With its sweeping cliffsides, turquoise seas shimmering in the sun and white sand beaches you’d be forgiven for thinking this corner of England was the Caribbean.
But no, this taste of paradise is Lizard in Cornwall – a gorgeous part of the country which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches, and is the perfect location for a summer or winter staycation.
The rugged coastline is dotted with charming coves and fishing villages and the geology of the area is unlike anywhere else in Cornwall.
The bedrock beneath your feet is made of rocks which formed 350 million years ago, and the land is exposed to the elements, sticking out into the Atlantic gales.
For hundreds of years, it has been the first sighting of land for sailors heading home from foreign shores and it’s often a place of refuge for rare birds blown off course when out at sea.
The Lizard Peninsula is also famous for the local serpentine stone, a unique rock which is dark green, veined with red and white. Queen Victoria is said to have loved the stone and had a fireplace built out of it at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight.
Lizard is a stunning region that houses one of the best beaches in England – Kynance Cove. This stunning beach has incredible rock formations flecked with the green and red veins of serpentine stone, shaped over the years to form stacks, islands and caves across the beach.
When the tide is low, you can venture into the caves and islands up close, but be sure to keep an eye on the tides as it’s easy to get stranded.
Also, there are no lifeguards at Kynance, so caution is advised if you’re tempted by a dip in the crystal-clear turquoise water.
Lizard Peninsula is also home to the SEA LIFE Trust’s Cornish Seal Sanctuary which is open for visitors. Each season, the Sanctuary rehabilitates over 70 seal pups that have been rescued and also provides a permanent home to animals that need special care from the team of marine animal experts.Â
Visitors to the sanctuary have posted on Tripadvisor about how knowledgeable the staff are, and what a great day out a visit makes.
“Lovely small sanctuary, it’s obvious the staff really care about the seals, penguins and sea lions,” said one person.
“The work done here in providing rehabilitation for seals is amazing,” said another.
“The staff are all so dedicated and share their knowledge and stories of the seals as you walk round. We timed it for feeding and there was a member of staff providing commentary throughout. The same was done while watching the penguins feed.”