by Susan | Mar 9, 2020 | Out & About
Just over 10 miles from the Lizard you will find the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek. A fantastic charity, rehabilitation centre and education facility, the centre has played a fundamental role in the protection of seals for over 60 years.
As Ken Jones walked along the beach near to his home in St Agnes, his gaze fell upon a strange shape upon the sand in the distance. Wandering over to take a look, he realised that the fluffy little mound was actually a seal pup, just a few hours old. Churned up and spat out by the roaring winter waves, the pup had been separated from his mother and washed up on the sand, orphaned and weak. Understanding what would happen to the pup if it is was left behind, Ken scooped it up and took it home.
That was in 1958, and since then Ken and his wife Mary have dedicated their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating seals and other stranded marine life around the Cornish coast. Initially taking care of animals and birds at their home in St Agnes, Ken was able to receive more support and funding over the years, opening up the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek in 1975. Here, the sanctuary staff and volunteers were able to build specially designed pools to accommodate higher numbers of rescued seals, and even sometimes turtles and dolphins too.
Open throughout the year, the dog-friendly charity continues to take in wildlife to this day, often running at full capacity. Hosting daily feeding events and talks, as well as special events throughout the year, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is also home to a number of grey seals, common seals, Patagonian and Californian sea lions, penguins and otters. Be wowed by the good looks, winning charm and amazing agility of the seals as they zip through the water and enjoy informed talks from the enthusiastic team of staff.
If are planning a visit to Gweek Seal Sanctuary during your stay at Penmenner B&B, the sanctuary is open daily, apart from Christmas. Don’t forget your camera to take some snaps and book yourself a VIP ticket for a premium experience with behind the scenes access and opportunity to feed the seals! For further information about tickets and more, visit the sanctuary’s website here.
by Susan | Feb 11, 2020 | Out & About, Walking
If you are planning your holiday to Lizard this winter, you may well be looking forward to witnessing some of the much-anticipated storms that rumble up to our coastline. Jaw-dropping displays that bubble and boil in watery crescendos with waves dozens of feet high, these storms are seriously exciting to watch. Fortunately, there are some super storm watching locations within close reach of Penmenner House, whether you are looking to hop in the car or simply stroll a few hundred meters from your B&B accommodation!
Polpeor (1 mile)
As all of our luxury rooms boasts sea views, staying in bed to watch the storm fronts roll in will be a real treat. That said, if you are up for embracing the elements then you should definitely stroll down to the Lizard Point (Polpeor). The most southerly point in mainland Britain, Polpeor stands high over the water and affords incredible panoramas. Bundle into Polpeor Café to watch the cinematic display with a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy!
Cadgwith (3.5 miles)
Just a short drive from us at the Lizard, Cadgwith is another great option for storm watching in West Cornwall. When the storms roll in, the fishermen bring their boats up from the beach of this small fishing cove and move them to safety on the road and outside of homes. With the cove and its two beaches dissected by a rocky promontory called “the Todden”, this is a great place to stand and watch the sea crash against the rocks below.
Porthleven (13.5 miles)
One of the most well-known destinations for storm-chasers throughout the country, Porthleven is famous for the incredible scenes of gargantuan waves crashing over the top of its clocktower. Beautiful throughout this year, this small harbour town turns into a real showstopper in winter and should definitely be on your list if you love storms. And, with plenty of high cliffs and cafés from which to admire the views, you are sure to find that perfect vantage point.
Penzance (24.5 miles)
When the storms hit West Cornwall, Penzance is always another great place to call upon. With enormous salty waves pouring down over the town’s seafront cottages, its nothing short of dramatic viewing. That said, with the waves as powerful as they are and with little in the way of protection, the only way to enjoy the show here is within one of the cafés or bistros – safe and dry!
Zennor (30 miles)
30 miles from Penmenner House, Zennor is a fair drive but well worth it if you are looking to take in all the best storm watching spots in West Cornwall. Wander along the coast path wrapped up in woollies and waterproofs and make way for Gurnard’s Head. A rocky wedge of land sticking out into the sea, Gurnard’s Head often takes a beating from huge waves rolling in from across the Atlantic. Watch powerful surges of water burst over the rocks from the safety of the coast path and snap the perfect shot.
