During our most recent visit to Cornwall, we stayed in the beautiful Lizard Point Peninsula where we stumbled upon our most favourite Parkdean resort to date! Tucked away on Cornwall’s rugged coastline, I can honestly say Lizard Point is one of the most breathtaking spots I’ve ever visited in the UK. Land’s End is often dubbed the most southern part of Britain. This is incorrect, Lizard Point holds the title of the southern most point of mainland Britain (Land’s End to John O’Groats marks the longest distance between two points in Britain).
Whether you’re into coastal walks, quirky little villages, or just want a change of pace from the crowds at Land’s End or St Ives, Lizard Point is a hidden gem. Here’s what I discovered while exploring the area.
The Village of Lizard
Lizard Point village, normally simply referred to as ‘Lizard’ is charmingly small — just a handful of cottages, a village green, and a few pubs, cafés, and gift shops. But it was perfect and reminiscent of the old English country charm. We enjoyed some amazing Cornish pasties at Ann’s Pasties and Bar ,they were fresh, hot and absolutely delicious. No trip would be complete without souvenirs so we bought some beautiful gifts in Serpentine Works Gift shop.
There’s a huge carpark in the middle of the village (a donation is politely requested) and public toilets near by.
What I really loved was how unspoiled the village felt. It hasn’t been overly commercialised, no chain shops or tourist traps, just friendly locals and lots of character.
Lizard Point Itself
Either driving or walking down from the village to Lizard Point, the landscape quickly changes — low stone walls give way to cliffs and sea spray. We parked in the National Trust carpark, and, because we are members, this was free of charge. If you are not a member, you must pay for parking at the ticket machine.
Walking down from the carpark along a rugged path, the scenary transformed from modernity to a timeless natural wonder. The cliffs open up to reveal lucious emerald green sea and the views are utterly breath-taking.
The walk dow nto Lizard Point, the soutehrnmost point of mainland Britian isn’t too strenuous but could be a little difficult for those with limited mobility. Steps towards the point can be avoided by the use of a slope making it easier for wheelchair uses to access the site.
We were fortunate enough to spot a few seals during our visit as they bobbed around near the rocks. If you enjoy spotting wildlife, especially birds, I can think of no better place. The National Trust conduct daily surveys of the area and you can ask their friendly volunteers about the wildlife spotted from the point on that day.
The point is always windy (so I’m told) and although the sun was beating down upon us during our visit, the winds were rather strong. But the sound of the waves crashing below us with the sensation of the wind in our hair merely amplified the stunning natural beauty our eyes beheld.
Lighthouse and Coast Path
The National Trust takes care of the Lizard Lighthouse, just a short walk from the point. It’s been guiding ships since the 18th century and has a great little visitor centre inside. Unfortuantely the attraction was closed during our visit but it did look spectacular from the outside.
If you enjoy walking, the South West Coast Path runs right through the area. The path takes you to Kynance Cove, this is a moderate walk with mind-blowing views around every turn, so I was told, but infirtuantely we didn’t have the time, nor appropriate footwear for the stony paths.
While Lizard Point itself is perched on cliffs and it doesn’t have a beach, there are some lovely beaches nearby, such as Kynance Cove and Kennack Sands.
Nature Everywhere
One of the things that really stood out to me about this whole area was how untouched it felt. The unique geology means the Lizard Peninsula is home to rare plants you won’t find anywhere else. There were wildflowers in full bloom along the cliff edges, and I even saw some butterflies I didn’t recognise.
There’s a strong conservation presence here — the National Trust and local volunteers are clearly doing a great job protecting the landscape. Even the signage is low-key and respectful of the natural environment.
A Few Things I’d Recommend
If you’re planning to visit, here’s what I found most helpful:
- Bring good shoes. Even short walks involve uneven ground, and some paths down to the beaches are quite steep.
- Check the tide times if you want to visit the coves — Housel and Kynance can disappear at high tide.
- Layer up. The wind is no joke, even in summer.
- Support local. The local shops and cafés are delightful, and everyone I spoke to was welcoming and helpful.
- Watch the wildlife. Whether it’s birds, seals, or just the way the light moves over the sea, take time to stop and really look.
Where I Stayed
We stayed at Lizard Point Parkdean which was ideal for us as a family. There are also some holiday cottages and even a few campgrounds nearby if you’re visiting in warmer months.
Getting There
The roads can become narrow as you get closer to Lizard Point, but this is true of many areas in Cornwall. The road to the carpark used to access Lizard Point is incredibly narrow. Our satnav lost signal as we got closer to Lizard Point, but fortunately, the area is well signposted and there are few roads in the area, so it wasn’t a problem at all.
Final Thoughts
Lizard Point took me by surprise. I went thinking it would be a quick scenic stop, check off the southernmost point, snap a few photos, move on. Instead, I ended up spending a full day here, completely enchanted by the landscape, history, and quiet magic of the place.
It doesn’t have the buzz of other Cornish destinations, and that’s exactly why I loved it. If you want crashing waves, coastal walks, pasties in hand, and the feeling that you’ve stumbled onto something special — Lizard Point is waiting.
Have you been to Lizard Point? What was your experience like and did you discover any hidden gems I missed? Let us know in the comments below.
