South West Coast Path: Westward Ho! to Padstow (10 Days & 9 Nights)
- Walk in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Devon into Cornwall.
- Fantastic local seafood restaurants, like Rick Stein’s in Padstow.
- Sublime views from the many headlands, particularly Hartland point.
- Tintagel Castle, the mythical birth place of King Arthur.
- UNESCO North Devon Biosphere Reserve with special landscapes and wildlife.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Westward Ho! and overnightArrive in Westward Ho! and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the nearby sights.
The Waterfront Inn is sure to offer you a warm welcome and is a great place to relax after a day’s walking. All of their bedrooms offer en-suite bathrooms and are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, freeview flat screen TV and free WiFi. Fluffy towels and toiletries are also provided for your added comfort.
Tors Top is a beautifully positioned and sensitively renovated former gate house at the top of The Kipling Tors. Richard and Lisa provide extremely comfortable beds, luxury bed linen toiletries and towels, a great bathroom and en-suite, a freshly cooked breakfast using local produce as much as possible along side the usual continental.
Cliff side paths are pleasantly combined with some woodland trails through Sloo Woods. Descend into the quiet cobbled streets of Clovelly where cars are banned.
Ascent/Decent: +541m/-444m
The Red Lion Hotel stands on the quay alongside Clovelly’s ancient harbour.The building dates back to the 18th century, when it was a beer house where Clovelly fishermen gathered to swap their tales.The Red Lion was the birthplace of the sailor, Salvation Yeo, a character in Charles Kingsley’s classic West Country novel “Westward Ho!”. Rich in nautical history, atmosphere and has been beautifully finished with subtle hints of the villages history. The Red Lion has become very popular for North Devon holidays, family celebrations, short breaks, stay-cations and Honeymoons. Each of the 11 rooms are individually decorated and comfortably furnished in a style that charmingly reflects the building’s maritime heritage. The Sail Loft, a conversion of old stores adjacent to the Red Lion, provides the hotel with 6 luxurious and stylish bedrooms all with sea views.
A beautiful cottage set halfway down Clovelly’s famous high street. Harbour cottage dates from the 14 century (1361) and is still traditionally heated by a solid fuel Aga & wood burners. the front garden is an award winning garden of camellias, roses and various flowers.
Situated in the higher part of the olde worlde village of Clovelly, overlooking the beautiful Bideford Bay, Lundy Island and the stunning North Devon coastline. In each room there is a Hospitality Tray, Smart T.V., Hairdryer & free Wi-Fi. Good quality bedding and soft fluffy towels for your comfort also complimentary toiletries are provided. The bedrooms have central heating and are situated on the first floor.
Leaving Clovelly, head to Hartland Point where views to Lundy Island reward you. If you have an adventurous side, trips to swim with the playful seals, seen from Hartland Point can be booked.
Ascent/Descent: +367m/-456
The main building has been a hotel since 1886 with its original stables now converted into The Wreckers Retreat Bar. Above the stables were the old corn and hay lofts, now 14 en-suite bedrooms with sea views. Resident Managers: Chris and Jill Johns are the third generation of the Johns family, who, for the last 40 years have managed the hotel.
Alison and her friendly team would like to welcome you to her charming 16th Century Inn at Hartland on the beautiful North Devon coast, where you can enjoy fabulous homemade food, using locally sourced produce. Experience a traditional Devon inn, which is full of local warmth and charming characters and get the most out of your stay in Devon. The Anchor Inn is an ideal get away and watering hole for travellers, walkers and bikers wanting to find the real heart of Devon life.
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Hartland Peninsula. The area has a spectacular coastline. The charming accommodation has been newly refurbished and offers washing and drying facilities and wifi. Anna and Jon will provide a warm welcome and confortable relaxed stay.
This challenging section includes the most impressive waterfall on the whole 630 mile SWCP, the 15m high Speke’s Mill Mouth Waterfall. This marks your entry to into the country of Cornwall.
Ascent/Descent: +541m/-464m
The Bush Inn at Morwenstow is a 13th century free house in a stunning location just off the south west coast path between Bude and Hartland, on one of the most dramatic stretches of the north Cornish coast.
Once a haunt for smugglers and wreckers; the historic Inn has provided sustenance for weary travellers for hundreds of years.
They serve Cornish real ales and a variety of fine wines to accompany a delicious selection of hearty flavoursome meals, freshly prepared to order by our chef who devises menus according to seasonal availability.
Stop at the smallest property owned by the National Trust in the UK, Hawkers Hut, originally made entirely of driftwood. Beaches and rugged cliffs mark the way along this ship wreckers haven where over 150 ships have met their end.
Ascent/Descent: +223m/-312m
Sea Jade is a family run business located in a quiet spot opposite the golf course, with rooms overlooking the fairway. Sea Jade has 7 en-suite rooms and 1 room with private facilities, all rooms have a power solar heated shower, flat screen TV and tea and coffee facilities. Toiletries and hairdryers are available on request. Breakfast is served between 8am – 9am, please advise if you would like an earlier breakfast.
The Sunrise Guest House is situated just a few steps away from Bude town centre, three sandy beaches and the South West coastal path. It consists of seven en-suite rooms all decorated to a high standard to ensure your comfort. Sunrise offers a wide and extensive cooked breakfast selection that is available from 7:30am to 9:00am which continues to receive high praise from the guests.
The Grosvenor is a comfortable, friendly, family run Guest House, spacious and welcoming with the feel of a small hotel. All of the bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms or showers & WC, with the exception of the single room which has a separate private bathroom. The rooms are comfortably furnished and attractively decorated. Amenities include a hospitality tray, colour TV with remote control, fresh white cotton towels & bed-linen, soap and bath/shower gel dispensers. The bar area offers tables and chairs where you can choose from their selection of board games or cards, or somewhere to check emails etc! There is also a Bar Billiards Table.
