local serpentine, and the old lifeboat house and slipway are reminders of a past rich in maritime adventure.

The Coverack lifeboat rescued many from the “Manacles”, one and a half square miles of jagged rocks lying just beneath the waves, which have claimed many ships along with their officers and men. The Manacles are now very popular with divers due to the various shipwrecks.

Kennack Sands, just outside the village of Kuggar on the Lizard Peninsula, is well known amoungst the surfing fraternity. This beach has a big tidal range due to its shallow angle and regularly throws up 4 to 5 foot waves. As is usual for beaches on the Lizard Peninsula, Kennack Sands also has its own shipwreck story. In 1914 the 100 ton Normand of Nantes, in France, ran aground here. The remains of this and other vessels can be seen from Kennack Sands on especially low tides. The beach here is comprised of two beaches which are split in the middle by Carn Kennack (a small hill) and a shore side rock feature called Caerverracks. The more easterly beach is designated as a nature reserve so please treat it with respect, it can be reached via the footpath that runs along the back of the beach and over Carn Kennack.

In 2002 the Cornish Chough bred once again on the Lizard, when three birds returned naturally to the area. This rare member of the crow family is the Cornish national bird and had been absent for Cornwall for over 30 years. Sympathetic habitat management has provided the ideal conditions for many of the Lizard’s rare plants – and by happy coincidence – for Choughs too! Look out for their red beaks and distinctive call.