Walking to Land’s End
Vaughan Brean guides you on a photogenic 14-mile walk, easily split into
three stages, from Penzance to Land’s End
R
egular readers of Photoworld fairly well qualified to recommend There are two “I give up points”
Route in a nutshell
may remember a feature in the to you one of my favourite routes. along the way, where a bus can be
Summer 2007 edition in which The route Newlyn to Land’s End is taken back to Newlyn. The first is This route a fairly challenging 22.5Km
I described my love for the South West incredibly varied, taking in several at Lamorna turn (about one third or 14 miles, but I feel that moderately
of England Coastal footpath, along fishing villages, with an opportunity of the way) and the second is at fit individuals can tackle the entire
with the story of how I became so to buy refreshments. There are Porthcurno (about two thirds of the length, and the less fit if split into two
fond of this wonderful treasure. In the stretches which encapsulate the way). This also means that the route or three sections. There is nothing
summer of 2007 I completed almost raw beauty of the Cornish coastal can be tackled in anything between that requires any particularly high
500 miles of the 640 mile route, landscape. With wildlife, landscape, one and three days, with plenty of level of fitness – no climbs or rock
falling just short of my target distance picture postcard villages and places to stay along the way if you scrambles – and the coastal footpath
due to severe flooding. I now feel seascapes this route has it all. wished to extend the adventure. is well marked and well trodden. It
is difficult (but not impossible) to
get lost, and the opportunities for
the photographer are just unlimited.
Walking at a very modest pace
and taking plenty of pictures, I
completed the hike in eight hours.
If you are in a car I recommend
that you start from the fishing port of
Newlyn, as the official first mile and a
half from Penzance is rather tedious.
I parked up just outside Newlyn in
an all day Pay and Display for £4.20;
there is a Co-Op supermarket directly
opposite this car park which enables
you to stock up for the journey.
Newlyn is instantly appealing,
a real working fishing port with
no pretence. Assuming you will be
starting early, the port will be busy
with fishing boats, gulls screaming
and fresh sea air. The coastal footpath
is well signed, just follow the Acorn
emblem way markers out past the
original Penlee lifeboat station. Stop
for a moment to pay your respects
to the eight Penlee lifeboat men who
came to grief in on December 19th
1981 whilst offering assistance to a
Abovwe: the bay at Porthchapel with clear blue waters in April this year. Below: Newlyn is a lovely fishing port but you must stricken ship the Union Star in severe
choose your viewpoint carefully. The derelict boats and rubbish in the harbour spoil the attractive perspective and eye-leading gales. There there is a cycle/ footpath
line of ropes and vessels. See the next photograph… that takes you for about a mile to
the outskirts of the lovely village of
Mousehole. This is a place that you
will certainly want to linger with
plenty of great photo opportunities,
a classic Cornish fishing village
with a great circular sea wall and
a small sandy beach – just lovely.
Follow the Acorn waymarkers out
of the village and up the hill; take a
little care here, the path seems to go
to the left, this is not correct, just con-
tinue up the hill and look for the way-
marker. I have made the same error
here twice now! Just out of Mousehole
we are on our way, with the true wild
coastal footpath stretching ahead.
The path here is easy to follow, just
keep the sea on your left and keep
walking, you will soon have a clear
view of the lovely Lamorna Cove.
photoworld 10
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