Holiday rentals in Lizard

The most southerly point on the British mainland, Lizard is a remote village in Cornwall situated on a peninsula whose rugged cliffs loom over the stunning turquoise waters of the Celtic Sea, part of the Atlantic. Despite its name, there are no lizards in the village, as “lizard” means “high place” in Cornish.

Whitewashed stone cottages in this small community are set around a village green, where you will find an ancient Celtic cross as well as modern shops where you can enjoy traditional Cornish ice cream or fish and chips. A path through farmland takes you from the village to Lizard Point, where you can take in the dramatic cliffs and rock formations. Seals can often be spotted bobbing in the water below; this is also an important breeding spot for the Cornish chough, the county bird. The Lizard stretch of the South West Coast Path will take you past an 18th-century lighthouse through open heathland to Housel Bay Beach, a secluded cove sheltered by cliffs. Looking north, you’ll spot the many satellite dishes of Goonhilly Earth Station in the distance, while Royal Navy planes and helicopters fly in and out of the nearby Predannack Airfield.

The summer months between June and August are the hottest and driest time of year for Lizard, which is also when the highest number of visitors flock to its shores. The region is quieter just before peak season, and sea campion and thrift bloom on the clifftops. In early May, the ancient local tradition of Flora Day comes to nearby Helston to celebrate the arrival of spring. Costumed dancers of all ages parade through the flower-decorated town, accompanied by town bands and followed by Hal An Tow, a historical pageant that winds through the streets.

Autumn and winter bring fewer visitors to Cornwall, and there are higher levels of rainfall and stronger winds, creating dramatic waves that crash onto the cliffs of Lizard Point.

Poldhu Cove

Drive 15 minutes northwest of Lizard and you’ll find Poldhu Cove, a sheltered, unspoilt beach run by the National Trust. Poldhu means “black pool” in Cornish, and the site boasts a large expanse of sand, with dunes, reedbeds, and a stream running through the cove. You’ll find a surf school and a cafe at the beach. History was made here when a wireless signal was sent across the Atlantic in 1901.

Lizard Lighthouse

A short walk from the village brings you to the Lizard Lighthouse, which was built in 1751. Its two distinctive white towers still prevent vessels on one of the busiest shipping lanes in Europe from crashing ashore. Stop by the visitor centre in the old Engine Room to browse an exhibition of historical artefacts and interactive displays, or reserve a spot on a tour to climb to the top of one of the towers.

Kynance Cove

Head out on a five-kilometre loop trail that follows the South West Coast Path westwards from the village of Lizard to Kynance Cove. The walk takes you through the Lizard National Nature Reserve, past red and green serpentine rocks and Cornish heathland. From the shores you’ll spot the islands of Asparagus Island, Gull Rock, and the Bishop in the distance. Kynance Cove itself has an exquisite sandy beach with rock stacks and turquoise waters.