Old Woman's House

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Old Woman's House

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

Old Woman's House is a prominent coastal feature located in Cornwall, England. Situated on a headland, it stands tall and proud, jutting out into the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The name "Old Woman's House" is derived from the ancient legend that tells the story of an old woman who once lived in a small cottage perched atop the headland.

The headland itself is a rugged and picturesque formation, characterized by its sheer cliffs and rocky outcrops. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, with its dramatic cliffs and crashing waves. Visitors can enjoy the sight of seabirds soaring above the cliffs, and on clear days, even catch a glimpse of passing ships on the horizon.

At the tip of the headland, there is a prominent rock formation known as "The Point." This natural landmark juts out into the sea, creating a sharp and distinctive feature. The Point is a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, as it provides an ideal vantage point for observing a variety of seabirds, including gulls, fulmars, and cormorants.

Old Woman's House and its surrounding headland are also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The rugged cliffs provide a nesting site for various seabird species, while the heathland and grassy slopes support a variety of plant life, including wildflowers and hardy grasses.

Overall, Old Woman's House is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty of Cornwall's rugged coastline. Its rich natural and cultural history, combined with its stunning views, make it a must-visit destination for visitors to the area.

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Old Woman's House Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.89006/-6.3698157 or Grid Reference SV8608. 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".
The St Agnes Lighthouse and attached house From Old lane.

The lighthouse is both a Grade II* listed building List Entry Number:1328835 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1328835">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>

and a Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1014999 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014999?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014999?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 house is Grade II List Entry Number:1218288 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1218288">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 St Agnes Lighthouse and attached house
From Old lane. The lighthouse is both a Grade II* listed building List Entry Number:1328835 LinkExternal link and a Scheduled Monument List Entry Number:1014999 LinkExternal link The house is Grade II List Entry Number:1218288 LinkExternal link
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.
St Agnes orchard Now used for cider.
St Agnes orchard
Now used for cider.
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
Show me another place!

Old Woman's House is located at Grid Ref: SV8608 (Lat: 49.89006, Lng: -6.3698157)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///mopped.conveying.test. Near St Agnes, Isles of Scilly

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.89006,-6.3698157
Smith's Carn
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 49.8921576/-6.3668234
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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