The collapse at Holywell Cave – also known as St Cuthbert’s Cave – near Newquay is believed to have happened overnight between Saturday and Sunday
A famous seaside cave that appeared in the BBC drama Poldark has been entombed beneath tons of debris after a dramatic cliff collapse in Cornwall. The rockfall at Holywell Cave – alternatively called St Cuthbert’s Cave – close to Newquay is thought to have occurred during the night between Saturday and Sunday.
The cavern, nestled below the southern cliffs of Kelsey Head, is renowned for its vividly coloured walls and pristine white steps – created by limestone deposits left by mineral-laden water trickling from the cave’s ceiling.
For hundreds of years, countless visitors – including pilgrims and those seeking remedies for ailments – made their way down the steps to sample the cave’s sacred spring, as the water was traditionally believed to possess curative powers.
Newquay Coastguard announced on Sunday that a “substantial rockfall” had completely blocked the cave entrance and warned people to steer clear of the area as it remained “still unstable”, reports the Mirror.
“Heavy rain after a prolonged dry spell may lead to further incidents along the coast path,” the Coastguard cautioned. “Keep clear of the edge while walking along the top of cliffs and stay clear of the bottom.” The cave had previously been reachable during low tide from the north-eastern section of Holywell Bay beach.
The National Trust, which is understood to oversee the cave, confirms that Holywell served as one of the filming locations for the BBC‘s Poldark series. Chris Barnard, who resides near Callington, Cornwall, and previously operated Poldark tours with his wife, informed the BBC that he had guided thousands of visitors from across the globe to the cave until 2024.
He revealed to the broadcaster that he was “shocked” upon witnessing photographs of the collapse because it represented such an “iconic” and “popular” destination. “The fact it’s gone is not nice… it’s gone forever,” he added.
Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that it was “deeply saddened” that the cave was no longer reachable following a “massive overnight rockfall” that had “completely devastated the area”.
Steve Peck, the club’s chairman, explained: “As soon as the tide was low enough, a team surveyed the scene to find thousands of tonnes of rock and debris scattered on the north end of the beach, completely smothering the ancient holy well.
“There have been reports in the lead-up to the collapse that huge cracks and holes were forming above the cave, causing an overhang on the Kelseys above. As it’s tidal, it cannot be cordoned off, but we are warning all visitors to the area to keep away from the cliff path. The unusually dry summer and the recent rain could be a contributing factor.”
David Hawken, the clerk at Cubert Parish Council, encouraged people to exercise extreme caution in the vicinity and cautioned that additional sections of the cliff might also be vulnerable. “It’s not the only cliff fall along that stretch of beach. We’ve had such a dry period followed by rain, which may have had an effect,” he said.
Mr Hawken stated that he visited the scene on Sunday and observed several people inspecting the rockfall.
“The low tide was around 2pm and you could see how much has fallen,” he commented. “I’d say there were hundreds of tonnes now covering the cave. Sadly, I won’t see it again in my lifetime. If the cave itself hasn’t collapsed, then nature will eventually take care of it, but it could be some time.”