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Mullion Harbour, Cornwall

Mullion is the largest village on the Lizard Peninsula. Its harbour has been protected by a substantial harbour wall since 1895, built with funds provided by a financier compensating local pilchard fishermen for a poor season. In many ways Mullion does not really represent long tradition or the preservation of the past; instead it represents the inevitability of change. This is an exposed coast, which visiting in summer might be difficult to appreciate. It was never a good place for a harbour - as indicated by the fact that a local lifeboat was only able to launch a handful of times, storm conditions at Mullion being so severe that putting to sea was impossible. Infomation boards showing pictures of waves breaking over the harbour walls make the point graphically. The National Trust, which has owned Mullion Harbour since 1945 now has a plan in place to preserve the harbour for as long as reasonably possible, followed by a managed retreat. In their action plan the Trust talk of rising sea levels which may be relevant. Ancient sea level change since the last ice age is in evidence all over Cornwall, where drowned valleys such as that at Falmouth were created by rising sea levels. The Earth is in constant motion, and this is often seen most clearly at the coasts. The National Trust is already preparing for the loss of Mullion Harbour. In 2006 following an extensive repair of the wall, costing £150,000, the Trust decided to inspect each year and spend around £5000 on repairs. When this programme becomes unviable the Trust will move to managed retreat, removing the breakwaters, or allowing them to collapse, whilst trying to consolidate the inner harbour walls. Eventually the harbour will revert back to its original state as a cove on a storm lashed coast line. This may happen gradually, or a single catastrophic future storm, or series of storms, might bring about the final decision to retreat. But one way or another Mullion Harbour is a transient place. So visit while you can. The harbour front is a good place to enjoy the view and reflect a little. If you visit in winter or during bad weather be aware that waves can break over the harbour walls.

 

The headland to the right of Mullion Harbour is famous as the location for Marconi's radio station which sent the first trans Atlantic radio message. There's a memorial here, and a small museum called Marconi Centre run by the local radio society. To visit drive to nearby Poldu Bay, and then follow signs from the car park up to the Marconi Centre's cliff top location.

Directions: Take the A3083 from Helston, and then take the B3296 to Mullion. Click here for an interactive map centred on Mullion Harbour.

Contact:

National Trust Cornwall Regional Office, Lanhydrock, Bodmin PL30 4DE

telephone: 01208 265270

web site: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-devoncornwall/w-devoncornwall-

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