A Stunning Coastal Walk Around the Lizard Peninsula

Posted on 01/06/202526/12/2025 by Nick at Number 7

Looking for a coastal adventure with breathtaking views, hidden coves, and a sprinkling of Cornish charm? This circular walk around the Lizard Peninsula is a real gem. You can make it any length you need, from 4 to 15km. It’s easily shortened to suit all walking styles — whether you’re out for a short stroll or a full-day adventure.

We did it as a family and loved that we were never more than 20 minutes from the car — or an ice cream stop! It’s a brilliant route for all ages, with plenty of places to pause and take in the scenery.

Approximately 9 miles from Number 7, this is one of our favourite walks- stunning in the sunshine and with the prospect to be totally wild in cooler months.

🚗 Where to Park

We parked in the centre of Lizard Village, on the Green. Not only is it a convenient starting point, but it’s right across the road from a fantastic ice cream shop. Ideal motivation for the walk ahead (or a well-earned treat at the end!). 🍦

⛪ Down to Church Cove

From the Green, follow the signs down a peaceful country lane towards Church Cove. This hidden gem is postcard-pretty, with a quaint little slipway, colourful boats, and beautifully clear water shimmering in shades of blue and green. It’s an idyllic and peaceful start to the route. From Church Cove, turn right and ascend the cliff on the South West Coastal Path – the dramatic cliff top route gives both the lungs and your senses a workout!

🚤 The Lifeboat Station

Just along from Church Cove is the impressive Lizard Lifeboat Station, tucked into a dramatic cove. It’s well worth a visit — not just for its jaw-dropping setting, but for the stories of courage and community behind it. There’s a small viewing platform and sometimes volunteers on hand to share fascinating tales of local rescues. A shady, serene stop… until the steps back up to the coast path give your legs a proper wake-up call!

🌊 Along the Cliffs: Bass Point to Housel Bay

Rejoining the South West Coast Path, the walk continues around Bass Point and Pen Olver, offering sweeping views across the Atlantic. Expect wildflowers, wind-whipped headlands, and dramatic cliffs — pure Cornish magic.

Next stop is Housel Bay, a serene and often overlooked beach at the bottom of a deep valley. If you catch it at low tide, you’ll be rewarded with golden sand and inviting turquoise water. To reach the beach, turn left at the bottom of the valley and head down the steps.

📍 Lizard Point – The Southernmost Tip of Britain

Continue along the coast, passing the Lizard Lighthouse, and you’ll soon arrive at Lizard Point — the southernmost point of mainland Britain. It’s a breathtaking spot with rugged cliffs, soaring seabirds, and uninterrupted sea views. We made the most of the café here, enjoying milkshakes and chips with a view. Bliss.

🏖️ Pentreath Beach & Kynance Cove

About an hour further along the path, you’ll come to Pentreath Beach — wild, remote, and achingly beautiful. At the moment, the main steps down are inaccessible, so the only access is a steep scramble down loose rock. Worth the effort if you’re confident on your feet, but definitely one to approach with care.

A short walk on brings you to the showstopper: Kynance Cove. This is Cornwall’s Insta-famous darling — and for good reason. Its white sand, dramatic rock stacks, and impossibly clear water make it one of the most photographed spots in the UK. Expect crowds in summer, but the views are spectacular all year round (our recommendation is to enjoy Kynance at its best out of season and as the tide is heading to its lowest point). Be sure to head up to the viewpoint above the cove for that classic photo angle.

🥾 Back to Lizard Village

From the Kynance Cove car park, follow the lane inland. After about 500m, at the first sharp bend, take the footpath ahead across the fields. After a gentle 15-minute walk, you’ll arrive back in Lizard Village, perfectly placed for that second ice cream (you’ve earned it!).

If you’re looking to shorten the route, there are several well-marked paths from the coast back into the village at various points, making it easy to tailor the walk to your needs.

🌼 Final Thoughts

This Lizard Peninsula route is one of Cornwall’s finest — a walk that offers big views, quiet coves, wildlife encounters, and a touch of local history. Whether you’re in it for the scenery, the exercise, or the ice cream, this trail is packed with highlights and perfect for families, nature lovers, and day-trippers alike.

