Mullion BIRTH OF THE RADIO

Bodmin, Cornwall, England South West

Recommendation added: 28/03/2006 22:11
By: jsimons128 (YSUK rating +93)

jsimons128 has been thanked 2 times for this contribution

"The popularity of Mullion is reflected in the number of hotels and holiday camps here. Many visitors come to see the cove with its tiny harbor, which, like mullion island, is the property of the national trust for all to enjoy. But the village church also merits a visit, for it is one of the finest in Cornwall. Although it was rebuilt in 1500, some 13th century work still remains in the chancel and the tower. Even older is the north door-it is made of oak, and it has wooden studs instead of iron, it is believed to be Norman and over 900 years old. Note the extremely fine Tudor bench ends, including one depicting Jonah in the whale. The village's two pubs both reflect the close connections here with the sea. For instance, the mounts bay's bars are decorated with photographs of shipwrecks whilst The Old Inn goes one better-the dart lockers, seats, shelving and beaches have all come from driftwood collected from the local beaches. About a mile to the north of mullion is Poldhu Cove where Marconi built his first radio station in 1900 and from where he sent signals across the Atlantic, the first step towards instant radio communications with the rest of the world. Visit the field behind the Poldhu Hotel and you can still see the anchor blocks of the aerial masts and the tiled floor of the building that transmitted the first historic message. And at the cliff edge there are granite memorial beaing bronze plaques recording the history of the station. Mullion is one of the biggest villages in the Lizard peninsula with hotels, pubs, restaurants, tea shops, provision and gift shops, toilets and car parks."