Make the trip to mainland Britain’s most southerly point: the Lizard Peninsula

The peninsula is made up of rocks over 350 million years old that would have formed south of the equator. Its name likely stems from the Cornish “Lys Ardh” which means “high court” and may have had a different Celtic name. While the peninsula isn’t a home for any friendly local lizards, it does coincidentally feature serpentine-bearing rock.

For centuries, the peninsula was the first spotting of land for sailors returning to Britain from foreign seas. Carrying this legacy today, the peninsula still symbolises a sort of British homecoming for many locals and visitors.

The peninsula is known for its unique geology that is worth taking the time to explore. When you visit the Lizard Point itself, be aware that you are standing on rocks over 350 millions years old. The site is home to the UK’s best preserved ophiolite, a suite of oceanic crust that makes it onto the continental crust. Keep an eye out for Cornish Heather, an extremely rare species of plant found on Lizard Point, as well as various other types of flora and fauna, many of which are rare or threatened species.

Once you’ve taken in the beauty of Lizard Point itself, make your way along the peninsula and explore the surroundings that can be just as beautiful and surprising.

Nearby villages such as Cadgwith, Porthmallow and Coverack have an out-of-time quality to them that makes for an enchanting stop on your visit to the Lizard. With small coastal cottages, boats ashore and a quintessential Cornish quality, they truly capture what makes this area so special.

For those looking for a little more of a beachy adventure, Kynance Cove, one of Cornwall’s most stunning beaches is not far off and most certainly worth the detour, so are more underrated places like Frenchman’s cove or Kennack Sands. Mullion Cove is another place to find a small hub of peace outside of the main Lizard Point and is also a fantastic spot to watch the sunset!

From there, Lizard Town is a lovely place to end the day and enjoy a drink at a local pub and wander the charming narrow streets and bask in the delightful feeling of being so far away and cut off from the rest of the world.

• The terrain at Lizard Point can be rather tricky so be prepared and bring a good pair of walking shoes and rain gear, just in case. 
• It’s a great place for a picnic so feel free to bring your food and some snacks and water if you’re planning on walking quite a bit. If not, adjacent villages will have shops, cafés and restaurants where visitors can stop and grab a bite to eat. 
• There are no lifeguards on site and the current can be very strong so please be safe and do not attempt a swim unless you are qualified to do so. 
• Dogs are welcome at Lizard Point, although they must be kept on a lead to ensure their safety along the cliffside, as well as the proper preservation of the area’s unique and important flora and fauna. 
• The coastline is open from dawn to dusk. 
• Toilets and accessible toilets can be sound at the Lizard Point car park. 

By car: 

• When travelling by car, take the A3083 from Helston south to Lizard Point. The area is well signposted. There is a pay and display National Trust car park at Lizard Point that visitors can use.  

By foot: 

• Lizard Point is on the South West Coast Path and local footpaths take walkers to the point. 

By bus: 

• There is a bus operated by First which runs between Lizard and Helston.