You might also enjoy some of our other blog posts/ideas for activities:

Magical Gillan Cove

Magical Gillan Cove

Porthcurno to Land’s End Walkhttps://number7incornwall.com/porthcurno-to-lands-end-adventure/

Porthcurno to Land’s End Adventure

5 Top Swim Spots in the Helford

5 Top Swim Spots in the Helford

Magical Gillan Cove

Posted on 08/03/202515/03/2025 by Nick at Number 7

Gillan Cove and its beautiful neighbour, Flushing Cove, are two of our favourite little secret gems. An absolute haven for anyone who enjoys swim-walking, wild swimming, SUPping, walking, or just getting away from it all. Sit down and listen to the birds in the trees above with the gentle lap of the water below. Nestled off the beaten track, with no parking /tourist facilities, these secluded spots tend to be quiet throughout the year. You have to put effort into reaching them, but when you do, oh my, that effort is rewarded!

Fully dog friendly throughout the year, tucked away at the entrance to the Helford Estuary, we wholeheartedly recommend you check these out.

Below are a few photos/video clips to show why we love these magical coves quite so much.

With no easily accessible parking, you can walk to Gillan Cove down the footpath from the nearby lane. There are a few passing spaces on the closest lane, which are big enough to accommodate a car and still allow passing. Alternatively, this footpath is approximately a 2-mile walk from Number 7.

The walk down to Gillan Creek..

It is an enchantingly beautiful spot – so peaceful…. just listen to that birdsong… (This was taken at low tide in March)

“The Hera” at the entrance of Gillan Cove

At Gillan, there is an unusual small prominentary. This area, known as “The Hera” provides protection to the cove. This creates a gentle area to swim or paddleboard in, particularly at high tide.

To the South of the The Hera, there are more exposed coves, where you can feel the full force of the open water at the entrance of the Helford. This video clip is taken walking up the grassy bank of The Hera.

Standing on the top of “The Hera” at the entrace of Gillan Creek and looking out to sea and towards the entrance of The Helford. Listen to the difference in the wind at this point, when compared to the clip taken in the sheltered part of the Cove (they were taken on the same day).

Walking Round to Flushing Cove

From Gillan Cove, you can either walk South on the coastal path to head to the more exposed Nare Point, passing an absolute multitude of hidden coves along the way… or head North for the very short stroll around to Flushing Cove. Flushing is another similar tiny cove, perfect for spending a relaxed day enjoying the water and walks at a totally different pace.

Walking down into Flushing Cove along the coastal path. (Video taken at low tide in March.)

From Flushing Cove you can either continue on around the coastal path, up around Gillan Creek, or stroll up the little lane, back towards Number 7 (or your car).

We hope you enjoy exploring this area as much as we do.

You might also be interested in our other post about 5 top swim spots in the Helford or our page with a map on it.

Look out for our next post… heading up around Gillan Creek to St Anthony-in-Meneage…

5 Water-based Adventures around the Lizard Peninsula

Posted on 05/12/202209/12/2022 by Nick at Number 7

Exploring the Lizard Peninsula and Helford Estuary

Are you an outdoorsy type of person? Do you love water-based adventures? Would you like to explore the stunning Lizard Peninsula / Helford Estuary part of Cornwall, but maybe from a different perspective? Would you like to see what this area may have to offer?

Cornwall is renowned for its rugged coastline, stunning surfing beaches and beautiful countryside. It is perhaps not surprising that Cornwall is now one of the UK’s top tourist destinations. It is also perhaps not surprising that it is an absolute haven for adventurous activities. You may be highly experienced on SUPper or kayaker, but local knowledge and advice can be absolutely invaluable to get the very best from a new area and turn your break into a magical holiday. Alternatively, you may like to use the opportunity to try something new.

