Horse Rock

Island in Cornwall

England

Horse Rock

Dawn at Portreath The harbour wall from the beach early in the morning.
Dawn at Portreath Credit: David P Howard

Horse Rock is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Cornwall, England. Situated approximately 1.5 miles west of Lands End, it is part of the Isles of Scilly archipelago. The island gets its name from the distinctive shape of a horse's head that it resembles when viewed from certain angles.

Covering an area of about 2.5 acres, Horse Rock is predominantly composed of granite, a common feature of the region. The island rises to a height of around 50 feet above sea level, creating a prominent landmark in the area. Its jagged cliffs and rocky shoreline provide a habitat for various seabirds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Due to its remote location and treacherous waters, Horse Rock is inaccessible to the general public. However, it is occasionally visited by researchers and conservationists interested in studying the local wildlife. The island is known to be home to a diverse array of plant species, including rare and endemic ones.

In addition to its natural beauty, Horse Rock is also known for its historic significance. It has been identified as a potential shipwreck site, with several vessels having met their demise in the surrounding waters over the centuries. The island serves as a reminder of the challenging and dangerous conditions faced by sailors navigating this part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Overall, Horse Rock stands as a picturesque and ecologically valuable island, contributing to the rich natural and cultural heritage of Cornwall.

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Horse Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.264804/-5.2921153 or Grid Reference SW6545. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dawn at Portreath The harbour wall from the beach early in the morning.
Dawn at Portreath
The harbour wall from the beach early in the morning.
Gull Rock From the beach at Portreath.
Gull Rock
From the beach at Portreath.
Gull Rock From the beach at Portreath
Gull Rock
From the beach at Portreath
Waves breaking over the harbour wall, Portreath Taken from the beach.
Waves breaking over the harbour wall, Portreath
Taken from the beach.
Blocked off harbour entrance, Portreath This old section of harbour has been blocked off by a concrete barrier.
Blocked off harbour entrance, Portreath
This old section of harbour has been blocked off by a concrete barrier.
The harbour, Portreath A fishing boat, LL307 Early Dawn, in Portreath harbour.
The harbour, Portreath
A fishing boat, LL307 Early Dawn, in Portreath harbour.
The harbour Portreath The harbour and harbour side apartments, in the early morning winter sunshine.
The harbour Portreath
The harbour and harbour side apartments, in the early morning winter sunshine.
The harbour wall, Portreath
The harbour wall, Portreath
Portreath Millennium Hall A former Methodist church, now a community hall.
Portreath Millennium Hall
A former Methodist church, now a community hall.
Cottages on Basset Terrace A row of cottages on the B3300 heading east out of Portreath.
Cottages on Basset Terrace
A row of cottages on the B3300 heading east out of Portreath.
Evening view westward from above Portreath Beach, 1995 View WNW to Gull Rock from B3301 road from Hayle.
Evening view westward from above Portreath Beach, 1995
View WNW to Gull Rock from B3301 road from Hayle.
Evening over Portreath, 1995 View northward descending on the B3301 road from Hayle. The harbour and its mole are seen clearly on the left, while Lighthouse Hill is seen zig-zagging up the hill from the town on the right.
Evening over Portreath, 1995
View northward descending on the B3301 road from Hayle. The harbour and its mole are seen clearly on the left, while Lighthouse Hill is seen zig-zagging up the hill from the town on the right.
Portreath: harbour, beach and Gull Rock, 1995 Northward view from Benson's B&B on the B3301 road from Hayle, for comparison the following morning with the view taken the evening before (my <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5003633">SW6545 : Evening view westward from above Portreath Beach, 1995</a>).
Portreath: harbour, beach and Gull Rock, 1995
Northward view from Benson's B&B on the B3301 road from Hayle, for comparison the following morning with the view taken the evening before (my SW6545 : Evening view westward from above Portreath Beach, 1995).
Shetland ponies above Western Cove, Portreath
Shetland ponies above Western Cove, Portreath
The beach at Portreath
The beach at Portreath
Penberthy Road in Portreath Looking westward.
Penberthy Road in Portreath
Looking westward.
Ordnance Survey Flush Bracket S6920 This bracket can be found on the wall of Portreath Pre-School in Penberthy Road. The benchmark height is recorded as  being 6.605 metres above sea level.
For more detail see : <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm11684" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm11684">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Ordnance Survey Flush Bracket S6920
This bracket can be found on the wall of Portreath Pre-School in Penberthy Road. The benchmark height is recorded as being 6.605 metres above sea level. For more detail see : LinkExternal link
Portreath Arms The signage has changed since I photographed this whilst walking the South West Coast Path in 2010 <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1838865">SW6545 : Portreath Arms</a>.  The new signs read 'Bar Restaurant Rooms'.
Portreath Arms
The signage has changed since I photographed this whilst walking the South West Coast Path in 2010 SW6545 : Portreath Arms. The new signs read 'Bar Restaurant Rooms'.
Show me another place!

