Godrevy - Lighthouse and Seals

Article By: Dan Hill

4 years ago

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Nature-Beach Nature-Cliffs Nature-Ocean Nature-View point

About half a mile from the village of Gwithian lies Godrevy - an area of outstanding national beauty popular with surfers, walkers and bird watchers. There are two National-Trust-run car parks, and an excellent two-floor wooden cafe located at the lower car park. I have been here several times for coffee and cake and had lunch here twice - the food being both healthy and tasty. If you park at the car park by the cafe, and walk toward the right corner of the car park when facing the sea, you will reach a small river - cross it at the bridge. You can now wander freely across the sand dunes, or walk down to the beach. If the wind is favourable (generally, if it's off-shore), you can get some great surfing conditions here. Waves can be anywhere between 2 and 6 feet on the face. The beach is popular with surfers from all around, but non-experienced surfers should be cautious of the powerful waves and currents. If you park at the upper car park (another few hundred metres along the same single track lane passed the lower car park), you'll be parking up on the headland. There are public toilet facilities available here. Walk across the field along the path near the toilets and you'll reach fenced off cliffs. Stay well away from the cliff edge - keep children and pets under strict control. Look below and you'll see a local seal colony. There are signs advising you to be quiet in order to not disturb them. Look across the sea to see the 12 acre Godrevy Island - with the white light house landmark perched upon it. The island lies about 300 metres off the Godrevy Point shore. You'll also see "The Stones", which extend about 1 mile out to sea - visible throughout the bay of St. Ives. The Stones have caused many shipwrecks over the ages, and eventually lead to the construction of the lighthouse in 1859. The sandy beach at Godrevy extends 3 miles (5 kilometres) back toward the town of Hayle. When the tide is out, it is possible to walk the entire distance along the beach. Photo Credits Dan Hill