The Lizard Point to Church Cove circular walk is spectacular, with plenty of variety to keep things interesting every step of the way. You’ll have glorious sea views for a significant portion of the track and walking along the cliff tops offers a great opportunity to spot some of the resident seal population.
There’s also a calm cove with crystal clear water where you can stop for a dip before finishing in a charming little village with thatched houses and a beautiful 15th century church.
We walked the trail on a glorious summer’s evening, but if you visit during the day (in season) you can also pop into the Lizard Wireless Station, founded in 1901, which played a huge role in the way we communicate today.
Not bad for just a 3 mile (5km) walk!
The Lizard Point to Church Cove Circular Walk
The stats
Distance: 3.3 miles circuit
Elevation gain: 185m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Trailhead: Lizard Point National Trust Car Park
Summary: The Lizard Point to Church Cove Circular walk is generally all on good paths, though there are patches of uneven terrain here and there. There are several hills to climb and descend, though no long steep climbs.
The path is gravel for the majority of the way, so it’s suitable for all weathers and doesn’t really experience any mud. However, it is very exposed to the elements so you will really feel it if you’re walking on a very windy day.
Starting the trail: to Lizard Point
From the Lizard Point car park (full details below) you’ll head along the gravel path to the right of the toilet block and after 120m you’ll reach the trail running alongside the coast.
The walk to Church Cove continues to the left, but if you haven’t been to Lizard Point before, you’ll probably want to make the short few minutes detour to check it out.
It’s known as a superb place for wildlife watching, most notably seals, though we’ve personally always seen seals to the left or right of the point, rather than at the point itself.
There are a few benches here and it’s a fantastic and dramatic view even if you don’t get lucky with wildlife. You could continue for 100m downhill to the right of the point, which leads to a small grey sand beach and cove where you can take a dip.
However, we much prefer the swimming spot at Church Cove towards the end of the trail.
Along the coast to Housel Bay
From the junction with Lizard Point, you’ll head left and follow the narrow gravel path along the coast. The views are stunning from the off and within minutes we’d seen our first seal.
You’ll pass the Lizard Lighthouse, which is currently closed to the public with no re-opening date shown, however it may be open by the time you are reading this.
The path is mainly flat and footing is good so you can really soak up those gorgeous views.
On a sunny day the sea is indigo and the rugged cliffs make for some truly spectacular coves. At the 830m mark (not including any detour made to Lizard Point) you can look down and see a fantastic natural arch.
Just beyond this point you’ll begin descending towards a small cove on a mix of dirt track and stairs.
At the 1.05km mark you can make a short (few minutes) detour to the pretty cove of Housel Bay. The path is in good shape, though a touch overgrown and the cove is very rocky as you get closer to the water.
What you see will depend on the tides as during our visit at mid tide, there was no sand whatsoever, at low tide you’ll find a small arch of golden sand.
To the wireless station
From Housel Bay there’s a brief 100m climb on a dirt/rocky track and then you’ll turn right at the junction. There’s a fraction more uphill to go and then the path will flatten.
You’ll pass the Housel Bay Hotel where you could pop in for a drink or snack before continuing along the narrow path as it winds its way around the cliff tops.
There are several bench seats on this section if you want to stop and take in the views.
Just over 1 mile (1.6km) into the walk you’ll reach the Lizard Wireless Station, open 1st April to 30 September only and even then it seemed somewhat sporadic with one section of the website saying it was open and another saying it was closed for the whole of June.
Therefore it’s probably best to expect only to see the outside and then to be pleasantly surprised if it’s open when you visit!
The walk then passes the nearby signal station (Lloyd’s Signal Station) and continues for a few hundred metres until you reach a quiet country lane.
Happily, you only have 50m on the road before you can make a right turn through the gate and back onto the footpath.
Continuing on to Church Cove
The walk continues along the coast for a further 700m at which point you’ll reach the life boat station. Head up the stairs and then round the back of the station and you will see steps leading downhill.
Follow the stairs downhill and then the path will flatten and come out at a road 200m later. Turning right here will take you to an unofficial viewpoint over Church Cove, 50m away.
To head down for a dip you follow the boat ramp to the water. The route down is paved but quite steep, though at the steepest point there are stone stairs you can take on the right side and this makes descending easy.
Swimming at Church Cove
Swimming at Church Cove is a delight, especially at high tide when the water becomes deep enough to swim within a few steps of entering. We’ve also visited on a mid tide and that too was great for swimming.
Although we haven’t seen it on a low tide I imagine it just involves wading through a bit of shallow water, but should otherwise be fine.
Even when the sea is calm there is still some current, but only very minor waves inside the channel of water beside the rock wall which makes swimming very leisurely.
The cliff wall feels incredibly high from inside the water and there’s even a little sea cave - though I don’t recommend going inside it as it’s really wavy in there even on a calm day.
The colour and clarity of the water looks especially good when you’re swimming, as opposed to looking in from outside, it’s a deep bluey emerald in the sunshine. When it’s cloudy it’s more of a blue grey so definitely pick a sunny day if you can.
In terms of entering the water the last little bit of slope is damp and therefore a touch slippery, but it’s easy to sit down and shuffle in.
There is a tiny pebble ‘beach’, and then depending on the tide you can simply swim straight off.
It’s such a gorgeous swim spot and only a few hundred metres from the nearest car park, so it’s an easy one to head back to, which we did a few days later!
Through the village and completing the circuit
From Church Cove you head quite steeply up the road, ignoring the foot path when it comes in on the right.
The village is wonderfully quiet, especially in the early evening and it’s full of the most delightful thatched houses with beautiful flowers and plants that look positively tropical.
You’ll also pass the 15th century St Wynwallow Church which is very impressive with its wonderful stained glass windows.
From the church stay on the road as it curves right and then follow it through the quiet residential street to the junction 350m from the church.
Turn left here and then keep straight for 150m until you see a footpath on the left-hand side of the road.
Climb the stile into the field of sheep - who get to enjoy a sea view! - and cross the field, bearing right. You’ll see a gate at the far right side of the field and pass through it.
Follow the lane for 100m and then cross over the road, at the signpost for Lizard Point. You are now 700m from the car park and will follow the flat gravel path and the Lizard Point car park is signposted, so you can’t go wrong.
Parking for the Lizard Point to Church Cove Walk
The walk begins and ends at the Lizard Point car park, postcode TR12 7NT, you can see it here on Google maps. The car park is run by the National Trust and is free for members.
For up to date non-member rates click here and then select the facilities tab.
There are toilets available at the car park. If you were to arrive and find the car park full, there is additional donation based car parking available at the green in Lizard village, roughly a 0.7 mile (1.1km) walk away.
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