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The Marconi Centre, Cornwall

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The Marconi Centre commemorates the world's first transatlantic radio transmission, made on 12th December 1901 from Poldhu, south west Cornwall, to Signal Hill in St Johns, Newfoundland. The Marconi Centre can be found on the headland at Poldhu at the same location used to transmit Marconi's message, which was a letter S in Morse code. Initially there was some scepticism about Marconi's claims for the December 1901 transmission, so in February 1902 Marconi sailed west from Britain on the SS Philadelphia, recording signals sent daily from 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 Poldhu 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 south of the Centre.

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

Opening Times: October to April, Sunday 1.30pm - 4.30pm, and Tuesday and Friday 7pm -9pm.

May, June and September, Sunday and Wednesday 1.30pm -4.30pm, and Tuesday and Friday 7pm - 9pm.

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. Open bank holidays except 25th and 26th December and January 1st.

Address: Marconi Centre, Poldhu, Mullion, Cornwall TR12 7JB

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 241656

e-mail: lizard@nationaltrust.org.uk