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elcome to the 2014 edition of the Lizard and Meneage Guide, bringing you the best of what this special area has to offer. The Lizard is a land apart, an almost-island surrounded to east, west and south by the sea. We leave Helston and go on to the Lizard, not to and certainly not through. It’s not on the road to anywhere so a trip here is a special effort. And it’s worth it. When you come on to the Lizard you’re entering a landscape defined by its rocks and its minerals, the largest lump of serpentine rock south of Uist and a bewildering complexity of geology. And the countryside that has risen from these rocks, altered by centuries of farming, has given rise to an amazing assemblage of plants and wildlife not seen elsewhere, a truly unique experience recognised by the Lizard being the largest lowland Nature Reserve in the country. To the west you’ll find towering cliffs and a wild, windswept landscape where trees are bent to the wind and the Atlantic storms crash against the rocky shore. Look closer however and you’ll find amongst the cattle grazed cliffs a display of flora that is unique. Here amongst carpets of spring squill and tufts of sea pinks, you can find plants that grow nowhere else in Britain, which have been bringing botanists to their knees in delight for hundreds of years. To the south lies Lizard Point, a must see for travellers to the extremes of this country
6 and the first place in Cornwall to welcome back the Cornish Chough after an absence of many decades. Alongside the towers of the most southerly lighthouse you might hear their distinctive call - one that is increasingly being heard around the county’s coast. To the east coast, from here to the mouth of the Helford River, lie sheltered coves and wooded valleys, as an escape from the wind and a lusher, different world where rivers tumble down to the sea and small local villages. From here tiny fishing fleets supply local shops and restaurants with the finest of fresh fish, crabs and lobsters. In summer, Cornish heath, the Lizard’s very own variety of heather, lights the wild heathland of Goonhilly Downs across the middle of the Lizard with a blaze of colour, this landscape marked by the giant dishes of the Satellite Earth Station and the tall towers bringing a modern detail to an ancient landscape rich in wildlife. So a visit here offers everything that Cornwall can give: fabulous beaches, great food, tropical gardens, beautiful views hidden creeks and coves and the friendliest of Cornish welcomes. But here you’ll also be able to see and enjoy truly amazing wildlife from the rarest of small clovers, to the brilliance of the Cornish heath carpeting the downs with colour in August and, as you walk across camomile scented turf, you’ll be joined by the call of Cornish choughs, buzzards and skylarks on your way.
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ith its rugged coastline, family friendly beaches and subtropical gardens, the Lizard Peninsula has something for all the family to enjoy. Whether it’s lifeboat days, carnivals, fetes, garden shows, food festivals, tours or nature trails, the Lizard has it all. With so much to see there is sure to be something for everyone. On the following pages we have put together a month on month guide to what’s happening on the Lizard. Even in the colder months there are still things to see and do and, whatever the weather, enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
APRIL 2014 Spring Clean at Poldhu 6th April 2014 Poldhu Beach 01326 291174 Help the Lizard rangers prepare for Easter, and help wildlife at the same time, by giving popular Poldhu Beach a spring clean from 10am. No additional charges. Family Bush Craft Day 8th April, 9th April and 10th April Poltesco 01326 291174 Learn how to light a fire without matches, make rope from plant fibres, build a den and create your own paint from nature. Be prepared to get mucky so wear suitable clothes and bring something to cook on the fire. An event for families and accompanied children. Free for adults, children £5. Fiendish Freshwater Friends 14th April 2014, 10:30 - 12:30 Higher Bochym, near Mullion 01326 291174 Delve into ponds with the National Trust and discover more about the weird and wonderful creatures that live in them – who is dinner and who to avoid! Free event, booking essential. Nature Detective Trail 15th and 16th April Poltesco 01326 291174 Take the challenge and become a deadly detective to discover ‘who dunnit’ with the National Trust! Follow the trail of clues around Poltesco Valley between 11am and 4pm to deduce the culprit. Free event with no booking necessary. Porthleven Food and Music Festival 26th April Porthleven Harbour Head www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com A day celebrating the best of Cornish food, accompanied by a soundtrack of local music. This year’s theme is ‘local food, global stage’, showing how Cornwall’s produce has spread throughout the world.
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MAY 2014 Spring Flowers on the Lizard 2nd May Kynance car park 01326 291174 A guided botanical walk along the cliffs at Kynance in all their spring glory, from 10am until noon. You’ll see some of the unique coastal and heath species, plus take in a spectacular view. Cost £2.50 per person, car parking charges also apply to non National Trust members. No need to book; meet in the car park at 10am. Helston Flora Day 8th May Helston town centre www.helstonfloraday.org.uk A day of music and colour, with dancing through the streets and a pageant. The day starts at 7am outside the town’s Guildhall, with the first of four dances led by Helston Town Band. The Hal-an-Tow pageant begins on St John’s Bridge at 8.30am and is then performed at various locations in the town, telling of different legends. Children dressed in white dance from Wendron Street at 9.40am, the main Furry Dance leaves the Guildhall at noon and the evening dance wraps up the festivities, leaving once again from the Guildhall at 5pm. Forage and Feast Walk 9th May Predannack 01326 291174 Experience the Lizard coast at its finest with this springtime walk exploring what's edible
(and what's not) around Predannack from 10am. Costs include tasting dishes made with nature's tasty treats. Booking essential. Adults £5, children £2. Kayaking at Mullion Seven dates between 17th May and 6th September Mullion 01326 558424 Take to the water at Mullion on this guided kayak trip exploring caves, coves and the island. Spot seals and basking sharks and if you're feeling lucky have a go at fishing for your dinner... All equipment and tuition is provided, bring shoes you don't mind getting wet, plus sun cream. Children aged eight and over welcome. Booking essential; all tickets £40 per person. Seashore Shenanigans 29th May 2014 Kennack Beach 01326 291174 Join the Wild Lizard Ranger between 11am and 1pm for a rummage in the rockpools, discover who eats who and the amazing creatures that have made the pools their home. Free event, no booking necessary.
JUNE 2014 Beach Clean Day 3rd June Coverack Beach 01326 281448 Help clean up Coverack Beach ahead of the summer season. Anyone can help out, at any time of day. Bags and gloves are available from the shop Brenda’s and The Old Mill Shop.
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events Open Farm Sunday at Tregullas Farm 8th June Lizard Point 01326 291174 Join the Amiss family to find out about life on Britain’s most southerly farm, from noon. There will be a mini farmers’ market selling local produce, plus farm and Chough walks and displays. Meet the ducks, goats, sheep and cattle with plenty for kids of all ages, including crafts, tractor rides, a photography competition and refreshments. Limited parking available at the farm; park in the National Trust car park or on the Lizard Green and follow signs to Lizard Point. Dogs on leads welcome. No additional charges. Mawgan Feast Week 8th – 14th June Contact Grace Hatton, Parish Clerk 01326 280777 8th June 6.30pm Short opening service at War Memorial followed by Gweek Silver Band at Mawgan Recreation Hall 9th June 7.30pm Musical event at Mawgan Church 11th June 7.30pm Quiz at Mawgan Recreation Hall 13th June 7.30pm Bingo at Mawgan Recreation Hall 14th June Feast Saturday all day family fun event at Mawgan Recreation Ground Cornish Hedge Walk June 15th 2pm to 4pm Leader Mary Combe Meet at Halanoweth Farm TR12 6DE and/ or Caervallack Farm, St Martin, Helston SW 721 250 Drive through St Martin village and Halanoweth is one mile out of the village on the right hand side (just past the farm shop). The entrance to Caervallack farm is just 1/2 mile further on. Signposted. Join FWAG’s Mary Combe for an interesting and informative walk and talk on the different varieties of Cornish hedge, their history and usefulness especially as habitat for wildlife. Be dressed for the weather conditions and wear footwear suitable for a farm walk. Sorry No Dogs on this Walk. Booking Essential.
Nightjars at Dusk 28th June Croft Pascoe, Goonhilly Downs 01326 281448 A guided walk with Martin Rule at Croft Pascoe on Goonhilly Downs, starting at 9.15pm. Bring a torch and wear non rustling clothes. West Cornwall Motor Show 29th June Wendron Cricket and Football Club westcornwallmotorshow.com Visitors can expect to see classic and vintage cars, motorcycles, car dealerships, trade stands and craft stalls along with a wide variety of entertainment and displays suitable for the whole family, between 10am and 4pm. Refreshments will provided on-site by local businesses. The club can be found just off the A39 between Helston and Falmouth.
