Coastal Cornwall - Pentire, a place of beauty and history

THE Pentire promontory, managed by the National Trust near the seaside resort of Polzeath in North Cornwall, is a place of beauty and history.

Coastal walkers approaching the headland from the Port Quin direction face a steep descent from the clifftop at Trevan Point down to Epphaven Cove. From there, the coast path goes on to Lundy Bay where there is a small beach at low tide. The clear waters here can look particularly inviting for swimmers. The Lundy Hole, a spectacular opening in the cliffs, provides another point of interest.

Further along the coast, the Rumps headland reaches out into the Atlantic. Experts say people first settled there around 4,000 years ago. The extensive remains of ramparts and ditches built across the neck of the Rumps as defences for an Iron Age cliff fort can still be seen.

Archaeological excavations elsewhere on the Pentire headland have uncovered hut circles and other prehistoric finds. The National Trust centre at Pentireglaze provides more information about the headland’s past.

An inscribed stone on the cliffs between the Rumps and Pentire Point carries the wording of For The Fallen which was written by Laurence Binyon in the vicinity at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. The words are often used at Remembrance events:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Pentire Point offers tremendous views, taking in Stepper Point across Padstow Bay and the offshore rock known as Newland. Look out for dolphins, porpoises and seals as well. The views away to the south west are maintained as the coast path goes towards Polzeath.

*Andrew Townsend is a journalist and writer. He further explores the county in the travel book, Cornwall Favourites For One And All!: A Quick Guide To Good Places To Visit Across The County, which is available in print and as an ebook. More details on Andrew’s books and ebooks can be found via this link to his author page on Amazon - https://bit.ly/AndrewTownsendAuthor