The ASDA clerk’s description of the Flora Dances in Helston being an all-day affair was true enough, but not precise: There are four dances, from 7 am to 5 pm. Today we attempted to visit, about the time of the noon dance. So did most of Cornwall. The lots were full and branch streets had so many cars parked on each side you could scarcely drive between them. So we abandoned that idea and drove on to Lizard.
Lizard Point
We parked in a large lot in central Lizard (the name has nothing to do with reptiles; instead (according to Wikipedia), it derives from the Cornish Lis for ‘place’ and Ard for ‘high’.
The fog rolled in and out, but gradually dissipated, making a sunny warm day. We walked not quite a mile down a pretty path edged with walls covered in flowers, heading for the lighthouse and the most southerly point of the island. We greeted a few other walkers, but enjoyed having the path almost to ourselves.
We were eye-level with lambs feeding in the field above.
Lizard has an abundance of shops and cafes, many with “most southerly” in their names. It is also dog-friendly.
Bidding farewell to Lizard, we decided to give the Flora Dances another try, and followed the ancient stone mile markers to Helston.