Cove Head

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Cornwall

England

Cove Head

Coombe Road, Wearde, Saltash Credit: Roy Hughes

Cove Head is a prominent headland located in Cornwall, England. Situated along the picturesque coastline, it serves as a prominent natural feature in the region. With its stunning cliffs and rugged terrain, Cove Head attracts numerous visitors each year who come to admire its natural beauty and enjoy the coastal scenery.

The headland is characterized by its towering cliffs that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding waters. These cliffs, formed by years of erosion and weathering, provide a unique geological formation that is both aesthetically pleasing and scientifically significant. The exposed rocks along Cove Head showcase various layers, offering insight into the area's geological history.

Cove Head also serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities such as hiking and birdwatching. The headland is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several species of seabirds that nest along the cliffs. Visitors can take advantage of the numerous walking trails that wind their way through the headland, allowing them to explore the area while taking in the stunning coastal vistas.

Not only is Cove Head a natural attraction, but it also holds historical significance. The headland has been inhabited for centuries, and remnants of ancient settlements and fortifications can still be found in the area. These historical sites add an extra layer of intrigue to Cove Head, making it a destination that appeals to both nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

In conclusion, Cove Head in Cornwall is a captivating coastal feature that offers a combination of natural beauty, geological interest, and historical significance. With its dramatic cliffs, diverse wildlife, and rich history, it is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Cornwall coastline.

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Cove Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.388889/-4.2039348 or Grid Reference SX4356. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Coombe Road, Wearde, Saltash

Roy Hughes

Houses at Wearde, Saltash near inlet of the Tamar

Roy Hughes

Frigate at Devonport

Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset (F82) at HMNB Devonport No. 2 Dock.

David Dixon

HMNB Devonport

Her Majesty's Naval Base, Devonport (HMNB Devonport), is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy (the others being HMNB Clyde and HMNB Portsmouth). HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth. Having begun as Royal Navy Dockyard in the late-17th century, it is now the largest naval base in Western Europe and is the sole nuclear repair and refuelling facility for the Royal Navy. Shipbuilding ceased at Devonport in the early 1970s, but ship maintenance work has continued: the now privatised maintenance facilities are operated by Babcock Marine who took over in 2007. HM Naval Base Devonport is the home port of the Devonport Flotilla which includes the largest ship in the Royal Navy HMS Ocean and the Trafalgar-class submarines. Devonport will no longer be used as a base for attack submarines after these move to Faslane by 2017, and the Type 45 destroyers are based at Portsmouth. However, Devonport retains a long-term role as the dedicated home of the amphibious fleet, survey vessels and half the frigate fleet.

David Dixon

RFA Fort Victoria at Devonport

Royal Fleet Auxiliary combined fleet stores ship and tanker RFA Fort Victoria berthed at HMNB Devonport.

David Dixon

Frigate, HMS Argyll, at Devonport

Royal Navy Type 23 Duke-class frigate HMS Argyll (F231) at HMNB Devonport.

David Dixon

River Tamar, The Hamoaze

The Hamoaze is an estuarine stretch of the tidal River Tamar, between its confluence with the River Lynher and Plymouth Sound.

David Dixon

Torpoint Ferry

The Torpoint Ferry is a car and pedestrian chain ferry which crosses the Hamoaze, a stretch of water at the mouth of the River Tamar, between Devonport in Plymouth and Torpoint in Cornwall. The route is currently served by three ferries, two of which can be seen in this photograph. They are named after three rivers in the area: Tamar II, Lynher II and Plym II. Each ferry carries 73 cars and operates using its own set of slipways and parallel chains.

David Dixon

Torpoint Ferry, Lynher II at Torpoint

The Torpoint Ferry is a car and pedestrian chain ferry which crosses the Hamoaze, a stretch of water at the mouth of the River Tamar, between Devonport in Plymouth and Torpoint in Cornwall. The route is currently served by three ferries, which are named after three rivers in the area: Tamar II, Lynher II and Plym II. Each ferry carries 73 cars and operates using its own set of slipways and parallel chains.

David Dixon

Torpoint Ferry

The vehicle ferry provides a frequent service across the Hamoaze, linking Devonport and Torpoint. It is the busiest estuarial vehicular ferry crossing in the United Kingdom, carrying nearly two million vehicles per year in three vessels. There has been a ferry service here since 1791 but it was in 1831 that the first chain ferry was introduced and the same principle is still used. The current vessels date from the early 2000s and have a nominal capacity of 73 cars; they were built by Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd on the Clyde. The length of the crossing depends on the state of the tide but can be up to 650 metres.

Stephen McKay