Horse Rock is located at Grid Ref: SW6545 (Lat: 50.264804, Lng: -5.2921153)

Unitary Authority: Cornwall

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///barmaid.cycles.disgraced. Near Camborne, Cornwall

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.264804,-5.2921153
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2679472/-5.2871327
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2676871/-5.2879315
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2671225/-5.286907
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2647722/-5.2855164
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2648068/-5.2868277
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2646147/-5.2873676
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2643885/-5.2879527
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2639986/-5.2880455
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2640792/-5.2883778
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.263926/-5.288684
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2640749/-5.2890232
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2644788/-5.2901026
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2644768/-5.2914452
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2644331/-5.2916187
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2641572/-5.2920288
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2640697/-5.2920433
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2638416/-5.2919371
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2620691/-5.2911342
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2617586/-5.2919132
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2614104/-5.2934956
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.2612505/-5.2936558
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.260958/-5.2953499
Portreath
Is In: Cornwall, England, UK
Is In Country: England
Is In Country Code: GB
Is In County: Cornwall
Name Kw: Porthtreth
Place: village
Source: npe
Wikidata: Q202331
Wikipedia: en:Portreath
Lat/Long: 50.2608748/-5.2896777
Bus Stop
Beach Car Park
Bench: yes
Bin: yes
Bus: yes
Description: Drop off area outside of the beach car park, timeable baord on lamp post in centre, shelter to the NW
Naptan AtcoCode: 0800COD41139
Naptan Bearing: E
Naptan CommonName: Beach Car Park
Naptan Crossing: Tregea Terrace
Naptan Indicator: E-bound
Naptan NaptanCode: corajpad
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: CBORNE
Naptan Street: Battery Hill
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: yes
Source: naptan_import;survey
Survey Date: 2020-10-28
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 50.2609059/-5.2925952
Bus Stop
The Square
Bench: yes
Bin: no
Bus: yes
Description: Shelter with signage on lamp post next to stone memorial
Lit: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 0800COD41140
Naptan Bearing: NE
Naptan CommonName: The Square
Naptan Crossing: The Square
Naptan NaptanCode: corajpwg
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: CBORNE
Naptan Street: Tregea Terrace
Passenger Information Display: no
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: yes
Source: naptan_import;survey
Survey Date: 2020-10-28
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 50.2612489/-5.2885292
Bus Stop
Bus: yes
Fixme: Confirm location, no signage and is approx 20 meter away from naptan location
Naptan AtcoCode: 0800FWX38443
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Shops
Naptan Crossing: Tregea Terrace
Naptan NaptanCode: corajpwp
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: CBORNE
Naptan Street: The Square
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: yes
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 50.2611994/-5.288322
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.2621311/-5.2881674
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.2625401/-5.2868388
Restaurant
The Atlantic
Addr City: Redruth
Addr Hamlet: Portreath
Addr Housename: Atlantic Cafe Bar
Addr Postcode: TR16 4NN
Addr Street: Sea Front
Cmt: 30-MAY-11 12:29:25
Ele: 8.54
Fhrs Id: 1082764
Sym: Restaurant
Lat/Long: 50.2610048/-5.2923455
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 09:00; Sa 07:00; Su off
Drive Through: no
Ele: 8.296997
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Post Box Mounting: brick_pillar
Post Box Type: wall
Ref: TR16 61D
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Source: GPS;survey;streetlevel imagery;aerial imagery
Lat/Long: 50.260875/-5.2924
Pub
Portreath Arms
Addr City: Redruth
Addr Country: GB
Addr Place: Portreath Hotel
Addr Postcode: TR16 4LA
Addr Street: The Square
Brewery: yes
Fhrs Id: 853279
Opening Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-21:00
