Five of the best Christmas walks

The festive season is a great time to step out on the South West Coast Path, blow away the cobwebs and walk off a few mince pies in the process. Here’s some inspiration to get you out walking in a winter wonderland.

Sir John Betjeman walk - Padstow
This walk is on the opposite side of the estuary from Padstow, so you can enjoy the Christmas lights twinkling on the harbour from across the water. Afterwards, hop over on the ferry that runs all year round for the Padstow Christmas Festival and festive market (1st – 4th December 2022), followed by a pint of Doom Bar to warm your cockles, while looking out at the very location where the ale got its name.

Penzance to Mousehole
This walk is one for remembering the Penlee Lifeboat disaster that occurred in December 1981. Every year, the stunning Mousehole lights in the harbour and surrounding streets are dimmed on 19th December to mark the anniversary of this event. Mousehole is also home to the interestingly named Stargazzy pie, a mixed fish, egg and potato pie with protruding fish heads, eaten on 23 December in memory of Tom Bawcock, a fisherman who lifted a famine from the village on that very night several hundred years ago.

St Ives: Lelant to Clodgy Point
There are plenty of goings on around St Ives each Christmas so why not combine a Coast Path walk with seasonal merriment and one of the most scenic train rides in the country. Walk to St Ives and enjoy an exhibition at an art gallery, lunch in a local pub or restaurant, some Christmas shopping, and then catch the train back after a great day out.

Fowey: Gribben Head and the Saint’s Way
There’s so much to experience on this walk, with historic and literary associations as well as spectacular views and part of the Saint’s Way. The Fowey Christmas lights provide a festive backdrop to a stunning Coast Path walk, and the small independent shops in Fowey offer the perfect place to pick up present or two at the same time. Come when the Christmas Market is on and enjoy sampling some local produce as well.

Looe to Polperro
There’s always something taking place in Looe and Polperro to see in the festive season in style. Enjoy the walk and catch the bus back, in time to relax in a local hostellry until the lights come on and illuminte the two harbours. There will be a Christmas market in Looe on both the first and second weekend this year (2022)

Do you know any other great festive walks? Let us know by commenting in the box below.