Things to do in Mullion

Situated on the Lizard Peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the seaside village of Mullion enjoys one of Cornwall’s most impressive landscapes. At the convergence point where two rivers meet with the ocean, there’s plenty of spectacular coastlines to explore.

Wander the breathtaking South West Coast Path and admire the dramatic cliffs shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, lay out a picnic blanket on one of the sandy beaches, try your hand at fishing or water sports, and dine out on fresh, local seafood in one of the fantastic restaurants.

Overflowing with incredible scenery, a holiday in Mullion means paradise is right on the doorstep, and if you’re bringing your camera, you’ll never want to put it down! 

Discover some of our favourite places which make this Cornish village so unique with our guide to things to do in Mullion.

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About

Mullion Cove

The beaches

Attractions

Food and drink

Accommodation

About the village:

Surrounded by rugged stretches of coastline peppered with white, powder-soft beaches and quiet, secluded coves, Mullion is the largest village on the Lizard in West Cornwall. It is also one of the most picturesque villages and is home to an assortment of shops, art galleries, pubs and tearooms in traditional, whitewashed buildings, as well as Mullion Cove: an idyllic working harbour.

With Land's End to the west and Falmouth to the east, Mullion is a great base to explore Cornwall from, but also has plenty of its own attractions to offer holidaymakers. In the centre of the village, the 15th-century church of St Mellanus is renowned for its richly-carved oak benches depicting biblical scenes, including that of Jonah and the Whale. There is also a chocolate factory, an array of spectacular coastal walks and an abundance of historical sites to discover including prehistoric burial mounds and Celtic crosses.

Mullion Cove

Owned by the National Trust, Mullion Cove is a sandy beach which sits below a historic lifeboat station and the working Mullion harbour. Originally built in the 1890s, the picturesque harbour with its strong sea walls shelters a small fishing fleet from powerful westerly storms. At low tide, there is a mysterious cave to explore where waves often crash through from the seaward entrance.

Fishing excursions can be booked from the harbour to take you out for a few hours or an entire day, or you can join the sunbathers on the soft white sands when the tide is out and take a relaxing dip in the calm turquoise sea. And if you’re bringing your pet on holiday, you will be pleased to note that Mullion Cove is dog-friendly all year round.

The beaches:

As well as Mullion Cove, there are three more stunning beaches conveniently located nearby where you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from snorkelling and scuba diving to windsurfing and coasteering.

Heading north from Mullion brings you to Polurrian Cove, a large golden, sandy beach with patches of fine shingle. Popular with surfers and beachcombers, this popular Cornish beach is backed by high cliffs and is only accessible on foot via a steep path. There aren’t any facilities here, so we recommend picking up some picnic supplies from Mullion before you go.

Further around the headland about a mile north of Mullion, is Poldhu Cove which is owned and cared for by the National Trust. A favourite amongst locals and visitors, surfers and wildlife watchers, this sheltered, sandy beach is famous for being the site of Guglielmo Marconi's ground-breaking experiment in transatlantic radio communications. There is a surf school, cafe and car park as well as dunes and reed beds rich in wildlife.

If you head south from Mullion, the coast path will take you across two miles of National Nature Reserve with spectacular views and uninhabited coves towards the renowned Kynance Cove. Voted one of Britain’s most beautiful beaches, the cove features white sand, crystal-clear waters and colourful serpentine rock stacks. When the sun is shining, you could easily be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived on tropical shores. There is also a café when you fancy a traditional Cornish pasty or a fresh crab sandwich.

The attractions:

As well as beautiful beaches and sleepy coves to discover, Mullion and the Lizard has so much more to explore. Just 6.5 miles from Mullion is the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, a great family day out. Hear about dramatic rescues and meet the seal and sea lion characters whose individual stories are brought to life during your visit.

Visit the Lizard Lighthouse, Cornwall’s most southerly land lighthouse which has been guiding ships safely home for over 260 years. Having been developed into an interactive learning centre, you can climb to the top where incredible views await whilst having fun along the way. Listen to lighthouse keepers stories, send a message using Morse code and power up the foghorn and let it blast!

The National Trust’s Poldhu Marconi Centre and The Lizard Wireless Station at Bass Point (open seasonally) are great places to spend a day out discovering the fascinating achievements of Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi. This pioneering genius is known for creating the first transatlantic radio signal on remote Cornish clifftops which paved the way for today’s instant world-wide communication.

Those with a sweet tooth will love Roskilly's Farm near St Keverne, a working organic Cornish dairy farm which produces its own Cornish ice cream. Meet the famed Jersey cows, as well as other friendly animals, stroll around the meadows and head to the ice cream parlour for a taste of Roskilly’s delicious ice creams, sorbets and frozen yoghurts.

The food and drink:

There are some great places to eat in Mullion, whether you’re looking for a tasty brunch on the beach, a classic pub lunch or a fish supper. Poldhu Beach Café is popular with locals boasting a delicious breakfast menu, pizzas and beer on the beach in the summer and indulgent hot chocolates topped with everything from peanut butter cups to chocolate buttons and even mini eggs.

For top pubs in Mullion, try The Old Inn, a traditional thatched-roof pub in the heart of the village. As well as offering a mouth-watering menu, this is a great spot for a Cornish cider in the sunshine or a pint of local ale on a cosy winter’s evening. The Mounts Bay Inn is another good option with a menu of West County favourites including Scrumpy chicken, homemade seafood chowder and local steak.

When you fancy a treat, the Atlantic View Restaurant at Mullion Cove Hotel features gorgeous interiors, uninterrupted sea views and award-winning cuisine. This is a lovely restaurant to sample fresh, local fish and seafood with dishes including pan-seared fillet of wild seabass with crab tortellini, fennel puree, baby leeks and dill beurre blanc.

The accommodation:

Well located for exploring the Lizard Peninsula and West Cornwall, our accommodation in Mullion will make for a great holiday. Our self-catering holiday cottages in Mullion are ideally suited for couples and families, whether you’re looking for coastal views or a cosy cottage in a peaceful, rural setting.

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