Kynance Cove and the notorious Windmill Gang! A coastal walk in Cornwall

In the 1820s, the notorious Windmill Gang operated from the Lizard Windmill. They stole sheep, butchered them at the abandoned windmill and hid them in a cave near Kynance, until they were taken to Falmouth to be sold. Their deeds did not stop at stealing sheep. They murdered too.
In 1820, they murdered a farmer as he returned from Helston market and they also killed Oliver Tucker who is buried in a field in an unmarked grave near the windmill. It is said that the field and windmill are haunted by the atrocities committed here.
The gang was eventually caught, although 2 men ran for their lives and it is thought that they headed to Kynance Cove. Hotly pursued by the constables and locals, they fled and had no choice but to plunge into the sea and swim for their lives. It is thought they drowned although their bodies were never recovered.
Our walk starts at the Lizard Windmill and follows the trail to Kynance Cove, from here we go in search of Sheep Stealers cave before finishing our walk at Gue Graze.
On our walk today we use a book from 1848 called 'A week at the Lizard' by Revd CA Johns, in which he gives an account of the deeds and events of the notorious Windmill Gang.
The standard description bit…
We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on KZbin, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!
We love your comments and read all of them. We also answer as many as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot answer comments received more than a week after publication.
Frequently asked questions:
What are your dogs called?
Sorry but we do not release the names of our dogs but perhaps you could make up a name for them!
What camera do we use?
Since December 2018 we have used: Canon Powershot G7x MkII
How do I find the books you use?
Most are still in print although some we pick up in charity shops and may be available on Amazon secondhand. Please refer to the video for the book titles. Every video shows the book three times. Sorry but we can’t put a link in every description.
Best time of year to visit Cornwall?
We love May, June for flora and fauna, July and September for spectacular scenery.
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[@colinbaker3415]

Kynance Cove and the Windmill Gang! What a great name for a rock band!!! Nice to see Sarah getting in first with the jokes. And to capture the choughs on film was an extra bonus. Entertaining as always.

[@TravellingTorunn]

This was lovely! 😍And again thank you for your excellent filming and storytelling and preparations for the video. Intriguinging story, and great to see where these crimes took place. It cannot have been very safe to live at those times, as you could be attacked and murdered like this. Beautiful Kynance Cove, where we walked on the beach this summer. We also were chuffed to see some choughs on Predannack Head 😄 And I remember well passing the narrow Gue Graze which I now believe is called Soapy Cove 🙂 Thank you! 🥰

[@judybee]

Amazing views of the Cornish coastline all around the Lizard area...and choughs too, what more could you want! You two are fast becoming professional documentary makers...think the main channels ought to take note and snap you both up as your vids are always full of fun, views, and such interesting history from your wealth of old antiquarian books you have. The Windmill looks a bit like the Pepper Pot on the IOW cliffs overlooking Blackgang Chine! Kynance was always a lovely area to walk, when I could, back in the day & bumped into a film crew one wild and windy evening there filming ''And Then There Were None'', which eventually made it onto TV over Christmas a few years ago...none other than Mr. Poldark himself starring in it! (Mind you he was nowhere to be seen the evening we stumbled on the crew!...Drat!) :-)) x J x

[@bernicebest]

Quite a mystery trip with loads of history surrounding Kynance Cove, the Lizard Windmill is an awesome fete of engineering, I could never have reached the top and looked down through the open structure without freezing! the ‘Eiffel Tower’ was a challenge but my then new husband didn’t jump up & down like naughty Andrew did for fear of a withering look that could kill from me! 🥴 I remember seeing the chaff’s when we visited Lands End with it’s stunning rugged coast line some forty years ago.! I now have a vision of a wild life McDonalds catering to the local chaff population! I was wondering Sarah what made those tracks going nowhere on that small stretch of beach! and how the devil did you get down there! or was it a trick of the camera, it was very brave of you both to get such amazing footage, well done 👏 and thank you 🙏 for a remarkable video 🤗

[@cathydyer3774]

I think the bouncing Andrew should be relegated to the bottom of any future steps as punishment!

