History

1066

The Norman Conquest

In the aftermath of the Norman invasion, William the Conqueror claimed all land as his own and divided the spoils between his countrymen and the nobles who supported his claim to the throne.

Land’s End was given to Robert, Count of Mortain, who was awarded the largest share of land in Cornwall.

1655

The Vingoe Family

Digory Vingoe of Treville purchased some land at Land’s End from Sir John Arundell.

Generations of the Vingoe family owned and worked on the land at Land’s End right up until 1854.

During this time, a cob built furze store, also used by fowlers or by sheep or goats roaming over the headland, was said to have occupied the site where the hotel would be built in the future.

1743

John Wesley

In September 1743, John Wesley, theologian and founder of the Methodist movement, visited the site, preaching to an adoring crowd of followers and he was even inspired enough to compose a verse of one of his famous hymns. 

1795

Longships Lighthouse

The first Longships Lighthouse was constructed and lit; although standing at only 28ft in height there was a significant decrease in wrecks and fatalities.

Before 1795, there were no lighthouses or navigational aids beyond Land’s End and locals supplemented their income by plundering the numerous ships driven on to the treacherous Cornish rocks. 

1811

J. M. W. Turner

The artist J.M.W. Turner visited Land’s End during his Westcountry tour and during his visit Turner made many pencil drawings which he later developed into engravings and atmospheric watercolours.

1825

Wolf Rock

The name ‘Wolf Rock’ was settled on for the rock formation lying eight miles beyond Land’s End.

Before 1825, Wolf Rock had been variously known as Yulf, Gulf, Gulf Roche, Le Loup and Le Housen de Wolf.

The name ‘Wolf’ is believed to derive from the howling noise produced when compressed air is forced through a fissure in a cavern below the rock surface.

1852

Penzance Railway Station

The West Cornwall Railway brought the first passenger trains to Penzance Railway Station carrying a new crowd of wealthy tourists.

Before Penzance station opened, the journey for visitors to Land’s End had been arduous and involved navigating the narrow muddy lanes of Cornwall.

1854

First Buildings

The first buildings were erected onsite in response to increased visitor numbers arriving from excursions starting to come to Penzance from London, the Midlands and the North.

The Land’s End Hotel was at that time, no more than a mere cottage dwelling and the so-called “Land’s End House” was owned and run by Thomas and Margaret Toman, the landlords of the First and Last Inn.

The Toman family bought the land at Land’s End from their cousins, the Vingoes and relatives of Thomas and Margaret owned and operated businesses at Land’s End for the next five generations until 1980.

1855

Wilkie Collins

The author Wilkie Collins visited Land’s End and famously wrote ‘‘Something like what Jerusalem was to the pilgrim in the Holy Land, the Land’s End is — comparing great things with small — to the tourist in Cornwall…”

1860

Penwith House

Penwith House was built and was opened as a 'Temperance Hotel'; a place for Victorian visitors who extolled the virtues of a life without (or with less) alcohol.

1860

First and Last House

This famous historical building was originally opened by a lady called Grace Thomas who served travellers with welcome refreshments, plus souvenirs of their visit, including lumps of Cornish granite.

The furthest tip of Land’s End is Peal Point which stretches out below the First and Last House.

1870

Wolf Rock Lighthouse

Built on sea rock, just over eight miles from Land’s End, Wolf Rock Lighthouse was completed and first lit in January 1870.

Wolf Rock was a notoriously dangerous lighthouse; the lonely 115ft granite tower faces the full fury of the Atlantic and of all the lighthouses in the region only Bishop Rock lighthouse is more exposed. 

1871

End to End Walk

The first recorded End to End walk, from John O’Groats to Land’s End, was undertaken by two brothers, Robert and John Naylor.

1873

Lighthouse Construction

Built on sea rock, a mile and half from Land’s End, the current Longships Lighthouse was constructed and first lit in December 1873.

1881

The Land’s End House

By 1881, the Land’s End House had expanded and could offer more facilities and accommodation than the First and Last Inn – full board and a licensed bar. 

1893

Benjamin and Annie Trahair

Thomas Toman, the landlord of the Land’s End House and the First and Last Inn, died; his only married daughter Annie, with her husband Benjamin Trahair, continued improvements, extended facilities and installed electric light in the buildings onsite. 

1906

A Sea Serpent

The ‘Morgawr’, a giant sea serpent said to measure 12-14 feet long, was reportedly sighted swimming in the waters beyond Land’s End.

1912

The Land’s End State House

By 1912, the Land’s End House was known as ‘The State House’ and the accommodation was characterised by the glitz and the glamour of the pre-war generation.

