Mullion

Mullion is the largest village on the Lizard and has shops, inns, cafes and restaurants, craft shops and art galleries. In the centre of the village, the mainly 13th century church of St Mellanus is renowned for its richly-carved oak bench-ends depicting biblical scenes, including that of Jonah and the Whale. The roof is of the Cornish barrel type and the original timbers were supposed to have come from the Goonhilly Forest which covered Goonhilly Downs in mediaeval times. There are no nails in the oak timbers, all are wood-pegged.

The unique scenery around Mullion tempts not only locals to take up sketching and painting but also attracts many visitors who wish to spend part of their holiday capturing their favourite views on paper or canvas. No wonder then that Mullion is the home of The Mullion Gallery. This is one of the largest commercial galleries in Cornwall and shows the work of a large number of Artists and Craftspeople, nearly all of whom live on the Lizard Peninsula.

There are few better ways to see the countryside or the coast than from the back of a horse - and at Newton Riding Stables close to the centre of Mullion village you should find the horse to suit you, whatever your level of experience. This is a family run business with twenty horses and ponies of all sizes, some big enough to pull the carriage which will take eight people around the village or down to Mullion Meadows for an ice cream.

Whether you want to learn or practice in the indoor or outdoor sand schools or go for an exhilarating beach ride, they can cater for all abilities. An additional feature is that you can have the use of a Western Saddle if you require a bit more comfort. For the non-horse riders, or for letting off more steam, there is a Bouncy Castle, Assault Course and for the brave a mechanical Rodeo Bull!

Mullion Cove

Mullion Cove is a pretty working harbour protected from the winter gales that rage across Mount’s Bay by two stout sea walls. The harbour was completed in 1895 and financed by Lord Robartes of Lanhydrock as recompense to the fishermen for several disastrous pilchard seasons.

Today the National Trust bears the considerable cost of keeping the harbour walls repaired and you can still see the old pilchard cellar and net store. There are plenty of smuggling tales too. In 1801, the King’s Pardon was offered to any smuggler giving information on the Mullion musket men involved in a gunfight with the crew of HM Gun Vessel Hecate.

The cove had a lifeboat station from 1867 -1909, and with good reason, in the six years up to 1873 there were nine wrecks under Mullion cliffs along a stretch of coastline just over a mile long. Inland are the remains of Wheal Unity copper mine, which operated from the early 18th century to 1919. A large copper boulder from the mine is in the Natural History Museum, London.

Nearby Poldhu Cove is an ideal and easily accessible family beach. In December 1901, on the cliffs above Poldhu, Guglielmo Marconi conducted his famous experiment in trans-Atlantic radio communications.

To commemorate the centenary of that transatlantic radio message, the National Trust built the Marconi Centre close to the site of Marconi’s wireless station. The centre explores the fascinating history of Marconi and his place in history through an exhibition and video presentation. It is also the base of the Poldhu Amatuer Radio Club.

Heading back towards Helston on the main road, within a few miles you can take the turning to Gunwalloe, a magical place and on a clear, warm, summer’s day, a place of great beauty and peace. It is then difficult to imagine that there have been many ships wrecked hereabouts, either driven ashore into the cove or dashed against the rocks under the notorious Halzephron cliff to the north.

The contrast can be seen and felt by a visit to the amazing little church which is built almost on the beach, but tucked in under the cliff on the western side. Almost surrounded by Tamarisk trees, unspoilt and in the 15th century style, it has somehow managed to survive the severe winter storms.