Walking

The coastal path from Crackington is beautiful in both directions. You are in the perfect place for exploring a section of one of Britains most beloved National Trails the "South West Coast Path". If you follow it north, it takes you past Millook with stunning views to the glorious stretch of sand & surf at Widemouth. Heading south to Boscastle takes you to the Cobweb Inn which makes an ideal refreshment stop.

Heading north will take you to Bude, Morwenstow and Hartland Point . Heading south will take you to Boscastle and beyond to Port Isaac and the Rock estuary. You are free to pick any section and we guarantee some stunning (if strenuous) walking.

Click here to download a SWCP map - entire route
Click here to download an interactive map, created by our friends of the sections to Crackington Haven from the South
Click here to download an interactive map of the sections North of Crackington Haven.

Please note - some of these downloads are very large files (25Mb!) and will take some time.

Beaches

• Crackington Haven Whichever direction you approach Crackington Haven, the views are really spectacular with the dominant Penkenna Point on the right hand side, definitely worth the walk to the top to get a fantastic view of the beach and on a clear day many miles up and down the coast.
  
  Crackington Haven is an ideal spot for families, with a gently shelving beach in an enclosed bay with life guard service during the main summer weeks. The upper parts of the beach is mainly pebbles, but a large expanse of sand and countless rock pools for exploring are exposed as the tide retreats. Only the road separates the sea from a couple of beach shops/cafe open all. day serving a good selection of hot and cold snacks, icecreams, coffees etc.. and the Coombe Barton Inn serves meals at lunchtime and in the evening, the bar is open all day with good local ales. Public toilets are adjacent to the beach.
  
  The parish of St. Gennys prides itself on the excellence of its public paths and this is due in no small way to the help of the Heritage Coast Service and the National Trust - the latter owning and controlling most of the cliff and adjacent farm land.
  
  
  
Beaches North of Crackington Haven


• Millook  is one of the area's best kept secrets. There are no facilities here, no parking, no toilets, nowhere to eat or drink. The beach is shingle, and quite narrow. And there are no lifeguards on patrol. In fact, compared with the other beaches in the area, Millook seems to have very little to recommend it! But if you want to escape the crowds, even at the height of summer, Millook is the place to come. And when the surf is really up, when the waves are big - Millook is a magnet for some of the best surfers in the region. Don't come here to surf - come here to watch! Bring a picnic and enjoy the show!
  
  
• Widemouth Bay  (pronounced wid-mth) Bay is actually two beaches in one. Both beaches are popular with surfers and the local surf schools use the beach for instruction. Atlow tide you can walk miles up and down exploring the coastline, but keep an eye on the tide! At the eastern end (nearest to Bude) it is known as Widemouth Beach, and at the western end it is called Black Rock Beach. Each section has its own car park, toilets and places to eat and drink. Black Rock tends to get less crowded and has better rock pools for kids to explore. Lifeguards patrol both ends of the bay during summer.
  
  
• Bude  is 10 miles from Glentruan, it has 2 beaches - Summerleaze and Crooklets both with RNLI lifeguards throughout the summer.
  
  
• Summerleaze  Here you will find a vast expanse of soft sand with space for everybody! There is a massive car-park with beach shop and cafe. At the eastern end of the beach you will find the seawater swimming pool - excellent for kids, and the tide refills it every day, so it is very clean. At the western end of the beach, the Bude Canal starts its journey inland. The coast path at the western end of the beach offers easy walking with spectacular views.
  
  
• Crooklets  Here you will find a vast expanse of soft sand with space for everybody! There is a massive car-park with beach shop and cafe. At the eastern end of the beach you will find the seawater swimming pool - excellent for kids, and the tide refills it every day, so it is very clean. At the western end of the beach, the Bude Canal starts its journey inland. The coast path at the western end of the beach offers easy walking with spectacular views.
  
  
• Northcott Mouth  is the ideal "Get away from it all" beach. You will find seclusion here - but not much in the way of creature comforts! The National Trust provides an unpaved car-park here - but there are no toilets and nowhere to buy refreshments. At high tide there is little more than a strip of shingle, but as the tide recedes it exposes a good expanse of soft sand, and some excellent rock pools. Northcott is a great spot for a picnic, or as a start and finish point for a peaceful coast-path walk.
  
