Logan Rock

The Logan Rock stands on a headland one mile south of Treen in Cornwall, overlooking the English Channel. It is a ninety-ton granite boulder balanced on the cliffs within Treryn Dinas, an Iron Age promontory fort with five lines of fortification. Cripp’s Cove lies to the east beneath the rock, and several stacks surround it, including Great Goular and Seghy. The area is part of the Treen Cliff Site of Special Scientific Interest, recognised for its marine heathland and rare plants. It also falls within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is managed by the National Trust. The Runnel Stone Marine Conservation Zone extends offshore, protecting habitats from exposed rock to soft sea-floor sediments. The rock became famous in April 1824 when Lieutenant Hugh Goldsmith and his crew from HMS Nimble dislodged it, claiming it could be moved despite earlier claims by Dr Borlase in 1754. The act angered locals who relied on the rock as a tourist attraction, leading to demands for its restoration. Davies Gilbert persuaded the Admiralty to provide equipment, and after months of work, over sixty men repositioned the rock on 2 November 1824. The effort cost £130 8s 6d, and the anchor holes used to haul it back remain visible today. Visitors find steep, smooth rock faces leading to the Logan Rock, where guides once demonstrated its slight movement. The South West Coast Path passes nearby on the cliffs to the north, offering views of the English Channel and surrounding stacks. The headland’s Iron Age defences and rare coastal flora add to the site’s interest. Though the rock no longer moves easily, its history and setting draw those exploring Cornwall’s heritage. The nearby Logan Rock pub holds a copy of the original restoration receipt, linking past and present.