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Black Ball Cliff

Cliff, Slope in Cornwall

England

Black Ball Cliff

On SW Coast Path heading towards Portwrinkle
On SW Coast Path heading towards Portwrinkle Credit: Colin Park

Black Ball Cliff is a prominent geological feature located along the coastline of Cornwall, England. This striking cliff is situated near the town of Perranporth, specifically on the northwestern edge of Perran Sands beach. Standing at an impressive height of approximately 200 feet (60 meters), it offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The cliff derives its name from the black-colored rocks that form its composition. These rocks are predominantly made of basalt, a volcanic rock that was formed millions of years ago during ancient volcanic activity. Over time, erosion and weathering have shaped the cliff into its current dramatic form, exposing unique geological formations and layers.

Black Ball Cliff is renowned for its steep slope, making it a popular spot for thrill-seeking adventurers, rock climbers, and hikers. However, due to its challenging terrain and unstable nature, caution is advised when exploring the area. The cliff is best experienced from a safe distance, where visitors can admire its beauty and marvel at the forces of nature that have shaped it.

Aside from its geological significance, the cliff also holds historical importance. It is believed to have been a prominent landmark for sailors and fishermen navigating the treacherous waters off the coast of Cornwall. Its towering presence and distinctive features have made it a subject of fascination for locals and tourists alike.

Overall, Black Ball Cliff in Cornwall stands as a remarkable testament to the power of natural forces and serves as a stunning reminder of the region's geological and historical heritage.

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Black Ball Cliff Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.359393/-4.2915261 or Grid Reference SX3753. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

