Description: The Heritage
Coast stretches from Porthleven to Enys Head, just past Lizard, the most
southerly point of mainland England, and it possesses the warmest climate
in Britain. The Lizard Peninsula is a place of gentle heath and coastal
grassland, and takes in several coastal nature trails as well as the long
distance South West Coast Path.
The Lizard
Peninsula is home to unusual Serpentine rock, unique in Western Europe.
These rocks were part of the ancient ocean floor that was pushed up towards
the surface, rather than down, when plates of the earth's crust collided
some 280 million years ago. The coastline is generally rough and ragged,
but there are good sandy beaches south of Porthleven and at Mullion.
The Lizard
Peninsula has an abundance of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- a reflection of its unique plant and wildlife. Sub-tropical vegetation
grows along the cliffs, a tribute to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream,
and the peninsula is home to one of Britain's rarest breeding birds, Cirl's
Bunting. Spring comes very early to the Lizard Peninsula, and flowers
such as primroses and foxgloves - as well as rarer species - abound in
hedgerows and along the clifftops.
A good starting
place for a visit to the heritage coast is the Lizard Countryside Centre
in Trelowarren. The centre houses displays on the area's wildlife and
geology, as well as a Tourist Centre and audio-visual presentations.
Much of the
coast is owned by the National Trust charity as part of its "Project
Neptune" efforts to preserve Britain's coastline.
Area
Countryside attractions: The
South West Coast Path
Easily the longest and, in places, the most arduous, of England's National
Trails. The path is actually the amalgamation of 4 paths; the Somerset
& North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon, and Dorset Coastal paths. The
route is quite popular, and it can be crowded in the summer months, though
there are always long stretches where your only company will be a chorus
of sea birds. More
...
Goonhilly
Nature Reserve
The reserve protects a variety of rare plants, including the Cornish Heath,
which grows only here.
Home
> Countryside
> Coasts >
Lizard 
