Little Ledge

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Little Ledge

Trig pillar
Trig pillar Credit: Alex McGregor

Little Ledge is a prominent coastal feature located in Cornwall, England. Situated along the rugged coastline, it is known for its dramatic cliffs, stunning views, and unique geological formations. This headland, also referred to as a point, juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

The cliffs of Little Ledge are composed of granite, which is a characteristic feature of the region. The ruggedness of the cliffs creates a picturesque landscape that is often captured in photographs and paintings. The headland offers breathtaking views of the surrounding sea, as well as the neighboring beaches and coves.

Due to its geographical location, Little Ledge is subjected to the powerful forces of the Atlantic Ocean. This has resulted in the formation of numerous caves and rock arches along the coastline. One of the most famous features is the Lovers' Arch, a natural archway that has become an iconic landmark.

The area surrounding Little Ledge is rich in biodiversity, with a variety of plant and animal species. Seabirds, including puffins and gannets, can often be spotted nesting on the cliffs. The coastal waters are also teeming with marine life, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving.

In addition to its natural beauty, Little Ledge has a rich cultural history. The headland has been inhabited for centuries, with evidence of ancient settlements and burial sites. The area also played a significant role in maritime history, with tales of shipwrecks and smuggling activities.

Overall, Little Ledge is a captivating coastal feature that combines stunning natural scenery with a rich cultural heritage. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rugged beauty of Cornwall's coastline and immerse themselves in its fascinating history.

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Little Ledge Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.972866/-6.2893567 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).
St Martin's Head The large red-and-white Daymark stands on St Martin’s Head, at the northeast corner of the island of St Martin. It was erected in 1683 by Thomas Ekins, and 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).

The Daymark is a circular tower made of rendered granite, measuring 4.8 metres (16 ft) in diameter and 6.4 metres (21 ft) in height. It has a conical termination, which makes it a total of 11 metres (36 ft) high. Originally, it was painted white until 1822 but by 1833 had been painted red, and is now painted in alternating bands of red and white.

The daymark is built on the highest point of St Martin's (the second-highest point in the Isles of Scilly); the position and relative height mean that the Cornish mainland is visible (when the weather allows) and the daymark is identifiable from the mainland too.
St Martin's Head
The large red-and-white Daymark stands on St Martin’s Head, at the northeast corner of the island of St Martin. It was erected in 1683 by Thomas Ekins, and is a Grade II* listed building (List Entry Number:1141204 LinkExternal link Historic England). The Daymark is a circular tower made of rendered granite, measuring 4.8 metres (16 ft) in diameter and 6.4 metres (21 ft) in height. It has a conical termination, which makes it a total of 11 metres (36 ft) high. Originally, it was painted white until 1822 but by 1833 had been painted red, and is now painted in alternating bands of red and white. The daymark is built on the highest point of St Martin's (the second-highest point in the Isles of Scilly); the position and relative height mean that the Cornish mainland is visible (when the weather allows) and the daymark is identifiable from the mainland too.
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
St Martin's daymarker The red and white conical granite daymark was erected in 1683. There's an internal block of stairs - unfortunately now blocked off.
St Martin's daymarker
The red and white conical granite daymark was erected in 1683. There's an internal block of stairs - unfortunately now blocked off.
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.
Show me another place!

Little Ledge is located at Grid Ref: SV9216 (Lat: 49.972866, Lng: -6.2893567)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///acoustics.ends.tadpoles. Near St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.972866,-6.2893567
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9743195/-6.292359
St Martin's Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.968812/-6.2868896
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: 49.9697633/-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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