Penlee Point

Penlee Point is a rocky headland at the southern tip of the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall, within the parish of Maker-with-Rame. It marks the Cornish side of the entrance to Plymouth Sound, facing Plymouth and the Devon shore. Do not confuse it with the Penlee Point near Mousehole in west Cornwall. This one sits on the South West Coast Path and works best as part of a walk through the nearby villages and old fortifications.

What will you see at Penlee Point?

The reward is the outlook across the bay, the harbour approaches to Plymouth and the Devon coastline. The headland itself is a steep, heathy slope above the sea, crossed by the coast path.

Close to the point stands Queen Adelaide's Grotto, a stone structure with arched openings set high above the water. The arches were added to a cave that served as a lookout in the 1700s, and they commemorate the visit of Princess Adelaide in 1827. In the 1920s, Plymouth dockworkers used the grotto to watch for merchant ships.

What is the history of the area?

The headland had a defensive role. Penlee Battery nearby was begun in 1889, and by 1894 it carried three 6-inch and two 13.5-inch guns. It was disarmed in 1956 and the works were filled in during the 1970s. Today it is a nature reserve, reached by a short detour from the path.

Offshore lie the two wreck sites of the Coronation, a 660-man warship that broke up in 1691 after its captain anchored off Penlee Point. Further along, at Pier Cove, is the Brennan torpedo station dating from 1888-9. The Royal Navy still uses it, so there is no public access.

How do you get to Penlee Point?

Two routes are the most popular.

• From Cawsand or Kingsand. A loop of about 3.6 miles leaves the twin villages on the east side of the peninsula and crosses heathland past forts and batteries. From Cawsand, you start in the Square, follow Pier Lane, then pick up the coast path to the grotto.
• From Cremyll via Mount Edgcumbe. The Cremyll Ferry runs from Plymouth to the Rame Peninsula. From the landing at Wilderness Point, follow the path signs through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. The longer version to Rame Head is roughly 6.8 miles one way and takes about four hours.

Paths are uneven and sometimes steep, so wear sturdy footwear.

What else is nearby?

Further west lies Rame Head, with the ruins of a 14th-century chapel of St Michael. You will also pass Polhawn Fort, now in private hands. Kingsand and Cawsand make a convenient stop before the return leg.

When should you go?

Choose a clear day, when visibility is good and the whole of Plymouth Sound is laid out below. The exposed cliff top can be windy, so pack a windproof layer. Before travelling, check the current ferry timetable and fare, and any path closures, on the South West Coast Path website.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same Penlee Point as the one near Mousehole? No. Several places in Cornwall share the name. This one is on the Rame Peninsula, at the entrance to Plymouth Sound.

Can you visit Queen Adelaide's Grotto? The grotto stands beside the coast path and is one of the stops on the walks from Cawsand and from Mount Edgcumbe.

How long is the walk from Cawsand? The Kingsand, Cawsand and Penlee Point loop is about 3.6 miles. The longer route from Cremyll to Rame Head takes around four hours one way.

Can you visit the torpedo station at Pier Cove? No. The Royal Navy still uses the site and it is closed to the public.