Welcome to Pendennis Point
Black Rock and St Anthony's Lighthouse
Black Rock, the isolated rock located in the entrance to Falmouth Harbour, roughly divides it into two distinct channels: the eastern deep-water channel and the western shallower channel. Since the times of King Henry VIII the rock has been called a variety of names: Caregroyne, Middle Rock, Falmouth Rock, Parson's Rock and Black Rock.
St Anthony's lighthouse, built in 1834, stands guard at the entrance to the harbour. Its red sector light shines over the Manacles Rocks to warn shipping to keep clear. The lighthouse was used for the 1980s' TV series, Fraggle Rock where the central characters were puppets called the Fraggles.
Natural Theatre
Tall ship Cuauhtemoc passes Pendennis Point at the start or the Funchal 500 race, 2008, watched by crowds on the headland, and on the water. Learn more about Falmouth at www.falmouth.co.uk
Manacles Rocks
To the south, as far as the eye can see, are the infamous Manacles Rocks, a semi-circular group of rocks extending a mile offshore. In 1898, the liner, Mohegan struck the Manacles and sank with the loss of 107 lives. A mass grave in St Keverne churchyard holds many of the victims.
This promontory standing at the gateway to one of the world's most beautiful harbours has
borne witness to countless historic and maritime events, from the seige of Pendennis Castle to the departure of D-Day forces in 1944. The town has hosted Tall Ships races, the J Class yachts and many more prestigious international sailing events.
"Falemuth is a haven very notable and famous, and in a manner the most principal of all Britain... which commonly is called Carrick Road because it is a sure harbour for the greatest ships that travel by ocean"
[John Leyland, English poet and antiquary 1503 - 1552]
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