Cape Cornwall
Encyclopedia
Cape Cornwall is a small headland
in Cornwall
, UK
. It is four miles north of Land's End
near the town of St Just
. A cape is the point of land where two bodies of water meet and until the first Ordnance Survey, 200 years ago, it was thought that Cape Cornwall was the most westerly point in Cornwall.
Most of the headland is owned by the National Trust
. There is also a National Coastwatch
look out on the seaward side. The only tourist infrastructure at present is a car park (owned by the National Trust) and a public toilet and refreshments van during the summer.
The Brisons
, two offshore rocks, are located approximately one mile southwest of Cape Cornwall and are the finish line of the annual swimming race from Priest Cove
.
Just one mile from the Cape is the most western school on the British mainland, Cape Cornwall School. This is Cornwall's smallest secondary school with (January 2008) about 450 young people aged 11 to 16. Commonly known as "Cape" it is Cornwall's only school that specialises in art, photography and music. Most of its pupils come from the town of St Just in Penwith and the nearby villages of Pendeen
, Sennen
, St Buryan
and St Levan
but over 10% travel to the school from Penzance and further east.
and the presence of another Cliff Castle nearby (Kenidjack) may indicate that the area was important in the Iron Age
. On the landward side of the Cape is the remains of the medieval St Helen’s Oratory; which replaced a 6th century church. A font
in the porch of St Just church may be from this building.
Headlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is four miles north of Land's End
Land's End
Land's End is a headland and small settlement in west Cornwall, England, within the United Kingdom. It is located on the Penwith peninsula approximately eight miles west-southwest of Penzance....
near the town of St Just
St Just in Penwith
St Just is a town and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The parish encompasses the town of St Just and the nearby settlements of Trewellard, Pendeen and Kelynack: it is bounded by the parishes of Morvah to the north-east, Sancreed and Madron to the east, St Buryan and Sennen to...
. A cape is the point of land where two bodies of water meet and until the first Ordnance Survey, 200 years ago, it was thought that Cape Cornwall was the most westerly point in Cornwall.
Most of the headland is owned by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. There is also a National Coastwatch
National Coastwatch Institution
The National Coastwatch Institution is a voluntary organisation and registered charity providing a visual watch along the UK's coasts, and is not to be confused with HM Coastguard.-History:...
look out on the seaward side. The only tourist infrastructure at present is a car park (owned by the National Trust) and a public toilet and refreshments van during the summer.
The Brisons
Brisons
The Brisons is a twin-peaked islet in the Atlantic situated 1 mile offshore from Cape Cornwall in Cornwall, United Kingdom.The Brisons are 22 and 27 metres high and often said to resemble General Charles de Gaulle lying on his back....
, two offshore rocks, are located approximately one mile southwest of Cape Cornwall and are the finish line of the annual swimming race from Priest Cove
Priests Cove
Priest’s Cove or Priest Cove is a small cove one mile west of St Just, Cornwall, UK. The name is from the Cornish Porth Just or Por’ Eust the port or cove of St Just. "Priest’s" is a spelling mistake on the Ordnance Survey and there is no connection with the clergy...
.
Just one mile from the Cape is the most western school on the British mainland, Cape Cornwall School. This is Cornwall's smallest secondary school with (January 2008) about 450 young people aged 11 to 16. Commonly known as "Cape" it is Cornwall's only school that specialises in art, photography and music. Most of its pupils come from the town of St Just in Penwith and the nearby villages of Pendeen
Pendeen
Pendeen is a village on the Penwith peninsula in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is north-northeast of St Just and west of Penzance.The village has a community centre, a shop, a post office, a primary school, and a few small businesses. Community activities include an art club, silver marching band...
, Sennen
Sennen
Sennen is a coastal civil parish and a village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Sennen village is situated approximately eight miles west-southwest of Penzance....
, St Buryan
St Buryan
St Buryan is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom.The village of St Buryan is situated approximately five miles west of Penzance along the B3283 towards Land's End...
and St Levan
St Levan
St Levan is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated approximately eight miles south west of Penzance....
but over 10% travel to the school from Penzance and further east.
Etymology
Pen Kernow is a recent translation of the English. The name Cape Cornwall appeared on the first maritime charts around 1600 and the original Cornish name Kilgodh Ust has fallen out of use. In English it translates to "goose-back at St Just". A reference to the shape of the cape.Early History
Pottery found in Cists on the Cape have been dated to the Late Bronze AgeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and the presence of another Cliff Castle nearby (Kenidjack) may indicate that the area was important in the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
. On the landward side of the Cape is the remains of the medieval St Helen’s Oratory; which replaced a 6th century church. A font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
in the porch of St Just church may be from this building.