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Land's End
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{{Short description|Headland and tourist attraction in Cornwall, England}} {{Other uses}} {{Use British English|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox UK place | official_name = Land's End | cornish_name = Penn an Wlas / Pedn an Wlas | static_image_name = 20210529 Lands End-9.jpg | static_image_caption = Cliffs at Land's End, showing Dr Syntax Head and Longships Lighthouse | country = England | region = South West England | unitary_england = [[Cornwall Council|Cornwall]] | lieutenancy_england = [[Cornwall]] | os_grid_reference = SW 34177 25339 | map_type = Cornwall | constituency_westminster = [[St Ives (UK Parliament constituency)|St Ives]] | coordinates = {{coord|50|04|07|N|05|42|58|W|display=inline,title}} | dial_code = 01736 | post_town = PENZANCE | postcode_area = TR | postcode_district = TR19 }} '''Land's End'''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-45499594 |title=Cornwall Council adds apostrophe to Land's End |publisher=BBC News |date=12 September 2018 |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=12 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312213511/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-45499594 |url-status=live }}</ref> ({{langx|kw|Penn an Wlas|label=[[Cornish language|Cornish]] [[Standard Written Form]]}} or ''Pedn an Wlas'')<ref>[http://www.magakernow.org.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=205a3451-0e49-4216-a825-d4a4ceba9ba2&version=-1 An English-Cornish Glossary in the Standard Written Form] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105003722/http://www.magakernow.org.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=205a3451-0e49-4216-a825-d4a4ceba9ba2&version=-1 |date=5 November 2015 }} (gives both ''Penn an Wlas'' and ''Pedn an Wlas'')</ref> is a headland and tourist and holiday complex in western [[Cornwall]], England, United Kingdom, on the [[Penwith]] peninsula about {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} west-south-west of [[Penzance]] at the western end of the [[A30 road]]. To the east of it is the [[English Channel]], and to the west the [[Celtic Sea]]. Land's End is the [[Extreme points of the United Kingdom|most westerly]] point of mainland England.<ref>Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 203 ''Land's End'' {{ISBN|978-0-319-23148-7}}</ref> However, it is not the westernmost point on mainland [[Great Britain]]. This title narrowly goes to [[Corrachadh Mòr]] in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. ==Geography== The actual Land's End, or Peal Point, is a modest headland compared with nearby headlands such as Pedn-men-dhu overlooking [[Sennen Cove]] and Pordenack, to the south. The present hotel and tourist complex is at Carn Kez, {{convert|200|yard}} south of the actual Land's End.<ref name=neave>{{cite book|last1=Neave-Hill|first1=Charles|title=Land's End My Heritage|date=1975}}</ref> Land's End has a particular resonance because it is often used to suggest distance. Land's End to [[John o' Groats]] in Scotland is a distance of {{convert|838|mi|km}} by road and this ''[[Land's End to John o' Groats]]'' distance is often used to define charitable events such as end-to-end walks and races in the UK. Land's End to the [[northernmost point of England]] is a distance of {{convert|556|mi|km}} by road.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Royston|title=Route Guide|url=http://www.landsend-to-johnogroats.co.uk/home/beginning/planning/how-far-is-it-from-land-s-end-to-john-o-groats|website=Lands End to John O'Groats On-line Cycling Guide|access-date=11 February 2016|archive-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606004606/http://www.landsend-to-johnogroats.co.uk/home/beginning/planning/how-far-is-it-from-land-s-end-to-john-o-groats|url-status=dead}}</ref> The westernmost promontory at Land's End is known as Dr Syntax's Head. The character Dr Syntax was invented by the writer [[William Combe]] in his 1809 comic verse ''The Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque'', which [[satire|satirised]] the work of seekers of the "[[picturesque]]" such as [[William Gilpin (priest)|William Gilpin]].<ref>[https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/book/the-tour-of-doctor-syntax-in-search-of-the-picturesque-a-poem "The tour of Doctor Syntax in search of the picturesque, a poem", ''Royal Academy''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307054911/https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/book/the-tour-of-doctor-syntax-in-search-of-the-picturesque-a-poem |date=7 March 2021 }}. Retrieved 24 November 2019</ref> A nearby promontory is called Dr Johnson's Head after [[Samuel Johnson]], who referred to a hypothetical Cornish [[declaration of independence]] in his 1775 essay ''Taxation no Tyranny''.