Ruan Minor

Ruan Minor is a small village on the Lizard peninsula, about 10 miles south of Falmouth. It sits on the clifftops just above Cadgwith, the well-known fishing cove, and the two communities are connected by a 15-minute walk.

In 1934 the parishes of Ruan Minor, Ruan Major and Grade were merged into a single parish due to falling population. The village’s history is closely tied to Cadgwith’s pilchard fishing industry and to the serpentine stone works at nearby Poltesco. Though both industries have faded, the connection between the two settlements remains strong.

The parish church of St Rumon has origins in the 13th century and was enlarged about two centuries later. Its ivy-clad tower is a local landmark. Inside, an organ dating from 1887 was built by Brewer and Co of Truro. The village also has a shop, a craft workshop and a recreational ground with the Pavilion Bar - known locally as “The Rec.”

The South West Coast Path passes close by, connecting walkers to Cadgwith in one direction and Kennack Sands in the other. Kynance Cove and the Lizard Point - mainland Britain’s most southerly point - are both within a few miles. Ruan Minor suits visitors looking for a quiet base on the Lizard with direct access to some of Cornwall’s most impressive coastal walking.