JULY 2014 Beach Clean Day 1st July Coverack Beach 01326 281448 Help clean up Coverack Beach. Anyone can help out, at any time of day. Bags and gloves will be available from the shop Brenda’s and The Old Mill Shop. Crabs and Critters 13th July 12 noon ‘til 2pm Leader Matt Slater Meet outside the Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage. SW 764 269 Join Matt Slater on a search for fascinating mud-dwelling sea creatures on an exceptionally low tide! Find out more about the myriad of creatures that live in and on the mud at Bar Beach, Helford Passage. Wellies essential! Please be dressed for the weather conditions, sunhat or raincoat. Getting muddy most likely! Booking essential.
Family Wild Camp Tremayne Woods near Helford River 01326 291174 19th July to 20th July Could you really survive in the wild? Join the National Trust for a wild camp in Tremayne Woods from noon until 10am the next day. Build a shelter, learn new bushcraft skills, cook over the fire and see Tremayne Woods as you have never seen them before. Some communal food provided. Booking essential; adult £10, child £7. Archaeology Walk – Poltesco: Pilchards, Mills and Serpentine 24th July 2014, 13:00 - 15:00 Poltesco 01326 291174 Join the National Trust for a guided walk around the delightful Poltesco Valley, now a wooded haven for wildlife, but once the centre of a thriving industry. Learn about the valley's fascinating history at this Festival of British Archeology event. Price £2.50 per person, no booking necessary. Meet in the car park for 1pm start. Open Air Children’s Theatre Production 25th July The Battery, Lambeage Hall, Coverack 01326 281448 An open air performance of a children’s theatre workshop production, involving around 20 local children who will have been working hard for two days. Come and see what they have achieved, from 3pm. The Helford Conservation Cruise 27th July 4pm to 6:30pm Adults £10 Children £5 Booking Essential with cheques payable to “Helford Marine Conservation Group” and SAE for tickets to Sue Scott, Little Helland, Treverva, Penryn TR 10 9BP. Leave from the Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage. SW 764 269 Enjoy the Helford wildlife scene on a boat trip upriver from the mouth of the estuary with local experts, displays and children’s activities. Please bring binoculars.
Mullion Harbour Day 21st June Mullion Harbour 01326 291174 Fun filled family day from noon, including harbour games, the greasy pole, raft races, craft stalls, kayak tasters and a licensed bar and barbecue. Also features the legendary Grand National Trust Seahorse Steeplechase. No additional charges. RNLI Cream Tea 24th June Bakery Cottage, Coverack 01326 281448 Enjoy a traditional Cornish cream tea with scones laden with clotted cream and jam, while raising money for the RNLI.
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Lizard Lifeboat Annual Fete 27th July Lizard Village Green www.thelizardlifeboat.org.uk/events Spend a few hours learning about the essential lifesaving work of the Lizard Lifeboat and help support its fundraising efforts. There will be a variety of stalls, activities and games. National Garden Scheme 27th July Water’s Edge, Coverack 01326 281448 The beautiful garden of Water’s Edge will be open between 11am and 4pm, together with the art studio. Teas and a children’s trail will also be available. Follow the yellow signs; cost is £3 per person, children enter for free. Sandcastle and Sculpture Competition 29th July Coverack Beach 01326 281448 Come and be creative with sand on Coverack Beach, by creating the biggest sandcastle or the best sculpture. Registration from 1pm, with judging at 2pm. Categories for children and families. Beach shoes are advisable. RNAS Culdrose Air Day 31st July RNAS Culdrose, Helston One of the main attractions is the dazzling afternoon flying display, in which aeroplanes zoom overhead and helicopters give breathtaking displays of daring. Visitors can also meeting the aircrew who fly around the world taking part in military operations, before having a go themselves at piloting a helicopter in a flight simulator.
AUGUST 2014 Open Gardens in aid of Children’s Hospice South West 3rd August Coverack village 01326 281448 Follow your way around a number of gardens in Coverack, which will be opened to the public between noon and 5pm to raise money for the Children’s Hospice South West. Entry tickets and map available from the bus stop green, for £3 per person with children free. Cream teas and plant and cake stalls available. Cornish Pisky Pals® Summer Pisky Trail 4th – 12th August Coverack 01326 281448 Follow a trail around Coverack finding the names of small piskies. Raising funds for Coverack School and Coverack Space 2000. Coverack RNLI Lifeboat Day 9th August One of the main fundraising events for Coverack RNLI, supporting the lifesaving work of the lifeboats in the area. There will be a variety of stalls and activities from
Sharing a moment at RNAS Culdrose Air Day
noon, with a demonstration in the water (subject to weather and emergencies). See posters in the village for full details. Mawgan Church Summer Fete at the church. Saturday 9th August 2pm Contact Pauline Arnold 01326 221095 Games, stalls and fun for all the family. Porthleven Lifeboat Day 10th August Harbour Head, Porthleven The main fundraising event for Porthleven RNLI, this is a day of activities starting at around 10.30am. There will be displays, stalls, music and demonstrations, including from one of the area’s lifeboats and a search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose (subject to weather and emergencies). Coverack Regatta 10th August Coverack Harbour Enjoy water-based games and activities in the harbour, with stalls and competitions. Rock Pool Safari 12th August Coverack Beach 01326 281448 Come and explore what is hiding in our rock pools, led by Peter Woods. Bring your own buckets and spades and wear non slip beach shoes. Organised by Coverack Space 2000. Rockpool Ramble 13th August 1:30pm to 3:30pm Mawnan Church, Old Church Rd Mawnan TR11 5HY Church SW 788 272 Prisk Cove SW794 276 Investigate the fascinating rockpools at Prisk Cove and discover the hidden world of crabs, fish sea anemones and strange shellfish with marine expert Ruth Williams. Please wear non slip rock scrambling shoes that you are prepared to get wet! Bring small nets and plastic buckets if you wish.
Batty About Bats 13th August Penrose Hill car park 01326 554715 Spend a summer’s evening with National Trust rangers in the woods, watching the bats emerge at dusk to feed from 8.30pm. Then help to investigate the species seen with a bat detector. Fun for all the family. Booking essential; all tickets £3. Lizard Lifeboat Day 17th August The boathouse, Kilcobben Cove Find out about the lifesaving work of the Lizard RNLI and take a tour of the lifeboat Rose, while raising money to keep the lifeboat running. Rockpool Ramble 13th August 1:30pm to 3:30pm Mawnan Church, Old Church Rd Mawnan TR11 5HY Church SW 788 272 Prisk Cove SW794 276 Investigate the fascinating rockpools at Prisk Cove and discover the hidden world of crabs, fish sea anemones and strange shellfish with marine expert Ruth Williams. Please wear non slip rock scrambling shoes that you are prepared to get wet! Bring small nets and plastic buckets if you wish. Mermaid and Pirate Day 19th August Coverack 01326 281448 Fun and games all day, on the beach and throughout the village. Themed menus and a treasure hunt – dress up and join in. Pirate and mermaid crafts from 1pm in St Peter’s Hall, with make and take activities. Tide Challenge 26th August Coverack Beach 01326 281448 Try and to hold back the tide by building a structure out of natural things found on the beach. Last flag flying wins! The line is drawn at noon. Beach shoes are advisable.
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events Chyvarloe Farm Open Day 31st August 07979 196569 / www.facebook.com/chyvarloefarm Join Chyvarloe Farm for its fourth annual open day from 11am. Meet the animals, explore the farm and visit the farmers’ market, with barbecue and refreshments available from local producers. No additional charges.
SEPTEMBER 2014
Durgan Beach, Helford River SW 773 272 Saturday 20th September 10am to 12 noon Leader Abby Crosby Join the Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine experts on a guided snorkel tour of the Helford eelgrass beds then warm up with a tasty barbeque. Snorkelers must bring their own equipment including wetsuit, snorkel, mask and fins. Barbeque £5, snorkelers will be asked for small contribution to CWT insurance. Booking essential, snorkel places limited. Beachwatch big weekend 20th September Church Cove, Gunwalloe 01326 554715, Calling all beach lovers! Help the National Trust clean the beach and record the types of litter found at Church Cove, Gunwalloe as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s national Beachwatch event, from 10am. Free event (normal admission charges apply).
