Located on the west side of the Lizard and probably the most photographed and painted location in Cornwall, the contrast between the cove’s white sand beach and the dark red and green serpentine rock produces a breathtaking sight.
There’s a steep 15 minute walk down to the cove from the car park at the top of the cliff and crossing the 'beach' at the bottom is difficult due to uneven and slippery rocks.
At low tide you can explore the towering rocks stacks and the caves with names such as The Parlour and The Drawing Room. Located just above the beach is an eco-friendly café selling Cornish pasties, fresh sandwiches, baguettes, homemade cakes and cream teas along with beach goods. From Kynance there is a fantastic 2 mile scenic walk around the coast to Lizard Point, mainland UK’s most southerly point.
Kynance Cove is owned and looked after by the National Trust and is able to care and conserve areas like this thanks to their members, volunteers and donors.
Car park free to National Trust members.
Please be aware that the beach and the car park gets full very early during the summer, and we recommend arriving early in the morning or early evening to avoid disappointment. There are also lots of other beaches we recommend visiting in the area if Kynance is looking busy.
Many years ago the people living on the Lizard noticed how the rock, when rubbed against, polished up to a nice shine. They started turning pieces of rock into decorative items and this eventually came to the attention of Queen Victoria who had a fireplace made of serpentine installed at Osbourne House on the Isle of White.
This started a craze for the rock and many local workshops grew up around Kynance and Lizard Town, a few of which remain to this day.