[@bernicebest]

@@cathydyer3774 do you think we should give him a chance to redeem himself, I don’t think he realised how terrified Sarah was! I know Andrew can be quite mischievous, but I’m sure she doesn’t really hate him!

[@cathydyer3774]

@@bernicebest I know she doesn't. 🤣 OK we will give him another chance. 😊

[@bernicebest]

@@cathydyer3774 👍😅🤗

[@JeanineMarieCompassion]

You two are a joy to watch! I love how you both bring Cornwall to all of us! Love ❤ From Arizona!

[@esthermorrissey1454]

Watching CWT this evening we both commented this video was more interesting than most of terrestrial TV. Sarah’s ability to ‘story tell is truly a joy to listen too. The Chuff’s were an added bonus although I didn’t think very much of there choice of diet ha ha!! Your constant use of History Books is wonderful and brings the past to life. Kynance Cove is beautiful & never changes.

[@SpanishEclectic]

A terrific adventure and a fascinating story. I too dislike heights and need a good, solid railing. The Grand Canyon was terrifying! When you said you could still see the windmill, I thought, "Where?" Then you zoomed in. A very long walk, indeed! I love the contemporaneous and 'recent' descriptions you find in the old books. In the first drawing of Kynance, it seemed the tops of the island stones had sharper points. And what an incredible location! The edge of the world! With only 'belly' access to the Sheep-stealer's Cave, I wondered how the meat and fleece/hides were brought in in large enough amounts to be profitable. My logistical side wants to know, lol. Interesting birds! This time of year we have huge flocks of crows harvesting pecans from the trees on my street, and wild green parrots with red heads, going after guavas, dates, loquats, and eucalyptus seed pods. It's quite noisy! Thank you both for the beautiful filming and fun chat. And Andrew, do mind the cliff edge, please! :)

[@lisas1741]

Another great video. Loved the format of following the story. You both work hard to find this info and marry it up from your various texts. Thank you both and keep 'em coming!

[@amazinggrace4036]

Love how you connect those old stories to the present day Cornwall…Lovely to see how it came together in your video... Thank you for bringing the stories back to life…lovely “birds” view! 😉 greetings from California….Ana 🌹

[@sallydingle321]

Just brilliant again Andrew and Sarah....thanks so much...so enjoyable again and those Choughs ✊💖💖💖😁😘

[@carolann963]

Sarah and Andrew, that was a lovely video and beautiful weather too. Who would've thought it was October! The windmill was lovely and everything intact inside which was good to see. Also loved the part where you saw the friendly Choughs, that was a real treat. When I first saw the video, I thought Andrew looked very different, much younger even! then I realised.......the beard has gone! It really suits you Andrew. Thanks again for the lovely vids. ❤️

[@jamesburt6520]

Another brilliant video. Kynance Cove is beautiful. Thank you both again for the history of The Wimdmill Gang. Take Care.

[@suroyal9394]

Brilliant video as usual; will have to watch again as there was so much to take in. Thanks Sarah & Andrew

[@bobspeller2225]

Very enjoyable video, great story and great presentation. Thank you both, Bob

[@suerobertson5132]

Another brilliant video,,, LOVE LOVE LOVE the area,,, well done yet again, oxoxoxoxoxoxoxo🦘

[@joyhursey1480]

Great film , thanks .

[@michelleward2037]

Just sat down after a hard day's work eating my dinner watching cwt and what a brilliant video very informative and highly entertaining thoroughly enjoyed it thank you 😊

[@Rfoz51]

Love you two x thanks for sharing

[@melindacheeatow3324]

Fabulous video and loved the story. thank you.

[@dearmountains3431]

Really enjoying your beautiful coastline walk video❣❣Thank you so much for making these. Stunning

[@gailsouthern8913]

Fantastic video always a joy to watch you both, love the tale of the windmill gang, another place to check out next time we come down cant wait to be back

[@TheWalnut47]

Another captivating video. Thank you, and greetings from Bodmin Moor.

[@gordonsimpson3235]

Very good guys. Your research makes all the difference to the experience.

[@PhilipInCoventry]

I can only echo the lovely comments to this thrilling adventure video. I had the Joan Hickson Miss Marple theme tune running in my head as your documentary unfolded. Thank you so much. It's nearly my bed time, so I'm enjoying a tot of port so as to calm my nerves overnight.

