Lizard Point - the Point of Disaster

It was here, at Lizard Point, at 3pm on the 29th July 1588 that the oncoming Spanish fleets were first spotted.  From here, they alerted everyone, making sure the British navy was ready to scramble to the Island’s defence.

Lizard point is no stranger to war and disaster. In October 1707, the Battle at the Lizard between the navies of Britain and France filled the seas. The French scored a rather decisive victory.

More recently, in 1962, the MV Ardgarry was lost in a wild storm that battered the Lizard, with over 30ft high waves. All 12 crewmen died. 

Being well acquainted with storms, battles and catastrophe, it is no surprise that this now abandoned lifeboat station was built here in 1914.