Help Save Trevose Head
Image credit: John Miller
Trevose is one of Cornwall’s most prominent headlands. It comprises of 221.5 acres and National Trust ownership will ensure it is protected for ever, for everyone, joining many other beautiful stretches of Cornish coastline protected by the Trust for people to enjoy.
The coastline at Trevose is very dramatic and of exceptional beauty. The headland dominates the coastline of North Cornwall and is highly visible from many viewpoints. It is situated close to some of Cornwall’s most popular beaches and resort villages at Padstow, Trevone, Constantine, Harlyn, St Merryn and Porthcothan. It lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and approximately 80 acres is designated as part of the Constantine Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest for its sea cliffs, maritime grassland, maritime heath and wet habitats.
Perfect spot for a cliff top walk
Image credit: John Miller
Thanks to the generosity of people who have left gifts to the National Trust in their Wills, the Trust is able to commit significant funds towards the purchase of Trevose Head. The main contributions are from very generous legacies from Mr & Mrs Harris of Maidenhead, specifically left for any future purchase of Trevose Head and a legacy from Mr Trevor Scholes left specifically for a coastal acquisition. Additional funds have come from numerous gifts in Wills, large and small, left to support our acquisition and care for the Coast as well as some generous donations.
Nick Lawrence, Assistant Director of Operations for the National Trust in the South West, said:
‘This is a beautiful place, a true jewel on the North Cornwall coast. We have a great opportunity to ensure this piece of coastline is a fantastic place for both nature and people for ever and honour the gifts in wills given to us for the purpose of acquiring Trevose Head. It is only thanks to these generous gifts that we have been in a position to acquire this important headland.’
Tim Ryland of Lodge & Thomas, Agents representing the vendor, said:
‘The owner of Trevose is delighted the National Trust has agreed to buy Trevose Head. It’s a place that is held dear, and they wanted to ensure its future was secure. They are confident the National Trust will continue to care for it as the vendor has done for many years and will enable the local community and visitors alike to continue to enjoy this magnificent landscape.’
It costs the National Trust £3,000 to look after each mile of coast each year. That is a cost of £1million pounds just to manage the existing coastline in the South West and ensure access is maintained.
Help protect our dramatic coastline
Image credit: John Miller
Public support is vital to protect our changing coastline in the future. The fundraising appeal launched today will help to ensure that the Trust has sufficient funds to care for Trevose Head in the future and to make sure that it remains as a fantastic site for coastal wildlife and a place for everyone to enjoy.
Plans for Trevose include extending areas of existing wildlife habitat whilst retaining some arable cultivation, both of which are important in supporting unusual species of plants and animals. New footpaths will also be created, allowing people into some areas that cannot currently be accessed, so that they can enjoy more of the stunning coastal landscape.
Adopting this approach, will show the Trust’s strong commitment to protecting the coast. Trevose will become part of a network of coastal sites managed for wildlife and for people. It will be one of Cornwall’s easily accessible and significant sites to see some of its special coastal species from Grey Seals to Peregrines falcons.
Majestic Trevose Head
Image credit: Steven Haywood
The sea cliffs are of special interest for the presence of a number of rare and uncommon plants, most notably the Shore Dock and Wild Asparagus. Others include rock sea-lavender, tree mallow and golden samphire.
The landscape at Trevose holds further potential for the discovery of significant archaeological remains from both the Bronze Age and Iron Age.
The National Trust already cares for 775 miles of coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland (300 miles of which are in the South West).
The coast in the South West is visited and enjoyed every year by more than 22 million people, with 63% of people regarding visiting the seaside or coast as important to their quality of life, but the future ongoing protection of these places is essential if our coast is to remain beautiful and accessible for future generations.
The gifts that generous supporters leave the Trust in their wills vary each year and make up a large proportion of our income. Without them the National Trust would face an uncertain future. They are critical to the National Trust’s purpose of protecting 775 miles of beaches, cliffs and headland, maintaining more than 300 historic houses, gardens, ancient monuments, nature reserves and parks and caring for 250,000 hectares of countryside.
Without such generous gifts, the Trust would not be in a position to purchase Trevose Head, if you would like more details on helping the National Trust in the future please contact Wendy Dolan on 01208 265217 or SWlegacy@nationaltrust.org.uk
There are three easy ways to donate and support the Trevose Head campaign and the work of the National Trust:
1. Online at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/trevose
2. Phone the National Trust Supporter Services Centre on 0344 800 1895
3. Post a cheque, made payable to ‘National Trust’, with ‘Trevose campaign’ written on the back of the cheque, can be posted to: National Trust, Supporter Services Centre, National Trust, PO Box 574, Rotherham S63 3FH
For more information go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trevose
Or watch this short video: