Top Rock

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Top Rock

Trig pillar
Trig pillar Credit: Alex McGregor

Top Rock is a prominent coastal feature located in Cornwall, England. It is a headland that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, forming a distinct point along the coastline. This geological formation is made up of rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops, providing a dramatic and picturesque landscape.

The cliffs of Top Rock rise steeply from the sea, reaching heights of up to 100 meters. They are composed of hard and durable rocks, such as granite and schist, which have withstood the erosive forces of the ocean for centuries. These cliffs offer breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

The rocky outcrops of Top Rock are a result of millions of years of geological processes. They have been shaped by the relentless pounding of waves and the erosion caused by wind and weather. These natural forces have sculpted the rocks into unique formations, including arches, stacks, and caves, adding to the allure of the area.

Top Rock is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The headland offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and bird watching. The cliffs provide nesting sites for various seabird species, including gulls and fulmars, making it an ideal spot for bird enthusiasts.

In addition to its natural beauty, Top Rock also holds historical significance. The area is dotted with remnants of ancient settlements, including stone walls and ruins of old buildings, which provide a glimpse into the region's rich past.

Overall, Top Rock is a stunning and diverse coastal feature that showcases the beauty of Cornwall's rugged coastline. Its towering cliffs, unique rock formations, and rich history make it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Top Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.971584/-6.2926467 or Grid Reference SV9216. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Trig pillar
Trig pillar
Lower Town Quay The smaller of the two quays on St Martin’s. The larger quay at Higher Town is the one used for freight deliveries, but is inaccessible at a low tide.

The island behind is the uninhabited Tean (pronounced tea-an).
Lower Town Quay
The smaller of the two quays on St Martin’s. The larger quay at Higher Town is the one used for freight deliveries, but is inaccessible at a low tide. The island behind is the uninhabited Tean (pronounced tea-an).
The Daymark From within the ruins of the Admiralty signal station of  1805.

The signal station is included in the Scheduled Monument comprising the whole of Chapel down and is described thus:

In 1804, an Admiralty signal station was built on northern Chapel Down to communicate with naval vessels by signal mast and to report on enemy shipping movements. It was decommissioned in 1815, superseded by semaphore operated from St Mary's. Its main building stands to 2.3m high in the north of a subrectangular enclosure 38m long, NNW-SSE, by up to 21m wide.

List Entry Number:1016508  <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016508?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016508?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 Daymark is separately listed Grade II*

List Entry Number:1141204 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141204?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141204?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 Daymark
From within the ruins of the Admiralty signal station of 1805. The signal station is included in the Scheduled Monument comprising the whole of Chapel down and is described thus: In 1804, an Admiralty signal station was built on northern Chapel Down to communicate with naval vessels by signal mast and to report on enemy shipping movements. It was decommissioned in 1815, superseded by semaphore operated from St Mary's. Its main building stands to 2.3m high in the north of a subrectangular enclosure 38m long, NNW-SSE, by up to 21m wide. List Entry Number:1016508 LinkExternal link The Daymark is separately listed Grade II* List Entry Number:1141204 LinkExternal link
Great Bay panorama On of the most beautiful spots on the islands.
Great Bay panorama
On of the most beautiful spots on the islands.
St Martin's Daymark Erected in 1683, St Martin’s Daymark is the earliest surviving beacon in the British Isles. The 40 feet high stone beacon was built by Thomas Ekins, near the northeast corner of the island island of St Martin’s.