  
• Sandymouth Bay  is an excellent beach, especially at low tide. There are acres of golden sand, patrolled by lifeguards. Sandymouth is a wonderful family-friendly beach. The surfing here is good - but it is more suited to experienced surfers than beginners. Exercise caution! Due to its relatively isolated location, Sandymouth never really suffers from overcrowding. Facilities are limited, so bring a picnic! The car park is run by The National Trust.
  
  
• Duckpool  Sandymouth Duckpool is a gorgeous little bay at the foot of a wooded valley. It is also one of the Bude area's best kept secrets - known mostly by people who stumble across it whilst walking the coast path. When the tide is out, Duckpool offers a large area of soft yellow sand, and you can walk for miles along the beach in either direction. Please note this beach has no lifeguards.
  
  
Beaches South of Crackington Haven


• Strangles  is a secret - so keep it to yourself! Hard to find, and even harder to reach. Strangles is never crowded - in fact most of the time you can have the entire place to yourself. The coastal scenery around Strangles is THE most spectacular in Cornwall. To the east is Crackington Haven, and to the West is High-Cliff - the highest cliff in Cornwall. Access to the beach is via a steep path, parts of which have steps cut into the rock - to make it easier. Allow half an hour to walk down - and a full hour to walk back up again!It's a hard slog back up, so don't burden yourself with too much baggage! But there are no facilities here - so bring a picnic.
  
  
• Bossiney A few minutes along the road from Tintagel towards Boscastle. A beautiful hidden gem, this is a large sandy beach at low tide and is accessible only via a footpath over farm land and steep man-made steps down the cliffs. Please note there are no Lifeguards. Ample parking, toilets and telephone 10 minute walk from Beach. Dogs allowed all year. There is little shade on a hot day, and there are no rubbish bins.
  
  
• Trebarwith Strand is a long sandy beach which is popular with families and surfers. Note that Trebarwith Strand beach is completely covered by high tide for several hours. Access to the beach is by climbing over rocks (not suitable for push chairs or wheel chairs). The beach has lifeguards throughout the summer months. There is 1 large council run car park a 5 minute walk from Trebarwith Strand beach. There is also a small car park close to the beach. There is a beach shop, Cafe and the Port William pub.
  
  
• Tregardock  Beach is one of the county’s best-kept secrets – but you do have to earn your visit. It’s a long climb down and seems to be an even longer haul back up. It is not lifeguarded and is only accessable at low tide. The beach is sandy with lots of rock pools for exploring. Because of it's access it probably isn't suited to the very young. Put your gear in a rucksack so you are better able to srcabble over the rocks at the bottom. There are no facilities there or nearby, so remember to take food and drink.
  
  
• Polzeath has a large main beach and several smaller secluded ones closeby. A large gently sloping sandy beach at low tide, very popular with families. Excellent for surfing and bathing. The beach is west facing. Due to its popularity, the beach can become crowded in summer. The beach more or less disappears at high tide and the beach car park may disappear too in very stormy conditions! Facilities include 4 car parks of varying sizes, all within easy distance of the beach, toilets, shops and cafes.
  
  
• Daymer Bay has recently been voted one of the best beaches in the world! It is a long, sheltered, sandy beach with sand dunes, boasting fine views across the estuary and the 'Doom Bar'. Daymer Bay holds great appeal for wind surfers and is enormous fun too for small children wanting to fish in the many rock pools or simply play on the fabulous expanse of sand with their buckets and spades. At low tide the sands of Daymer Bay stretch as far as Rock, from where a foot ferry service to Padstow is available in peak seasons. A car park is available adjacent to the north end of the beach in Trebetherick. Facilities include a shop, refreshments and toilets.
  
  
• Rock boasts a long sandy beach facing Padstow, on the other side of the Camel estuary.A foot ferry serves those holiday makers wishing to visit Padstow. The beach stretches for around a mile, and Daymer Bay to the north can be reached at low tide. The sheltered waters around Rock are generally calm and clear. Rock is chiefly known for its sailing but fishing, windsurfing and other water sports are also popular pursuits. Boats are available for hire. The old quarry now serves as the beach's car park.

Cycling

Glentruan Cottage is five minutes ride away from the National Cycle Path no 3, click here for details, which runs from Lands End to Bristol. There are great sections between Pencuke and Bude, Pencuke and St Breward and from St Breward on the Camel Trail to Wadebridge and Padstow.

Bikes can be conveniently hired in Bude, from Bude Bike Hire or in Wadebridge from Bridge Bike Hire..

