A well-known beach cave that appeared in the TV series Poldark has been buried under tonnes of rock after a cliff fall in Cornwall. The collapse at Holywell Cave, also known as St Cuthbert's Cave, near Newquay, is believed to have happened overnight between Saturday and Sunday.
The cave, tucked beneath the southern cliffs of Kelsey Head, is famed for its brightly coloured walls and white steps, the result of calcareous deposits left behind by mineral-rich water dripping from the cave roof. For centuries, thousands of people, including pilgrims and those suffering from health problems, descended the steps to drink from the cave's holy well, as its spring water was traditionally thought to have healing properties.
Newquay Coastguard said on Sunday that a "substantial rockfall" had sealed off the cave and urged people to avoid the area as it was "still unstable".
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"Heavy rain after a prolonged dry spell may lead to further incidents along the coast path," the Coastguard warned. "Keep clear of the edge whilst walking along the top of cliffs and stay clear of the bottom."
The cave was once accessible at low tide from the north-east end of Holywell Bay beach, Cornwall Live reports. According to the National Trust, which is understood to have guardianship of the cave, Holywell was one of the filming locations for the BBC's Poldark series.
Chris Barnard, who lives near Callington, Cornwall, and previously ran Poldark tours with his wife, told the BBC that he had shown thousands of people from around the world the cave up until 2024. He told the broadcaster he was "shocked" when he saw photographs of the collapse because it was such an "iconic" and "popular" location. "The fact it's gone is not nice… it's gone forever," he added.
Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club said in a Facebook post on Sunday that it was "deeply saddened" that the cave was no longer accessible after a "massive overnight rockfall" had "completely devastated the area".
Steve Peck, the club's chairman, said: "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, urged people to take great care in the area and warned that other parts of the cliff could also be at risk. "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 said he visited the scene on Sunday and saw a number of people examining the rockfall. "The low tide was around 2pm and you could see how much has fallen," he said. "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."
Famous Poldark Cave Buried Forever in Cornwall Cliff Collapse