Land's End

Land's End is the most westerly point of mainland England, a dramatic granite headland on the Penwith peninsula where the Atlantic meets the Cornish coast in a series of cliffs, stacks and white-water gullies. The famous signpost marks the symbolic start and finish of the 874-mile journey to John o' Groats, and on clear days the Longships Lighthouse stands a mile and a half offshore, with the Isles of Scilly faintly visible some 28 miles to the south-west.

Alongside the natural drama, Land's End has a small visitor complex with themed family attractions, exhibitions, a hotel and places to eat, all built behind the cliff edge so as not to intrude on the view. Most visitors come for the scenery, though, and the surrounding coast is part of the South West Coast Path: a short walk north leads past Sennen Cove and its long sweep of white sand, while heading south the path runs out to the Iron Age cliff castle at Maen Castle and on towards Nanjizal and Porthcurno.

Seabirds nest on the cliffs, grey seals patrol the bays, and basking sharks and dolphins are sometimes seen offshore. Sunsets here, looking out across the open Atlantic, are among the finest in Britain.