May 2013
We covered the twenty miles or so of this section of the Coast Path in four sections and stayed at the excellent Boscastle Youth Hostel while we did so. The hostel is right on the harbour and we would thoroughly recommend it as a place to stay. Our walking varied from about 4 miles on the first day, to a maximum of about 8 miles on subsequent days.
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| Boscastle Youth Hostel (Courtesy YHA Website) |
Monday 20 May 2013
Bude to Widemouth Bay (4 miles)
The South West Coast Path Association's handbook describes the section between Bude and Crackington Haven as 'easy then strenuous'. We did the 'easy' part - from Bude to Widemouth Bay - on our first day's walk, aiming to reach Tintagel by the end of the fourth day.
We headed out from home for Widemouth Bay and parked the car in the small car park about 250 yards north of Widemouth Manor Hotel (SS198014) to catch the bus to Bude for the start of the walk.
Arriving at Bude we decided that, before setting out we should have a coffee and called at the Castle Tea Rooms. When I asked for an Americano with some cold milk I was curtly told that it would be an extra 10 pence for the milk. It was a good coffee - and still good value at £1.70 (including the milk!).
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| Bude Canal Sea Lock (from Wikipedia) |
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| Leaving Bude; entrance to the Sea Lock in the middle distance |
The walk was an easy four miles or so, passing by Compass Point with its squat tower and gently climbing Efford Beacon.
Widemouth Bay was a hive of activity with children from the nearby Outdoor Adventure centre enjoying tuition in surfing and abseiling. We were not too sure that one young lady (about 11 years old) was actually enjoying things too much, though. It appeared that she was being very patiently encouraged to abseil down the low cliff onto the beach at Black Rock, but she apparently decided that abseiling was not for her - not on that occasion, anyway!
Spring flowers were in abundance; bluebells, primroses, sea campion, red campion, gorse and wild roses to mention but a few.
A few yards from Widemouth Manor Hotel we left the Coast Path and returned to the car then drove the six or seven miles to Boscastle to receive a warm welcome from Linda at Boscastle Youth Hostel.
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Widemouth Bay to Crackington Haven
(6 miles)
Taking advantage of the regular bus service between Crackington Haven and Widemouth Bay, we set out by car to Crackington Haven to park the car in the main car park (£5.00 for the day) and catch the bus from there to the Widemouth Manor Hotel bus stop.
As we were early for the bus and had time for some refreshment, we made for the Cabin Café for a coffee. This time the milk was complimentary with the Americano!
Arriving at Widemouth Bay, we rejoined the Path where we had left it the previous day.
The South West Coast Path Association Handbook describes this section as 'strenuous'; that was our experience of it! It crosses a number of deep valleys (I failed to count them!), but were rewarded with stunning views.
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Where there's a down, there's an up!
On the way down from Chipman Cliff to our sheltered lunch spot down at the bottom... |
Although it was late May, there was a distinctly cool spell of weather, with a cold northerly wind. It seemed as if all the seats were placed in the most windswept spots: too cold for us to stop and eat our picnic! In the end, we found a little shelter on a grassy bank beside the Path at the bottom of one of the deep-sided valleys. Grey clouds persisted all day, but, at least, the rain held off.
The cumulative distance so far, approximately 217 km/135 miles.
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Crackington Haven to Boscastle (7 miles)
This morning we set out from Boscastle for Crackington Haven by bus, arriving at Crackington Haven in time for coffee, once again, at the Cabin Café before setting out on another 'strenuous' section.
The day was brighter, but the cold northerly wind persisted, so, come lunchtime, we found a clump of grass to act as a cushion in the deep valley below High Cliff, the highest cliff in Cornwall.
From our sheltered lunch spot our path climbed once again, passing Rusey Cliff towards Fire Beacon Point and the inlet of Pentargon before descending to Boscastle.
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| The outer harbour, Boscastle |
Having returned to Boscastle, we made a short detour along the delightful 'Panorama Walk', which runs from above the harbour close by the Youth Hostel to Penally House on the B3263 above the village.
Our day's walking total was about 12.6 km/8 miles, with a cumulative distance of approximately 228km/141 miles.
Thursday 23 May 2013
Boscastle to Tintagel Church (5 miles)
It was with a little sadness that we left Boscastle Youth Hostel for the last walk on this leg of the South West Coast Path: heading for Tintagel. We'd had a lovely time at the hostel and been made exceptionally welcome by the staff. If we have an excuse, we'll be back!
After parking the car in a small lay-by a few minutes walk from the centre of the village, we set out for Tintagel. It was another bright but cold day - and we were glad of layers for warmth and protection from the cold northerly wind.
The Path for this stretch is described as 'moderate'. There are all the best ingredients of the best ingredients of the Path: stupendous views, steep valleys and short rocky scrambles, making this a worthwhile walk.
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| Looking north from Willapark, Bossiney with Cambeak in the distance |
When we reached entrance to Tintagel Castle at Tintagel Haven, instead of going into the castle, we followed the Coast Path behind the Castle and had a brief lunch stop, sheltering from the wind as best we could. From there we carried on the few yards to the church before walking down the lane to the village to catch the bus back to Boscastle from opposite the Visitor Centre.
The day's walk total was approximately 11.2 km/7 miles, with a cumulative total of 235 km/146 miles.
Another very successful end enjoyable trip: not without its challenge, but all very good!
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