Lizard Point to Kynance Cove Walk, Cornwall, UK

Would you like to stand at the southernmost point on mainland Great Britain and walk along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the south west of the UK? Then you need to put the Lizard Point to Kynance Cove circular walk onto your itinerary. 

If you’d like to see our Lizard Point to Kynance Cove walk then make sure to watch our YouTube video by clicking here. You can also watch our full Cornwall Series by clicking here.

10 Interesting facts about Cornwall

Although Cornwall is located pretty far away from the major centres in the UK, millions of tourists visit it every year. So, I thought I’d share 10 interesting facts about Cornwall and show you why we totally fell in love with it in only 3 days.

1. Cornwall has only one neighboring county, Devon, and is surrounded by water on three sides.
2. It has only one city, Truro, which is the administrative centre of Cornwall and also one of the smallest cities in the UK.
3. Cornwall has its own flag and own language called Kernewek, which is a Celtic language. The Cornish flag is the flag of the Cornish patron saint, Saint Piran.
4. It’s southwesternmost point is called Land’s End and the southernmost point is Lizard Point. Lizard Point is also the most southerly point on mainland Great Britain.
5. The well-known Cornish Pasty was invented by the miners. Apparently, at least 120 million pasties are made every year and producers generate millions of pounds worth of trade to the Cornish economy.
6. Due to its oceanic setting and the influence of the Gulf Stream, Cornwall has probably the best climate in the UK.
7. Cornwall has a huge variety of marine life so you can spot seals, dolphins and even Basking Sharks. How cool?
8. There are nearly 400 types of plants in Cornwall, thanks to its warm climate and the Eden Project.
9. Cornwall’s 422 miles of coastline has over 300 beaches, many of which are known as surfing paradises like Newquay. 
10.  Other unique things in Cornwall are the Pipewell in Liskeard that’s never run dry, a coach that’s driven by headless horses in Penryn around Christmas, and all the Arthurian legends.

There are definitely many more fun facts about Cornwall, so make sure to have a quick internet search before your visit.

About Lizard Point and Kynance Cove

Situated on the southern tip of the Lizard peninsula, about half a mile from the village of Lizard, is Lizard Point. Lizard Peninsula lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), but it also has 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an area of it is also designated as a national nature reserve. 

The peninsula is the most southerly part of mainland Britain, which makes the village the most southerly and Lizard Point the southernmost point on mainland Great Britain. It’s important to highlight that it’s the mainland’s most southernly point, since the Isles of Scilly are located approximately 6.4km (4 miles) further south of Lizard Point.

Whilst it overlooks one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, the coast here is very hazardous. Approximately 6000 ships have been wrecked in the 250km area over the years, so no wonder it’s become known as the ‘Graveyard of Ships’. 

Lizard Lighthouse was erected in 1752, which guides vessels to date. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) also operates The Lizard Lifeboat Station just to the northeast of Lizard Point at Kilcobben cove. 

Kynance Cove is located approximately 3km (2 miles) to the north of Lizard Point. The combination of white sand beach, turquoise water and tidal islands have made Kynance Cove a popular destination since the Victorian era. 

Both Lizard Point and Kynance Cove are owned and managed by the National Trust.

How to get to Lizard Point and Kynance Cove

By Car: Lizard Point is located approximately half a mile to the south of the village of Lizard. If you arrive by car, you can park at Lizard Point Car Park. You can also park at Kynance Cove Car Park, if you’re doing the walk in reverse order. You can also find parking opportunities in Lizard too.

All car parks are owned by the National Trust. This means that National Trust members can park here for free all day. If you’re a non member then you have to pay £6 to park there all day. Read more about National Trust Memberships by clicking here.

If you don’t have your own car but would like to enjoy the freedom of a private vehicle, then you can always hire a car to get to Kynance Cove.

Top Tip – I suggest you arrive early since the car parks can get full quickly, especially in peak season.

By Public Transport: If you arrive by public transport you can take Buses 34 and L1 the Lizard travelling to Redruth and Helston. You can disembark at The Green bus stop in the village centre and start your circular walk from there. 

