1. Home
  2. England
  3. Devon and Cornwall
  4. Cornwall
  5. Cornwall
  6. Fox's Hole

Fox's Hole

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Fox's Hole

On coastal path, E of Downderry
On coastal path, E of Downderry Credit: Colin Park

Fox's Hole is a charming coastal feature located in Cornwall, England. Situated on the southern coast, this picturesque headland and point offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, known for its rugged beauty and unique geological formations.

The headland is characterized by towering cliffs that jut out into the sea, creating a dramatic backdrop against the crashing waves. These cliffs, composed primarily of slate and granite, have been shaped over centuries by the powerful forces of erosion, resulting in fascinating rock formations and hidden caves.

One of the main attractions at Fox's Hole is a natural arch that has formed by the relentless pounding of the waves. The arch, a testament to the incredible power of nature, frames the panoramic views of the ocean, providing a perfect spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

The headland is also home to a variety of wildlife. Seabirds, such as gulls and cormorants, can often be spotted nesting on the cliffs, while seals and dolphins occasionally make appearances offshore. The area is a designated nature reserve, ensuring the protection of its diverse ecosystem.

Visitors to Fox's Hole can explore the headland via a network of walking trails that wind along the cliffs, offering stunning vistas at every turn. It is a popular spot for hiking and birdwatching, as well as for those seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Overall, Fox's Hole in Cornwall is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty of nature. Its striking cliffs, impressive rock formations, and abundant wildlife make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a truly unforgettable coastal experience.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Fox's Hole Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.360042/-4.3366209 or Grid Reference SX3353. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