Opening Hours Kitchen: Mo-Sa 12:00-14:00,18:00-21:00
Smoking: outside
Lat/Long: 50.2616297/-5.28833
Pub
Waterfront Inn
Addr City: Redruth
Addr Place: Portreath
Addr Postcode: TR16 4NL
Addr Street: Chynance
Fhrs Id: 1135903
Lat/Long: 50.2612946/-5.2911498
Cliff House B&B
Addr City: Redruth
Addr Country: GB
Addr Place: Portreath
Addr Postcode: TR16 4LE
Addr Street: Cliff Tarrace
Phone: +44 1209 843847
Tourism: guest_house
Lat/Long: 50.2616506/-5.288588
Portreath Arms Hotel
Addr City: Redruth
Addr Country: GB
Addr Place: Portreath
Addr Postcode: TR16 4LA
Addr Street: The Square
Description: Used as the officers' mess during World War Two.
Phone: +44 1209 842259
Tourism: hotel
Lat/Long: 50.2616219/-5.2882072
Bicycle Rental
The Hub
Addr City: Redruth
Addr Country: GB
Addr Place: Portreath
Addr Postcode: TR16 4NR
Addr Street: Battery Hill
Fhrs Id: 949072
Opening Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-17:00
Lat/Long: 50.2606382/-5.2922798
Toilets
Fee: yes
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 50.2605776/-5.2918801
Man Made: mast
Tower Type: communication
Lat/Long: 50.2632028/-5.2865759
Huer's Hut
Man Made: lighthouse
Seamark Type: landmark
Wikidata: Q17642566
Lat/Long: 50.2640567/-5.2915676
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: On outside wall of building next to Ice Cream hut in car park, facing car park
Emergency: defibrillator
Lat/Long: 50.2609624/-5.293102
Recycling
Recycling Clothes: yes
Recycling Type: container
Lat/Long: 50.2614993/-5.2878979
Bicycle Parking
Lat/Long: 50.2611/-5.29316
Bicycle Parking
Lat/Long: 50.2610558/-5.293091
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.2640678/-5.2916347
Life Ring
Emergency: life_ring
Lat/Long: 50.2624756/-5.2914159
Life Ring
Emergency: life_ring
Lat/Long: 50.2617737/-5.2912058
Life Ring
Emergency: life_ring
Lat/Long: 50.2618257/-5.2903891
Life Ring
Emergency: life_ring
Lat/Long: 50.2613859/-5.2901112
Life Ring
Emergency: life_ring
Lat/Long: 50.2612364/-5.2891521
Telephone
Booth: KX100
Covered: booth
Phone: +44 1209 842985
Lat/Long: 50.2613674/-5.2885867
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 16:15; Sa 10:15; Su off
Drive Through: no
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Post Box Design: type_k
Post Box Type: pillar
Ref: TR16 59
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Source: survey;aerial imagery;streetlevel imagery
Lat/Long: 50.2611735/-5.2879625
Cafe
The Hub
Lat/Long: 50.2606698/-5.2924161
Gooden Heane Cove
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 50.2656547/-5.2858583
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: small_installation
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.2616542/-5.2885719
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: small_installation
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.2628296/-5.2893725
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: small_installation
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.2628588/-5.2872482
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: small_installation
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.2614227/-5.2904709
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: small_installation
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.2612367/-5.2900927
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: small_installation
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.2611904/-5.2907351
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: small_installation
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.2617202/-5.2870443
Waste Basket
Source: survey;dashcam
Survey Date: 2020-10-28
Lat/Long: 50.2609405/-5.2926086
Street Lamp
Support: pole
Lat/Long: 50.2608603/-5.2925556
Bus Stop
Beach Car Park
Bench: no
Bin: yes
Bus: yes
Description: Markings on the ground with signage and waste basket on lamp post near toilet block
Lit: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 0800COA15364
Naptan Bearing: W
Naptan CommonName: Beach Car Park
Naptan Indicator: opp
Naptan NaptanCode: corgdpdt
Passenger Information Display: no
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: no
Source: naptan_import;survey
Survey Date: 2020-10-28
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 50.2606828/-5.2922297
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: In beer garden of Portreath Arms
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 50.2615596/-5.2880935
Tourism: artwork
Lat/Long: 50.2613712/-5.2882817
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: stands
Capacity: 6
Covered: no
Lat/Long: 50.2611665/-5.2883729
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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