OCTOBER 2014
Fungus Foray in Tremayne Woods Saturday 11th October 10am to 1pm Meet at Gear Farm, St Martin TR12 6DE SW 722 249 Join National Trust Ranger Justin Whitehouse for a foraging session and walk in Tremayne woods. Wear Clothing suitable for all weathers and sturdy shoes or wellingtons bearing in mind it could be muddy. Booking Essential.
NOVEMBER 2014
Helston Christmas lights facts about their lives and how we can find out more about them. We will also look at how their fortunes have changed in the last 20 years on the Helford.
DECEMBER 2014
Helston Christmas Lights Switch On 28th November Coinagehall Street, Helston See the award-winning Helston Christmas lights switched on in all their glory. The countdown takes place at 7.30pm during an evening of music and stalls, and is followed by a breathtaking fireworks display.
Mawgan Church Christmas Bazaar at Mawgan Recreation Hall Saturday 6th December 2pm. Contact Lindsay Hockley 01326 221740 Games, stalls and fun for all the family.
A Bats Eye View of the Helford Saturday 15th November 730pm At Gweek Village Hall, TR12 6UG Entry £3. Members and children Free Speaker Dr Carol Williams. The Helford is a special place for bats but recent years have been difficult for them and some populations in the UK have suffered. This talk will reveal why the Helford is so special taking you on a journey from the bat’s perspective. We will discover what species of bat can be found here, interesting
The Seagrass Restoration Project Saturday 6th December 7:30pm At Gweek Village Hall, TR12 6UG Entry £3. Members and children Free Speaker Dr Richard Unsworth Dr Richard Unsworth of Swansea University has been down to the Helford to collect samples for his research into the potential for seagrass restoration in 2013. Find out how this project of worldwide significance is progressing.
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JANUARY 2015
Fisheries and Conservation-Managing our Seas’ Resources 24th January At Gweek Village Hall, TR12 6UG Entry £3. Members and children Free Speaker Sam Davies Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (CIFCA) manage the inshore fisheries around the coast of Cornwall, aiming to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry. Sam Davis heads up the research team for the authority and will discuss their current management, survey and research in the district.
FEBRUARY 2015 Mawgan Daffodil Festival at Mawgan Church February 14th /15th 2014 Contact Wendy Bailey 01326 221621 Popular biennial event when the 12th century church is filled with over 10,000 daffodils as well as the sound of music.
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Helford view
Sunrise over the Helford picture by S Toft
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walks n The Penrose Estate is an oasis of calm between Helston and Porthleven, with the mixture of rich farmland and woodland attracting a plethora of wildlife. The jewel in its crown is Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall.
Silver mine
Cliff top mines
Penrose Estate
The silver mine on the marsh. Discover the ancient silver-lead mine of Wheal Pool and the swamp-like willow carr of Loe Marsh. Cross over the river Cober and return along the old Penrose Estate carriage-drive. A mostly level or gently-sloping walk along traffic-free, paved roads, with one flight of steps, a footbridge and a short stretch through the marshes which may be muddy after wet weather, and can be flooded in winter. Stout footwear is advisable. Trail type: Walking. Grade: Moderate. Distance: 1½ miles (2.4km). Time: 40 to 50 minutes. OS MAP: Explorer 103. 1. Start in the fairground public car park beside the Penrose Amenity Area. This whole area was a marshy flood plain until, in 1912, Coronation Park and lake were opened on the far bank of the River Cober. 2. At the far end of the car park, ignore the steps to the right, and instead turn left through the gap in the hedge and onto the road. Turn right, following the road to Lower Nansloe. Soon Loe Marsh appears, a murky tangle of water-tolerant alder and willow. Above the road, to your left, is the site of Castle Wary, thought to be an Iron Age settlement. Before the World War I, a company was set up to rework the tin deposits of the Loe Valley, building a large processing plant near Castle Wary and a narrow-gauged railway which followed the course of the road you’ve walked along. 3. You’ll soon arrive at the ivy-clad ruins of a pumping engine house and boiler house, built in the 1850s to work the lode of the ancient Castle Wary silver-lead mine (later known as Wheal Pool). The mine closed in the 1880s. 4. Soon after leaving the mine, take the path on the right, and follow it down steps to cross the footbridge over the River Cober. Ignore the riverside path on your right, and continue ahead along the causeway path as it winds through the willow carr. 5. When you eventually reach the surfaced drive, turn right. This track was laid in the 1840s as the new carriage drive to Penrose House. Follow the drive to entrance gate. 6. Go through the gate, and turn immediately right to enter the Penrose Amenity Area. Follow the path into the park, and turn left over the footbridge to arrive back at the car park. n We hope that you enjoyed this trail. The National Trust looks after some of the most spectacular areas of countryside for the enjoyment of all. We need your support to help us. To find out how you too can help our work as a volunteer, member or donor go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Discover a once-busy mining area, with wideranging views from hill-top fields, and enjoy a bracing stroll along the cliffs to reach the dramatic shingle beach of Loe Bar. Trail type: Walking. Grade: Moderate. Distance: 1½ miles (2.4km). Time: 40 to 50 minutes. OS MAP: Explorer 103. 1. Start in the Parc-an-als National Trust car park. Walk back up the road and, at the road junction turn right. Continue up the hill, past the spoil heaps of Wheal Penrose silverlead mine – a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the important mineral deposits. When you reach a wide, gravelcovered area on your right, turn here and walk through the entrance. 2. Continue past allotments and into a field. Follow the raised path (an old mining track) across the field, and, at the path junction, turn right. 3. Walk out onto a grassy bluff with panoramic views of Mount’s Bay. Circular clumps of scrub in the field to the east are two overgrown mine shafts of Wheal Rose, another silver mine. Follow the path round to the left and down the field to reach the coast path. 4. Turn left and follow the coast path. You’re now walking through what was, two centuries ago, the heart of Wheal Rose. The embanked area on your left was the mine reservoir and to your right the slopes are pockmarked with pits, mounds and collapsed shafts, and the grassed-over remains of dressing floors where the ore was processed. 5. Continue along the path. Before you reach Bar Lodge, you’ll pass a pillbox, perched on the eroding cliffs. In World War II this defence post overlooked a beach lined with barbed wire and booby-trapped with landmines. 6. If you want to explore Loe Bar, descend the sloping track. The Bar is mostly made of chalkflint, washed up from the sea-bed far out in Mount’s Bay, and rare plants cling to this wavelashed shore – yellow-horned poppy, sea holly, sea-purslane and sea kale. Scores of ships have been lost on Loe Bar, including the Anson in 1807 and the SS Tripolitania on Boxing Day, 1912. A dangerous undertow makes swimming dangerous at all times and all tides. Retrace your steps up the slope, and follow the coast path all the way back, descending a steep flight of steps to reach the car park. n The National Trust looks after some of the most spectacular areas of countryside for the enjoyment of all. We need your support to help us. To find out how you too can help our work as a volunteer, member or donor go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Discover the Penrose Estate plantations and parkland Enjoy a wild ramble through the bluebell woods at Penrose, followed by a gentle stroll through the Victorian parkland. Trail type: Walking. Grade: Moderate. Distance: 1½ miles (2.4km). Time: 40 to 50 minutes. OS MAP: Explorer 103. 1. Start in the Penrose Hill National Trust car park. Take the path at the lower end, crossing over the drive and following the footpath through the trees. At the next track, turn right, and follow the fenced driveway as it curves round to the left, ignoring the private road to Penrose House. 2. Continue down the drive until you reach a metal kissing-gate on the left. Go through this and down to the Victorian bath house above the stream. In the Middle Ages, the Penrose manor mill stood on this spot, surrounded by orchards, willows and a hop garden. 3. Cross the footbridge and climb the meadow towards the small gate into the woods. During the late 18th Century these upper slopes were a small enclosed deer park, with 51 deer brought from Pencarrow. Enter the woods and follow the path up through the trees, and round to the right. 4. Continue along the woodland path through Park Plantation, with views through the trees down to the Parkland. This part of the wood has been planted in the past 25 to 30 years. Eventually the path descends through Sycamore Grove to emerge onto the drive, just west of Helston Lodge. 5. Turn right, and follow the driveway back into the Parkland, with views across to Penrose House. The House is still the home of the Rogers family, who gave the estate to the National Trust in 1974, the largest single gift to the trust in Cornwall. 6. At the junction, if you want to make a short detour to the Stables café (open seasonally) and the walled garden, turn left; otherwise keep straight on, soon crossing over the bridge, built in 1846 as part of the landscaping of the park. Continue past the kissing-gate which you went through earlier and retrace your steps up the slope and all the way back to the car park. n We hope that you really enjoyed this walk. The National Trust looks after some of the most spectacular areas of countryside for the enjoyment of all. We need your support to help us continue our work to cherish the countryside and provide access to our beautiful and refreshing landscapes. To find out more about how you too can help our work as a volunteer, member or donor please go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
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gardens
Above a view of Glendurgan Garden across the famous maze. Below blue bridge at Trebah Garden. Right, top Sun and shade at Bosahan Garden.
