Rame Head facts for kids
Rame Head or Ram Head (Cornish: Penn an Hordh) is a famous piece of land that sticks out into the sea. It's located in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom, near the village of Rame. This headland is part of the bigger Rame Peninsula.
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A Look Back at Rame Head's Past
Rame Head has a long and interesting history. People have used this natural spot for thousands of years.
Ancient Forts and Chapels
During the Iron Age, people built a special kind of fort here called a promontory fort. This is like a "cliff castle" that uses the natural cliffs for protection. They dug a narrow path on the land side to make it even harder for enemies to get in. You can still see parts of this old path today. There are also signs of where old round houses once stood.
A small chapel, dedicated to St Michael, stands proudly on the headland. You can reach it by a steep path. This chapel was first used for church services in 1397. It was built on the site of an even older, simple home for a religious person. The chapel was once painted white so it would stand out against the dark cliffs.
Long ago, in 981, a powerful person named Ordwulf gave the land of Rame to Tavistock Abbey. This meant that for a long time, Rame was actually considered part of Devon, even though it's now firmly in Cornwall.
Rame Head Today
Today, Rame Head is a beautiful place enjoyed by many. It's part of the Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, which is looked after by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council.
Wildlife and Views
You can often see Dartmoor ponies grazing around the headland. They help keep the grass short. Deer, sheep, and cattle also visit the area. Because Rame Head is so high up and has amazing views, there's a volunteer National Coastwatch Institution lookout station there. Volunteers watch the sea to help keep people safe.
A Landmark for Sailors
Rame Head is a very important landmark for sailors and fishermen leaving Plymouth through Plymouth Sound. It's often the last piece of land they see when they leave England, and the first they spot when they return home. Because of this, Rame Head is even mentioned in the famous sea shanty (a type of sea song) called "Spanish Ladies".
Special Nature Spot
Rame Head is not just historic; it's also a very special place for nature.
Rare Plants and Geology
The headland is part of the Rame Head & Whitsand Bay SSSI (which stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest). This means it's a protected area because of its interesting rocks and amazing wildlife.
This special area is home to two very rare and endangered plant species. These plants are listed in the Red Data Book, which tracks plants and animals that need protection. The rare plants found here include early meadow-grass (poa infirma) and slender bird’s-foot-trefoil (from the lotus plant family).
