The Lizard

The Lizard. Not a cross-roads, a junction, or a place to drive through, but a journey’s end, a destination. Standing proud in the sea, the peninsula presents a rugged face to the elements, yet paradoxically the climate is probably the warmest in Britain.

The air is crisp, clear and unpolluted by industry. The rocks and cliffs of the coastline offer shelter to the tiny fishing villages huddled into their coves, looking now much as they did centuries ago.

Lizard Point, at the southern end of the peninsula, is surrounded by high cliffs and pounding seas, its famous lighthouse stands on the grass summit as a safe beacon for shipping. Perching on the most southerly tip of Britain, the light shines across a panorama which can only be described as spectacular. Flashing every three seconds, its beam can be spotted in clear weather from up to 29 miles away.

The first lighthouse on this site was built in the early seventeenth century by Sir John Killigrew. Funded from hisown resources - and bitterly opposed by Trinity House (who thought it would encourage wreckers) and the local population (who feared they would lose the rich pickings from wrecked ships) it was never a financial success and was ultimately demolished.

The National Trust owns and protects Britain’s most southerly point and much of the coastline to either side of it.

On a calm summer’s day this is a wonderful place to stand and soak in the beauty of a typical stretch of Cornish coastline - whilst on a wild winter’s afternoon it can be a place of awe as you realise just how powerful are the natural forces of wind and wave.

There is more to the Lizard Peninsula than crashing waves and storm battered cliffs. There are small, sheltered harbours and creeks which wind inland where the trees hang over the water and you can drift along the clear water in a small boat watching the abundant wildlife. The whole area has been designated as being one of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you will find 15 of Britain’s rarest plants here if you look hard enough.

Cottages at Cadwith Cove

Despite the hardships the industry is experiencing at the present time, fishing is still a very important part of everyday life in the Lizard communities and you will find the brightly coloured boats bringing their catches to the harbours. You will not be surprised to find that fresh local seafood dishes figure largely on the menus of the area’s many excellent restaurants and pubs.

As you head northwards towards Mullion you will see the signs for The Lizard Cider Barn, where the age old art of Cornish Scrumpy making is still carried on. Rebuilt from one of the old wartime buildings of the RAF at Predannack Airfield, it has a production capacity of 5,000 gallons of cider a year.

The barn was equipped to continue cider making for the many orchards on farms where traditional skills were being lost. Cider apples from up to sixteen local growers are processed and this is helping to stimulate cider apple growing again.

The local Cornish varieties include; Manaccan Primrose, Ladies Finger, King Byard and Pigs Nose. These are all featured in the Apple Sundial outside the barn. The apple harvest tends to be in October, so it is then that you can observe the cider making process. For the rest of the year the cider is fermenting and maturing undercover in the dark.

Their vintage cider is made from a blend of four hand picked apple varieties, matured for three years before bottling. As well as cider you can buy and enjoy liqueurs, meads and country wines.

One of the pleasures of a holiday is sampling the local food and drinks so do be sure to try these.