Things to see and do at Lizard Point

The view across the coast including the Lizard Wireless Station at Bass Point, Cornwall — Looking out over the coast close to the Lizard Wireless Station | © National Trust Images / David Sellman

Lizard Point is the most southerly point of mainland Britain. Where the Atlantic meets the English Channel, it is famous for historic shipwrecks and overlooks one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It’s also renowned as the birthplace of modern communication, where Marconi undertook some of his pioneering radio experiments. Head out for a walk, soak up the spectacular views and spot rare flora and fauna along the coast.

Head out for a walk

Pull on your walking boots and stride out on a bracing coastal walk. With some of the finest walking in the UK all year round here on the Lizard, it’s an ideal base to take on the South West Coast path or explore the many inland routes. Whether you’re new to hiking, or take 10 mile hikes in your stride there’s something to suit all ages and abilities. Choose from four different walks, or why not come back and complete them all?

Take in the views

Soak up panoramic coastal views from Britain’s most southerly point. However be aware it can be unexpectedly foggy here. From Kynance north to Poldhu you can follow the coast as it drops down into hidden coves and caves and rises up to reveal spectacular views and places to watch an incredible sunset.

Visit the beaches

The beaches along this stretch of coast are some of the best on the Lizard no matter what time of year you visit. With white sand and turquoise seas, they are best explored on foot via the South West Coast Path.

Step inside the Marconi wireless stations

In 1900 the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi undertook ground-breaking wireless experiments on The Lizard. You can visit Marconi’s two local stations, and see how, with determination and vision, he developed technology on these remote Cornish clifftops that paved the way for today’s instant worldwide communication.

The wireless station is open Monday - Thursday, 12 - 3pm, from 3 April - 1 October and is one mile east of Lizard Point along the coast path. The Marconi Centre is located at Poldhu and is run by Poldhu Radio Amaetur Club.

The Lizard Wireless Station at Bass Point, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/David Sellman

Visit the Wildlife Watchpoint

Head to the wildlife watch point and chat to the volunteers about what wildlife has been spotted lately. One of the most popular daily highlights at the watchpoint are the Atlantic grey seals which can been seen lounging on the rocks just offshore or 'bottling' (sleeping) in the water close by. Throughout the summer dolphins, porpoise, sunfish and the occasional whale and basking shark can also be seen from the watchpoint. It's open daily 11am - 3pm from 1 April - 1 October. Cornish choughs are now commonly spotted along the coastline and choose to nest at various locations on the Lizard.

Birdwatching at Lizard Point

Lizard Point is one of the best places to see seabirds in UK with exciting species such as gannets, puffins, terns, guillemots, razorbills, various skuas and shearwaters travelling through the English Channel.

Britain’s most southerly point is also home to choughs, a type of crow that was once extinct in ‘the Duchy’ (the county). Choughs are a local cultural icon and they feature on the Cornish coat of arms. Kestrels often give amazing aerial displays at eye level before descending on its prey. Other species regularly seen include swallows, oystercatchers, turnstones and whimbrels. 

Rare species of plant

The Lizard peninsula is also renowned for its unusual geology and vast array of botanical life. With its spectacular colourful cliffs and great swaths of heathland the Lizard boasts a wealth of wildlife and is home to over 250 species of national or international conservation importance, some of which only occur here on the Lizard peninsula. 