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The Marconi Centre, Cornwall

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The Marconi Centre commemorates the world's first transatlantic radio transmission, which was made on the 12th of December 1901 from Poldu, South West Cornwall, to Signal Hill in St Johns, Newfoundland. The Marconi Centre can be found on the headland at Poldu at the same location used to transmit the message, which was the letter S in Morse code. Initially there was some scepticism about Marconi's claims for a transmission in December 1901, so in February 1902 Marconi sailed west from Britain on the SS Philadelphia, recording signals sent daily from the Poldhu station. These tests confirmed that audio reception was possible to a distance of over two thousand miles.

You will have to work a little if you want to find the Marconi Centre, tucked away along a poorly signed road on the left hand side of Poldu Cove Beach on the Lizard peninsula. Marconi chose this location because it offered an unobstructed view of the Atlantic, but also because its remoteness protected him from the prying eyes of competitors. The Centre contains displays related to Marconi and the first transmission. The remains of the transmitting station itself can be seen as a concrete floor a few meters to the south of the Centre.

A new visitors' cente opened in July 2007 as a joint project between the National Trust and the Poldhu Radio Club.

Opening Times: During the Winter the Marconi Centre is open Sunday 1.30pm - 4.30pm, and Tuesday and Friday 7pm -9pm. During May, June and September opening times are Sunday and Wednesday 1.30pm -4.30pm, and Tuesday and Friday 7pm - 9pm. During July and August Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday 1.30pm -4.30pm, and Tuesday and Friday 7pm -9pm. These times can vary so it is best to ring the number below to check before you visit.

As chance would have it Satellite Earth Station Goonhilly now stands nearby on the Lizard transmitting vast amounts of data every second.

Directions: Click here for an interactive map centred on the Marconi Centre.

Contact:

Telephone: 01326 561407

E-mail: lizard@nationaltrust.org.uk