Lands End Cornwall

Land’s End is a captivating and iconic destination, and the most westerly point of mainland England. Formed around 270 million years ago, when a mass of boiling granite forced its way through the overlying softer rocks to the surface. Renowned for its dramatic cliffs, panoramic ocean views, and wild landscapes, Land’s End stands as a testament to the untamed beauty of Cornwall’s coastline.

Visitors can explore the cliff-top trails, taking in the bracing sea air and the granite formations sculpted by the relentless Atlantic waves. The site is not only a natural wonder but also a cultural and historical landmark, featuring the famous signpost marking distances to various global destinations.

West Country Shopping Village offers a number of independent shops, cafe’s and kiosks as well as some popular attractions, and events are held throughout the year.

The ‘Longships’ is a group of rocky islets just over 1 mile offshore, and together with the Seven Stones Reef and the Isles of Scilly which lie about 28 miles southwest, are part of the mythical ‘Lost Land of Lyonesse’ referred to in Arthurian literature.

The Lost Land of Lyonesse

Lyonesse is a kingdom which, according to legend, consisted of a long strand of land stretching from Land’s End to what is now the Isles of Scilly. It was considered lost after being swallowed by the ocean in a single night. The people of Lyonesse were said to live in fair towns, with over 140 churches. Lyonesse’s most significant attraction was a castle-like cathedral.

Lyonesse is mentioned in Arthurian legend, specifically in the tragic love story of Tristan and Iseult. It was the home of the hero Tristan, one of the Knights of the Round Table, whose father Meliodas was king of Lyonesse.

After the death of Meliodas, Tristan became the heir of Lyonesse, but he was never to take up his inheritance because the land sank beneath the sea while he was away. According to one legend, the people of Lyonesse had committed a crime so terrible that God took his revenge against them and their kingdom. The exact nature of the crime is never specified, but the legend tells of a horrific storm that occurred over the course of a single night, resulting in an enormous wave that swallowed the kingdom.

With its rugged beauty, maritime history, and sense of standing at the edge of the world, Land’s End continues to draw visitors seeking both natural splendor and a connection to the maritime heritage of this southwestern corner of England.

History of Land’s End

Fascinating discoveries found on-site dating as far back as 10,000 – 4,000 BC during the Mesolithic Period prove that people have been travelling to and living at Land’s End for 10,000 years or more.

There are over 130 recorded shipwrecks around Land’s End, as well as countless more unrecorded. In modern times, Longships Lighthouse at Land’s End forms one point of an important protective triangle – Longships Lighthouse, Wolf Rock Lighthouse and the Lizard Lighthouse collectively create one of the most well lit waterways in the British Isles.

Walks around Lands End Cornwall

Walking around Land’s End you can savour the rugged coastline and authentic Cornish history as you explore some of the finest surroundings anywhere in the British Isles. Below are a couple of popular Land’s End walks.

Land’s End to Sennen Cove Walk

The roughly 3 mile walk between Land’s End and Sennen Cove is of moderate difficulty. Starting from the Land’s End signpost, you’ll be heading northwards towards Sennen.

There are abundant wildflowers along the way, as well as an array of wildlife including cormorants, guillemots and kittywakes. Be sure to take in the views of Land’s End from the old coastguard lookout at Sennen Cove.

Land’s End to Porthcurno Walk

To the south-east of Land’s End is the village of Porthcurno, home to the stunning open-air cliff-top Minack Theatre and a white sands and turquoise waters beach. Heading south past Pordennack Point, the Land’s End-Porthcurno walk takes you along Nanjizal Bay and the dramatic cliffs of Carn Les Boel, Carn Barra and Carn Guthensbras. You’ll then follow Gwennap Head around towards Porthgwarra, Porthchapel and then on to Porthcurno.

Further details of the walks are available here.

Wildlife of Land’s End

If you have binoculars, don’t forget to bring them because Land’s End is an amazing place for wildlife watching. Land’s End maintenance team work alongside organisations such as the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and RSPB.

If you’re lucky, you may catch sight of grey seals, basking sharks and even dolphins in the waters below the high cliffs. Keep an eye open for Gannets, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Shags, Razorbills and even the Cornish Chough, once extinct in the county but now making a welcome return.

Longship’s Lighthouse

Longship’s lighthouse sits just over a mile from the coast of Land’s End. Built in the 18th century in response to the colossal amount of shipwrecks in the area, as vessels wouldn’t realise how close they were to the shore until it was too late. 

The lighthouse served to warn people about the rocks. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it was staffed by four lighthouse keepers – two at a time would stay at the lighthouse for a month before spending a month ashore. 

Why is Land’s End Cornwall famous?

Famous for being the westernmost point in England, with natural beauty and stunning scenery. There is plenty to offer with cliff top trails, wonderful wildlife, and West Country Shopping Village with a variety of family attractions, to name a few.

Do you have to pay to go to Land’s End Cornwall?

Land’s End is free to visit. The only thing you will have to pay for is parking.

Why is it called Land’s End Cornwall?

The earliest name for the site is ‘Penwith Steort’ recorded in 997. Penwith is Cornish for ‘extreme end’ and Steort is Old English for ‘tail’ or ‘end.’

The Middle English name ‘Londeseynde’ appears in 1337 and ‘Penn an Wlas’, Cornish for ‘end of the land’, is first recorded in 1500.

Can you see America from Lands End?

You can gaze across to the Isles of Scilly twenty eight miles away. Beyond that the next land fall is North America, but you definitely cannot see it.

Are there toilets at Land’s End?

Yes, the toilet facilities are just a short walk away from the car park, beside the entrance to the attractions building.

Address: Land’s End, Sennen, Penzance TR19 7AA

Parking: There is an onsite car park available.

Facilities: There are a number of cafe’s and kiosks available selling hot and cold meals and a variety of drinks, with toilets onsite. For further facilities head to the nearby town of Penzance.