On SW Coast Path heading towards Portwrinkle
On SW Coast Path heading towards Portwrinkle
View W to Portwrinkle from SW Coast Path
View W to Portwrinkle from SW Coast Path
On SW Coast Path - view W above Trethill Cliffs
On SW Coast Path - view W above Trethill Cliffs
Tregantle Fort near Antony Tregantle Fort is one of several forts surrounding Plymouth that were built as a result of a decision in Lord Palmerston's premiership to deter the French from attacking naval bases on the Channel coast. The fort was originally designed by Captain William Crossman, with later modifications by Captain (later Maj General) Edmund Frederick Du Cane. Construction commenced in 1859 and was completed in 1865. When originally designed it had provision for 35 large guns. By 1893 the guns consisted of five RBL 7 inch Armstrong guns and nineteen RML 64-pounders, together with a number of 32 Pounder Smooth Bore Breech Loading guns. Early in the 1900s it became an infantry battalion headquarters with 14 officers and 423 other ranks, and from 1903 was used for rifle training. Tregantle is infamous within the armed forces because many of the rifle ranges located there slope steeply down towards the sea. These ranges are still in use, primarily by personnel located at HMS Raleigh. Tregantle was vacated after World War I until 1938, when it was used as the Territorial Army Passive Air Defence School. During World War II it was used first as the Army Gas School and from 1942 as US Army accommodation. (source Wikipedia)
Tregantle Fort near Antony
Tregantle Fort is one of several forts surrounding Plymouth that were built as a result of a decision in Lord Palmerston's premiership to deter the French from attacking naval bases on the Channel coast. The fort was originally designed by Captain William Crossman, with later modifications by Captain (later Maj General) Edmund Frederick Du Cane. Construction commenced in 1859 and was completed in 1865. When originally designed it had provision for 35 large guns. By 1893 the guns consisted of five RBL 7 inch Armstrong guns and nineteen RML 64-pounders, together with a number of 32 Pounder Smooth Bore Breech Loading guns. Early in the 1900s it became an infantry battalion headquarters with 14 officers and 423 other ranks, and from 1903 was used for rifle training. Tregantle is infamous within the armed forces because many of the rifle ranges located there slope steeply down towards the sea. These ranges are still in use, primarily by personnel located at HMS Raleigh. Tregantle was vacated after World War I until 1938, when it was used as the Territorial Army Passive Air Defence School. During World War II it was used first as the Army Gas School and from 1942 as US Army accommodation. (source Wikipedia)
SW Coast Path between Tregantle Down & Freathy
SW Coast Path between Tregantle Down & Freathy
Finneygook Beach, Portwrinkle Looking Seaward (South) from the rockpools.
Finneygook Beach, Portwrinkle
Looking Seaward (South) from the rockpools.
Portwrinkle This photograph of the small coastal village of Portwrinkle was taken from the hillside adjacent to Finnygook lane. The photograph shows the 20th century development of the village including a large hotel. The area of Portwrinkle which formed the original fishing village is at the western end of the village, just out of sight on this shot.
Portwrinkle
This photograph of the small coastal village of Portwrinkle was taken from the hillside adjacent to Finnygook lane. The photograph shows the 20th century development of the village including a large hotel. The area of Portwrinkle which formed the original fishing village is at the western end of the village, just out of sight on this shot.
Tregantle Rifle Range and The Kodima This photograph looks out to sea over one of the rifle ranges at Tregantle Fort, although at this time it looks more like a timber yard. The ship beached in the bay is the Kodima which was stranded in heavy seas on 2nd February 2002. This photograph was taken 2 weeks later just before it was refloated. The ship was carrying a cargo of timber planks, much of which was washed up on local beaches and subsequently "liberated" by local people indulging in one of the oldest Cornish Traditions. Officials protested that this activity was against the law and generally not cricket but nobody paid much attention. A local pub put out a sign saying "Wreckers welcome".
Tregantle Rifle Range and The Kodima
This photograph looks out to sea over one of the rifle ranges at Tregantle Fort, although at this time it looks more like a timber yard. The ship beached in the bay is the Kodima which was stranded in heavy seas on 2nd February 2002. This photograph was taken 2 weeks later just before it was refloated. The ship was carrying a cargo of timber planks, much of which was washed up on local beaches and subsequently "liberated" by local people indulging in one of the oldest Cornish Traditions. Officials protested that this activity was against the law and generally not cricket but nobody paid much attention. A local pub put out a sign saying "Wreckers welcome".
Crafthole Village Crafthole is a village on the hilltop above Portwrinkle. The picture shows part of the old village centre although there are many more 20th century houses in the village.
Crafthole Village
Crafthole is a village on the hilltop above Portwrinkle. The picture shows part of the old village centre although there are many more 20th century houses in the village.
Sheviock Looking east towards the village of Sheviock from Horsepool Road. The freshwater lake in the foreground has been artificially created.
Sheviock
Looking east towards the village of Sheviock from Horsepool Road. The freshwater lake in the foreground has been artificially created.
Sheviock A view of the village from the eastern side. The church spire on the right is the Parish Church of St Mary, Sheviock. While this may look an idyllic scene, Sheviock is one of those unfortunate villages which is split by a fast main road. Although some of the traffic actually obeys the 40mph speed limit, this does not really help to make it either peaceful or safe.
Sheviock
A view of the village from the eastern side. The church spire on the right is the Parish Church of St Mary, Sheviock. While this may look an idyllic scene, Sheviock is one of those unfortunate villages which is split by a fast main road. Although some of the traffic actually obeys the 40mph speed limit, this does not really help to make it either peaceful or safe.
The A374 east of Sheviock This stretch of road between the villages of Antony and Polbathic cuts through the low-lying mainly wooded countryside along the south side of Lynher River estuary. Its open curves and good cambers make it a favourite with motor cyclists.
The A374 east of Sheviock
This stretch of road between the villages of Antony and Polbathic cuts through the low-lying mainly wooded countryside along the south side of Lynher River estuary. Its open curves and good cambers make it a favourite with motor cyclists.
Houses on the Seafront Road This is at the western end of Portwrinkle, the site of the old village. The white house in the foreground called "Smuggler's Cottage" is probably the oldest house in the village. It has a date mark of 1795 on the front. In the 17th and early 18th century it is likely that almost all male residents of the village took part in smuggling from time to time as it was one way to supplement the meagre income from the pilchard fishery.
Houses on the Seafront Road
This is at the western end of Portwrinkle, the site of the old village. The white house in the foreground called "Smuggler's Cottage" is probably the oldest house in the village. It has a date mark of 1795 on the front. In the 17th and early 18th century it is likely that almost all male residents of the village took part in smuggling from time to time as it was one way to supplement the meagre income from the pilchard fishery.
The old fish cellars, Portwrinkle This derelict building in Portwrinkle used to be the Pilchard processing plant. Pilchards are the reason that Portwrinkle exists. The village was set up by the local landowners, the Carew-Pole family in order to take advantage of the pilchard fisheries. The shoals of pilchard would be spotted by a look-out on the hill above the village who would guide the boats into the shoal by semaphore. Pilchards were salted and pressed in the cellar and the oil which drained off was an important by-product. The fish could then be boxed and sent away for sale. In the mid 19th century with the pilchard fisheries beginning to decline, local fisherman bought the fishery from the landowner by forming a co-operative which they called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a provocative name for the time. This continued until the First World War. The last factory producing traditionally processed Cornish pilchards operated in Newlyn and closed in October 2005.
The old fish cellars, Portwrinkle
This derelict building in Portwrinkle used to be the Pilchard processing plant. Pilchards are the reason that Portwrinkle exists. The village was set up by the local landowners, the Carew-Pole family in order to take advantage of the pilchard fisheries. The shoals of pilchard would be spotted by a look-out on the hill above the village who would guide the boats into the shoal by semaphore. Pilchards were salted and pressed in the cellar and the oil which drained off was an important by-product. The fish could then be boxed and sent away for sale. In the mid 19th century with the pilchard fisheries beginning to decline, local fisherman bought the fishery from the landowner by forming a co-operative which they called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a provocative name for the time. This continued until the First World War. The last factory producing traditionally processed Cornish pilchards operated in Newlyn and closed in October 2005.
The Boathouse, Portwrinkle This is an old building going back to at least the 19th century. It is situated at the top of the slipway and, when this photograph was taken, was still performing exactly the duties for which it was intended. In the 19th century the fishermen of Portwrinkle bought out the fishery from the local landowner by forming a co-operative called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a radical name for the time. I like to think that they also recognised there was an element of black humour in the name (hint: shorten the last word). They were photographed standing in front of this boathouse in around 1880.
The Boathouse, Portwrinkle
This is an old building going back to at least the 19th century. It is situated at the top of the slipway and, when this photograph was taken, was still performing exactly the duties for which it was intended. In the 19th century the fishermen of Portwrinkle bought out the fishery from the local landowner by forming a co-operative called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a radical name for the time. I like to think that they also recognised there was an element of black humour in the name (hint: shorten the last word). They were photographed standing in front of this boathouse in around 1880.
Golf Course near Crafthole Looking over part of a golf course between Crafthole and the sea cliffs.
Golf Course near Crafthole
Looking over part of a golf course between Crafthole and the sea cliffs.
Entrance to the path by Tregantle Fort This permissive path is one of the most recently opened sections of the South West Coast Path. It is closed when the MOD firing ranges at Tregantle are being used, at which times walkers must take a detour to the landward side of the fort.
Entrance to the path by Tregantle Fort
This permissive path is one of the most recently opened sections of the South West Coast Path. It is closed when the MOD firing ranges at Tregantle are being used, at which times walkers must take a detour to the landward side of the fort.
Tregantle Fort This 19th century fortification was completed in 1865 and overlooks Whitsand Bay. The intention of the fort was to hold guns which could fire on ships at sea. Whilst its guns were upgraded in the late 19th century they did not keep pace with the advances in naval guns at the time. Tregantle Forts most famous resident was probably the American heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis who was stationed here for a time in the Second World War. This photograph shows the southwestern aspect of the fort. The fort and its surrounds now contain rife ranges for military practice.
Tregantle Fort
This 19th century fortification was completed in 1865 and overlooks Whitsand Bay. The intention of the fort was to hold guns which could fire on ships at sea. Whilst its guns were upgraded in the late 19th century they did not keep pace with the advances in naval guns at the time. Tregantle Forts most famous resident was probably the American heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis who was stationed here for a time in the Second World War. This photograph shows the southwestern aspect of the fort. The fort and its surrounds now contain rife ranges for military practice.
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Black Ball Cliff is located at Grid Ref: SX3753 (Lat: 50.359393, Lng: -4.2915261)

