11. NARE HEAD
This imposing headland with a steep shore is owned by the National Trust; it is the site of Carne Beacon, 370 ft in circumference, one of the largest burial mounds in Britain. According to legend, Gereint King of Cornwall, is buried there with a golden ship. Parking.
12. PORTLOE
Small fishing hamlet with a tiny cove; spectacular cliff scenery in each direction. The TV adaptation of Mary Wesley 's "The Camomile Lawn" was filmed here.
13.PORTHOLLAND
Twin coves, sandy at low tide. In the western cove, at high water, stormy seas throw flat stones as big as dinner plates over the road and into the grounds of the little church.
14.PORTHLUNEY COVE
Deeply recessed sandy cove with safe swimming. In the trees behind the beach is Caerhays Castle, built in 1808 on the site of a 13th-century manor and designed by John Nash, who later designed Marble Arch and the Brighton Pavilion. The building of the castle. now privately owned, so soaked up its owner's fortunes that the last member of his family was said to have spent his evenings shooting out the eyes of ancestral portraits. Now owned by the Williams family famous for their plant collection and one of the most attractive Spring gardens in the UK. Parking.
14.HEMMICK BEACH
Sandy beach between rocks at the foot of a valley of fields; access by very narrow lanes which cross a ford above the beach. Safe, sheltered swimming in most conditions. Parking.
15.DODMAN POINT
High promontory, capped by an Iron Age fort known as the Bulwark with a 2000 ft long 20 ft deep ditch which still cuts off the headland.Offshore the Spanish Armada hove-to in 1588 to hold a council of war before forming into battle lines and sailing to meet Drake's fleet. The remains of a medieval strip field system shown on the plan drawn from a 1775 map lies within the earthwork. The Dodman has always been a navigational hazard with many ships foundering on its jagged reefs, in 1897 the destroyers Lynx and Thrasher ran ashore with several deaths, having missed the entrance to Falmouth in thick fog . There is an 18c watchtower which was a link in the grid of Admiralty signal stations protecting the South coast. At the tip is a stone cross erected in 1896 by the Rector of St Michael Caerhays as an navigational aid and to ward off evil spirits. Soon after dedication (when the Rev. Martin slept the night there) the cross was struck by lightning thus perpetuating its awesome reputation, but more prosaically it was re-erected by the Earl of Mount Edgecombe, complete with lightening conductor, and has stood there ever since. The Royal Navy now conduct their live firing exercises off the Dodman so do not be alarmed by loud bangs in the vicinity! There are many coves and reefs on the foreshore with pools to explore; swimming is not safe near the Point.
