Godrevy, near Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5ED
Godrevy Point
Coastal reserve
Place photograph
7.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.8A wild-feeling headland at the eastern edge of St Ives Bay, where the offshore lighthouse, open heath and cliffs give the coast its distinctive character.
Godrevy earns its place for the combination of open headland, expansive sea views and a lighthouse that has inspired writers for generations. The walk to Mutton Cove adds a quieter, wildlife-rich dimension; keep well back from the cliff edge and give seals room.
Dramatic · Wild · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapGodrevy, near Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5ED
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The experience
Allow around 1–2 hours for the Godrevy Lighthouse and Mutton Cove out-and-back walk. Follow the headland paths for views across the bay, look out towards the lighthouse and keep quiet near Mutton Cove, where seals may be present. Paths can run close to cliffs, so take care, particularly with children and dogs.
Things to do
Walk to Mutton Cove
Follow the Godrevy Lighthouse and Mutton Cove out-and-back route. Keep to the paths and take care where they run near cliff edges.
1–1.5 hours
Look across to Godrevy Lighthouse
Find a headland viewpoint and look out to the offshore lighthouse, which has guided ships since 1859 according to the supplied Cornwall Adventures source.
Look for the Iron Age barrow
AllTrails notes an Iron Age barrow on the headland; look for it as you walk, without leaving marked paths.
Watch quietly for seals at Mutton Cove
Seals may be seen at the cove, particularly in winter. Keep your distance 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 car park and follow the headland path towards the lighthouse viewpoints.
- 02
Pause to look across the bay to Godrevy Island Lighthouse.
- 03
Return by the same route, keeping clear of cliff edges.
Half day · Allow around half a day, including time to pause
Make a half day of it: Godrevy Point and Mutton Cove
- 01
Begin at the Godrevy car park and take the out-and-back headland walk towards Mutton Cove.
- 02
Look for the lighthouse offshore and the Iron Age barrow on the headland.
- 03
At Mutton Cove, stay quiet and observe seals from a respectful distance if they are present.
- 04
Finish with a stop at Godrevy Café if it is open; check its current hours before visiting.
Verified history
Godrevy Lighthouse stands on an offshore island and has guided ships since 1859, according to Cornwall Adventures. AllTrails identifies an Iron Age barrow on the headland. The supplied sources also connect views of the lighthouse with Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse, but this should be understood as a reported literary association rather than a claim that the novel depicts this exact place.
Hidden details
The headland barrow — AllTrails notes an Iron Age barrow on the headland. Its precise location is not supplied, so look for it from the established paths rather than searching off-trail.
A lighthouse that shaped a literary association — The offshore lighthouse is associated in the supplied sources with Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse. The island itself is described as inaccessible to the public.
When to go
November · December · January · February · March · A clear, settled day for views; keep quiet when watching for seals.
AllTrails highlights November–March as a good period to look for seals and their pups at Mutton Cove. The supplied source also describes the headland as a popular walk in both summer and winter.
Coastal paths and cliff-edge sections need care. Check conditions before setting out and take particular care near the edges; no detailed local weather guidance is provided in the supplied sources.
The route
- ascent
- 246 ft
- stiles
- One low stone step/stile and one kissing gate are reported on the return leg.
- surface
- Coastal paths; terrain described as relatively easy and mostly flat, with a slight hill to the cove. Can be muddy.
- distance
- 3.1 miles
- duration
- 1–1.5 hours
- difficulty
- Easy
- waymarking
- Check current route waymarking; detailed waymarking information is not established by the supplied route source.
- route shape
- Out and back
- start point
- Godrevy car park
- parking start
- National Trust car parks serve the headland. Main car park has limited spaces; seasonal overflow is subject to weather and ground conditions. Check current arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- Walk from the car park to a headland viewpoint and return without continuing to Mutton Cove.
- Views of Godrevy Island Lighthouse
- Mutton Cove and possible seal sightings
- Iron Age barrow on the headland
- Coastal scenery across St Ives Bay
What to look for
- 01
Look offshore for Godrevy Lighthouse
- 02
on the headland, notice the Iron Age barrow. At Mutton Cove, watch quietly for seals without approaching or disturbing them.
The story
Maritime; Literature; Archaeology
Best time to go
November–March for the chance to see seals at Mutton Cove; spring and summer for coastal flowers and longer daylight.
For seal-watching, AllTrails identifies November–March as the strongest season. Choose a clear, settled day for broad coastal views, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
National Trust countryside and headland with access from the car parks and coastal paths. Check current opening and access information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
National Trust car parking is available; limited spaces in the main car park, with seasonal overflow subject to weather and ground conditions. Check current parking arrangements before setting out.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Visitor toilets are listed in the National Trust information; check availability and opening times before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Godrevy Café is listed by the National Trust as open most days; check directly for current hours.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are allowed. A seasonal restriction applies to the beach between Harveys Towans and Godrevy Point from 1 July to 31 August, 10am–6pm. Keep dogs away from seals.
Accessibility
A relatively level accessible path runs from the field parking area towards the headland, with boardwalk sections. Other paths include uneven steps and terrain; check the National Trust accessibility guide for current details.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid parking may apply; check current arrangements.
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Godrevy Point
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
