Godrevy Head, near Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5ED
Godrevy Lighthouse
Industrial heritage
Place photograph
8.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.1A white octagonal lighthouse stands offshore from Godrevy Point, a landmark above the hazardous Stones reef. First lit in 1859, the tower is now an island beacon rather than a place visitors can be assumed to enter.
Godrevy is more than a lighthouse photograph: the offshore tower gives a strong focal point to a rugged headland walk, with Mutton Cove, seasonal seals and an Iron Age barrow adding distinct reasons to linger. Treat the coast as exposed and keep well back from cliff edges.
Dramatic · Atmospheric · Wild
Find your way
Open mapGodrevy Head, near Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5ED
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk the headland for views across to the lighthouse, then continue towards Mutton Cove and the Iron Age barrow. The route source describes an easy out-and-back, but it follows cliff edges: keep children and dogs close, and check conditions before going.
Things to do
Walk to the lighthouse viewpoint
Follow the headland route for views of Godrevy’s offshore lighthouse. Keep back from cliff edges.
1–1.5 hours for the AllTrails out-and-back route
Look for the Iron Age barrow
The route description notes a barrow on the headland; look for it as you walk.
Watch for seals at Mutton Cove
Seals are reported at the cove, especially in the November–March period. Keep quiet and do not let dogs disturb them.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–1.5 hours
Quick Escape: Lighthouse and headland
- 01
Start from the Godrevy area; confirm the current parking and access arrangements before setting out.
- 02
Walk out towards Godrevy Point for views across to the lighthouse.
- 03
Return the same way, keeping clear of cliff edges.
Half day · Allow half a day, including time to pause
Make a half day of it: Point, barrow and Mutton Cove
- 01
Follow the Godrevy Point route towards Mutton Cove.
- 02
Look for the Iron Age barrow and take in the lighthouse views from the headland.
- 03
In the reported November–March seal season, observe quietly from a respectful distance and keep dogs away from the seals.
Verified history
Historic England lists Godrevy Lighthouse and its associated keepers’ cottages, store, courtyard walls and perimeter walls as a Grade II listed building. The entry was first listed on 14 January 1988. The supplied source row describes the lighthouse as an octagonal 19th-century beacon on an uninhabited rocky islet, once manned and now solar powered. Tripadvisor’s supplied description says it was first lit in 1859, automated in 1939 and converted to solar power in 1995; those detailed dates come from that secondary description rather than the Historic England excerpt.
Folklore & legend
No local legend is established by the supplied evidence. AllTrails describes the lighthouse as thought to have inspired Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse; this is an attribution, not a verified historical fact.
Hidden details
The barrow above the coast — The route description identifies an Iron Age barrow on the headland, easy to overlook while concentrating on the offshore lighthouse.
The lighthouse’s listed ensemble — The Grade II listing covers more than the tower: it also names keepers’ cottages, a store, courtyard walls and perimeter walls.
When to go
November · December · January · February · March · Choose a clear, settled period for coastal views. For seals, visit quietly during the reported November–March season.
AllTrails identifies November to March as the period when seals and pups may be seen at Mutton Cove. The coast path is described as popular in both summer and winter, but conditions and wildlife sightings vary.
This is a coastal headland route with cliff edges. Check local weather and path conditions before setting out; take particular care with children and dogs.
The route
- ascent
- 246 ft
- stiles
- One low stone step or stile on the return leg and one kissing gate; the route source says a good walk can be enjoyed while avoiding them.
- surface
- Described as relatively easy and mostly flat, with a slight hill to the cove; sand is reported to drain well even when muddy.
- distance
- 3.1 miles
- duration
- 1–1.5 hours estimated
- difficulty
- Easy
- waymarking
- Check before visiting
- route shape
- Out and back
- start point
- Godrevy area; exact start point not specified in the supplied route excerpt.
- parking start
- Check before visiting
- shorter alternative
- The source says visitors can walk as far as they like along the South West Coast Path, but does not provide a measured shorter route.
- Views of Godrevy Lighthouse
- Mutton Cove
- Iron Age barrow
- Seasonal seal watching
What to look for
Look across the water for the white octagonal lighthouse, then find the Iron Age barrow on the headland. At Mutton Cove, watch for seals from a respectful distance and avoid disturbing them.
The story
Maritime; Industrial heritage; Archaeology
Best time to go
November–March for the reported seal season at Mutton Cove; the coast path can be enjoyed year-round, subject to conditions.
For the reported seal season, visit between November and March and keep quiet near Mutton Cove. Choose a clear, settled day for the headland views; check local conditions before travelling.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · History lovers
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
The lighthouse stands on an offshore islet; view it from Godrevy Head and the coast path. The supplied evidence does not confirm access to the lighthouse itself or current site arrangements.
Parking
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Keep dogs from disturbing seals at Mutton Cove; take particular care near cliff edges. Check current signage and restrictions.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports that the lighthouse entrance is not wheelchair accessible. The route evidence mentions a low stone step or stile and a kissing gate, though it says a good walk can still be enjoyed while avoiding them. Check current access conditions before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Godrevy Lighthouse
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
