Peninnis Head

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Peninnis Head

Church Point
Church Point Credit: David Lally

Peninnis Head is a prominent coastal feature located on the southernmost tip of St Mary's Island, one of the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. This headland juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views and a dramatic landscape.

Rising up to an elevation of approximately 43 meters (141 feet), Peninnis Head showcases rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops, providing a haven for diverse marine and bird life. The headland is primarily composed of granite, a characteristic feature of the region. Its exposed position makes it susceptible to the harsh weather conditions commonly experienced on this remote island, with strong winds and powerful waves sculpting the cliffs over time.

The area surrounding Peninnis Head is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. The cliffs provide nesting sites for numerous seabirds, including razorbills, guillemots, and fulmars. Puffins can also be spotted during the breeding season. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life, offering excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Access to Peninnis Head is facilitated by a network of footpaths that wind through the island's coastal area. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the headland, taking in the stunning vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, neighboring islands, and the rugged Cornish coastline. The headland is also a popular spot for birdwatching, photography, and simply immersing oneself in the natural beauty of this remote and unspoiled location.

In summary, Peninnis Head is a captivating headland situated on St Mary's Island in the Isles of Scilly. Its towering cliffs, diverse wildlife, and awe-inspiring views make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility amidst the rugged beauty of Cornwall's coastline.

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Peninnis Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.905905/-6.3038157 or Grid Reference SV9109. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Church Point
Church Point
Pillbox entrance On Tolman Point.
Pillbox entrance
On Tolman Point.
Rock formations at Peninnis Head
Rock formations at Peninnis Head
Morning Point, the Garrison Looking SE to the offshore rocks Wras and (behind and smaller) Biggal; Inner Head <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SV908093">SV908093</a> (part of Peninnis Head) is just visible to the far left, on the other side of Porth Cressa bay. Note the passing storm on the horizon...
Morning Point, the Garrison
Looking SE to the offshore rocks Wras and (behind and smaller) Biggal; Inner Head SV908093 (part of Peninnis Head) is just visible to the far left, on the other side of Porth Cressa bay. Note the passing storm on the horizon...
Peninnis Head Looking SSE to the lighthouse from approx. SV910097.
Peninnis Head
Looking SSE to the lighthouse from approx. SV910097.
Old Town Bay from Peninnis There is a former Battery on the island to the right of the pine tree.
Old Town Bay from Peninnis
There is a former Battery on the island to the right of the pine tree.
Tolman Point Viewed from the north on the very edge of the square; note the WW2 pillbox.
Tolman Point
Viewed from the north on the very edge of the square; note the WW2 pillbox.
Church Point The end of Church Point (just below the end of the main runway of St Mary's Airport) looking out to sea; this (and a rock off the end of Giant's Castle) is the only land in the square.
Church Point
The end of Church Point (just below the end of the main runway of St Mary's Airport) looking out to sea; this (and a rock off the end of Giant's Castle) is the only land in the square.
Lighthouse at Peninnis Head, St. Mary's The lighthouse guides shipping passing through St. Mary's Sound, between the islands of Agnes and St. Mary's.  The lattice-work construction reduces its wind resistance.
Lighthouse at Peninnis Head, St. Mary's
The lighthouse guides shipping passing through St. Mary's Sound, between the islands of Agnes and St. Mary's. The lattice-work construction reduces its wind resistance.
St. Mary’s: Peninnis Point Viewed from the ferry from Penzance shortly before arrival on the island.
St. Mary’s: Peninnis Point
Viewed from the ferry from Penzance shortly before arrival on the island.
St. Mary’s: plane over Church Point A plane approaches Scilly's airport, viewed from the ferry from Penzance.
St. Mary’s: plane over Church Point
A plane approaches Scilly's airport, viewed from the ferry from Penzance.
Photographing the Rock Labyrinth The area between the lighthouse and the Outer Head is appropriately known as the Rock Labyrinth. In younger (and slimmer) days we would explore this fantastic maze of huge granite rocks.
Photographing the Rock Labyrinth
The area between the lighthouse and the Outer Head is appropriately known as the Rock Labyrinth. In younger (and slimmer) days we would explore this fantastic maze of huge granite rocks.
Carn Leh, St. Mary's, Scilly Isles
Carn Leh, St. Mary's, Scilly Isles
Footpath on Peninnis Head, St. Mary's, Scilly Isles
Footpath on Peninnis Head, St. Mary's, Scilly Isles
Granite Stone Walls Granite is pretty much the only rock there is on the Scillies and there's plenty of it, so it makes sense to build your field walls out of it.
Granite Stone Walls
Granite is pretty much the only rock there is on the Scillies and there's plenty of it, so it makes sense to build your field walls out of it.
Fields on the eastern side of Peninnis The field at the bottom of the hill on the right is being used for bulb growing, the others look as though they have been left to grass.
Fields on the eastern side of Peninnis
The field at the bottom of the hill on the right is being used for bulb growing, the others look as though they have been left to grass.
Carn Leh Cove The headland of Carn Leh separates this small cove from the larger Old Town Bay.
Carn Leh Cove
The headland of Carn Leh separates this small cove from the larger Old Town Bay.
Peninnis Head Looking towards the Outer Head and the Lighthouse.
Peninnis Head
Looking towards the Outer Head and the Lighthouse.
Show me another place!

Peninnis Head is located at Grid Ref: SV9109 (Lat: 49.905905, Lng: -6.3038157)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///revise.rave.depended. Near St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.905905,-6.3038157
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9103367/-6.3037411
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9101353/-6.3035948
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9098446/-6.3032057
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9098562/-6.301532
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9095283/-6.3026488
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9082393/-6.3026466
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9089337/-6.302247
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 49.9087421/-6.3080648
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 49.9077202/-6.3026952
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 49.9091722/-6.3009596
Pulpit Rock
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 49.9060217/-6.3007404
Peninnis Head
Place: locality
Wikidata: Q7162906
Wikipedia: en:Peninnis Head
Lat/Long: 49.9069564/-6.3039993
Gull Rock
Place: islet
Lat/Long: 49.9092228/-6.2991069
Historic: ruins
Man Made: windmill
Lat/Long: 49.9080784/-6.3051167
Stony Porth
Natural: bay
Source: OS Open Names
Lat/Long: 49.9083693/-6.3092985
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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