The hotel offered all the best modern comforts and Benjamin Trahair was known to always welcome his guests in an immaculate white suit.

1941

WW2 Bombing

A Luftwaffe plane, returning from a raid on Cardiff, jettisoned its bombs on the hotel destroying the oldest sections of the building and tearing down the bar.

One man was killed and many other local people and military personnel were injured.

1944

D-Day Landings

Allied Soldiers stationed in the Land’s End Hotel were deployed to the D-Day landings in Normandy. 

1973

Wolf Rock Helipad

In 1973, Wolf Rock became the first rock lighthouse to install a helipad, easing the delivery of food, water and oil and bringing keepers and mechanics to the tower.

1974

Longships Helipad

In 1974, a helipad was installed at Longships Lighthouse.

Helicopters contributed greatly to the automation of all lighthouses in the British Isles because aerial transport provided ease of access for engineers and advancing technology meant that the light could be controlled without manual input. 

1980

David Goldstone

In 1980, Charles Neave-Hill sold the site to Welsh property tycoon, David Goldstone, who outbid the National Trust for the sale of the landmark.

Davestone Holdings Ltd, undertook erosion control and refurbished the existing garages, buildings and sheds into gift shops and amusements. 

1987

Peter De Savary

Entrepreneur and property developer, Peter de Savary, bought Land’s End from David Goldstone for nearly £7million and over the next four years, de Savary invested £5million restoring the site and upgrading the facilities.

Being an enthusiast for British folklore and Arthurian legend, de Savary erected a large building to house exhibitions and attractions including ‘The Last Labyrinth’ which was filmed at Pinewood Studios.

At this time, the Hotel building was renovated and extended and only one other structure was installed – the Custom House arch – a grand entrance to welcome visitors and end-to-enders to the site, and also to house space for staff offices. 

1987

Wolf Rock Automation

In 1987, the automation programme was completed at Wolf Rock lighthouse and the keepers left the light for the last time. 

1988

Longships Automation

The last Longships lighthouse keepers were taken ashore and henceforth the light was operated by an automated programme. 

1988

David Bellamy

British botanist and broadcaster, David Bellamy OBE, was commissioned by Peter de Savary to undertake a comprehensive environmental survey of the site.

Bellamy’s report made significant and long-lasting recommendations to ensure the conservation of the natural history of the site.

The report also meticulously catalogued some 220 species of flowering plant, 81 species of lichen, 70 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, and much more besides, inhabiting the Land’s End headland. 

1991

Graham Ferguson Lacey

In 1991, Peter de Savary sold Land’s End, for an undisclosed sum to businessman Graham Ferguson Lacey.

The sale was part of a series of property sell-offs by de Savary.

1996

Heritage GB

Current owners, Heritage Great Britain PLC purchased Land’s End and the site joined an extensive portfolio of English and Scottish landmarks including John O’Groats, Snowdon Mountain Railway, The Needles, and Lightwater Valley.

1997

Telemetry Link

Using control systems devised during the 1970s, similar to those used in space exploration, the Wolf Rock Lighthouse began to be monitored by telemetry link with the operations centre at Harwich.

The Wolf Rock light gives out a white flash every 15 seconds.

2003

RMS Mülheim

While transporting 2,200 tonnes of scrap car plastic, RMS Mülheim ran aground in Gamper Bay, between Land’s End and Sennen Cove.

The officer on watch at the time had caught his trousers in the lever of his chair when trying to get up, causing him to fall, rendering him unconscious.

By the time he came to, RMS Mülheim was already bearing down on the shoreline – fortunately the crew were airlifted to safety, and most of the cargo was salvaged.

2007

Doctor Who Exhibition

A Doctor Who Exhibition was installed at Land’s End and proved a very popular and successful attraction until its final closure in January 2011.

2012

London Summer Olympics

The Olympic Torch Relay began at Land’s End and was broadcast on international television channels. 

2013

South West Coast Path

The inaugural Great South West Walk was completed at Land’s End and celebrated the 40^th anniversary of the South West Coast Path Association.

Land’s End contributed £10k to the renovation and conservation of the South West Coast Path which runs through the 100 acres onsite. 

2013

FAB 1Million

Gary Barlow, Chris Evans, Professor Brian Cox and James May drove the FAB1 pink Rolls Royce from Land’s End to John O'Groats to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Care.

2014

Ancient Artefacts

A team of Big Heritage archaeologists discovered a plethora of ancient objects and evidence of human activity at Land’s End dating back over 8,000 years.

2015

The Shaun the Sheep Experience

In February 2015, a brand new half a million pound attraction, produced in partnership with Aardman Animations, opened at Land’s End.