If you’re coming from further afield, I recommend getting the train to Redruth. There are train services to and from London, Penzance, Exeter and Plymouth. From there just take Bus 34 to Lizard. Please note that the bus takes about 2 hours to reach Lizard. Make sure to plan your journey with Trainline which also provides information on bus fares.

Top Tip – If you’re planning on travelling across the UK by train a lot, then check out some Railcard options which allow you to save some pennies on your train fares.

Good to Know Before You Go

Length of the Lizard Point to Kynance Cove trail

This Lizard Point to Kynance Cove walk is a roughly 8km (4.9 miles) long circular route. Depending on your speed or how long you’re spending at Kynance Cove beach and in Lizard, this route could take anywhere between 4 to 5 hours. It’s because the scenery is just so beautiful, so inevitably you’ll want to stop every 5 minutes to admire it.

For reference, we got to Lizard Point before 9AM and it was warm and sunny. So, we tried to enjoy the scenery and the sunshine as long as possible by stopping regularly. We completed the walk around 2PM.

This circular walk starts at Lizard Point then follows the South West Coast Path all the way to Kynance Cove. From there, the route takes you to the village of Lizard, then circles back to Lizard Point. We saw many people choosing to do a point to point route, and just walk to Kynance Cove and then back to Lizard Point. The distance will be pretty similar whether you do a circular walk or a point to point one.

When to visit Lizard Point and Kynance Cove

Generally speaking you can visit Lizard Point and Kynance Cove all year round. However, the scenery will be more lush during the spring and summer months. Obviously, during the warmer months it’s also more pleasant to walk around, plus you can also enjoy the beach. The majority of the tourists visit between July and August. If you have the chance, consider visiting during the less busy months. This would also help to ease mass tourism.

If you’d like to beat the crowds, I recommend you start your Lizard Point to Kynance Cove walk a bit earlier. Especially if you can only visit during the weekend or school holidays!

Top Tip! – If you’d like to enjoy the beach then get to Kynance Cove around low tide. Otherwise the beach disappears completely. Plus you can get a closer look at the cool rock formations and hidden caves. You can get up-to-date tide times by clicking here. 

I recommend coming on a weekday if you can. We visited the area on a normal Friday in May and luckily it wasn’t too crowded. There were quite a few people on the beach by the time we got there around lunchtime. I assume many people will just park at Kynance Cove with the intention of enjoying the sandy beach and the waves. However, I can only imagine this place during a sunny weekend or summer holidays!

Level of Difficulty

I would rate the route easy to moderate as you can complete it with a basic level of fitness. There are a few ups and downs especially when getting closer to Kyncance Cove. The path is a bit rocky and can be muddy and slippery after rain. Whilst the beach is sandy, you have to walk through some big rocks to get to the sandy part. These can be slippery when wet. Therefore, I highly recommend wearing comfortable footwear like trainers, boots and and walking sandals but not flip-flops. 

Please Note! –  I don’t recommend you stand or sit too close to the edges along the coastline. You should also stick to the designated paths and don’t try to climb down or up anywhere else. The coastline is constantly changing and some sections have been re-routed due to the potential danger of collapse.

Many people visit Kynance Cove to enjoy its beautiful beach. If you’d like to have a dip in the ocean, make sure to come during low tide. 

Please Note! – There is no lifeguard at the beach. Even if you visit during low tide, be careful not to get cut off by the rising water whilst you’re exploring the beach.

There’s no shelter along this trail either, so strong wind and rain can make this walk uncomfortable. Therefore, I recommend checking the weather app before your visit and wearing appropriate clothing.

I think this walk could be a great activity even on a slightly windy and rainy day but I wouldn’t suggest doing it in really bad weather conditions or when visibility is too low. After all the views are the best part of this walk!