On coastal path, E of Downderry
On coastal path, E of Downderry
On SW Coast Path heading towards Portwrinkle
On SW Coast Path heading towards Portwrinkle
View W to Portwrinkle from SW Coast Path
View W to Portwrinkle from SW Coast Path
Finneygook Beach, Portwrinkle Looking Seaward (South) from the rockpools.
Finneygook Beach, Portwrinkle
Looking Seaward (South) from the rockpools.
Downderry - east side, from Battern Cliffs A zoomed shot from an adjacent grid square gives a view of Downderry which emphasises its location on a precarious platform of soft rock above the sea.
Downderry - east side, from Battern Cliffs
A zoomed shot from an adjacent grid square gives a view of Downderry which emphasises its location on a precarious platform of soft rock above the sea.
Whitsand Bay Portwrinkle to Rame Head. Taken from a point close by the B3247 road to the west of Portwrinkle
Whitsand Bay
Portwrinkle to Rame Head. Taken from a point close by the B3247 road to the west of Portwrinkle
Portwrinkle This photograph of the small coastal village of Portwrinkle was taken from the hillside adjacent to Finnygook lane. The photograph shows the 20th century development of the village including a large hotel. The area of Portwrinkle which formed the original fishing village is at the western end of the village, just out of sight on this shot.
Portwrinkle
This photograph of the small coastal village of Portwrinkle was taken from the hillside adjacent to Finnygook lane. The photograph shows the 20th century development of the village including a large hotel. The area of Portwrinkle which formed the original fishing village is at the western end of the village, just out of sight on this shot.
Valley to the north of Trewrickle Farm.
Valley to the north of Trewrickle Farm.
Houses on the Seafront Road This is at the western end of Portwrinkle, the site of the old village. The white house in the foreground called "Smuggler's Cottage" is probably the oldest house in the village. It has a date mark of 1795 on the front. In the 17th and early 18th century it is likely that almost all male residents of the village took part in smuggling from time to time as it was one way to supplement the meagre income from the pilchard fishery.
Houses on the Seafront Road
This is at the western end of Portwrinkle, the site of the old village. The white house in the foreground called "Smuggler's Cottage" is probably the oldest house in the village. It has a date mark of 1795 on the front. In the 17th and early 18th century it is likely that almost all male residents of the village took part in smuggling from time to time as it was one way to supplement the meagre income from the pilchard fishery.
The old fish cellars, Portwrinkle This derelict building in Portwrinkle used to be the Pilchard processing plant. Pilchards are the reason that Portwrinkle exists. The village was set up by the local landowners, the Carew-Pole family in order to take advantage of the pilchard fisheries. The shoals of pilchard would be spotted by a look-out on the hill above the village who would guide the boats into the shoal by semaphore. Pilchards were salted and pressed in the cellar and the oil which drained off was an important by-product. The fish could then be boxed and sent away for sale. In the mid 19th century with the pilchard fisheries beginning to decline, local fisherman bought the fishery from the landowner by forming a co-operative which they called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a provocative name for the time. This continued until the First World War. The last factory producing traditionally processed Cornish pilchards operated in Newlyn and closed in October 2005.
The old fish cellars, Portwrinkle
This derelict building in Portwrinkle used to be the Pilchard processing plant. Pilchards are the reason that Portwrinkle exists. The village was set up by the local landowners, the Carew-Pole family in order to take advantage of the pilchard fisheries. The shoals of pilchard would be spotted by a look-out on the hill above the village who would guide the boats into the shoal by semaphore. Pilchards were salted and pressed in the cellar and the oil which drained off was an important by-product. The fish could then be boxed and sent away for sale. In the mid 19th century with the pilchard fisheries beginning to decline, local fisherman bought the fishery from the landowner by forming a co-operative which they called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a provocative name for the time. This continued until the First World War. The last factory producing traditionally processed Cornish pilchards operated in Newlyn and closed in October 2005.
The Boathouse, Portwrinkle This is an old building going back to at least the 19th century. It is situated at the top of the slipway and, when this photograph was taken, was still performing exactly the duties for which it was intended. In the 19th century the fishermen of Portwrinkle bought out the fishery from the local landowner by forming a co-operative called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a radical name for the time. I like to think that they also recognised there was an element of black humour in the name (hint: shorten the last word). They were photographed standing in front of this boathouse in around 1880.
The Boathouse, Portwrinkle
This is an old building going back to at least the 19th century. It is situated at the top of the slipway and, when this photograph was taken, was still performing exactly the duties for which it was intended. In the 19th century the fishermen of Portwrinkle bought out the fishery from the local landowner by forming a co-operative called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a radical name for the time. I like to think that they also recognised there was an element of black humour in the name (hint: shorten the last word). They were photographed standing in front of this boathouse in around 1880.
Port Wrinkle harbour
Port Wrinkle harbour
Sea Cliffs at Downderry See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/201512">SX3153 : Sea Cliffs at Downderry</a> for more information about these cliffs.
Sea Cliffs at Downderry
See SX3153 : Sea Cliffs at Downderry for more information about these cliffs.
Portwrinkle Harbour The Banjo Pier built when this village was founded as a pilchard fishery is still in place. This photograph was taken from the coast path just to the west of the village.
Portwrinkle Harbour
The Banjo Pier built when this village was founded as a pilchard fishery is still in place. This photograph was taken from the coast path just to the west of the village.
Down the Cliff Slope This grid square is mostly sea but contains, on its northern edge, the steep and dangerous cliff slope down to the sea.
Down the Cliff Slope
This grid square is mostly sea but contains, on its northern edge, the steep and dangerous cliff slope down to the sea.
Cobland Hill and a Gate On the South West Coast Path looking towards Cobland Hill at the western side of this grid square. This section of the Coast Path is relatively new, previously walkers had to take the road at the top of the hill. The lack of a good path can probably be explained by the steep unfriendly cliffs hereabouts. The coast path has its origins in paths used by Revenue officers to check on smuggling activities. Where the cliffs were too steep to get goods ashore there was no need to watch them, hence no footpath.
Cobland Hill and a Gate
On the South West Coast Path looking towards Cobland Hill at the western side of this grid square. This section of the Coast Path is relatively new, previously walkers had to take the road at the top of the hill. The lack of a good path can probably be explained by the steep unfriendly cliffs hereabouts. The coast path has its origins in paths used by Revenue officers to check on smuggling activities. Where the cliffs were too steep to get goods ashore there was no need to watch them, hence no footpath.
The Coastal Slope Periglacial weathering processes in the ice age have left many cliff faces in south-east Cornwall with a steep high slope before plunging down into a steep cliff face. This high slope is of little use to modern farmers and so is left to scrub and heathland with lots of gorse, blackthorn and bracken which harbours a lot of wildlife.
The Coastal Slope
Periglacial weathering processes in the ice age have left many cliff faces in south-east Cornwall with a steep high slope before plunging down into a steep cliff face. This high slope is of little use to modern farmers and so is left to scrub and heathland with lots of gorse, blackthorn and bracken which harbours a lot of wildlife.
Hilltop Pasture The high land here behind the slope of the cliff face is some 120 metres high and is usually used as pasture. Inland, from here the land drops away into a steep valley draining into the Lynher River.
Hilltop Pasture
The high land here behind the slope of the cliff face is some 120 metres high and is usually used as pasture. Inland, from here the land drops away into a steep valley draining into the Lynher River.
Show me another place!

Fox's Hole is located at Grid Ref: SX3353 (Lat: 50.360042, Lng: -4.3366209)

Unitary Authority: Cornwall

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///cherry.populate.country. Near Landrake, Cornwall

Nearby Locations

The Long Stone The Brawn Cargloth Cliffs The Skerrish The Two Brothers Long Stone Ridge

Related Wikis

Narkurs
Narkurs

Narkurs is a hamlet in the south east of Cornwall, England. It is part of the civil parish of Deviock. It is about 2 km southeast of Hessenford. Historically...

Portwrinkle
Portwrinkle

Portwrinkle (Cornish: Porthwykkel) is a small coastal village in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is at the western end of Whitsand Bay...

Downderry
Downderry

Downderry (Cornish: Downderri) is a coastal village in southeast Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated 12 miles (19 km) west of Plymouth and...

Crafthole
Crafthole

Crafthole is a village in the parish of Sheviock, in southeast Cornwall, England, UK. The village has a pub (Finnygook Inn), Post Office, shop, Methodist...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.360042,-4.3366209
Barrier: stile
Material: wood
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 50.3619509/-4.339881
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 50.3629453/-4.3401877
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Bell Rock Ayrshire
Geodha Sligeach Sutherland

Have you been to Fox's Hole?

Leave your review of Fox's Hole below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy