Great Minalto

Island in Cornwall

England

Great Minalto

Alighting on Samson Firethorn dropping off visitors to Samson. — Alighting on Samson Credit: Andrew Abbott

Great Minalto is a small island located off the coast of Cornwall, England. It is situated in the Celtic Sea, approximately 12 kilometers southwest of the town of Penzance. The island covers an area of about 2 square kilometers and has a population of around 200 inhabitants.

Great Minalto is known for its stunning natural beauty, with rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters. The island's landscape is characterized by rolling hills and lush green meadows, providing a picturesque setting for visitors and residents alike.

The island is accessible via regular ferry services from Penzance, making it a popular destination for day trips and vacations. The local community on Great Minalto is tight-knit and welcoming, with a strong sense of community spirit.

The island offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking and walking trails that showcase the stunning coastal scenery. The beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, while the surrounding waters provide excellent opportunities for fishing and water sports such as sailing and windsurfing.

Great Minalto is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and dolphins. Nature lovers can explore the island's diverse flora and fauna through guided nature walks and bird-watching tours.

In terms of amenities, Great Minalto has a small village center with basic shops, cafes, and a pub, providing essential services for both residents and visitors. The island offers a tranquil and idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of mainland Cornwall, making it a popular destination for those seeking peace and relaxation in a beautiful natural setting.

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Great Minalto Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.92355/-6.3622277 or Grid Reference SV8711. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Alighting on Samson

Firethorn dropping off visitors to Samson.

Andrew Abbott

Stonewall on Samson

At the uninhabited settlement on Samson

Andrew Abbott

Remnants on Samson

Remnants of housing and stone walls on Samson

Andrew Abbott

Abandoned dwelling

An abandoned dwelling on Samson

Andrew Abbott

Cairns on North Hill

Burial chambers on North Hill, Samson

Andrew Abbott

Downhill View, Samson

Looking from South Hill over one of the old cottages and on to the Norrard Rocks. From a print, date uncertain.

Des Blenkinsopp

Ruined Homestead, Samson

The last inhabitants left Samson in 1855 and the remains of their settlement are still standing. Wikipedia says "The island was inhabited until 1855, when the Lord Proprietor Augustus Smith removed the remaining population from the island. By this point, the population was found to be suffering from severe deprivation—particularly due to a diet of limpets and potatoes—and consisted of only two families: the Woodcocks and the Webbers." Link

From a print, date not exact.

Des Blenkinsopp

Ruined Building, Samson

Samson had a resident population until 1855 when the last two families left. Even by Victorian standards their lives had become so desperate that the authorities moved them off the island. The remains of houses and field walls are still obvious.

Des Blenkinsopp

Puffin taking off

Puffin runs across the surface of the sea while gaining sufficinet speed to take off. Cannot be perfectly sure of position to within 100m

Michael Hill-King

Approaching Samson

Samson is an uninhabited island without any proper landing places. A lone walker is waiting on the beach for our boat to collect him. SV8712 : Boarding and Alighting on Samson

Gerald England

Boarding and Alighting on Samson

Samson SV8712 : Approaching Samson is an uninhabited island without any proper landing places. Here one walker has left our small boat via a makeshift ladder and a second is boarding.

Gerald England

Raft of Shags off Samson, St Mary's Sound

There are several thousand pairs of Shags breeding around the Isles of Scilly. Many will often congregate in these extensive rafts, presumably where the fishing is good.The island in the background is Samson, the largest of the uninhabited islands.

John Rostron