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arden lovers rejoice: the Lizard Peninsula is home to some of Cornwall’s best kept secrets when it comes to green and pleasant land. From secluded gardens full of romance to subtropical landscapes filled with exotic flora, the peninsular and immediate surrounding area represents a little slice of paradise for green-fingered visitors.
Here we round up five of the best . . . BOSAHAN GARDEN Close to the Helford River, Bosahan serves up horticultural bliss with a breathtaking view to the estuary and sea. Bosahan, near Manaccan, has its own microclimate, enabling a fusion of tender plants from both hemispheres to flourish in the moist shelter. Radiant rows of rhododendrons and azaleas are mixed with the likes of magnolias and southern hemisphere tree and shrub species. The exotic palm groves and mature Maidenhair trees have made a lush canopy under which to explore the “subtropical” environment. Bosahan is blessed with a meandering stream trickling through the centre, creating a wonderful garden for walkers to follow a trail along the fern-edged banks and palm-fringed pond. n Open March 31 to August 1. Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Closed all weekends and on Bank Holidays. BONYTHON ESTATE GARDENS Discover a unique blend of tropical and traditional horticulture planted in these stunning estate gardens including a classic pottager garden, that lie at the gateway to the Lizard Peninsula. Entering the driveway your sights and senses will immediately be hijacked by the beautiful hydrangeas, but it is the estate’s South African owners, who took over in 1999, that have made Bonython, near Cury Cross Lanes, the intriguing horticultural hotspot it is today, through a modern and exotic horticultural twist. Explore the South African roots beneath the scorching display of ornamental grasses, cannas and proteas that bring one of the three lakes into a froth of colour throughout August and September.
LOCAL
TIP:
Check out National Garden Scheme open days at www.ngs.org.uk
Lesser Celandine at Godolphin
The herbaceous borders of the walled garden are lined with alliums, catmint and carefully selected varieties that enhance the blue, purple, yellow and white colour themes. Even the herb garden has been sprinkled with “picking flowers” to infuse it with vibrant pink and burgundy hues. The array of species is enough to whet any garden-lovers appetite, especially when it is served up with a jaw-dropping view that stretches over the orchard of Cornish apple trees towards the swanscattered Lake Joy. Wander back through the woodland walk, or meander through the tree fern and rhododendron dell. n Open March 1 to September 30. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm excluding Bank Holidays. n Adults £6. Children(under 16) £2. Family (2+2) £14 . 01326 240550 www.bonythonmanor.co.uk TREBAH GARDEN No garden lover can visit the south west of Cornwall without taking a trip to Trebah – a uniquely beautiful, wooded, 25-acre subtropical ravine garden that descends to its own beach on the beautiful Helford River. It is the wild and magical result of 160 years of inspired and dedicated creation. Mediterranean and southern hemisphere plants intermingle with Trebah’s groves of huge Australian tree ferns and palms. A giant plantation of gunnera and clumps of huge bamboos give this garden a unique and exotic wildness matched by no other garden in the British Isles.
The garden near Mawnan Smith has been rated as one of the best 80 gardens in the world. In early spring, Trebah comes alive with a colourful array of 100-year-old rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias; in summer, the giant gunnera is a must see for young and old. In autumn, Hydrangea Valley casts clouds of china blue and soft white across Mallard Pond and in winter, spectacular champion trees dominate the landscape and plants from the southern hemisphere can be seen flowering. n Open all year, seven days a week, 10am to 5.30pm. Last entry 4.30pm. n Adults £9.90. Senior citizens £8. Children aged five to 15 £3.30. Children under five free. 01326 252200 www.trebahgarden.co.uk GLENDURGAN GARDEN Also near Mawnan Smith, one of the most exciting features of Glendurgan is its cherry laurel maze dating back to 1833. This thriving, sub-tropical valley garden runs down to the Helford River at the fishing village of Durgan and boasts beautiful blooms in every season thanks to its sheltered ravine position. Visitors can explore under lush canopies and wind through the exotic gardens to meet the water’s edge. Discover giant rhubarb plants in the jungle-like lower valley and spiky arid plants basking in the sunny upper slopes, wander through the garden down to the beautiful hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River and find gigantic tulip trees and ponds teeming with wildlife. Assistance dogs only. n Open until November 2, Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5.30pm (last admission 5pm). 01326 252020 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glendurgan-garden GODOLPHIN HOUSE AND ESTATE A beautiful and romantic historic house and garden, where time has stood still. The garden is largely unchanged since the 16th Century, with archaeologically rich estate walks. Godolphin Estate is situated between Helston, at the gateway to the Lizard Peninsula, and Penzance. With more than 700 years of Cornish history, the privately-owned Tudor and Stuart mansion, complete with its Elizabethan stables, is surrounded by its formal gardens and spectacular bluebell woods. Dogs are welcome in the garden on short leads. n Gardens open every day, 10am to 5pm. 01736 763194. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/godolphin for prices.
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beaches
The iconic Kynance Cove
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hey may not be as well-known as the beaches on the north coast, but their very remoteness means that the beaches on The Lizard don’t get the tourist hordes, and there are some real hidden gems away from the tourist trail. From tiny tree-lined coves to world-class surf spots, we have selected just a few of our favourites on The Lizard for you to visit.
COVERACK
Relax on the golden sand and swim in the azure sea, or learn to wind surf or kayak with the local school based in the harbour Greatly restricted beach area at high tide.
POLDHU COVE
Poldhu Cove is a large popular sandy cove with dunes and is well known surfing spot. Poldhu Cove is around seven miles from Helston. Head for Cury village by heading along the A3083 to Lizard. After three miles turn right onto a minor road to Cury. Drive through the village and follow the road to Poldhu Cove. There is a popular surf school where the whole family can get lessons on how to enjoy the waves. Next door the family run Poldhu Beach Cafe sells light lunches, ice creams and drinks, as well as the usual beaching paraphernalia. Dogs are banned from Easter Day to October 1 (7am to 7pm) Have fun taking part in the tide challenge on Coverack Beach in July (see events)
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GILLAN
Gillan Harbour lies about half mile south of the Helford River on the southern bank of a small creek opposite St Anthony in Meneage. The beach is a mixture of sand
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
beaches
Taking the Dog? The clear blue waters of Kennack Sands
and shingle and there is a small area of grass suitable for picnics. Gillan Harbour beach is rarely crowded. There are good walks west along the river bank towards Manaccan or northwest to Helford Village. About half a mile east of Gillan lies the rocky Men-aver Beach with walks available east to Lestowder Cliff leading to Nare Point.
GUNWALLOE CHURCH COVE
The name of the quiet, peaceful church at the edge of the sand derives from the Breton missionary saint “St Winwaloe” and is an unusual beach in that there is a church set below the low cliffs of Castle Mound at its northern end. What is even more unusual, is that the bell tower is detached from the main body of the small church standing about three metres away cut into the cliffside. Quite popular due to its proximity to Helston, fine NT car park and its good sandy beach.
Overlooked by a golf course on its eastern edge.
KENNACK SANDS
Kennack Sands, just outside the village of Kuggar (TR12 7LZ) on the Lizard Peninsula, is well known amongst the surfing fraternity. This beach has a big tidal range due to its shallow angle. 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. The french ship 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, it can be reached via the footpath that runs along the back of the beach and over Carn Kennack.
