Land’s End, Longships Lighthouse and Sennen Cove, Cornwall
Land’s End at the far south west tip of England is one of the most well known places in the whole of United Kingdom, usually associated with its most northerly contemporary at John O’Groats in the far north east of Scotland.
Offshore from Land’s End is the exposed Longships Lighthouse which is enveloped in crashing waves during Atlantic storms. Just a short distance along the South West Coast Path to the north is Sennan Cove, a pretty fishing village first established as a Trust Port in 1907.
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Land’s End
Land’s End can seem like a bit of a mad place at first with a commercial tourist trap, but there is so much more to this location if you take time to escape from the bustle. The whole area is designated as ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and is home to over 220 species of flowering plant, 81 species of lichen, a range of birds including the elusive chough and passing whales and dolphins.
The sign and the Touristy Bit!
Land’s End is busy, there is no escaping the fact. In the winter months it can still be busy although many of the shops are closed and the parking is free. If you like touristy shops and recreations of ancient stories then the visitors centre is worth visiting as you wander down to the sign and the cliff tops.
So, this sign at Land’s End is a must see, but at peak times of the year it can be busy. It is owned by a local photography company and access to the area immediately around the sign is tightly controlled by them. Step inside that for your own photographs and you are taking away his business. You can still take a photograph of the iconic sign, just not always with you in it or particularly close.
The Cliffs
The main attraction at Land’s end for most people is the rugged landscape, the crashing Atlantic waves and the tall granite cliffs. These cliffs stretch both north and south from the car parking area and are exquisite examples of granite sea cliffs. There are offshore islands called Enys Dodnan with its iconic arch and the Armed Knight which are both a gentle walk from the tourist area. Tucked into a small cove called Gamper Bay below the Iron Age Fort are the remains of RMS Mülheim which ran aground in 2003. Now she is just a tangled mess of rusting metal but worth the scramble down to the cove to see.
Longships Lighthouse
Location: Longship Rocks off Land’s End, Cornwall
Nearest Town: Penzance
Road: B7065
GPS: 50.06703°N 5.74681°W
Map: OS Explorer 102: Land’s End
Engineer: Sir James Douglass
Established: 1875
Automated: 1988
Admiralty Number: A0028
Character: Flashing 2 white and red every 10 seconds
Height: 35m
Status: Operational
Operator: Trinity House
Access: No access but can be approached by private boat with knowledge of surrounding hazards
Longships Lighthouse stands on a small rock just over a mile offshore from Land’s End. Built in 1875, the tower stands 35 metres above the high water mark. However during winter storms, waves easily engulf the entire tower. In the 1790’s a number of ships were wrecked on the Longship Rocks and an aid to navigation was seen as being essential. The first lighthouse was just 12 metres high and it was quickly realised that it was not high enough to be visible in storm conditions so in 1875 the current granite tower was designed and built by Sir James Douglass. In 1988 it was fully automated.
Longships Rocks and Lighthouse can be seen from Land’s End on clear days directly offshore from the sign post.
Sennen Cove
Following the South West Coast Path north along the cliff tops the Coastguard Lookout tower comes into view after about a mile. From here a steep path with steps leads to the small coastal village of Sennen Cove. The village focus is around the harbour where there is the lifeboat station and Roundhouse with its small art gallery. The houses in the village are on the edge of the long sandy beach which even in summer can see huge rollers making it the most westerly surf destination in England. A sturdy harbour wall protects the fishing boats from the worst of the weather which can be seen approaching across the bay from Cape Cornwall further north.
Photography At Land’s End and Sennen Cove
Land’s End is a year round photography location. In the spring and summer wildflowers coat the cliff tops and the surf gently buffets the cliffs below. In the winter months storm surges push up against the steep cliffs and waves break over the rocks.
The cliffs are largely unmarked with limited barriers or markings so visiting in storm conditions and at night need extra care to ensure your own safety. It can also get busy so visiting ‘out of hours’ means that you have the area to yourself just a little bit more.
At the car park there are places to eat as well as toilets and there are wheelchair friendly paths around the visitors centre and the signpost.
Land’s End is the perfect location for sunset photography as the sunsets over the Atlantic all year round. Late afternoon sun will bathe the cliffs and islands in beautiful golden light and it is the perfect spot for astrophotography and star gazing.
Armed Knight and Longships Lighthouse
Longships lighthouse can only be photographed with a telephoto lens, but wider photographs including the Armed knight rocks can balance the lighthouse perfectly. To get the Armed Knight in the foreground walk a short distance south from the car park where the rock becomes visible from the path closest to the cliff edge. The waves around the base of the Armed Knight can add interest to the image, especially when the foam forms white lines on a long exposure.
During stormy weather the explosive waves breaking over the lighthouse can be captured using a long lens and show the true power of the Atlantic ocean as they break over the top of the lighthouse.
Pordenack Point
To the south of Land’s End is Pordenack Point with views south towards Gwennap Head. These cliffs are made of jagged granite columns that recede into the surf that forms around their base. This area is stunning with long exposures as the surf turns to white ribbons.
Enys Dodnan
This is the classic Land’s End photography location with the small island of Enys Dodnan with its sea arch leading into the Armed Knight and Longships Lighthouse. The sea arch isn’t immediately visible but the further south you walk the more visible to arch becomes. It is possible to have the arch, Armed Knight and Longships all in one wide-angle image. In the summer months with planning it is possible to get the sun setting through the arch of Enys Dodnan.
Sennen Cove
Sennen Cove provides the perfect opportunity for intimate landscape shots portraying the fishing background of the village. Small fishing boats are pulled up on the shoreline and buoys and nets as well as lobster pots are dotted around the harbour. The harbour wall provides a fantastic leading line towards the beach and Cape Cornwall, the headland in the distance. During winter storms waves will break over the harbour wall providing great photographs of the power of the sea and the magnitude of the waves.
How to Get to Land’s End and Sennen Cove
Visiting Land’s End is one of the few places where following the road to the end takes you to where you want to be. From Penzance follow the A30 for about 10 miles following the signs for Land’s End. The A30 ends at the gates of the car park at Land’s End. The car park is located on the left with a one way system in place as the approach road is narrow. Parking is free in the winter months but in the summer fees are payable.
Land’s end is best visited at the beginning or the end of the day when the majority of the day visitors have left and it is quiet.
Sennen Cove can be reached from Land’s End by following the South West Coast Path north from the buildings. If a walk is too energetic then the road to the village is signposted from the A30 a few miles before Land’s End. There is a large cliff top car park or a smaller car park beyond the harbour. Be aware though that this is compact and can get busy.
If driving to Land’s end is too much then how about taking a tour from London that will take you all the way to Land’s End as well as other places on the way..
Staying at Land’s End and Sennen cove
This part of England is stunning for a holiday and there are numerous options. At Land’s End there is a large hotel overlooking Longships and the cliffs while smaller cottages and apartments can be found for a reasonable price at Sennen Cove. Many of these cottages are thatched with no parking. If parking is essential then make sure you check the listing.
Other Places Close to Lands End and Sennen Cove
- Porth Nanven – a small pebble beach with offshore rocks. Perfect location at sunset for long exposure photography
- Geevor Tin Mine – part of the UNESCO Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
- Cape Cornwall – a headland north-east of Sennen Cove that has the ruins of a chapel, small beach and tin mine shaft chimney on the headland
- Porthcurno and Minack Theatre – this small village has a wireless museum and stunning beach and is close to the outdoor Minack theatre which is carved into the cliff face overlooking the sea.
Lighthouses nearby
- Pendeen
- Tater Du
- Newlyn Harbour
- Penzance Harbour