<ref>[http://www.samueljohnson.com/tnt.html "Taxation no Tyranny". ''The Works of Samuel Johnson''. Pafraets & Company, Troy, New York (1913)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202022201/http://www.samueljohnson.com/tnt.html |date=2 December 2019 }} Retrieved 24 November 2019</ref><ref>[https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/print-walk/798/ "Walk – Land's End and Nanjizal", ''South West Coast Path National Trail''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108150409/https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/print-walk/798/ |date=8 January 2022 }}. Retrieved 24 November 2019</ref> The area around Land's End has been designated part of an [[Important Plant Area]], by the organisation [[Plantlife]], for rare species of [[flora and fauna of Cornwall|flora]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Land's End|url=http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/important_plant_areas/lands_end|publisher=[[Plantlife]]|access-date=7 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701021349/http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/important_plant_areas/lands_end/|archive-date=1 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Land's End is a popular venue for rock climbers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Land's End|url=http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=211|website=UKC|access-date=11 February 2016|archive-date=10 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110100721/http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=211|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Longships, Cornwall|Longships]], a group of rocky [[islet]]s are just over {{convert|1|mi|km}} offshore, and together with the [[Seven Stones Reef]] and the [[Isles of Scilly]] which lie about {{convert|28|mi|km}} southwest – are part of the mythical lost land of [[Lyonesse]], referred to in [[King Arthur|Arthurian]] literature. ==Geology== The cliffs are made of [[granite]], an igneous rock, which means they are resistant to weathering, and have steep cliff faces. There are two varieties of granite represented at Land's End. Adjacent to the hotel the granite is coarse-grained with large [[phenocrysts]] of [[orthoclase]], sometimes more than {{convert|5|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} in length. To the north, at the First and Last House, there is a finer-grained granite with fewer and smaller phenocrysts, and the different granites can be seen from a distance by the smoother weathering of the finer variety. The granite dates to 268–275 million years ago of the [[Permian|Permian period]].<ref name=geology>{{cite book|last=Hall|first=A|title=Geologist's Association Guide No. 19. West Cornwall|date=1994|publisher=[[Geologists' Association]]|location=London|isbn=0-900717-57-2|pages=50|editor=Second}}</ref> The contact zone between the Land's End [[pluton|granite pluton]] and the altered "[[country rock (geology)|country rocks]]" is nearby and the [[Longships Lighthouse]], offshore, is built on the country rock.<ref name=geology/> ==History== In 1769, the antiquarian [[William Borlase]] wrote: <blockquote>Of this time we are to understand what Edward I. says (Sheringham. p. 129.) that Britain, Wales, and Cornwall, were the portion of [[Belinus]], elder son of [[Dunwallo]], and that that part of the Island, afterwards called England, was divided in three shares, viz. Britain, which reached from the Tweed, Westward, as far as the [[River Exe|river Ex]]; Wales inclosed by the rivers [[River Severn|Severn]], and [[River Dee, Wales|Dee]]; and Cornwall from the river Ex to the Land's-End.</blockquote> Tourists have been visiting Land's End for over three hundred years. In 1649, an early visitor was the poet [[John Taylor (poet)|John Taylor]], who was hoping to find subscribers for his new book ''Wanderings to see the Wonders of the West''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hospitality of the Godolphins Two Centuries Ago|work=The Cornishman|issue=169|date=6 October 1881|page=7}}</ref> In 1878 people left Penzance by horse-drawn vehicles from outside the Queens and Union hotels and travelled via [[St Buryan]] and [[Treen (St Levan)|Treen]], to see the [[Logan Rock]]. There was a short stop to look at [[Porthcurno]] and the [[Eastern Telegraph Company]] followed by refreshments at the First and Last Inn in [[Sennen]]. They then headed for Land's End, often on foot or horse, because of the uneven and muddy lanes. Over one hundred people could be at Land's End at any one time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Notes in West Cornwall.|work=The Cornishman|issue=10|date=19 September 1878|page=6}}</ref> At Carn Kez, the First and Last Inn owned a small house which looked after the horses while visitors roamed the cliffs. The house at Carn Kez developed into the present hotel.<ref name=neave/> The earliest part of the house was damaged by the [[Luftwaffe]] when a plane returning from a raid on [[Cardiff]] jettisoned its remaining bombs. 53 fisherman were injured or killed. In the build-up to [[Normandy landings|D-Day]] American troops were billeted in the hotel leaving the building in a bad state. [[File:Lands end map1946.png|thumb|A 1946 map of Land's End]] Land's End was owned by a Cornish family until 1982, when it was sold to David Goldstone. In 1987, [[Peter de Savary]] outbid the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] to purchase Land's End for almost £7 million from David Goldstone.<ref>{{cite web |title=1987: Millionaire's big plans for English landmark |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/4/newsid_2538000/2538261.stm |publisher=BBC |year=2008 |access-date=21 May 2011 |quote=Land's End in Cornwall has been sold for nearly £7m to the property tycoon, Peter de Savary. |archive-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223205110/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/4/newsid_2538000/2538261.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He had two new buildings erected and much of the present [[theme park]] development was instigated by him{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}. He sold both Land's End and John o' Groats to businessman Graham Ferguson Lacey in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |title=1987: Millionaire's big plans for English landmark |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/4/newsid_2538000/2538261.stm |publisher=BBC |year=2008 |access-date=21 May 2011 |quote=Peter de Savary sold both Land's End and John o' Groats in 1991 for an undisclosed sum to businessman Graham Ferguson Lacey. |archive-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223205110/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/4/newsid_2538000/2538261.