KYNANCE COVE
Popular since Victorian times, the unexpected views are still a powerful draw today. Located less than two miles from The Lizard and once remote and difficult to get to, the National Trust built a new toll road to a large car park on the downs above the cove The beach’s defining features are the serpentine rock formations with a distinctive pinnacle to the north of the beach. All in all Kynance is one of the prettiest coves in Cornwall and as a result one of the most painted and photographed.
POLURRIAN COVE
Polurrian Cove lies just seaward of the village of Mullion. It is a southwest-facing beach with golden sand and patches of fine shingle.
PORTHLEVEN
Porthleven beach is next to the harbour and near Porthleven village centre. Porthleven Beach is separated from the harbour by the granite pier which lies in
Everyone knows about the wonderful unspoilt beaches of The Lizard, but did you know that your dog is welcome YEAR ROUND at the following beaches: Polgwidden Gillan Harbour Porthallow Porthoustock Coverack Kennack Sands (east) Cadgwith (east) Polpeor Cove Pentreath Mullion Cove Gunwalloe Fishing Cove Loe Bar Porthleven (East Beach - from Blue Buoys steps to Loe Bar) Dogs are allowed on the following beaches up until Easter and then again on October 1. Kennack Sands (West near car park) Cadgwith Cove (south) Housel Bay, The Lizard Kynance Cove Pollurrian Cove Poldhu Gunwalloe Church Cove Porthleven West (from the slipway to Blue Bouys steps) Portreath
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beaches
Beach fun at Coverack
front of the Porthleven institute and clock tower. When the tide is out it is possible to walk in an easterly direction along Porthleven beach for three miles, past Loe Bar and Penrose Estate. Alternatively, you can walk along the coast path the coast path out of the village with the Porthleven beach below you. Greatly restricted beach area at high tide
PORTHALLOW
A pebbly beach directly in front of the once thriving fishing village of Porthallow near St Keverne. Once a busy fishing village with a thriving pilchard fleet there are only a few working boats left here. There’s no lifeguard cover but dogs are allowed all year round. The car park is practically on the beach, while there is the Five Pilchards pub, a cafÊ and other facilities nearby.
GUNWALLOE DOLLAR COVE
The cove is named after the silver dollars that have occasionally been found from the wreck of a 17th century ship. The rock formations here are of special interest with the contorted strata of the cliffs representing 1,000s of years of tectonic movement.
The beach at Porthleven
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Best for: Family day Surfing Quiet History Walks
Kennack Sand Poldhu Gillan Church Cove Kynance Cove
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
21
food
Above, left – festival patron Antony Worrall Thompson. Above, right – exotic tastes can be found at the annual Porthleven Food and Music Festival
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Exotic sights and sounds
his year’s Porthleven Food and Music Festival will take place on Saturday, April 26, around the picturesque harbour of Porthleven. The event will be officially opened at 10am by festival patron and celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson. The festival will be themed Local Food, Global Stage and will encompass exotic world flavours, music and entertainment. The popular annual spring festival is now in its sixth year and is going from strength to strength attracting a staggering 18,000 people to the historic There is no shortage of food to try at the annual festival port during the main festival day in 2013. there will be an opening demo by Mr Worrall Festival co-ordinator Hannabeth Johnson Thompson in TV’s Ready Steady Cook style said: “Cornish specialities and traditional in the main marquee. There will be more British favourites will sit alongside the exotic than 90 food and craft stalls surrounding the tastes and smells of street food from around harbour with an emphasis this year on world the world, and all to the backdrop of an street food. Festival visitors can enjoy eclectic mix of music and entertainment. Spanish churros for breakfast, Japanese “The theme this year celebrates world sushi for lunch and Filipino adobo pork for food’s influence on Cornwall’s cuisine and supper, or whatever takes their fancy as they how our local food has been revered and wander around savouring the exotic sights, enjoyed on a global stage.” smells and sounds. The 2014 festival theme will pay homage The music offering this year will be an to the Cornish forefathers who travelled to exciting, eclectic mix of the traditional and far off places to make their way in the world, modern. Local and international music will the influences of which can be seen in be performed during the daytime on two outdoor music stages situated on the historic Cornish cooking today and in places such as harbour side. Later, in the main marquee, Mexico where they still hold an annual pasty there will be more bands, revelry and festival. dancing into the night. As well as all-day cooking demonstrations
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There will also be a young person’s festival area. This will feature performances, music, art and cooking workshops in a designated marquee with outdoor entertainment, stalls and games to keep the young and young-at-heart festival goers happy. This year visitors can make a whole weekend of it, with the fun starting on the night before the main food festival day (April 25). A ticket-only fundraiser evening in the main marquee will feature a beer festival style bar, indoor street food market and music by Jools Holland’s favourite boogie woogie pianist Ben Waters and his band. The fun and dancing will carry on for those with the stamina through to Sunday, April 27. They can enjoy a live music day in the main marquee (from 11.30am to 9.30pm) featuring popular local bands, choirs and performers, a Spingo beer bar and yet more delicious street food. The Porthleven Food Festival is a free community event and a weekend not to be missed. Timings are as follows: Friday Fundraiser – 6.30pm to 11pm in the main marquee. Main Food Festival Day – 10am to 11pm around the harbour. Sunday live music day – 11.30am to 9.30pm in the main marquee. Anyone requiring more information should log onto www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com For online sales of Friday night tickets to see Ben Waters go to: https://store.tickethive.co.uk/
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
food
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he Cornish are justifiably proud of their home grown and raised produce and this is just as true on The Lizard Peninsula as it is in the rest of the county. From cosy ‘gastro pubs” to top class restaurants you are spoiled for choice when you enjoy a trip to The Lizard. Don’t forget the fantastic fish and chip shops, the homemade ice cream at Roskilly’s, the monthly farmers
Seadrift, Porthleven
Seadrift offers diner-style decor with a gourmet food selection. It serves high quality food, with plenty of fresh fish, in a relaxed, seaside atmosphere. Being a work fishing port the menu understandably includes plenty of seafood specials such as grilled tiger prawns with garlic butter, fillet of sea bass with creamed confit cabbage and wild mushrooms, and sauteed squid, chorizo and rocket. For those looking for something less fishy, however, there are plenty of other options like pan-roasted duck breast with sweet potato mash and onion gravy, warm salad of chorizo, fig and parmesan, and oven-baked ratatouille with grilled goats cheese bake. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 10pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. 01326 558733 www.seadriftporthleven.co.uk
Ship Inn, Mawgan
Something of a closely-guarded secret by locals, this pub-come-restaurant is slowly building a strong reputation by worth of mouth recommendations. Offering more unusual fare such as pheasant, suet pastry pudding, twice-baked cheese soufflé with roasted pine kernels, and smoked haddock with bubble and squeak, the chef uses in-season ingredients leading to an everchanging menu. Not the easiest to find, it's worth the hunt. Pass through the village as if heading out towards St Martin and at the pink thatched cottage fork right, down a hill - if you reach the church you've gone too far. · Open Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm - 11pm (food served until 9pm). Closed Sunday and Monday. 01326 221240 www.shipinnmawgan.co.uk
Seadrift, Porthleven
New Yard Restaurant, Trelowarren, Mawgan
Just about everything is made on site using seasonal Cornish ingredients - even the game is caught on the estate in which it is based - making it a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. Hidden at the heart of the picturesque Trelowarren Estate, the restaurant has been described as a "romantics' hideaway" by customers. Menu choices include Trelowarren honey and chestnut soup, poached skate wing with tomato and red peppers, and pan-roasted chicken breast with split pea, smoked pancetta and café crème. · Open April to May, Tuesday - Friday 10am - 2pm, 7pm - 9pm, Saturday 8.30am - 10am, noon - 2pm, 7pm - 9pm, Sunday noon - 2pm; June to September all day; October to March, Wednesday to Saturday, 10.30am - 2pm, 7pm - 9pm, Sunday 10.30am - 2pm. 01326 221595 www.newyardrestaurant.co.uk
Giuseppes, Helston
An authentic Italian restaurant in Wendron Street that is building an increasing reputation for itself in the area. Serving all the usual pastas and pizzas, together with some more specialist dishes, owner and chef Giuseppe has brought the taste of his native Italy to Cornwall. · Open Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm - 9pm, additionally Friday and Saturday 10am - 2pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. 01326 569300
The Top House Inn, The Lizard
This can boast to being mainland Britain's most southerly inn and many would argue it’s is worth the trek. Offering a deliberately eclectic menu to cater for a wide variety of choices, the majority of dishes are homemade, including handmade burgers and fishcakes, curries and pies. Portions are hearty and fresh local fish is a speciality. Wherever possible staff will let you know the boat name and number, and for local line caught fish staff you can even get the fisherman's name. Dine in the bar or restaurant areas, or if the weather is fine take advantage of the patio garden for dining alfresco. · Open daily Easter to October, food from 11.30am; November onwards 11.30am - 2pm, 5.30pm - 9pm. 01326 290974 www.thetophouselizard.co.uk
Mounts Bay Inn, Mullion
