Home » All trips » CORNWALL’S DRAMATIC NORTHERN COAST

CORNWALL’S DRAMATIC NORTHERN COAST

Highlights

Rugged and wild coast with secluded bays and exposed headlands where sheer cliffs plunge to rocky shelves. Beautiful inlets and bays which harbour traditional Cornish fishing villages full of character such as Crackington Haven, Boscastle, and Port Isaac.

Destinations

England

Budget

From $250 per person

All highlights

North Cornwall Coast . North Cornwall’s Atlantic coast is a dramatic and beautiful section of the south west peninsula of England . The rugged and sheer cliffs, as well as the picturesque fishing villages makes this one of the most enjoyable sections of the South West coast path. The walking is varied, each day enjoying new experiences from beautiful sandy bays to secluded inlets harbouring quaint villages and from exposed rocky headlands to sand dunes and the wide Camel Estuary. Your self guided walking holiday starts at the bustling seaside resort of Bude before embarking on a journey through wild coastal scenery. Highlights of your walking holiday include some towering sheer cliffs including High Cliff, which at 223m is the highest coastal cliff in Cornwall ; a number of well-preserved small fishing ports and villages, such as Port Isaac and Boscastle, located in secluded bays of sinuous inlets, away from the fury of the Atlantic ocean. Their white-washed cottages with slate roofs, line attractive, twisty lanes climbing the narrow coves, making for an idyllic scene. Either side of the attractive and busy medieval fishing port of Padstow on the Camel Estuary is a series of dramatic headlands which provide great views along the coast. Some of these sites such as the Rumps are the sites of Iron Age forts and other historic monuments. If you choose the option with five walking days you can decide whether to catch a bus to the bustling surf capital of Newquay or return to Padstow for your final night’s accommodation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bude

Welcome, and night at Bude. Explore this attractive seaside resort with its canal and a favourite spot with surfers and holiday makers.. .

Day 3: Crackington Haven - Tintagel

Superb and challenging days walking. You'll climb away from Crackington and pass above the isolated beaches of the Strangles and their rocky shelves and promontories. Later you'll get breathtaking views from the seat on the highest cliff in Cornwall: High Cliff, at over 700ft (223 metres). These towering cliffs make a great place to bird watch with birds of prey such as Falcons and Kestrels and sea birds including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. In addition, the grazing sheep and goats help to maintain a rich flora with several important wildflowers. Boscastle, with its ancient harbour, is a beautiful fishing village in the bottom of a rugged, steep-sided valley, which is especially remembered for the devastating flash flood in August 2004. Another highlight on this wonderful days walking is Pentargon inlet where an impressive waterfall plummets 40m into the sea. Just after, the

Day 5: Port Isaac - Padstow

Today your walking trail follows a beautiful and unspoiled section of Cornwall's coastal path, including the remote inlet of Pine Haven, the natural harbour at Port Quin (with its partly deserted village) and the historic promontory, known as The Rumps, with its Iron Age fort. The first half of today's walk is challenging as the Cornish coastal path winds it way around several spectacular headlands that offer stunning panoramas, as well as traversing several valleys where you'll find pretty coves. Other highlights of this section include the spectacular views from Carnweather Point towards the Rumps and from Pentire Point across the Camel Estuary, as well as the beautiful Lundy Beach with its rock pools, caves and the natural arch called Lundy Hole. The trail then becomes easier as it passes through Polzeath to reach the sandy beaches of Daymer Bay and the 13th-century St Enodoc's

Day 6: Padstow - Porthcothan

This optional day's walk allows you to enjoy a series of headlands following relatively low cliff tops, above beautiful tempting beaches such as Hawkers Cove. Heading north along the Camel Estuary, you'll go around Stepper Point back onto the Atlantic Coast before heading out to Trevone Head, one of Cornwall's most prominent headlands offering wonderful views down the coast ahead. Constantine Bay offers a different experience with a lovely beach where you can relax and watch the surfers before moving onto Porthcothan. You'll then catch a bus from Porthcothan to either Newquay or Padstow. It is also possible to catch a bus at earlier and later stops to make this day longer or shorter as desired.. Overnight: Newquay or Padstow, Walk: 22km, +770m. . .

Day 7: Departure

Your walking holiday ends after breakfast.. .

Prices

Price per person	2 pers	4 pers	6 pers	8 pers
Price per adult	$250	$180	$160	$150
Price per kid	$130	$90	$80	$80

Services

Included:

5 or 6 night's accommodation on B&B basis
Transport of luggage between guest houses (1 bag per person)
Detailed walking notes with information about the local sites and suggestions for places to eat lunch and dinner
OS walking maps

Excluded:

All lunches and evening meals
Drinks (except at breakfast)
Transport to Bude and from Padstow or Newquay
Bus transfer for 5 days walking option
Travel insurance
Any entrance fees

Optional:

Extra Nights
Combining walking holidays
Tailor-made Trips

Receive a free quote from your local travel agency within 48 hours by e-mail. No obligation to purchase.

Salomé Deroyer

travel expert: England Ireland and Wales

Speak to a Travel Expert

The High Point Holidays Advantage, built on expert service and personal travel planning since 2007:

We put your safety and peace of mind first
We create immersive and tailored travel experiences
We care about ethical and sustainable travel
We have 200+ 5-star reviews and secure booking

Why Travel with high point holiday?

Individually designed

Every trip is shaped entirely around you — your interests, your pace, your dreams — crafting a journey that feels unmistakably yours.

Responsible Travel

We tread lightly wherever we go — supporting local communities, protecting wild places, and ensuring every journey leaves more than it takes.

Flexible Travel

Plans change, and so do we — adapting itineraries on the move, so your journey always reflects how you feel in the moment.

In our hands

From the first spark of an idea to your safe return home, every detail is handled with care — so you can simply enjoy the journey.

Local experts

Our people live and breathe their destinations — sharing hidden corners, trusted contacts, and the kind of insight no guidebook could capture.

Finest guides

Handpicked for their passion and depth of knowledge, our guides turn every moment into a story — bringing each place vividly to life.

find similar tours

BRITTANY’S EMERALD COAST

$250

5 days

ANDALUCIAN EXPLORER: THE BEST OF SOUTHERN SPAIN

$250

11 days

ALSACE – VINEYARDS AND MOUNTAINS

$250

6 days

ALPINE ADVENTURE: GR5 BRIANCON TO NICE

$2550

11 days