Land’s End (34.5 miles)
England’s most westerly point, Land’s End faces the full brunt of the Atlantic Ocean. Protected by steep cliffs and benefitting from lots of great amenities, it’s a fantastic location for getting out for an invigorating walk and enjoying the storm before warming up inside. Fresh-faced and starry-eyed, later head back to your private accommodation in the Lizard and watch the rest of the show surrounded by comfort.
by Susan | Jan 20, 2020 | History, Out & About
If you have stayed regularly enough at our wild and beautiful Lizard, there’s a good chance you will have heard the haunting cry of a foghorn piercing the air on foggy nights. Guiding vessels through the waters surrounding the Peninsula, the sound is a familiar chorus to locals and a crucial warning for those at sea. But where does the noise come from?
Standing loud and proud at the most southerly point in mainland Britain, the Lizard Lighthouse and Visitor Centre is a must-visit if you are staying with us at Penmenner B&B. Only a 15-minute walk from your private accommodation, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of the village, its maritime connection and also affords spectacular views of the coast throughout the year.
Dating back to the 18th Century, the lighthouse that you see today sits on the site of a former tower that was built in the 1600s. The efforts of Sir John Killigrew, a philanthropic Cornishman, the original tower was constructed to help ships pass safely through the treacherous waters of the Lizard – waters that all too regularly claimed lives with swollen waves and hidden obstacles.
A major project that incurred a huge amount of costs, the tower was finished around Christmas 1619 and a fee was imposed by James I on all passing vessels of one halfpenny a ton. Met with too great resistance though by those who didn’t want to pay, the light was eventually extinguished and the tower destroyed – only to be later resurrected in the form of a lighthouse in 1752 by Thomas Fonnereau.
This time met with support, the future of the lighthouse was sealed and it has been an important landmark and beacon for passing ships and boats ever since. Standing an impressive 70m above the water, it is a cherished symbol and guide and boasts a huge amount of fascinating tales within its walls – tales that are just waiting to be shared with you.
While you can wander down to visit the lighthouse all year, the visitor centre is open from February to October and is home to a whole host of interesting displays and exhibits. Sign up for a guided tour and explore the centre and grounds, before climbing up to the top of the lighthouse and taking in the incredible views from a whole new perspective.
Amongst the exhibitions, you can learn all about the workings of the lighthouse and accounts from the keepers who worked there – from great white sharks to raging storms – as well as finding out all about the engineering behind the structure and the intriguing technologies used. You can even see a pair of huge 12ft lightvessel optics, the solid bronze entrance doors from the Bishop Rock Lighthouse destroyed by enormous waves and the original hand-operated fire truck used by the keepers!
If you are interested, you can find out more information about the Lizard lighthouse, the centre and their opening hours on their website.
by Susan | Dec 2, 2019 | Out & About
The Lizard
A hop, skip and a jump from us at Penmenner House B&B, our very own Lizard lights go up on the 1st December this year. Decorating the village green and lighting up the Beacon in a multi-coloured array, the lights are a beautiful sight to behold thanks to the amazing efforts of the local community. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the giant illuminated Lizard!
Cadgwith
Only a 5-minute drive from the Lizard, Cadgwith is a romantic little fishing village peppered with thatched cottages. A honeypot spot throughout the year for its impossibly pretty aesthetics, Cadgwith becomes even more magical at Christmas with the mounting of its lights. Wend your way over to see them for yourself – the switch-on takes place on the first Saturday of December each year.
Coverack
A lovely event for all generations, Coverack’s Christmas lights display is celebrated with its traditional ‘Coverack Christmas Tree Night’. Marking the start of Yuletide festivities in the village, the 7th December will see a lantern procession, lots of Christmas carols and the arrival of Father Christmas on a pony-drawn sleigh as well as the switch-on itself. Look out for the twinkling Christmas pudding, dolphins and helicopter!
