Land's End

Land's End is the westernmost tip of Britain, the toe of Cornwall. Craggy and majestic, romantic and dangerous, even without its name Land's End inspires. When you visit, plan to spend a generous amount of quiet time.

Land's End is protected by the National Trust – although no one has nor altogether wants to stop nearby entrepreneurs from advertising 'First and Last Hotel' or 'First and Last Pasty Shop'. Alas, there is a first and last amusement park as well, but placed, thank goodness, far enough back from the cliff edge that the camera's eye can avoid it.

Lighthouses such as Longships alert ships to the perilous rocks. Legend says that the lost land of Lyonesse lies beneath the sea between here and the Scilly Isles 28 miles southwest, and underwater explorers report indications of ancient forest and dwellings on the ocean floor.

When the US clothing company named itself, the founders were unaware of this world-famous promontory (an errant typesetter is responsible for their mis-placed apostrophe). After a Cornish bard made them aware of all this, however, they devoted one of their catalogues to their Cornish namesake.