Place Name

Commando Ridge, Cornwall, England

Where the Cliffs have a Ridge but no TV or Fridge!

 Introduction:

Commando Ridge. Say it out loud and you can almost hear a Cornish local mutter, “yer, that’s where the proper climbers go.” It is one of those names that sounds heroic, military and a bit like a fitness DVD, until you realise it belongs to a stretch of cliff where the only thing more dramatic than the scenery is the number of people who underestimate the walk in.

Folk hear it and imagine soldiers leaping between boulders, ropes flying, boots thudding and someone shoutin “move, move, move.”

Whatever the truth, the name has been sparkin curiosity for decades, watchin tourists squint at the map, climbers grin knowingly and locals tell tales of commandos who trained there and then got lost tryin to find the pub.

Toponymy:

Let’s break down this name:

Commando – A nod to the British commandos who trained on these cliffs during World War II. Ropework, cliff scaling, endurance, grit. The whole lot.

Ridge – A long, narrow crest of granite that rises above the sea like a natural obstacle course.

Together, they form a name that makes visitors pause before sayin it aloud, then wonder if they should be wearin camouflage or at least sensible shoes.

Historical Context:

The name Commando Ridge dates back to the wartime training of elite British forces who used the cliffs to practice assault landings, climbing techniques and general “don’t fall off this” manoeuvres. Some say they trained here because the terrain was unforgiving. Others reckon it was because the view was so good it distracted them from the pain.

And if you ask an old lad in Newlyn, he’ll tell you the commandos once got lost lookin for a pint and invented a whole new exercise called “navigatin in circles.”

Whatever the truth, Commando Ridge has survived storms, climbers, soldiers, seabirds, legends and generations of Cornish folk who know exactly how to embrace a name with rugged swagger.

Points of Interest:

If you are wanderin about, have a nose at:

• Penrose Estate – Woodland, lakes and picnic perfection.

• St Michael’s Mount – Tidal magic and castle grandeur.

• Marazion Beach – Sand, surf and sea‑air serenity.

• Penzance Promenade – A stroll with views and character.

• Newlyn Art Gallery – Culture, colour and shelter from the rain.

Notable Figures:

Folk tied to Cornwall include:

• Sir Arthur Quiller‑Couch – Writer with a love for Cornish landscapes.

• Doc Martin (fictional, but spiritually present) – Embodiment of Cornish eccentricity.

• Sir John Betjeman – Poet who adored the county.

• J. K. Rowling – Author inspired by Cornish magic.

• Richard Trevithick – Steam pioneer and Cornish legend.

Conclusion:

So next time you find yourself wanderin around Commando Ridge, take a moment to breathe in the Atlantic air, admire the granite cliffs and enjoy the glorious absurdity of a place that sounds like a military base but feels like a wild Cornish masterpiece.

For more comical, military place names and their stories, crawl over to www.strangeplacenames.com where the UK and Ireland always have a new tale waitin to be uncovered.  

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