Local Information
Cape Cornwall (Pen Kernow) is the only named Cape in England. Here, Atlantic currents divide, moving south to the English Channel and north to the Irish Sea. In 1987 the Cape was purchased for the nation by Heinz, and given into the care of the National Trust.
A coastwatch lookout is perched above the path beyond Brisons Veor. The 138 year-old chimney stack of the Cape Cornwall Tin Mine is at the highest point of the Cape.
The Brisons, two offshore rocks located approximately one mile southwest of the Cape, are known locally as ‘General de Gaulle in his Bath’! They are part of a reef, hazardous for shipping, and the starting point of an annual swim to Priest’s Cove.
The mining district around St Just is the most westerly area of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features the remains of mines including Botallack, Levant and Geevor. The South West Coast Path passes through the sheltered valleys of Cot to the south, and Kenidjack to the north, and extensive mining and associated activities can be seen along the way.
Local ancient sites include Chapel Carn Brea, the Ballowall Barrow and Tregeseal stone circle. The nearest to Brisons Veor is the site of St Helen’s Oratory which can be found in the field over the road from the National Trust car park.
If you are interested there is a beautiful video of drone footage, showing Cape Cornwall and Priest Cove, available on YouTube by VOC (Views of Cornwall) – VOC Views of Cornwall
In April 2023 our resident artists Mike Thorpe and Terry Gibson stayed at Brisons Veor. Engulfed by the storm NOA, they produced some impressive footage of the massive waves that hit Priest Cove.
Massive waves off the coast of Cape Cornwall CTV News.