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Cliff fall seals Holywell Cave, Cornwall, Coastguard reports

8/31/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Newquay Coastguard reported that a cliff fall sealed Holywell Cave on Holywell Bay, Cornwall.
The rockfall occurred overnight on Saturday during the bank-holiday weekend, covering the entrance with hundreds of tonnes of stone.
The National Trust warned the cliff remains unstable and urged visitors to stay well back.
Observers at low tide around 2 pm saw the collapse, confirming the cave is now inaccessible.

History

Historical Context

Storm damage in 1973 broke a barge loose at Brighton Palace Pier, destroying its theatre and leading to the landing pier’s demolition in 1975; the pier, a Grade II* listed structure opened in 1899, remains a major tourist draw. In October 2024 a night-time rockfall sealed Holywell Cave on Cornwall’s Holywell Bay, prompting the National Trust and Newquay Coastguard to call for tighter coastal-access controls.

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Story summary

Newquay Coastguard reported that a cliff fall sealed Holywell Cave on Holywell Bay, Cornwall.
The rockfall occurred overnight on Saturday during the bank-holiday weekend, covering the entrance with hundreds of tonnes of stone.
The National Trust warned the cliff remains unstable and urged visitors to stay well back.
Observers at low tide around 2 pm saw the collapse, confirming the cave is now inaccessible.

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