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Shag Point

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Shag Point

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

Shag Point is a prominent headland located on the coast of Cornwall, England. Situated in the southern region of the county, it is known for its rugged beauty and stunning coastal views. The point juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, offering a panoramic vista of the surrounding landscape.

At Shag Point, the coastline is characterized by towering cliffs that rise dramatically from the water. These cliffs are composed of sedimentary rock formations, showcasing layers of various colors and textures. Due to the constant battering of waves, the cliffs exhibit signs of erosion, with occasional caves and arches carved into their sides.

The headland is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts. Seabirds, such as shags and gannets, can often be spotted nesting on the cliffs, while seals and dolphins can sometimes be seen swimming offshore. The surrounding waters are also rich in marine life, making it a popular location for fishing and diving.

Shag Point is easily accessible, with a well-maintained path leading visitors to the headland. Along the way, there are several vantage points and benches where visitors can pause and admire the breathtaking views. The area is also equipped with information boards, providing insights into the geological and ecological significance of the site.

Overall, Shag Point is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the natural beauty of Cornwall. Its rugged cliffs, diverse wildlife, and panoramic views make it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Shag Point Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.930281/-6.3576926 or Grid Reference SV8712. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Alighting on Samson Firethorn dropping off visitors to Samson.
Alighting on Samson
Firethorn dropping off visitors to Samson.
Stonewall on Samson At the uninhabited settlement on Samson
Stonewall on Samson
At the uninhabited settlement on Samson
Remnants on Samson Remnants of housing and stone walls on Samson
Remnants on Samson
Remnants of housing and stone walls on Samson
Abandoned dwelling An abandoned dwelling on Samson
Abandoned dwelling
An abandoned dwelling on Samson
Cairns on North Hill Burial chambers on North Hill, Samson
Cairns on North Hill
Burial chambers on North Hill, Samson
Castle Bryher rock From Firethorn of Tresco Boat Services
Castle Bryher rock
From Firethorn of Tresco Boat Services
Tresco & Bryher low tide event A few times a year the tide is low enough for the sands to be exposed enough to walk between the two Islands of Breyer & Tresco.
Tresco & Bryher low tide event
A few times a year the tide is low enough for the sands to be exposed enough to walk between the two Islands of Breyer & Tresco.
Tresco & Bryher low tide event A few times a year the tide is low enough for the sands to be exposed enough to walk between the two Islands of Breyer & Tresco.
Tresco & Bryher low tide event
A few times a year the tide is low enough for the sands to be exposed enough to walk between the two Islands of Breyer & Tresco.
Downhill View, Samson Looking from South Hill over one of the old cottages and on to the Norrard Rocks. From a print, date uncertain.
Downhill View, Samson
Looking from South Hill over one of the old cottages and on to the Norrard Rocks. From a print, date uncertain.
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." <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson,_Isles_of_Scilly" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson,_Isles_of_Scilly">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> From a print, date not exact.
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." LinkExternal link From a print, date not exact.
Great Porth from Gweal Hill The south west coast of Bryher, then Samson, and St Agnes on the far horizon.
Great Porth from Gweal Hill
The south west coast of Bryher, then Samson, and St Agnes on the far horizon.
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.
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.
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
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
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. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2321032">SV8712 : Boarding and Alighting on Samson</a>
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
Boarding and Alighting on Samson Samson <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2321004">SV8712 : Approaching Samson</a> 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.
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.
Great Rag Ledge Puffin Island beyond, with other rocks and reefs in the Tresco Flats.
Great Rag Ledge
Puffin Island beyond, with other rocks and reefs in the Tresco Flats.
Long Crow Tidal rocks off the southern tip of Tresco. The island of Samson <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SV8712">SV8712</a> on the horizon, almost split in two by a low isthmus.
Long Crow
Tidal rocks off the southern tip of Tresco. The island of Samson SV8712 on the horizon, almost split in two by a low isthmus.
A prospect of islands Looking from Oliver's Battery at the southern end of Tresco south-westwards across the shallow waters at low tide. Puffin Island <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SV8813">SV8813</a> can be seen in the middle distance, with the northern end of Samson beyond. To the right are the Northern Rocks, most prominent being Castle Bryher <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SV8613">SV8613</a>.
A prospect of islands
Looking from Oliver's Battery at the southern end of Tresco south-westwards across the shallow waters at low tide. Puffin Island SV8813 can be seen in the middle distance, with the northern end of Samson beyond. To the right are the Northern Rocks, most prominent being Castle Bryher SV8613.
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Shag Point is located at Grid Ref: SV8712 (Lat: 49.930281, Lng: -6.3576926)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///deflect.whistle.intervene. Near Bryher, Isles of Scilly

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Tarbarrel Rock White Island West Porth Ledge Samson White Island Ledge West Porth

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.930281,-6.3576926
West Porth
Natural: bay
Source: OS Open Names
Lat/Long: 49.9339921/-6.3555842
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 49.9304113/-6.351774
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Carnew Point Cornwall
Gunner Cornwall

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