Wind your way through the village of Mullion and head down to Mullion Cove for a quintessential Cornish experience. This lovely cove has a pretty cobbled harbour, fishing boats hauled onto the beach and even an island. With fabulous walks over the headland (it’s worth the climb) you’ll spot seabirds such as choughs and perhaps a seal or two.
Make sure you park up before you get down to the cove as there’s no parking on the front, then take a stroll down the hill, alongside hedges filled with wildflowers and neighing horses in fields. The cove is at the bottom of the road, surrounded by a few houses and a tea shop.
Now owned by the National Trust, the harbour was originally built in the 1890’s to shelter the small fishing fleet from the westerly storms. Take a wander along the harbour walls and depending on the tide, watch the hypnotic waves crash against the granite walls or spot the jellyfishes bobbing about on the surface. Looking out to sea, Gull Island (as it’s known by the locals)is a huge granite rock just offshore alive with sea birds whilst Mullion Island hunkers down out at sea, buffeted by huge crashing waves on stormy days. On calm days, it’s possible to have a boat trip around it with a local fisherman.
Either side of the cove lies the South West Coast path, go in either direction and you’ll have a steep walk up before the footpaths follow the stunning coastline for miles and miles. Being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and of scientific interest due to the incredible flora and fauna that live here, keep your eyes out – you might spot seals or even dolphins along this wild stretch of coastline.
A stop at the quirky, old fashioned tea room is a must for a reviving cuppa and possibly a cream tea – well, after all that walking, you deserve it.
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The Lizard Peninsula, Nr Helston, Cornwall TR12 7ES | www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mullion-cove