Unitary Authority: Cornwall

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///dream.rotations.sunbeam. Near Millbrook, Cornwall

Nearby Locations

Trethill Cliffs Kerslake Cliff Black Ball Cliff

Related Wikis

Crafthole
Crafthole

Crafthole is a village in the parish of Sheviock, in southeast Cornwall, England, UK. The village has a pub (Finnygook Inn), Post Office, shop, Methodist...

Portwrinkle
Portwrinkle

Portwrinkle (Cornish: Porthwykkel) is a small coastal village in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is at the western end of Whitsand Bay...

Sheviock
Sheviock

Sheviock (Cornish: Seviek, meaning strawberry bed) is a coastal civil parish and a hamlet in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The parish is...

Tregantle Fort
Tregantle Fort

Tregantle Fort in south east Cornwall is one of several forts surrounding Plymouth that were built as a result of a decision in Lord Palmerston's premiership...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.359393,-4.2915261
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 50.359237/-4.289406
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Parking
Parking: layby
Lat/Long: 50.3610546/-4.2884579
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
WW2 Pillbox
Building: bunker
Bunker Type: pillbox
Military: bunker
Lat/Long: 50.3625393/-4.2901082
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Crafthole
Description: OS trig pillar
Ele: 99.648
Man Made: survey_point
Note: Accurate location import for imagery offset calibration. Please do not move.
Ref: SX76/T7
Source: Ordnance Survey (OGL)
Survey Point: pillar
Lat/Long: 50.3627907/-4.2955163
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Red Gate Wigtownshire
Kerslake Cliff Cornwall

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