North Coast

The Atlantic coast of Cornwall stretches for over seventy miles along a wildly beautiful landscape where towns and villages huddle in the cliffs for protection against the sea.

A renowned hub for thrill seekers who get active in and out of the water, the mile wide bays are justifiably popular with the nation’s surfers and family’s alike. With fabulous accommodation and celebrity endorsed eateries transforming the coast into top class destinations, North Cornwall magically combines the hip and trendy with absolutely stunning natural scenery. Just up from the Penwith peninsula the coastline heads east and the cliffs start to feel the full force of the Atlantic. At the village of Portreath the rollers squeeze past the harbour walls creating a perfect surfing wave known as ‘The Vortex’. A couple of miles further along, the beach at Chapel Porth is concealed in a cove where it’s untouched location provides a great place to just simply spend time chilling out listening to the roar of the sea.

Just inland, the attractive village of St Agnes buzzes with visitors enjoying the kind of individual shops and pubs you thought probably didn’t exist anymore and is a great centre from which to pull on your hiking boots and have a go at a stretch of the coastal footpath. 

As you travel on to Perranporth, the three miles of golden sand here is typical of the beaches on the north coast, big, bold and breathtaking. Here you can enjoy a tee off at the golf course or just grab a coffee and relax in one of the beachside cafes. Up the coast Crantock beach, situated on the River Gannel estuary, is a great place for a picnic amongst the sand dunes and the shallow river that runs through the sandy beach is perfect for kids to explore.

The seaside town of Newquay is billed as having just about everything for everyone, and that’s probably about right. The town is brash while being trendy, youthful yet still holding on to its role as a family resort and all wrapped up in the most fantastic coastal scenery. The surf centre of Europe, the town has an infectious up-tempo vibe and a festival and events calendar second to none.

On from Newquay the wide-open bays and fabulous beaches just keep coming. At Watergate Bay the Extreme Academy, where you can learn how do almost anything involving a board and a sail and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant keep visitors happy. At Mawgan Porth, the laid back atmosphere continues with a super family beach with gentle waves making it an ideal place for have your first go at surfing. As the cliffs get a bit higher, the view from the top of Bedruthan Steps will literally take your breath away as the giant waves hit the rocky outcrops below you and at Harlyn Bay the scenic overkill just keeps getting better with an award winning crescent shaped beach. Lay on the golden sand, read a good book and simply feel any stress disappear. 

Just inland on the Camel River estuary the town of Wadebridge is where you’ll find all you need for a picnic, tonight’s dinner, surf gear or something chic for the beach as the streets are full of shops and boutiques where you can get that inevitable retail therapy fix.

Moving on to Padstow and Rock, the iconic north coast moves up a gear. Padstow still remains a very pretty place to visit but these days Rick Stein and streets full of fashionable shops, cafes and restaurants attract a ‘Must See’ crowd that gives the town an definite air of sophistication. Across the estuary Rock, one of the most sought after locations in the county, can be reached by passenger ferry where the view back across the water is undeniably special.

If ever there was a surfer’s paradise then Polzeath just about clinches it. Hoards of devotees take advantage of the perfect rollers that hit the beach here making it a popular destination for both participants and spectators. Travel along the coast road and you may find Port Isaac seems a little familiar, that’s because the village is also known by its alter ego Port Wenn in the Doc Martin TV series. The narrow winding streets lead down to the sea where lobster pots are landed, making the port a great place to sample fresh seafood, and at low tide the seaweed-strewn harbour imaginatively doubles up as a car park. 

One of the real gems of this eastern stretch of the coast is Trebarwith Strand. A former port for shipping the abundant slate in the area, the tiny village squeezes down a narrow valley to the shore. A rocky island sits just out to sea creating a super view to admire while you enjoy a meal and a drink from the local pub.

For a slice of Cornish history, legendary or otherwise, then the ancient village of Tintagel fits the bill. The stunning ruins of a 13th century castle, reputedly the birthplace of King Arthur, are reached by a steep causeway overlooking the sea while down on the beach, Merlin’s cave only adds to the mystical feel. A few miles away Boscastle has got to have one of the best settings in Cornwall. Fully restored after a disastrous flood in 2004, the village presents itself with a truly unspoilt harbour and traditional fisherman’s cottages running down to the sea.

A good stopping off point on the way up the coast is Crackington Haven. Here the sea cliffs start to rise dramatically and the famous colourful chevron rock formations start to appear creating a small cove. As you approach the border town of Bude with its canal and grand Victorian terraces has the feel of a traditional seaside resort, which is totally engaging. Walking around the revamped seafront and well served town centre ending up on the popular Summerleaze Beach is a perfect way to while away the day.