Originally white, the beacon was later painted red and now boasts red and white bands. Its daymark is visible from miles away, situated as it is on one of the Isles of Scilly's highest points.
It is a Grade II* listed building (List Entry Number:1141204 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141204" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141204">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> Historic England).
St Martin's Daymark
Erected in 1683, St Martin’s Daymark is the earliest surviving beacon in the British Isles. The 40 feet high stone beacon was built by Thomas Ekins, near the northeast corner of the island island of St Martin’s. Originally white, the beacon was later painted red and now boasts red and white bands. Its daymark is visible from miles away, situated as it is on one of the Isles of Scilly's highest points. It is a Grade II* listed building (List Entry Number:1141204 LinkExternal link Historic England).
Higher Town Bay
Higher Town Bay
St Martins The beautiful St Martin's Bay
St Martins
The beautiful St Martin's Bay
St Martin's Divers at Higher Town bay
St Martin's
Divers at Higher Town bay
St Martin's Higher Town Bay
St Martin's
Higher Town Bay
Lower Town, St. Martin's Looking SW, Tresco in distance
Lower Town, St. Martin's
Looking SW, Tresco in distance
Middle Town - St Martin's, Scilly The westerly view from Middle Town. Tresco on the horizon.
Middle Town - St Martin's, Scilly
The westerly view from Middle Town. Tresco on the horizon.
St Martin's - Scillies The high street of Middle Town, St Martin's.
St Martin's - Scillies
The high street of Middle Town, St Martin's.
Sunset on St Martins looking westward
Sunset on St Martins looking westward
Looking out from gardens of Seven Stones pub View looking south from the pub
Looking out from gardens of Seven Stones pub
View looking south from the pub
St Martin's coastal path, looking towards Great Bay
St Martin's coastal path, looking towards Great Bay
St Martin's bay from Scilly point This is a beautiful beach of white sand.
St Martin's bay from Scilly point
This is a beautiful beach of white sand.
The tidal causeway to White Island, Scilly White Island is a part of St Martin's. This is the only land based way onto the island.
The tidal causeway to White Island, Scilly
White Island is a part of St Martin's. This is the only land based way onto the island.
Lower Town quay, St Martin's - Scilly A small quay - but very well used for loading and unloading all the things that are essential for island life.
Lower Town quay, St Martin's - Scilly
A small quay - but very well used for loading and unloading all the things that are essential for island life.
Show me another place!

Top Rock is located at Grid Ref: SV9216 (Lat: 49.971584, Lng: -6.2926467)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///butterfly.agree.dispose. Near St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

Related Wikis

Middle Town, St Martin's

Middle Town (Cornish: Tregres) is a small settlement on the island of St Martin's in the Isles of Scilly, England. It is situated slightly inland, approximately...

White Island, Isles of Scilly

White Island (Cornish: Ar Nor, "facing the mainland" or Enys Wynn "white island" ) is one of the larger unpopulated islands of the Isles of Scilly, part...

St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

St Martin's (Cornish: Brechiek, lit. 'dappled island') is the northernmost populated island of the Isles of Scilly, England, United Kingdom. It has an...

Lower Town, Isles of Scilly

Lower Town (Cornish: Trewoles) is the westernmost settlement on the island of St Martin's in the Isles of Scilly, England. One of the island's two quays...

St Martin's Church, St Martin's

St Martin's Church, St Martin's is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England located in St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, UK. == History... ==

St Martin's Methodist Church, Isles of Scilly

The Methodist Church, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly is a Grade II listed chapel in St Martin's, Isles of Scilly. == History == Bible Christians arrived...

Teän

Teän ( TEE-ən, sometimes written Tean without the diaeresis; Cornish: Enys Tian) is an uninhabited island to the north of the Isles of Scilly archipelago...

Higher Town, Isles of Scilly

Higher Town (Cornish: Trewartha) is the easternmost and largest settlement on the island of St Martin's in the Isles of Scilly, England. It is situated...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.971584,-6.2926467
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9743195/-6.292359
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9713339/-6.2920597
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9716753/-6.2918261
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.971808/-6.2914795
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9689795/-6.2911254
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9682881/-6.2907659
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9679931/-6.290601
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9697633/-6.2918093
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9692887/-6.2913509
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9709854/-6.2925103
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9703985/-6.2923327
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9716599/-6.2909607
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9693281/-6.2908647
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9698033/-6.2906827
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9691907/-6.2904993
Little Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.9705862/-6.2907458
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.973574/-6.292948
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9734284/-6.2920744
Top Rock Hill
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 49.9721537/-6.2949656
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 49.9754956/-6.2903704
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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