Facilities around Lizard Point and Kynance Cove

Cafés and picnic spots: I highly recommend packing your own lunch and having a picnic. There’s no shortage of picnic spots with a view along the trail. However, if you’d like to grab a coffee or tea and a bite to eat there’s plenty of cafés to choose from too. You can grab a drink from Polpeor Café, Britain’s most southernly café at Lizard Point. You can also enjoy the café at Kynance Cove overlooking the beach. In addition, there are plenty of places to eat in Lizard too.

Toilet facilities: There are public toilets available at Lizard Point Car Park and just behind Kynance Cove Café. Please note there won’t be any public toilets available in between Lizard Point and Kynance Cove.

What to Wear and Bring with You?

You are in Cornwall so the weather tends to be slightly better compared to the rest of the UK. However, it can still change quickly, especially during the colder months.

At the time of our visit it was mainly dry and sunny. However, I think the wind can be pretty strong along the coastline. Therefore, I recommend weather appropriate clothing when going on the Lizard Point to Kynance Cove walk. You’ll be exposed along the majority of the trail. Therefore, make sure you check the weather forecast before you set off and have a few layers with you. You might feel a bit cooler closer to the coastline but warmer for the rest of the walk. 

Whilst the trail is pretty good it can still be a bit uneven in places. Rain can also make the trail muddy and slippery. Therefore, I suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes, boots or sandals. 

I also suggest packing your own lunch and snacks and having plenty of water and hot drinks with you depending on the weather. You can stop for a picnic anywhere along this walk. During low tide you’ll also have the chance to enjoy Kynance Cove’s sandy beach. So if you’d like to have a dip in the water then pack some swimsuits and towels with you.

Please Note! – Whatever you bring with you, make sure you either take it home with you or dispose of it responsibly. Please note that there are NO bins at the beaches so make sure to have a garbage bag with you where you can collect all your waste. (And obviously don’t leave it on the beach!) Enjoy your time in nature but Leave No Trace!

Lizard Point to Kynance Cove Circular Walking Trail

Whilst it’s easy to follow the Lizard point to Kynance Cove circular trail, I divided the route into 5 sections.

1. Exploring Lizard Point

From the car park you can walk straight to Lizard Point, but I highly recommend exploring Lizard Lighthouse first. You can do a tour and are also able to climb up to the lighthouse to see the beautiful view of the area. At the time of our visit, due to restrictions, we couldn’t go on a lighthouse tour, but since then it’s opened for visitors again. You can buy a ticket on the day which costs £8.50 per adult. More up-to-date information is available from the website or Facebook page.

You can circle around the outside of the lighthouse to get a better view of it, then head to Lizard Point. There are a few places here if you’d like to grab a coffee. I recommend spending a few minutes here, enjoying the view and taking a few snaps of you standing at the southernmost point of mainland Britain. Once you’re ready to go, don’t forget to have a peak at the Old Lifeboat Station at Polpeor Cove on your left. 

Did you know? – Polpeor Cove was home to the first RNLI lifeboat station built in 1859. The initial location wasn’t ideal so in 1885, a bigger station was built a bit lower down. In 1914, a third station was built, which included a slipway so the lifeboat could launch straight into the sea. Due to maintenance issues it closed down in 1961 and has been relocated to Kilcobben Cove.

2. Lizard Point to Kynance Cove

After passing the Old Lifeboat Station, you just have to follow the South West Coast Path all the way to Kynance Cove. The path is straight forward and easy to follow as you’ll just be following the beautiful coastline. 

Not far after passing Polpeor Cove is where we spotted a few seals chilling in the sea. They were so adorable and someone next to us pointed out that they were sleeping in the water. After my Google search, it turns out that they sometimes indeed sleep in the water floating in a standing position almost like a fishing bobber. We felt incredibly lucky to spot a few of them.

So, whilst you’re enjoying the coastal view, make sure to scan the water and the coast for potential wildlife. If you’re lucky you can spot Cornish Choughs, porpoises and even dolphins.

Along the way you’ll also pass Caerthillian Cove which is a rocky inlet but has a tiny sandy part during low tide. After passing the cove, you’ll walk past Pentreath Beach. If you’d like a much quieter beach then you can definitely spend a little time here. It’s not the safest beach so be careful. Interestingly, during high tide the beach turns into a pebble one whereas during low tide it’s much sandier. After Pentreath Beach, your next stop is Kynance Cove.

