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Custom House Rock

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Custom House Rock

Table laid-out for the St Agnes Coronation Street Party The “street” in this case is Old Lane. No traffic order is required to close the road here! The Island Hall on the left had tables groaning under the weight of many cakes and other treats.
Table laid-out for the St Agnes Coronation Street Party Credit: David Lally

Custom House Rock is a prominent coastal feature located in Cornwall, England. Situated on the rugged coastline, it is a headland that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, forming a distinct point. The rock gets its name from the nearby Custom House, which used to be a center for customs and excise duties during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The rock itself is a large, imposing formation made of granite, characteristic of the Cornish coastline. It stands proudly against the crashing waves, offering a picturesque view of the surrounding area. Its geological formation is a result of millions of years of erosion caused by the relentless sea, wind, and weather.

Custom House Rock serves as a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Visitors are drawn to its dramatic beauty and the stunning vistas it offers. The headland provides an excellent vantage point for observing the powerful waves crashing against the cliffs and the endless expanse of the ocean.

Aside from its natural beauty, Custom House Rock also holds historical significance. The nearby Custom House is a reminder of Cornwall's maritime past and its role as a trading hub. The area is dotted with remnants of the past, such as old fishing huts and stone walls, adding to its charm and allure.

For nature enthusiasts, Custom House Rock offers opportunities for coastal walks and birdwatching. The rugged cliffs and surrounding waters are home to a variety of seabirds, making it a haven for ornithologists and bird lovers.

Overall, Custom House Rock is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the natural beauty and rich history of Cornwall.

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Custom House Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.888207/-6.3726703 or Grid Reference SV8607. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Table laid-out for the St Agnes Coronation Street Party The “street” in this case is Old Lane. No traffic order is required to close the road here! The Island Hall on the left had tables groaning under the weight of many cakes and other treats.
Table laid-out for the St Agnes Coronation Street Party
The “street” in this case is Old Lane. No traffic order is required to close the road here! The Island Hall on the left had tables groaning under the weight of many cakes and other treats.
A stile to Browarth A tad more conventional than 15 years ago <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/827432">SV8708 : Crate Based Stile</a>.
A stile to Browarth
A tad more conventional than 15 years ago SV8708 : Crate Based Stile.
Two post-medieval quays These quays are believed to have been built to land coal for the St Agnes lighthouse. For more details see the details on their Historic England listing: List Entry Number:1016512. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016512?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016512?section=official-list-entry">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> The named quay “Uncle Tom’s Quay” is the more eroded of the two but can still be discerned to the right of the picture surmounted by a herring gull.
Two post-medieval quays
These quays are believed to have been built to land coal for the St Agnes lighthouse. For more details see the details on their Historic England listing: List Entry Number:1016512. LinkExternal link The named quay “Uncle Tom’s Quay” is the more eroded of the two but can still be discerned to the right of the picture surmounted by a herring gull.
Refloating Elvera This small launch is probably about 90 years old now. It's spent the winter in a nearby field undergoing "months of work" according to its owner (on the right of the picture standing on the slipway.) I expressed surprise that they had towed it down at such a low tide "You are going to let the tide float her?" "Yes, she's full of leaks".
Refloating Elvera
This small launch is probably about 90 years old now. It's spent the winter in a nearby field undergoing "months of work" according to its owner (on the right of the picture standing on the slipway.) I expressed surprise that they had towed it down at such a low tide "You are going to let the tide float her?" "Yes, she's full of leaks".
Refloating Elvera Taken a few minutes before <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7486422">SV8708 : Refloating Elvera</a>. This shows a family group bringing an heirloom back into use. 60 years ago this little launch would take my family (weather permitting) to Catholic Mass on St Mary's when holidaying on St Agnes . It would be sailed by the father of the man on driving the tractor and grandfather of the two men at the stern of the boat.
Refloating Elvera
Taken a few minutes before SV8708 : Refloating Elvera. This shows a family group bringing an heirloom back into use. 60 years ago this little launch would take my family (weather permitting) to Catholic Mass on St Mary's when holidaying on St Agnes . It would be sailed by the father of the man on driving the tractor and grandfather of the two men at the stern of the boat.
Refloating Elvera Taken a minute or two after <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7491445">SV8708 : Refloating Elvera</a>. See that for a bit of history.
Refloating Elvera
Taken a minute or two after SV8708 : Refloating Elvera. See that for a bit of history.
Old Lane A small group of isolated cottages between the lighthouse and Periglis do not merit even a Scillonian recognition as a "Town".
Old Lane
A small group of isolated cottages between the lighthouse and Periglis do not merit even a Scillonian recognition as a "Town".
Kate's Bakes Cake stall with honesty box and card reader. Lovely cakes!
Kate's Bakes
Cake stall with honesty box and card reader. Lovely cakes!
Traditional woven "ink pot" lobster pots Made from tamarisk and willow harvested on the island. And laid using oar and sail.
Traditional woven "ink pot" lobster pots
Made from tamarisk and willow harvested on the island. And laid using oar and sail.
Big Pool, St Agnes A very gloomy day, so black and white looks best. This looks across the pool (part of an SSSI) towards St Agnes Lighthouse, grade II* listed <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835?section=official-list-entry">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> . The gabled house, "quarters for lighthouse and coastguard staff", is also listed <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288?section=official-list-entry">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> .
Big Pool, St Agnes
A very gloomy day, so black and white looks best. This looks across the pool (part of an SSSI) towards St Agnes Lighthouse, grade II* listed LinkExternal link . The gabled house, "quarters for lighthouse and coastguard staff", is also listed LinkExternal link .
Troy Town Maze, St Agnes Part of a Schedule Monument; <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015697?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015697?section=official-list-entry">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> contains a long description and discussion of the maze. "Local tradition maintains that the maze was originally laid out in 1729 by Amor Clarke, a keeper of the St Agnes lighthouse ... no other pre-20th century British mazes share the cobble-defined construction of this type of pattern". The rocks shown at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/819497">SV8707 : Carn on Castella Down</a> feature beyond.
Troy Town Maze, St Agnes
Part of a Schedule Monument; LinkExternal link contains a long description and discussion of the maze. "Local tradition maintains that the maze was originally laid out in 1729 by Amor Clarke, a keeper of the St Agnes lighthouse ... no other pre-20th century British mazes share the cobble-defined construction of this type of pattern". The rocks shown at SV8707 : Carn on Castella Down feature beyond.
Old Lifeboat Shed The St Agnes lifeboat shed
Old Lifeboat Shed
The St Agnes lifeboat shed
Old rails for the lifeboat trolley For the St Agnes Lifeboat
Old rails for the lifeboat trolley
For the St Agnes Lifeboat
Daymark on Burnt Island From St Agnes
Daymark on Burnt Island
From St Agnes
View of St. Agnes pool from the road to the lighthouse The strange 'daymark' visible top left of the picture
View of St. Agnes pool from the road to the lighthouse
The strange 'daymark' visible top left of the picture
St. Agnes' cricket pitch with St. Mary's in background The pitch had been mown that morning. Maybe there was a match due!
St. Agnes' cricket pitch with St. Mary's in background
The pitch had been mown that morning. Maybe there was a match due!
House on Old Lane St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
House on Old Lane
St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
Troytown Farm campsite On St Agnes, Isles of Silly
Troytown Farm campsite
On St Agnes, Isles of Silly
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Custom House Rock is located at Grid Ref: SV8607 (Lat: 49.888207, Lng: -6.3726703)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///scary.stopwatch.condiment. Near St Agnes, Isles of Scilly

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Shoal Neck Shag Rock Watty's Rock Menpingrim Isinvrank Brothers

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