Ranked top place to eat in Mullion on Trip Advisor, the Mounts Bay is applauded for offering quality food at sensible prices. Owners Cheryl and Peter serve locally sourced meals, including the catch of the day from nearby Newlyn, alongside a range of Cornish real ales. There is separate children’s menu, with reduced dining for senior citizens ever Tuesday and Friday between noon and 2pm. The pub has strong local support but also a warm welcome to visiting families Open in season, Monday to Thursday 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm, Friday to Saturday 11am – midnight, Sunday noon – 10.30pm. Low season, Friday 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – midnight. 01326 240221, mountsbaymullion.co.uk
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food
Dine in style with Fresshh! F
or those who have enjoyed the fine food on offer at The Ship Inn, Mawgan-inMeneage, here’s some fabulous news . . . Proprietors Greg and Alli Laskey have launched a range of restaurant quality frozen ready meals, Fresshh!, to enable diners to have that same exceptional dining experience in the comfort of their own homes. Favourites from the Ship Inn menu are prepared by Greg with the same great local ingredients then flash frozen in handy microwaveable trays or quick cook vacuum packs. With five main courses to choose from – like slow braised Cornish brisket beef, toasted hazelnut and smoked bacon with a tarragon cream, or slow cooked pork belly with apple and sultana chutney – staying at home has never been so good. Starters and side dishes are also available – and look out for
the new gourmet ice cream range, coming soon. Greg is passionate about cooking but equally fanatical about provenance. Each dish features a primary ingredient sourced locally and helps keep money in the Cornish farming community. The Fresshh! range can be purchased online from www.fresshh.co.uk, or from the freezer section of good local convenience stores. The website features advice on what seasonal vegetables go well with the main course dishes. If you’re buying from a shop don’t forget to pick up the handy little folding seasonal guide. Perfect for initimate dinners for two, or for taking the stress out of entertaining a crowd. Keep a few Fresshh! dishes in the freezer and you’ll always be able to put something stunning on the table and, as Greg and Alli say: “If you don’t tell, we won’t – Fresshh! – your secret is safe with us . . .”
Arts and crafts . . . and cider too! THE Old Cider Barn Arts and Crafts Centre has changed. For 13 years the cider barn sold only cider. Now when you fancy a cool glass of cider or wine you will be able to enjoy it surrounded by beautiful handcrafted local arts and crafts. There are gifts such as unique pieces of silver jewellery, turned wood, pottery, fabric crafts and candles, and paintings by Vicky Smith, Becky Jewel and Kit Johns to name just three. The Cider Barn Arts and Crafts Centre offers a range of ciders, wines, meads liqueurs and ales to drink in or take out and there are free tastings to find your favourite. Delicious home made jams chutneys and curds, cookies, fudge and Cornish sea salt are on sale alongside an artisan malt vinegar made in Coverack by Cornish Ales. You can rest your feet with a cup of coffee and cake in part of the old guard room of RAF Predannack (the barn’s former role) with a table of interesting bric brac items on sale. For younger customers there are fresh juices and interesting items to take home. Look out for the giant apples. The centre is on the main road three miles before the Lizard village with plenty of parking. A walk through heather along the coastal path from Mullion takes about 45 minutes and is beautiful any time of year. We are open every day from Easter to November (11am to 5pm). Call 01326 241309 or, out of season, 01326 240020.
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Grilled fillet of Pollock, New season potatoes, Spinach and capers accompanied with spring onion and garlic butter sauce THE POTATOES AND SPINACH 8 small new season potatoes 100g wilted spinach 2 spring onions finely chopped 1 tbsp capers Salt and pepper to taste Cook and drain the potatoes then slice and fold with the spinach, spring onion and capers. Hold warm till ready to serve. THE SAUCE 40g cornish salted butter 100ml dry white wine 50ml good quality fish stock 1 small clove of garlic 2 finely chopped spring onions 1 tsp arrowroot Foam butter in a hot pan. Add white wine and stock and bring to the boil. Thicken with the arrowroot. Add garlic and spring onions. Hold warm till ready to serve. THE FISH 300g large fillet cut into two Olive oil Salt and pepper Dry breadcrumbs
Rub the fish with a little olive oil and the salt and pepper. Place under a hot grill skin side up for one minute then peel off the skin. Cover the fillet with breadcrumbs and return to the grill until golden brown. Place in a moderate oven ( 130 centigrade) for two to three minutes. Ensure the fish is cooked through. TO SERVE Place the potatoes and spinnach in the centre of a plate. Slide the fish onto the top of the potatoes and spoon the sauce over and around the fish. Enjoy with a nice, chilled, crisp white wine.
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
history
Uncovering Helston’s past
H
elston Museum is located in the centre of this charming Cornish town with collections covering Cornish culture and industry, from ancient times to the 20th century spread across five display halls on three floors! Explore local domestic life, religion and town history. Discover local trades and industries like blacksmithing, serpentine turning, fishing and tin mining. Investigate law and order in the past, how people and goods were transported and what it was like to be a Victorian schoolchild. Glimpse the elegance of past times in the costume gallery, with its beautifully embellished dresses. Learn more about radio
pioneer Marconi, and local heroes like world champion boxer Bob Fitzsimmons and Henry Trengrouse, inventor of the marine lifesaving ‘Rocket.’ Find out about Helston’s famous Flora Day and the Furry Dance, which once a year winds through the town and the museum itself. Admire the beauty of minerals and crystals, and the endurance, ingenuity and courage of Cornish miners and fishermen. Be sure to visit the museum shop for a range of gifts, most with a local connection – including cards, books, fascinating minerals and sparkling gemstone jewellery. Local artists and craftspeople show their work
at frequent exhibitions in the mezzanine gallery – also home to talks, lectures and workshops. See our website and Facebook page for details of upcoming events. Helston Museum is wheelchair accessible but has some uneven floors. Dogs on leads are welcome. Opening Times: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Closed Christmas Eve – 2nd January, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Helston Museum, Market Place Helston, Cornwall, TR13 8TH Phone: 01326 564027 Email: info@helstonmuseum.co.uk, helstonmuseum.co.uk
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seasons
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A place for all seasons
he Lizard truly is a wonderful place to holiday at all times of the year. Spring arrives much earlier on the peninsula and great swathes of dazzling daffodils adorn the fields from January through until March. The lanes and hedges soon burst into flower with an incredible show of colour – primroses, violets, fox gloves and campions followed by the bluebells and heady Alexanders. The cliff tops are carpeted with sprig squill, thrift and trefoils. Many of the gardens are open all year and February brings fantastic displays of magnolias and camellias followed by the magnificent rhododendrons and azalias as April arrives. There is a plethora of spring festivals. Helston’s Flora day on the May 8 is a must see. Dancers in all their finery wind along the flower be-decked streets and through the houses to herald spring’s arrival. For early risers the morning dance sets off at 7am. The pagan, exuberant Hal-an-tow follows, before pristinely dressed school children take to the streets in their hundreds. The midday dancers wear evening dress and finally the revelries end with the tea dance all accompanied by the town’s brass band. The summer brings long, lazy days on the beach. The sea is dotted with yachts, kayaks,
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surfers , windsurfers and pleasure boats – all available for locals and visitors to have a go at. For those who prefer to be on dry ground there’s horse riding, walking, cycling and Segway. By now the hedges wear a mantle of orange montbretia and cow parsley and the cliffs are draped with exotic hotentot fig, dew plant and stone crop. There is a chance to take in many of the open air events with live music to suit all tastes in the cafes and pubs, and open air theatre productions. The autumn is milder on The Lizard and, with quieter beaches and coastal paths, everyone can find their own perfect spot to bask in the Indian summer sun. The ancient riverside oak woodland and the beech woods of the Trelowarren Estate are full of amber and russet leaves with fungus under the rich blanket waiting to be discovered. It feels great to snuggle down after a bracing walk in front of a roaring log fire and dine on the finest local cuisine in the great range of homely pubs and restaurants the district can offer. Visit The Lizard in the winter to experience the exhilarating storms, crashing seas and wild winds. Although some harbours had storm damage in the gales this year there is little flooding here as the area is a high
plateau (the name Lizard means court on a high place). The meandering river estuaries and creeks are full of birdlife at this time of year .On the mud flats curlews, red shanks, turnstones and oyster catchers are regular visitors. Taking advantage of the warmer climate in the deeper parts of the river, black throated divers, red necked grebes and sea ducks join resident colonies of shags, comorants and herring gulls. Christmas light celebrations start in midNovember with giant willow and tissue figures traversing the streets of Truro. Many beautiful villages are lit for the season and the harbours twinkle with reflected lights. Numerous talented arts and crafts folk work in the community and there are many galleries to visit and craft fares abound. It is the perfect place to buy those specially crafted Christmas gifts and take a short break in stunning scenery as well. Whilst ambling along the lanes and cliff paths one should look out for those first signs of spring emerging in the grasses – a sure sign the cycle of the seasons is about to start again on this magical peninsula.