3. Exploring Kynance Cove

As you’re approaching Kynance Cove you’ll get a glimpse of the combination of white sandy beach and turquoise water with the serpentine rock formations. It’s truly beautiful and we could see why it’s a well-photographed place.

I highly recommend staying up high at first and taking in the views from above. There are many little viewpoints you can walk out to. After that you can make your way down to the sandy beach. As I mentioned earlier, I suggest you time your visit with the low tide so you can truly explore the cove. 

To get to the beach, you’ll need to walk across some pretty big (and slippery) rocks so be careful. Once on the beach you can just walk around, explore the hidden caves, sit down and relax or have a dip in the water.

Please Note! – There is no lifeguard on this beach! You also need to be careful where you walk, to avoid being cut off by the sea. The tide comes in quickly!

Once you’ve had enough of the beach, you can walk up to the café and grab something to eat or drink. You can also walk to the opposite side of the cove following the South West Coast Path. At this point we decided it was time to leave so we followed the path behind the café and headed into Lizard.

4. Kynance Cove to Lizard

After leaving Kynance Cove, just follow the path that leads you to the car park area. Just before you would get to it there should be a path that cuts through a field. We completely missed it so had to walk on the road for a bit. Be careful if you do the same as cars are constantly coming to the car park. 

There will be a short section where the path through the field merges with the road. You should have a little farm house on your left. Walking on the road for about 100m you’ll come across a crossroads. You’ll need to go straight ahead, again entering a field. From this point, you literally just have to stay on this path until you reach Pentreath Lane in Lizard. Follow this lane and it will lead you to the village centre. 

5. Lizard to Lizard Point Car Park

You can stop in Lizard for lunch or just a quick Cornish pasty which is what we did (Ann’s Pasties!!). Spend as long or as little exploring the village as you wish. The streets are pretty narrow and there’s constant traffic so be careful when walking around.

If you only do one thing in Lizard, I recommend stopping at the most colourful and cute building ever. It’s located on The Square just opposite the post office. You won’t be able to miss it!

From The Square road you just need to make your way onto Lighthouse Road. This road will take you all the way back to the car park at Lizard Point. Once you’ve reached the car park, you have completed the Lizard Point to Kynance Cove circular walk.

Additional things to do in Cornwall

It doesn’t matter when you visit Cornwall, or what the weather is like, you’ll find no shortage of unique things to do and places to see. We definitely managed to visit a variety of iconic locations during our 3-day trip. So, here are some additional places to add to your Cornish road-trip itinerary. 

Visiting Tintagel Castle – Dive into the history and legends of Tintagel Castle including useful tips and 9 must see features so you can make the most of your visit. Click here to read it.

St Nectan’s Glen Woodland Walk – Visit Cornwall’s best kept secret, a sacred site with a stunning 60ft tall waterfall via a 1.8 mile short circular woodland walk. Click here to read it.

Exploring the Lost Gardens of Heligan – Visiting one of the UK’s most popular gardens built in a 19th century Gardenesque style. Click here to read it. 

You can browse for more hiking trails in the UK and around the world in my Hiking Adventures Series

Final Thoughts on Lizard Point and Kynance Cove

After completing the Lizard Point to Kynance Cove circular walk, I can totally see why some suggest that it’s one of the most beautiful coastlines in the south west. The combination of turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches and rich wildlife makes this area of Cornwall so unique. I guess completing the trail on a sunny and warm day during a less busy time definitely made this experience even better. 

Whilst I’m a bit gutted that we couldn’t walk up to the lighthouse to get a different view of the area, I’m so grateful that we could spot the most adorable seals along the way and that we managed to explore Kynance Cove beach during low tide.

Have you ever visited Lizard Point, Kynance Cove or Cornwall in general before? If so, how much of the area did you manage to explore? Let me know in the comments below.