Land’s End is the starting point for the Olympic Torch Relay’s 8,000 mile journey around the UK when it arrives from Greece on Saturday, May 19.

Below you will find key information to help you with your coverage of the event, both in the lead up to May 19 and on the day itself.

We have also provided useful facts and figures about Land’s End and the new £3million investment in the site over the next five years.

Land’s End is owned by Heritage Great Britain PLC, the name behind some of the United Kingdom's most outstanding and beautiful landmark destinations and its most popular visitor attractions, including Snowdon Mountain Railway, John O’Groats, The Needles and Lightwater Valley.

Heritage Great Britain PLC is committed to maintaining and developing the country's heritage, sensitively and responsibly, for the benefit of all and providing exciting and stimulating days out. Property developer and entrepreneur Peter de Savary sold Land’s End in the 1990s. 

Media Information:
All media enquiries (including logos/photographs etc) please contact:

GDR Public Relations Ltd: 01253 600800
Andrew Turner andrew@gdrpr.co.uk 07961 556391
or Richard Baguley richard@gdrpr.co.uk 07715 373166

There are opportunities for advance news items/features/interviews in the run up to May 19.

If you would like to discuss these possibilities, please contact the team on the numbers/email addresses above.

Torch Arrival Time:
7.01am by helicopter.

Torch Departure Time:
The first torch bearer will set off to Newlyn, via Sennen, at 7.16am.

VEHICLES:
All media vehicles should be on site by 10pm on Friday May 18 or after dawn on the Saturday. It is politely requested, no vehicle movement after dark.

All media vehicles except sat trucks to be parked in the main car park – they will be directed to this by Land’s End staff when they arrive.

Any vehicle and/or equipment remaining on site overnight is left at the owner’s risk.

MEDIA ROOM:
The media room will be located at Land’s End Hotel and will be open overnight on Friday May 18.

Wi-Fi: Network - MediaRoom
Password – london2012

Broadband speed is 2mg down and 0.8mg up. Owing to very high numbers expected at Land’s End on May 18/19 media are advised to bring their own Wi-Fi boosters.

Mobile Phone Signal: Mobile phone signal is weak at some locations at Land’s End but is strongest around the Custom House entrance building. The network with the best signal is 02.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:
Many of the cliff top locations on site have steep drops down to the rocks below, so please keep to the footpaths and other designated areas and wear appropriate footwear.

The unique climate around the Land’s End peninsular means it can be cold, wet and windy, even in May, when other areas nearby are much warmer and calmer – so please bring appropriate clothing.

The site and surrounding areas are populated by an abundance of wildlife, so please be careful not to disturb natural habitats. People walking off footpaths, especially early in the morning, may also disturb snakes such as adders, which may still be sleeping and can bite!

An emergency aid point will be located in Hallan Vean car park at the front of the site which will have St John’s Ambulance, fire brigade and Coastguard cliff rescue teams.

Any incidents on site should be reported immediately to a member of Land’s End staff (in yellow tabard) or to the Visitor Centre.

Further information about the Olympic Torch Relay: http://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay

Land’s End: Facts and information

• Land’s End is one of Britain’s best loved landmarks, famous for its unique location and beautiful scenery and featuring more than 100 acres of stunning natural landscape
• It is the most south-westerly point of mainland Britain and its famous signpost points north to John O’Groats, the mainland’s most north-easterly point
• The traditional distance by road between the two points is 874 miles
• Generations of visitors from all over the world have paid to have their picture taken with their hometown displayed on the signpost
• The signpost dates from the 1950s when a private, family run business from Penzance erected the post in order to produce photographs for visitors. A local photography company still owns and operates the signpost today
• Land’s End is home to unique flora and fauna. During the spring and summer months the cliffs burst into colour with gorse, the heather blooms and the rocks teem with sea birds
• Basking sharks – the second largest of the species – are regularly spotted off the coast and last summer an Orca (killer whale) was also spotted.
• Land’s End is also an ideal place for dolphin-watching
• Entrance to Land’s End is free – visitors only pay to park their car, with the money going towards the upkeep of the coastal paths and stunning natural habitat
• A new attraction for 2012 is Arthur’s Quest - a spectacular new interactive experience that brings the legend, with its deep roots in Cornish folklore, to life
• The £100,000 exhibition includes special effects and interactive challenges taking the visitor on the search for Arthur and it is narrated by the inimitable actor Brian Blessed
• In 2012 Land’s End is in the middle of a £3million investment programme which includes developing a major educational programme for children as well as the upgrading of buildings to house a range of new facilities and attractions
• Land’s End is home to ‘The End to End Story’. The free attraction details the amazing stories of those who have made the intrepid journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats or vice versa
• The Land’s End Hotel is famous for its breathtaking location and spectacular views across the Atlantic Ocean to the Longships Lighthouse and the Isles of Scilly beyond.
• Enjoy the finest ingredients and dishes from Cornwall, ranging from locally produced beef to locally-harvested mussels at the hotel restaurant, which has recently undergone a £250,000 renovation
• Greeb Farm, a charming child-friendly farm and craftwork centre is the perfect    way to introduce youngsters to a lovable collection of small animals and give them the chance to pet and feed them
• The Land’s End 4D Cinema is an exciting world where everything you see is in 3D, everything you hear is in powerful cinema surround sound ─ with the added fun of ‘feeling’ the action too!
• The Land’s End point is situated in front of the ‘First & Last House in England’, one of the most famous and photographed buildings in the country
• Built in the 19th century, the house was opened by a lady called Gracie Thomas who operated it as “a refreshment and souvenir house”, selling bits of granite with ‘Land’s End’ stamped on them
• Land’s End is home to the West Country Shopping Village where a selection of gifts, souvenirs and clothing is available – along with a range of seasonal products
• The First and Last Inn at Sennen is one of the most famous inns in Cornwall – not only because of its location. Since the 17^th century it has allegedly been home to smugglers and ship wreckers
• Penwith House is one of the oldest buildings at Land’s End. Built in 1860, it was originally a Temperance hotel. Today it is home to an art gallery selling a selection of oil paintings and prints
• The Romans called Land’s End Bolerium – the seat of storms. Its old Cornish name is ‘Penn-an-Wlas', end of the land
For further information about Land’s End please visit: http://www.landsend-landmark.co.uk/