If you’re an outdoor activity enthusiast you may enjoy some of the following:

1) Guided SUP adventures on the Helford River with Koru Kayaking

Drive down to Helford (there is a pay-and-display car park overlooking the estuary). Stroll down to the ferry landing site and be picked up by the lovely team from Koru Kayaking in their river launch. They will whisk you across the Helford Estuary to their base (where they have changing facilities, all the kit you will require and a cafe for the obligatory post-water snack). From there, they will take you on a magical kayak or SUP adventure. For beginners, they have the sheltered Port Navas Creek which is steeped in amazing history with beautiful river fronted houses and magical wooded smaller creeks. For experienced paddlers, they will take you to the famous Frenchman’s Creek or to the secluded beaches and cave near Durgan. The serene surroundings on calm waters are amazing with incredible history and wildlife in an area of outstanding natural beauty. On sunny days there may be an opportunity to swim in the soft waters of the creeks, before paddling back to their base.

Water-based adventures with Koru Kayaking — Koru Kayaking’s base

Water-based adventures on the Helford in November — Koru Kayaking’s base

2) A coastal adventure with Vertical Blue Adventures

Just around the corner, based in Porthleven is Vertical Blue Adventures. If you fancy getting “up close and personal” to the cliffs, coves and beaches of the Lizard Peninsula then the experienced instructors at Vertical Blue will take you on a range of adventures. Whether that be on a SUP, kayak or coasteering, they know this stretch of coastline inside out. They will take you on an adventure to remember. Vertical Blue also do a range of formal qualifications and training, so if you want to brush up on your SUP rescue techniques, or want to undertake your Coastal Sea Kayak Award, talk to the team at Vertical Blue.

3) Sunset SUP or “SUP like a local with” SUP in a bag

Forgot to bring your own kit? Want to hire a SUP for a few days? The lovely Amanda at SUP in a bag offers a range of services. She will come to you wherever you are staying and bring the kit for a great adventure. Alternatively, you can use your own kit and use her expert knowledge to guide you. Whether it be a Sunset paddle, a (Wildlife Safe Accredited) SUP Safari or a Go anywhere paddle, Amanda knows the best places to take you to give you a holiday to remember. Recent guests at Number 7 sang Amanda’s praises for the adventure she took them on. Amanda has been featured in the Independent’s ‘10 of the Best Paddleboarding Locations in the UK’ (2020) and featured in the Telegraph’s ‘Staycation Nation – 10 of the Best Activity Breaks for Summer’ (2020).

At any point we have a wishlist of Paddles, just waiting for the right company and conditions.
Amanda – SUP in a Bag

4) Family or Group water-based adventures with Lizard Adventure

With over 30 years of experience in outdoor adventure holidays for families, groups and individuals, the team at Lizard Adventure know how to create the perfect balance between safety and fun. Whether you’re looking for a gentle introduction or a complete adrenaline rush, all of their activities will give you memories that last a lifetime. Lizard Adventure run SUP adventures, rock climbing, sea kayaking, coasteering, SUP Yoga and Mega SUPing. They run adventures out of Mullion Cove, Cadgwith Cove, Lizard Point or Hayle Estuary (slightly further afield from Number 7). You can hire kit for a session or enjoy a guided adventure.

5) Sailing and water-based adventures on Trevassack Lake

If you fancy trying your hand at Sailing or SUPing in a calm and sheltered lake with full rescue cover, Just 4.5 miles away is Trevassack Lake. Here a team of qualified instructors are on hand to enthuse, support and encourage. The Activity Centre (The Children’s Sailing Trust Experiences) is run by a charity that creates accessible and affordable watersports and sailing opportunities for young people in Cornwall. The charity supports children through their schools or home education groups, helping them grow in confidence, competence and resilience – personal skills that last a lifetime.

Their commercial courses and sessions for groups, individuals and families are run on the Helford River and at Trevassack Lake. So with every swim, sail and SUP session you purchase, you’ll be helping Children’s Sailing Trust’s work to create opportunities for kids to get out on the water who wouldn’t otherwise get the chance. What is not to love about that? The team run multi-activity days, taster days, formal courses as well as hire of equipment. There is also a cafe on site offering a great family-friendly menu.

Whatever you choose to do, you can be assured of a cosy haven to return to at Number 7 In Cornwall. Oodles of warm water to shower or bathe in, a special area to wash off salty kit and even the essential “Wetsuit Washing Trug” await your return to base. Hang the wetsuits up as you rest your aching limbs after an enjoyable day of adventure whilst enjoying the view.

However you choose to spend your precious time off we hope you enjoy it!