Steeple Point

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Steeple Point

Morwenstow Satellite Dishes GCHQ Bude, also known as GCHQ Composite Signals Organisation Station Morwenstow, abbreviated to GCHQ CSO Morwenstow, is a UK Government satellite ground station and eavesdropping centre located on the north Cornwall coast between the small villages of Morwenstow and Coombe. It is operated by the British signals intelligence service, officially known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). It is located on part of the site of the former World War II airfield, RAF Cleave. The station comprises twenty-one satellite antennae of various sizes, including three that have a diameter of 100 ft (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCHQ_Bude" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCHQ_Bude">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> Wikipedia). — Morwenstow Satellite Dishes Credit: David Dixon

Steeple Point is a prominent coastal feature located in Cornwall, England. Situated on the southwestern coast of the county, it is a headland that juts out into the Celtic Sea. The point is named after the tall stone steeple that stands on its highest peak, giving it a distinctive and easily recognizable appearance.

The rugged cliffs of Steeple Point are composed of hard rock formations, primarily consisting of granite. These cliffs provide breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out towards the horizon. The area is known for its dramatic scenery and is a popular destination for hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Steeple Point is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The grassy slopes leading up to the cliffs are covered in wildflowers during the spring and summer months, attracting a variety of butterflies and other insects. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life, making it a prime spot for fishing and birdwatching.

Due to its exposed location, Steeple Point is subject to the powerful forces of the ocean, and erosion has shaped its distinctive features over time. Visitors are advised to exercise caution when exploring the area, as the cliffs can be unstable and the currents in the waters surrounding the point can be strong.

Overall, Steeple Point offers a captivating combination of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and outdoor recreational opportunities, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the breathtaking coast of Cornwall.

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Steeple Point Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.876405/-4.5619089 or Grid Reference SS1911. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Morwenstow Satellite Dishes

GCHQ Bude, also known as GCHQ Composite Signals Organisation Station Morwenstow, abbreviated to GCHQ CSO Morwenstow, is a UK Government satellite ground station and eavesdropping centre located on the north Cornwall coast between the small villages of Morwenstow and Coombe. It is operated by the British signals intelligence service, officially known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). It is located on part of the site of the former World War II airfield, RAF Cleave. The station comprises twenty-one satellite antennae of various sizes, including three that have a diameter of 100 ft (Link

Wikipedia).

David Dixon

Car Park at Sandy Mouth

Viewed from up on the hills, looking down onto the car park at Sandy Mouth.

Oscar Taylor

Sandy Mouth Beach

The beach at Sandy Mouth from the cliff.

Oscar Taylor

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This OS cut mark can be found on the roadside barn at Stowe Barton. It marks a point 102.376m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This OS cut mark can be found on the west parapet of King William's Bridge. It marks a point 21.199m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Sandy Mouth on a misty day

This is a strip of sand below cliffs. Much of the country was basking in sunshine, but this part of the North Cornish coast was misty - it cleared in the afternoon.

David Hawgood

Low tide at Sandy Mouth

Low tide was at 14.46 on this day; the picture being taken just two minutes before this time. Ahead stretches the Atlantic Ocean.

Peter Kazmierczak

Heavy sky at Sandymouth Bay, near Bude, Cornwall

Derek Voller

Beach at Sandy Mouth Bay

Looking more or less north along the beach at relatively low tide, towards one of the radio dishes of the GCHQ Satellite Station at Morwenstow.

Richard Law

Warren Long Beach

The map assigns names to several stretches of sand along here, of which we are approaching Warren Long Beach a little way north of Sandy Mouth Bay.

Richard Law

On Warren Little Beach

These colonies of honeycomb worms (Sabellaria alveolata) decorate the tidal rocks along a stretch of the coast here.

Richard Law

Internal structure of a honeycomb worm colony

One of many colonies on the rocks here; this one's suffered a little at the hands of a storm which has broken a large chunk off, exposing the interior. Each tube contains a single worm of the species Sabellaria alveolata, and is roughly 10-12" long. The worm settles into the colony after 5 or 6 weeks as a drifting larva, and then spends the rest of its life filter-feeding from the upper end of the tube (and presumably extending it to solidify the colony)

Richard Law