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The current owners purchased Land's End in 1996 and formed a company named [[Heritage Great Britain PLC]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} Attractions at the theme park include children's playgrounds and recorded music. Twice a week in August, Land's End hosts 'Magic in the Skies', a night-time firework spectacular with music by British composer Christopher Bond and narrated by actress [[Miriam Margolyes]]. Within the complex is the Land's End Hotel.<ref>Clegg, David (2005) ''Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly''; second ed. Leicester: Matador; pp. 123–24</ref> On 6 May 1985, four schoolchildren died in what is known as the [[Land's End disaster]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Fulbrook |first=Julian |title=Outdoor Activities, Negligence, and the Law |publisher=Ashgate |year=2005 |isbn=0754642356}}</ref> In May 2012, Land's End received worldwide publicity as the starting point of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] [[List of Olympic torch relays|torch relay]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18128202|title=Olympic torch: Flame arrives at Land's End|publisher=BBC News|access-date=26 May 2012|archive-date=24 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524101829/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18128202|url-status=live}}</ref> ===End to end=== Land's End is either the start or finishing point of end to end journeys with [[John o' Groats]] in Scotland. One of the earliest was by Carlisle who left Land's End on 23 September 1879, went to John O'Groats House and arrived back at Land's End on 15 December; taking 72 days (exclusive of Sundays); covering {{convert|3899|mi|km}}. To prove his journey, he kept a log book which was stamped at any post office he passed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Carlisle Finishes His Pedestrian Tour|work=The Cornishman|issue=75|date=18 December 1879|page=5}}</ref> An early end to end on bicycle was completed by Messrs Blackwell and Harman of [[Canonbury]] Bicycle Club. Starting at Land's End they covered {{convert|900|mile}} in thirteen days in July/August 1880.<ref>{{cite news|title=Penzance|work=The Cornishman|issue=108|date=5 August 1880|page=4}}</ref> Nearly two years later the Hon I Keith-Falconer travelled {{Convert|994|mile}} from Land's End, in twelve days, 23{{frac|1|4}} hours, on a bicycle.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Run (Sometimes A Struggle) On A Bicycle From Land's End To John O' Groats House |work=The Cornishman |issue=197 |date=29 June 1882 |volume=207 |page=6}}</ref> ==Greeb== On the south side of Carn Kez the land slopes away to a shallow valley containing a small stream and the former Greeb Farm. In 1879 a [[derrick]] was used for hauling seaweed from the beach 40 feet below for use as a soil improver.<ref>{{cite news|title=Terrible Fall Over Cliffs Near The Land's End And Instant Death|work=The Cornishman|issue=52|date=10 July 1879|page=5}}</ref> == Portrayal in literature, music and film == *On the 1980 album ''[[Gradually Going Tornado]]'' by British jazzrock band [[Bruford (band)|Bruford]], "Land's End", a song written by keyboardist [[Dave Stewart (musician, born 1950)|Dave Stewart]] lasting 10.20, is featured. ==Gallery== <gallery> File:Land's End, Cornwall, England.jpg|Cliffs at Land's End File:Lands-End-Village.jpg|The tourist centre at Land's End File:Lands End Tourist Centre.jpg|The tourist centre at Land's End File:Land´s End (Mai 1990).jpg|The old refreshment house File:Lands-End.jpg|The [[Longships Lighthouse]] off Land's End File:Land's End (looking south).jpg|Looking south from Land's End File:Land's End (looking west).jpg|Looking west from Land's End File:Land's End (looking north).jpg|Looking north from Land's End File:Signpost at Land's End.JPG|Signpost at Land's End </gallery> ==See also== {{colbegin}} * [[Corrachadh Mòr]], the most westerly point in Great Britain * [[Cape Finisterre]] * [[Cape St. Vincent]], southwesternmost point of continental Europe. * [[John o' Groats]] * [[Land's End Airport]] * [[Land's End to John o' Groats]] * [[Lizard Point, Cornwall|Lizard Point]], southernmost point of mainland England * [[Marshall Meadows Bay]], northernmost point of England * [[Ness Point]], easternmost point of England * [[Sennen]], the nearest village {{colend}} ==External links== * {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Land's End |volume=16 |short=x}} ==References== {{Reflist}} <!-- REMOVED INAPPROPRIATE LINKS – SEE WP:ELNO --> <!-- *********************** ({{No More Links}}) *************************** * Please be cautious in adding more links to this article. Wikipedia * * is not a collection of links nor should it be used for advertising. * * * * Excessive or inappropriate links Will-Be-Deleted. * * See [[Wikipedia:External links]] & [[Wikipedia:Spam]] for details. * * * * If there are already plentiful links, please propose additions or * * replacements on this article's discussion page, or submit your link * * to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) * * and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. * ********************** ({{No More Links}}) **************************** --> {{commons category|Land's End}} {{Headlands of Cornwall}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Headlands of Cornwall]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Cornwall]] [[Category:Sennen]] [[Category:Extreme points of the United Kingdom]]
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