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
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landscape
Fascinating geological history T
he Lizard Peninsula is a very special area of geological interest comprising of rocks unique to Cornwall. Around 390 million years ago, the action of plate tectonics caused part of the Earth’s mantle, usually found ten kilometres below ground, to be thrust upwards. Eventually breaking through the Earth’s crust at the bottom of the Rheic Ocean, in what today would be the southern hemisphere, this lump of igneous rock migrated northwards and eventually made its way to its present location perched at the foot of mainland Cornwall. The Lizard effectively comprises a complete sequence of rocks, from the mantle to the crust with igneous rocks, volcanic lava and oceanic sediments. Not far from here, on Coverack Beach, it is possible to stand with one foot on the Earth’s mantle, and the other firmly placed on the its crust. This zone is known as the Moho, and is one of the few
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places on Earth where it is visible above ground. What are they? Metamorphic rocks are rocks altered by pressure or heat, such as slates. Igneous rocks are formed from molten magma. Magma is hot fluid material within the Earth’s crust. Breccia is a rock composed of broken fragments of other rocks. Serpentine The most extensive rock type is the serpentine which, spanning 20 square miles, is the largest outcrop of such rock in mainland Britain. It is found nowhere else in England. Originally this altered rock, known as peridotite, was thought to be the root of a volcano, but it is now recognised to be part of the Earth’s mantle. Serpentine ornaments were particularly fashionable in Victorian times and there are still several smaller serpentine workshops on the Lizard. Gneiss Kennack gneiss is the most
enigmatic rock on the Lizard. It consists of interlayered bands of pale granite and dark basalt, probably formed as the Lizard rocks were bulldozed northwards where the separate granitic and basaltic melts were fused together and injected between the Lizard rock slices. Gabbro Gabbro is a coarse-grained, dark-colored, igneous rock. It is usually black or dark green in colour and composed mainly of the two minerals plagioclase feldspar and augite. It is the most abundant rock in the deep oceanic crust, is still widely used as a roadstone and is quarried locally near St Keverne. Schist The schists on the Lizard were formed when rocks of the ancient ocean floor were recrystalised by enormous heat and pressure. The sediments became mica schists, and the simplified geology of the Lizard peninsula lava flows became hornblende schists.
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
landscape
W
alk any of the wilder stretches of the Lizard coastline in August - like Kynance or Black Head - and you will be greeted by a sea of delicate lilac pink. They are Cornish heath, or Erica vagans, and this pretty native plant has the unusual honour of being both rare and common all at once! Here on the Lizard, Cornish heath is easy to find, and is so numerous in some places that it could almost be called dominant, lending its pinkish hue to vast swathes of our heaths. Look out for the tell-tale brown anthers, or male parts of the flowers, which protrude beyond the petals. This isn’t the case in the other Erica species we have on the Lizard - the darker purple pink flowered bell heather Erica cinerea, or the greyish leaved and damp-loving cross leaved heath Erica tetralix. However, step off the Lizard and you will search for Cornish heath in vain, for it occurs no where else on mainland Britain, save for a handful of carefully guarded plants elsewhere in Cornwall. For this reason Cornish Heath can rightly lay claim to being the Lizard’s botanical flagship, just like our much loved choughs are our avian champions. Cornish heath also has the privilege of being the first of our speciality Lizard flora to be described, and by no less than the eminent Cambridge botanist John Ray. Ray, often considered the father of modern botany in Britain, then went on to add several other new species to the Lizard (and UK) list, including wild asparagus and fringed rupturewort. His records were the start of a long era of botanical discovery, that helped put these few
windswept miles of Cornwall in the top league of rare plant hotspots in Britain. It is reassuring to know that, 350 years on, Cornish heath is still here, and still plentiful. Although areas have been lost, a greater proportion of lowland heath has survived here on the Lizard than in other once heathy areas such as Dorset perhaps because our serpentine soils never make good agricultural land. So next time you are out on the Lizard’s heathlands, set yourself the challenge of finding some Cornish heath. I can promise it won’t be far away!
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Diving off the Lizard
Diving around the coast
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ll the visitors and locals alike cannot help being mesmerized by the beautiful clear seas around the coast of The Lizard. To fully appreciate the beauty of these Cornish waters you will need to dive beneath the surface of the water. At Kennack Diving, a PADI five star resort on the Lizard Peninsula, you can take the first steps towards achieving this goal. If you are aged from eight to 80, and are
reasonably fit and happy in the water, you can try out what it is like to don full scuba equipment and swim underwater, in the safe environment of the centre’s own heated swimming pool. Anyone over the age of 12 years can then follow this up with a trial dive in the sea. On a one to one basis with one of our fully qualified instructors, you are guaranteed an unforgettable encounter with the local marine life. Kennack Diving, which is the most southerly dive centre in mainland Britain, also offers a full range of PADI courses, bespoke guided dives, air ,equipment hire etc. They also run fun “Bubblemaker” pool sessions for local school groups, birthday parties etc for those aged eight years and above.
A blenney
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Hang up the car keys W
hen you hit Cornwall this year, why not hang up the car keys and explore a little by bike. Cycling has never been more popular and you will definitely experience your surroundings at a more relaxing pace, writes Dave Page. Other advantages include the abundance of free to park lampposts and of course the “I deserve a cream tea” feeling which comes with a day in the saddle. Zipping down into the numerous villages and beaches always seems that little bit more special when you arrive by bike. Although narrow in places, the country lanes provide a great way to navigate the Lizard. Getting caught up in a herd of cows en route to milking is as bad as congestion gets. Perhaps the best cycling in the area can be experienced at the National Trust Estate at Penrose. Open all year round and free to access, the estate is a place of amazing variety, open parklands, lakeside wooded trails and stunning coastal scenery, all within striking distance. Situated between the towns of Helston and Porthleven the estate trails are well surfaced, wide and afford traffic free exploring. In addition most are pretty much flat. If you have your own bike, probably the best place to start is at Helston Amenity Park where the large free car park is never full. Access to the estate begins on quiet, wide tarmac paths, great for building confidence. Navigation is very straightforward – new route markers have been installed and you can even download a map straight to your smart phone (see details below). I recommend heading to Porthleven. This charming fishing village regularly makes the news when the winter storms produce dramatic waves. To reach the town, keep Loe Pool on your left hand side, it’s as simple as that. When you arrive at Loe Bar, a massive shingle beach, pick up the coastal footpath and Porthleven is about a further 20 minutes on. Having arrived in the village you can check out the harbour and beach or numerous shops, cafés and restaurants. My favourite is sitting by the harbour at the very popular ice cream parlour Nauti But Ice. The journey between Helston and Porthleven is about 4.5 miles one way and subject to how often you stop to admire the view takes about 1.5 hours. If you need to hire, Porthleven Cycle Hire is the National Trust’s recommended provider, well-stocked with the latest Giant mountain and road bikes. They are based in the centre of the village, so in this case I recommend travelling back through the estate to Helston. If you need to refuel, there’s a delightful café half way along the main route at The Stables. They serve great coffee, cake and Roskilly’s Ice cream which is made on the Lizard near Coverack. The café also has a self-service maintenance station just in case you develop a loose saddle. For those seeking a bit of a challenge, the eastern side of Loe Pool is generally single track with some tricky root sections and a couple of short inclines. The scenery is still breath taking however. The two sides link together meaning that you can cycle all the way around the pool, a journey of about 9 miles. The estate is worth visiting even in bad weather. Sheltered in a valley, it is not until you emerge at the coast that you experience the full force of weather. Hire your bikes from Porthleven Cycle Hire – TR13 9JE – 01326 561101 or book online and download your own route map from www.porthlevencyclehire.co.uk. The Stables Café is open every day between Easter and November – they hold children’s events every Tuesday and Thursday during the school summer holidays – TR13 0RD – 01326 561001
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wildlife in the sky . . . . . . . . . . .