[@jeanspry3242]

A really fascinating story & video. Thank you both 😊

[@GilliBryan]

So interesting, what a gem the windmill is, adding it to our to do list. Btw, Sarah you seem pretty fit to us😊

[@brianspicer8829]

Absolutely stunning vid guys, very interesting with the background story and with some glorious views along the cliffs to Kynance cove and the small bays. Your research pays off with so much information for us to enjoy. We look forward to each weekend to watch your adventures over our breakfast,,,,,,,Brian&Jane. :)

[@beachesofcornwall7526]

Lovely video. The beach at Gew Graze (Soapy Cove) is easily accessible, though it entails walking through the bed of a stream. Wonderful at low water but seals and their young pups favour it at certain times of the year.

[@antony123ism]

i know where sheep stealers cave is, in my younger years we used to go there and explore it, we found some animal bones inside, as you said in the video, you can stand a few feet away from the entrance and still not know there is a cave there, the entrance is small with a large rock in front of it, a few candles inside, there is another cave at a place called Pidgeon ogo with a donkey track leading to the cave entrance near by that is said to have a tunnel leading up to or near the old wind mill, the track has fallen away in one part, but i have been in by boat, you can clearly see the cave has been worked by man, i did not have a tourch and it was to dark to go very far inside

[@clairecousins2958]

Oh, I love coming on a virtual wander with you both. The great stories, views and comedy conversations make it a joy to watch. Thanks for sharing.💟

[@petegibson863]

Thanks Andrew and Sarah , we used to love visiting the Lizard Peninsula and Kynance Cove when we lived in Helston , to see the Choughs , wonderful , we think they may have been a nesting pair , great for the future of these birds , love your walkabouts .

[@thelastpilot4582]

Amazing History, Scenery and Comedy as well. An allrounder for sure. I think that Chuff that kept landing in front of you was trying to lead you to the beach.

[@blitzpfalz9973]

Your stories and the video are just great. Hello Andrew, you should buy Sarah underwear that gives you a head for heights, then it will be better with the gratings on the windmill. We love Cornwall especially Kynance Cove and the wild cliffs. Thanks a lot for the nice pictures. Best regards, Gunter

[@marieryan2541]

Hi Sarah and Andrew. I enjoyed you historical walk today with stunning views of the coast. I love d seeing the pair of Chuffs gives hope there will be plenty more in the future.

[@dannybear48393]

Great to see Andrew wearing the Kansas City Chiefs hat!! 👏 Enjoy! Danny & Mark

[@cathydyer3774]

Thank you both. Very interesting and really helpful to have the A Week at the Lizard book.

[@billturner3202]

Very interesting and very beautiful.

[@lindacourtemanche5550]

Lovely walk and history lesson. Sarah, I agree that staircase was a nightmare. Naughty Andrew for scaring you.😂. Great video.

[@Joalexlees]

We really enjoyed this video! I've never heard of that windmill so it's on our list to visit next summer. I csn confirm that Gew Graze is a lovely beach and accessible at low tide. We spent a lovely few hours down there on our 'private beach' with our children the first year we went to Cornwall. I recommend it.

[@MrBarneymcgrew]

CA Johns talks about passing through "either of the natural archways" at Kynance. It's been a while since I was there but I don't remember any arches. The plate of Kynance from Johns' book shows an arch, just behind the rock in the foreground, which is no longer there. So what happened to these arches, erosion, removed for the serpentine or perhaps they never existed and are simply poetic/artistic licence?

[@howaboutawalk1665]

Andrew you are a wicked man....😀

[@paulshilton5370]

Thank you for another amazing and informative video. A bit disturbed that Andrew has shaved his beard off. 😮x

[@imtheqman]

Andrew - hilarious! I would be tempted to do the same on the stairs. Nice Kansas City Chiefs hat!

[@Richie90090]

When you see the Cornish coastline you realise just how easy it was for "Wreckers" back in the day!

[@christopherthewreckerthats2295]

Well said 👍👍👍👍

[@R-K61]

Dun du dun.