Helston
Whether you are heading over for the big switch-on on 29th November 2019 or are waiting for the crowds to disperse to enjoy the display, Helston’s Christmas lights are always a firm favourite in West Cornwall. Adorning the town with row upon row of lights and luminous features, you are sure to feel your festive spirits soar. When you feel your toes and fingers getting cold, there are lots of pubs and restaurants to nip into afterwards too.
Mousehole
One of the most celebrated Christmas light displays in the whole of the country, you can see Mousehole’s lustrous adornments from the 15th December until 4th January 2020. Grab yourself a hot cup of mulled wine for the occasion and enjoy the glow from over 7000 bulbs, scattering the harbourfront and water with myriad kaleidoscopic rays. A real favourite is the little whale that can be seen in the harbour!
Angarrack
Although a fair drive from the Lizard, Angarrack’s (near Hayle) Christmas lights display is another must-see for festive merrymakers in West Cornwall. Kicking off with its switch-on on the 30th November, the display leads onlookers through the Twelve Days of Christmas and is a really impressive effort that will leave you feeling more festive than ever.
St Ives
Synonymous with summer scenes and white-sand beaches, St Ives has a lesser-known side that really comes alive at Christmas. Transforming into a veritable winter wonderland festooned with Christmas decorations and draped in gleaming bulbs, it is really quite something. Head over throughout December to see the beautiful display and join in with celebrations.
by Susan | Nov 13, 2019 | History
A network of budding intellects as unique in character as sharp in mind, Cambridge’s Bloomsbury Group gained a wide-spread reputation in the years leading up to the First World War. Including such figures as G.E. Moore, John Maynard Keynes, Leonard Woolf, Bertrand Russell, Rupert Brooke, Lytton Strachey and his brother James, this group of English writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists believed:
“one’s prime objects in life were love, the creation and enjoyment of aesthetic experience and the pursuit of knowledge.”
Centred around what S.P. Rosenbaum described as “a limited yet pure religion of love, beauty and truth”, this collective of minds was an eccentric, modernist, brilliant force to be reckoned with. Touring the country together, they sought space to create and debate in equal measure; a journey which would lead them to our very own Penmenner House.
In April 1909, the Apostles gathered at the Lizard, lured by the views and the temperate climate. Using Penmenner as their base, they sought inspiration from the incredible location, scenery and revitalising sea air – something that still draws visitors and roots locals to this day. In his book Forever England, Mike Read describes how:
“The eight-bedroom dwelling [Penmenner] afforded panoramic sea views in all directions and views of the Lizard Lighthouse, as well as access to the path across the cliffs. This idyllic setting proved to be a great attraction to writers. It is said that Oscar Wilde came here to read to the locals, but the members of G.E. Moore’s reading party offered no such public declamations, keeping their philosophies, poetry and readings within the confines of their own circle.”
Despite being secretive with outsiders, members of the group were quick to share sentiments with friends and family. So inspired was the handsome Rupert Brooke in particular, that he stated in a letter to Geoffrey Keynes: ‘I have written nothing for months, till I came here” – and we like to think that he may have written some of his finest works from this very place!
Continuing his enthusiasm for our beautiful corner of Cornwall, Brooke went onto enthuse to Jacques Raverat that he had gone “luggageless, and strange, and free, to the Lizard; and stayed some days. Cornwall was full of heat and tropical flowers: and all day I bathed in great creamy breakers of surf, or lay out in the sun to dry (in April!); and all night argued with a philosopher, an economist, and a writer. Ho, we put the world to rights!”
Penned by Lytton Strachey to be “nose to nose with the sea”, it is fantastic to think of the tales encapsulated between Penmenner’s walls and the conversations this young group of men would have had by candlelight here. Still a magnet for both nature-lovers and inspiration-seekers, it’s not hard to understand why it had such an effect on them.
To follow in the footsteps of this remarkable group and glean inspiration of your from this wild and untamed stretch, have a look at our luxury B&B suites and write the pages of your own adventures – nose to nose with the sea.