T
he cliffs are a good place from which to see ravens, gulls, kestrels,peregrines and even choughs. Buzzards, hen harriers, owls and other birds of prey hunt across the Downs, and in the late summer many migrant birds can be spotted.
The Cornish Chough
In 2001, three choughs arrived on the Lizard. Two were soon nesting and reared their first young a year later, making them the first choughs to breed in England for 50 years. Now flocks of up to a dozen birds can be seen around the coast of The Lizard, thanks largely to the efforts of conservation groups who have worked to secure more, and better quality, grazing on the cliffs. This provides the ideal feeding habitat for choughs.
Buzzard Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine is an impressive and powerful raptor and is regularly seen hunting along these cliffs. This falcon is believed to be not only the fastest bird, but possibly the fastest animal on earth, achieving speeds of up to 200 mph when chasing its prey which typically includes pigeons, songbirds, waders and even gulls. Unlucky victims are caught on the wing as the peregrine plunges from the sky in a lightning strike, seizing its prey in its sharp talons.
Buzzards are smaller than golden eagles but just as formidable as predators. These imposing hunters drop down on rabbits and small mammals from slow or hovering flight above the cliffs. Having snatched their prey in powerful talons, they nearly always make their kill on the ground. In recent years, the population of British buzzards has exploded, and now thrives in areas where there were once only a few. During the breeding season, buzzards perform spectacular aerial displays, circling high in the sky before tumbling down towards the ground.
. . . . . . . and on the ground
T
he Lizard is a unique landscape of extensive heathlands, spectacular sea cliffs and coastal grasslands, and is home to a wealth of wildlife. Over 250 species of national or international conservation importance are found here, some of which are restricted to the Lizard. Insects abound and in early summer the cliff-top grasslands are carpeted with flowers such as squill, vetches, trefoils, thrift and oxeye daisies.
Adder
Adders are relatively common in areas of rough, open countryside and are probably the most frequently seen of the three British snakes. The best time to see them is in early spring when they emerge from their hibernation dens. Although venomous, adders will only use their venom as a last means of defence. Please treat adders with respect and leave them alone.
Marsh fritillary
Oil beetle
These beetles are named after their ability to produce a bitter oil-like fluid from their knee joints when disturbed – this deters most predators. Most oil beetles are active in the spring and early summer and can be found where solitary bees abound in meadows, coastal grasslands and woodland glades. The adults are active on sunny days and feed on the leaves and flowers of a number of plants including celandines, buttercups and dandelions.
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Diverse assemblages of butterflies and moths occur on heathland, grassland and woodland habitats. The area supports over 15 nationally important species, including the marsh fritillary butterfly which is best seen in late May or early June. The marsh fritillary butterfly was once found throughout England on wet meadows, heaths and downland where its foodplant, Devil’s-bit scabious grows. Land drainage and agricultural pressures have fragmented the landscapes that once supported this attractive butterfly and are still causing local extinctions.
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
. . . and in the sea
www.the-lizard.org is a website for anyone interested in the Lizard countryside and coast. It has something for everyone, listing events, local weather and tide times, local walking routes and natural history information for locals, visitors, teachers or children.
C
ornwall is surrounded on three sides by sea and boasts some of the richest and most diverse marine life around the United Kingdom. Basking sharks, turtles and dolphins are regular visitors to our waters. An increasingly common visitor includes the strangely shaped ocean sunfish that usually arrives in early summer on the Gulf Stream and stays in local waters until the autumn.
Basking Sharks
The basking shark is the second largest fish in our oceans - its relative, the whale shark, being the biggest. Despite their size, basking sharks actually feed on plankton which they filter out of the water, swimming slowly back and forth with their enormous mouths wide open. They are most commonly seen in the summer, when they gather in British waters. It can be identified by its large, black, triangular dorsal fin as it moves slowly through the water, with the tail tip or snout sometimes visible above the waves.
Dolphins
There are five species of true dolphin sighted in British waters. These are the bottle-nosed dolphin, common dolphin, striped dolphin, Atlantic white-sided dolphin and white-beaked dolphin. A single small family group (‘pod’) of bottle-nosed dolphins are resident in Cornish waters. Tending to stay inshore, they are frequently spotted from shore as they roam all around Cornwall’s coast. Common dolphins move in larger pods, often numbering hundreds of individuals, and are usually seen further out to sea although they are seen from this headland. Bottle-nosed dolphins are large and uniformly grey in colour, common dolphins are smaller and torpedo shaped with a distinctive ‘hour glass’ pattern on their sides.
Grey seals
Cornwall’s rocky, isolated caves and coves are home to numerous colonies of grey seals; one of the rarest species of seal in the world and the biggest land-breeding mammal in the UK. Grey seal adults may be up to 2.5 metres in length and weigh up to 250 kg, with males tending to be larger than females. The coat colour is variable shades of grey, brown and silver with the back tending to be darker than the underside. Males tend to be darker than females and also have a noticeably arched“Roman” nose, whereas the female’s nose has a straighter outline.
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arts
K
estle Barton is an ancient Cornish farmstead situated above the Helford River. Not so long ago, the barns were sinking into a very beautiful but ruinous old age. In the gallery there are a changing programme of exhibitions, as well as events and workshops. The gallery opens out to the south-facing garden, designed by James Alexander-Sinclair. There is a small tea hut there with light refreshments available using an honesty box system. Kestle Barton re-opens for another season with an emphasis on work that is directly related to the locale and specific to its rural site, and reflecting a growing interest in developing
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innovative and adventurous approaches to working with contemporary artists in a rural setting. Lucy Willow’s show Fallen will open on April 12 and run through to June 1. Lucy has been working with images of a pair of goldfinches that crashed into the glass at Kestle Barton and died. Also featured is Anthony Bryant who has made a large wooden sculpture installation for the garden for this season, entitled Huddle, and following on from his exhibition of wooden vessels in the gallery last year. Kestle Barton is open April 12 through to November 1 2014, 10:30am – 5pm Tuesday –Sunday, also Bank Holiday Mondays.
Society formed 20 years ago
L
izard Art, originally the Peninsula Art Society, was formed over 20 years ago to provide serious artists on the Lizard Peninsula the opportunity to develop their practice both through exhibiting together and exchanging ideas and knowledge. For the last 10 years it has been based in the beautiful Trelowarren Estate, right in the heart of the Lizard, mounting exhibitions continuously from March to October not only showcasing the work of its members, a key group of artists in the area, but inviting other significant artists who have a special connection with the peninsula to join them. This year we start with a Spring Art Fair, running from 6th to 25th April, to which artists from across Cornwall have been invited to submit work and even at this early date of writing, we have been stunned by the quality of the entries! Our aim with The Stable Yard Gallery is to provide a platform for selling the work of our members, but also to provide an interesting and varied experience for the visitor, with cards, limited edition prints and unframed work also for sale, all
at a whole range of prices. The membership is limited to 15, and when a vacancy does occur the criteria for filling that vacancy will not only depend on the quality of the work, but on providing a balance of contemporary and traditional work within the gallery. During the year we are involved in the organisations of other exhibitions, events and classes details of which can be found on the website www.lizardart.co.uk. Lizard Art, Stable Yard Gallery, Trelowarren, Mawgan, Nr Helston, TR12 6AF. 01326 22177
www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
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