South West Coast Path Rambles - Lizard Point to Church Cove

Notes from the South West Coast Path; in this blog series we document the short stretches we've done with the aim of helping others to enjoy it piece by piece. If there is any useful information that we’ve missed out, let us know in the comments!

Lizard Point to Church Cove - 2 miles (and back again) - 4 miles total

Starting and finishing – the Lizard Point National Trust car park, TR12 7NT

Halfway turning point – Church Cove, Landewednack, TR12 7PH

Ease of walking

This is a spectacular walk with some steep drops and narrow steps in places, especially at Housel Bay. The path from Lizard Point to just before Housel Bay is relatively flat and wide though with lots of beautiful places to stop and admire the views. There's also an easy path down from the lighthouse to the old Lizard lifeboat house if you want to get closer to the water. If you'd prefer to walk a loop rather than doubling back on yourself, you can head inland from Church Cove to reach Lizard village and then due South back to the point.

Wildlife

There were lots of seals in the water and on the rocks just off the Lizard Point as well as plenty of seabirds and songbirds all along the walk. It was definitely a walk you wanted your binoculars for! There was also a very obliging seal sunning itself on the ramp of the modern lifeboat station.

Refreshments

There's a cafe at the Point as well as plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs in Lizard village. Our top tip is grabbing a pasty at Ann's Pasties in the centre of the village and then enjoying it once you've got a couple of miles under your belt.

Toilets

There are toilets run by the National Trust in the Lizard Point car park as well as public toilets on the green in the middle of Lizard village.

Parking

There's lots of parking in the National Trust car park at Lizard Point, free for members. You could also park in Lizard village and walk just under a mile down to the Point, as mentioned above this would make a nice circular route if you cut west inland from Church Cove.

Time to spare?

Have a dip in the rocky cove just below Housel Bay Hotel, it looked very refreshing with lots of swimmers on the sunny day we did this walk. You can also walk 2 miles west from the Point and reach Kynance Cove, another superb Cornish spot. Although you may want to save that walk and your knees for another day!