Coverack

Coverack is a fishing village on the eastern coast of the Lizard, about 10 miles south of Helston. The village sits around a small harbour protected by a stone breakwater, with a sandy beach that appears at low tide. The Paris Hotel and a couple of cafes face the harbour. A small fleet of boats still works from here, and the harbour wall is a good spot for crabbing. The village has a shop, a gallery, and the Lifeboat House tea room.

The geology around Coverack is internationally significant - the Lizard Complex here includes rare serpentine and gabbro rocks from the Earth’s mantle, pushed to the surface by tectonic forces. The rocks along the foreshore display striking green and red patterns, and the area is studied by geology students worldwide. The coast path from Coverack south to Cadgwith (about 4 miles) passes through some of this geological landscape, with views over Kennack Sands.

Coverack has a relaxed, unhurried feel. The village is not on a through road, so traffic is minimal. Swimming and snorkelling in the clear water are popular, and the bay is sheltered from westerly winds. The Lizard village is about 5 miles south, and Helston with its shops and the Flambards attraction is about 10 miles north. The annual Coverack Regatta, held in August, features swimming races, dinghy sailing, and crab-catching competitions.