Surfing

The coast of North Cornwall is backed by large tracts of National Trust land and has been spared the development that's blighted the county further south. The area is home to the few west-facing reefs in the country and during big winter swells the deep shelter north-facing coves come into their own, turning stormy SW swells into classy beachbreak peaks. The well maintained coast path is worth the trip as the epic coastline is one of the most dramatic in the UK. Handles both small summer swells on the beaches and winter storms at some semi-secret points and reefs. Click here for more details (courtesy of Low Pressure)

Golf

The area is well served for Golf, with a variety of courses in the area.

Bowood Gold Club - Lanteglos, Camelford PL32 9RF.	Tel: 01840 213017
Trethorne Golf Club - Kennards House, Launceston PL15 8QE.	Tel: 01566 86903
Bude Golf Club - Burn View, Bude, EX23 8DA.	Tel: 01288 353176

Horse Riding

Explore the countryside and the beaches of Cornwall with a form of transport which is ideally suited to the beauty and tranquility of this wonderful place.

Cornwall has many Riding Schools who cater to all ages and levels of riding ability. Whether you're an experienced rider confident to explore on your own or a novice wanting to join a group to make your first journey on horseback, Cornwall can provide you with the riding school to meet your needs.

Efford Down Riding Stables
Efford Farm, Vicarage Rd, Bude, Cornwall EX23 8LT
Telephone: 01288 354244

Lakefield Equestrian Centre
Lower Pendavey Farm, Camelford, Cornwall, PL32 9TX
Telephone: 01840 213279

St. Leonards Equestrian Centre
Equestrian centre, St. Leonards, Polson, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 9QR
Telephone: 01566 775543

Elm Park Equestrian Centre
Elm Park, North Beer, Boyton, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8NP
Telephone: 01566 785353

Fishing

Coarse Fishing

Hele Barton Fishery, Week St Mary (10 mins south of Bude) 01288 341847. The 1.5 acre lake up to 6 metres deep is stocked with tench and carp up to 15lbs.

Lower Lynstone Lakes, Bude 01288 352726. Two coarse lakes set less than a mile from Bude beaches, in a tranquil setting close to the canal. Well stocked with green tench, mirror, crucian, leather and common carp. Permits available on site only.

Fly Fishing

Bude Anglers Association 01288 353986
Roadford Lake between Launceston and Okehampton 01566 771930
Crowdy Lake Nr Camelford 01566 771930
Mill Leat Thornbury Holsworthy 01409 261426
Westcountry Trout Orchard Lake Nr Boscastle 01840 250070 or 07969 699572

Beach and Sea Fishing

Beach Fishing – All year round fishing from the local beaches and rocks is popular and catches of bass, codling, flat fish, mackerel, whiting and dogfish are possible. In summer the beaches are very popular with bathers and holidaymakers so beach and times should be chosen with care.

Fishing Trips

Sea Fishing and scenic boat trips from Boscastle. 2 hour Mackerel Fishing trips. For bookings please telephone 01840 250527.

House & Garden

Trelissick Garden, Feock, nr Truro, Cornwall TR3 6QL (01872 862090)

• This modern garden was created within shelter belts planted 200 years ago. It is constantly evolving, with new planting and fresh ideas. Trelissick has seen trees grow to maturity, the tide ebbing and flowing, but has become a dynamic, forward-looking estate. The iconic Water Tower was built for irrigation and fire-control; now the lavatories are flushed with rainwater stored underground in modern reservoirs. Heat is extracted from kitchen appliances and the Sun to provide hot water and heating. The River Fal is now more than just a beautiful setting for Trelissick; many visitors arrive by boat each year.

Trerice, Kestle Mill, near Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4PG (01637 875404)

• An intimate Elizabethan manor and a Cornish gem, Trerice remains little changed by the advances in building fashions over the centuries, thanks to long periods under absentee owners. Today the renowned stillness and tranquillity of Trerice, much prized by visitors, is occasionally pierced by the curious lilts of Tudor music or shouts of excitement from the Bowling Green (surely you will want to try a game of kayling or slapcock?), bringing back some of the bustle and noise that must have typified its time as a busy manor house.

Cotehele, St Dominick, near Saltash, Cornwall (01579 351346)

• A Tudor house with many stories and legends, festooned with tapestries and adorned with textiles, arms and armour, pewter, brass and old oak furniture; a magical experience where little has changed over the years. Outside, explore the formally planted terraces, or lose yourself in the Valley Garden, which includes a medieval stewpond and dovecote. Seek tranquillity in the Upper Garden or visit the two orchards planted with local apples and cherries. Cotehele Quay is the home of the restored Tamar sailing barge Shamrock and gateway to a wider estate. The Discovery Centre tells the story of the Tamar Valley.

