Lizard Serpentine Works

The old serpentine works at Lizard aren't much to look at from the road - just weathered stone buildings scattered across the clifftop near Helston. But step inside and you're looking at Cornwall's industrial past, proper industrial. This is where they carved and polished serpentine rock into ornaments and jewellery from the 1800s onwards. You can still see the lathes, the finishing benches, the detritus of a trade that kept communities alive when fishing alone wasn't enough.

For history types it's genuinely interesting - the scale of production surprises you, and there's something moving about the hand tools left behind. Kids get bored after thirty minutes, to be honest. If you're doing a park holiday at Henry's Camp Site, it's worth the short drive over. It's free to wander around, though the buildings aren't always open so don't expect guided tours or a gift shop.

The real draw is the setting. Stand outside and you're on the edge of the Lizard Peninsula, cliffs dropping away, sea stretching out. The works themselves are humble but intact enough to picture the workers going about their day. Summer's best, when the light picks out the carved details on leftover stock. Allow an hour if you're curious. Less if you just want the views and a quick look at the buildings.