Lands End

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Land's End Sunset
Land's End Sunset

Land's End is located eight miles west of Penzance at the end of the A30, in the village and parish of Sennen. It is the most westerly point in mainland Britain. The headland is one of many that characterise the coastal landscape of West Penwith. Although the cliffs immediately to the east and west of Land's End are owned by the National Trust, Land's End itself is owned by a private company who ironically call themselves 'Heritage Attractions Ltd.' The tourist complex is one of Cornwall's most popular destinations and includes a visitor centre, various indoor attractions such as an air-sea rescue motion theatre, shops, cafes, galleries, restaurants, a farm and an RSPB wildlife discovery club. There is also a spectacularly-placed hotel, which is a popular wedding venue.

Longships Lighthouse
Longships Lighthouse

A mile offshore and clearly visible from the headland is a group of treacherous islets known as The Longships. Numerous ships have come to grief here, most recently the German cargo ship, the RMS Mulheim, which ran aground in 2003. Parts of the Mulheim can still be seen from the cliffs. The Longships Lighthouse was built in 1795 to the design of Trinity House architect, Samuel Wyatt. Even though it stood on the highest islet, Carn Bras, which rises twelve meters aabove high water level, and the lantern itself was twenty-four meters high, very high seas obscured its light. A more recent lighthouse is still in use today although since 1988 it has been unmanned. The light is ten seconds bright and ten seconds dark, while a fog signal sounds every ten seconds.

Sennen Beach Vista
Sennen Beach

A short walk north from Land's End will bring you to the popular surfing beach of Sennen Cove, with it's mile of golden sands, while to the south the coast path continues through some of Cornwall's finest and most unspoilt coastal scenery. There is a right of access to the headland although a charge is levied for parking and for visiting the attractions.