Lanhydrock, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 5AD (01208 265950)

• Lanhydrock is the perfect country house and estate, with the feel of a wealthy but unpretentious family home. Follow in the footsteps of generations of the Robartes family, walking in the 17th-century Long Gallery among the rare book collection under the remarkable plasterwork ceiling. After a devastating fire in 1881 the house was refurbished in the high-Victorian style, with the latest mod cons. Boasting the best in country-house design and planning, the kitchens, nurseries and servants' quarters offer a thrilling glimpse into life 'below stairs', while the spacious dining room and bedrooms are truly and deeply elegant.

St Michael's Mount, Marazion, Cornwall TR17 0HT (01736 710507)

• Still home to the St Aubyn family (which runs and maintains it in partnership with the Trust) as well as to a small community, this iconic rocky island is crowned by a medieval church and castle – the oldest buildings dating from the 12th century. Immerse yourself in history, wonder at the architecture and discover the legend of Jack the Giant Killer. Look down on the subtropical terraced garden and enjoy breathtaking views of spectacular Mount's Bay. If the weather is favourable, take a short evocative boat trip to the island, or at low tide enjoy the walk across the causeway. Note: steep climb to the castle up an uneven, cobbled pathway. Narrow passageways in castle.

Mount Edgcumbe House (see above) (01752 822236)

• Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is one of four designated Country Parks in Cornwall. It is 885 acres overlooking Plymouth Sound and the River Tamar. The Park has been famous since the 18th Century, when the Edgcumbe family created formal gardens, temples, follies and woodlands around the Tudor House. Specimen trees such as Californian Redwood, stand against copses which shelter a herd of wild fallow deer. The South West Coast Path runs through the Park for nine miles along the coastline.
• The Formal Gardens are grouped in the lower park near Cremyll. Originally a 17th Century 'wilderness' garden, the present scheme was laid out by the Mount Edgcumbe family in the 18th Century. The Formal Gardens include an Orangery, an Italian Garden, a French Garden, an English Garden and a Jubilee Garden, opened in 2002, to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
• The Park and Formal Gardens are open all year round and admission is free. The Park and Gardens are jointly managed by Cornwall County Council and Plymouth City Council. Although the park covers a large area, there is little formal maintenance, ensuring it has a rough and ready rural feel in all but the formal gardens.

National Trust Anthony House and Gardens (01752 812191)

• Still the home of the Carew Pole family after hundreds of years. This beautiful early 18th-century mansion contains fine collections of paintings, furniture and textiles. The grounds, landscaped by Repton, sweep down towards the Lynher estuary and include formal gardens with topiary, a knot garden, modern sculptures and the National Collection of Daylilies. The Woodland Garden has outstanding rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias. The magic of Antony was recognised by Walt Disney when it was chosen recently as the set for the film Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton. Note: members free to Woodland Garden (not National Trust) only when house is open.

Lost Gardens of Heligan in St Austell (01726 845100)

• Heligan, seat of the Tremayne family for more than 400 years, is one of the most mysterious estates in England. It is one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. Has a primeval jungle feel and is a 30m drive away.

Eden Project in St Austell (01726 811911)

• Our vibrant global garden approx 45 minutes away tells the fascinating story of plants, how we use them for things like medicine, fuels, materials and food the world over. In this beautifully transformed clay pit into enclosed tropical gardens, you'll find over 80 exhibits, including unusual plant combinations, unique sculpture and quirky information displays.

Wet Day Activities

Please check our links page, which we keep constantly updated

National Lobster Hatchery - Padstow PL28 8BL.	Tel: 01841 533877
The Eden Project - Bodelva, Cornwall PL24 cSG.	Tel: 01726 811911
The Barbican Theatre, Castle St, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2NJ.	Tel: 01752 267 131.
Theatre Royal Ltd., Royal Parade, Plymouth.	Tel: 01752 267 222.
Rebel Cinema, Treskinnick Cross, Poundstock, nr Bude.	Tel: 01288 361442.
The Hall for Cornwall, Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL.	Tel: 01872 262466.
The National Marine Aquarium - located near the Barbican, Plymouth.	Tel: 01752 600 301.