Cadgwith is a tiny fishing village located on the eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula. It is regarded as one of the most picturesque fishing villages in Cornwall. It has two beaches, both of which are rock and shingle, with a small amount of sand. The larger beach is used by fishermen, who launch their boats daily by dragging them across the beach. Crabs, lobsters, cod and pollock are caught. The smaller beach is used for swimming. They are separated by a headland called, ‘The Todden’.
Cadgwith is popular with tourists who enjoy its timeless atmosphere. There are several thatched cottages and the village pub, the Cadgwith Cove Inn, which is over 300 years old, is the hub of the community. On some evenings, the local fishermen sing sea shanties and the village has a thriving choir.
Tourism is welcomed and many cottages offer accommodation. There is a gift shop at the Watch House and a craft shop over the fishmongers. Until 1961, Cadgwith had a lifeboat station, but this moved to a more sheltered location at Kilcobben Cove nearer Lizard Point.
With its many attractions, it is not surprising that Monty Hall chose Cadgwith to make a BBC TV series, ‘The Fisherman’s Apprentice’. This featured Cadgwith and the lives of local fishermen during 2011. Monty Hall worked for Nigel Legge, a local lobster and crab fisherman, who also provides pleasure and fishing trips on his boat, ‘Razorbill’. Nigel is also known for making traditional lobster pots from willow.
Cadgwith was also the location for the 2004 feature film, ‘Ladies in Lavender’, directed by Charles Dance and starring Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.
