Our family trip to Lizard Point in Cornwall felt like stepping into a living postcard. The National Trust’s coastal path stretched out before us, winding along dramatic cliffs and giving us those breathtaking views you can only really get at the edge of the world. By the time we’d finished, our weary legs had clocked up over 15,000 steps – no small feat for the kids, but every one of them worth it.
Wildlife was our constant companion along the way. The occasional flick of a dolphin’s tail broke the waves in the distance, but the real stars of the show were the seals. We counted around 20 of them bottling – floating upright in the water, sometimes sleeping, sometimes digesting a recent meal. Their stillness was almost comical, like corks bobbing in the sea. My son, known as 1/2 pint, couldn’t get enough of the coves and caves, peering into every shadow with the hope of spotting a shark. Sadly, the sharks didn’t show, but his keen eyes did catch sight of a kestrel or two, hovering and diving in search of an unlucky mouse.
The cliffs and coves around Lizard Point aren’t just playgrounds for wildlife – they’re rich with history too. The village of Lizard has long been tied to the sea, with Cornish fishermen casting their nets here for generations. Not far from the coast, the remnants of tin mining speak to another time when Cornwall was famous for pulling treasure from deep underground. And of course, you can’t mention Cornwall without conjuring up images of pirates and smugglers. With hidden caves and treacherous waters, this was once a haven for illicit trade and daring escapades. As a precious metals stacker, I can’t help but think of those stories – the romance of hidden chests of silver and gold waiting to be unearthed.
The kids gave it their all, though little 1/4 pint really felt the steps the most. Every incline and rocky path tested her tiny legs, but she soldiered on bravely. Her determination – and perhaps the promise of ice cream at the end – kept her going. And what an ice cream it was. The children’s efforts were rewarded with scoop after scoop of traditional Cornish ice cream, which disappeared faster than you could say “treasure chest.” In the humid weather, those cones might as well have been as precious as gold sovereigns.
Lizard Point gave us far more than just a family day out. Between the wildlife, the aching legs, the sugar-fuelled grins, and the timeless backdrop of Cornish history, it was the sort of day that leaves you both exhausted and grateful. We may not have found pirate treasure, but we came home with something even better – memories to treasure for a lifetime.