Tintagel Castle approaches in the distance and fantastic panoramic views over the Atlantic paint the skyline for this section, which also features the deep and plunging Scrade Valley.
Ascent/Descent: +491m/-482
The Coombe Barton Inn is a beautiful Cornish seaside pub with excellent home cooked food, real ales and fabulous accommodation. It overlooks the beach makes this the ideal watering hole for walkers. You can always be assured of a warm and friendly Cornish welcome from Landlords Carl and Helen and relax with good food and Cornish keg real ales. They have a wonderful traditional menu, sourcing the local, freshest ingredients from meat and fish to vegetables. Dine in their bar area or restaurant with superb views across the bay or in the glorious summer months outside on the raised decking overlooking the beach. All guestrooms include coffee/tea makers, private bathrooms, and televisions.
Higher Tresmorn offers quiet and relaxing B&B accommodation, in a friendly and cosy medieval farmhouse that affords breathtaking views over the coastline. At the end of a quiet country lane and set in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, adjacent to National Trust land. Bed and Breakfast is provided in the very old part of the farmhouse. Three double rooms are available all with kingsize beds, crisp white Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy duvets to help make for a blissful night’s sleep. There is a cosy sitting room exclusively for the use of guests. Here you can snuggle up to the woodburner on colder evenings and relax with a book from the extensive bookcase or watch television or a dvd.
If you would like the hosts to provide an evening meal then please arrange this in advance by contacting them on +44(0) 18402 30371 or at
tresmorn@btinternet.com,
A favourite with birdwatchers this rewarding section boasts the highest cliff on the whole SWCP towering 223 metres above the Atlantic Ocean. Tintagel Castle steeped in history and King Arthur is today’s highlight.
Ascent/Descent: +156m/-107m
The King Arthur Arms Inn is a family run, family friendly Inn offering 4 star bed and breakfast accommodation in the heart of Tintagel Village. All rooms have hair dryers, flat screen TV's and tea and coffee making facilities.
Pendrin Guest House, situated near Tintagel Castle (with its links to the legend of King Arthur) in this popular tourist destination. Pendrin House has 7 rooms available throughout the year and you will always receive a very warm welcome from owners Derek and Jo. The guest rooms are all simply furnished and will have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
Historically a fishing area, this section provides some tough walking through an area designated as an Outstanding Natural Beauty (UNESCO).
Ascent/Descent: +750m/-805m
In the past The Slipway has been a smugglers hideaway and a ships chandlery. Shortly after World War II the building was converted into a seaside guest house and hotel. In 1969, due to its architectural and historic importance, the building was Grade II listed by the National Trust. Rooms are individually furnished and will have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
A nineteenth century Inn that has now been restored to a modern hotel. The rooms have been transformed into high quality en-suite hotel rooms without losing their traditional and quirky character, meaning that guests can relax in complete comfort. The well-stocked bar, with its slate floors, low wooden beams, and roaring log fire, serves a wide range of good real ale and freshly prepared food. The restaurant specialises in freshly caught seafood and locally sourced ingredients - here you will be served excellent food in a relaxed atmosphere.
A traditional English pub with cosy bars, open fires and original wooden beams. They offer first class accommodation and excellent traditional English fayre. There is a beautiful large beer garden where you can relax in the Summer months and enjoy a cold glass of real ale and the scenic views. Landlords, husband and wife Jonney and Felicity Hawkey and their team of loyal staff are always on hand to help ensure that your visit is a happy one.
Small valleys mark your way for your final section before hopping aboard the ferry to cross the Doom Bar. Celebrate your trips end by sampling the cuisine at Rick Stein’s highly rated seafood restaurant.
Ascent/Descent: +299m/-318m
Standing on the quayside, the Old Custom House is still one of the finest buildings in the town. Today it is famous for its fine food, award-winning ales, elegant, accommodation and for its Beauty Studio. The Old Custom House hotel has 24 bedrooms, as it is an old building, each room has a unique view and dimensions. It has long been a pub, providing a focal point for Padstow fishermen, local people and visitors to enjoy a drink and a bar meal. They serve stylish pub grub, washed down with award winning St Austell Brewery ales and a choice of good wines throughout the year.
The London Inn opened in 1803 which original housed three fisherman’s cottages and taking its name from an old Local Sloop. The owners will welcome you to their family run pub, full of charm, atmosphere and character. All rooms offer tea and coffee making facilities, TV and hairdryers. All their rooms are situated above the sometimes-busy bar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the pub. Their classic pub menu is sourced locally using local ingredients whenever possible and comprises of local fish and meat dishes, which can be eaten in the main bar or in the lounge bar area.
The Old Ship Hotel is an historic Grade II listed building in the heart of Padstow and each one of the spacious bedrooms has its own unique character. All have ensuite bathrooms, hot drinks facilities, Freeview and secure safes. You are assured a very warm welcome at the Old Ship Hotel, the perfect place to relax after your days adventure!
After breakfast your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel.
This trip has a carbon score of 9kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 9kg is equivalent to 5.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This walking tour takes you along spectacular coastal trails from high sea cliffs down to secluded coves and through very pretty seaside villages. So if you want to follow trails through both Devon and Cornwall and soak in the sea views at every turn this is the tour for you.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This holiday is graded from moderate to moderate to strenuous depending on the itinerary you choose. Although you follow the coast quite closely it includes plenty of up and downs and some steep sections.
One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of accommodation. We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you, subject to availability. There is a single room supplement payable.
Solo Walkers
Solo walkers are welcome, but there is a solo walker supplement to cover the additional cost of luggage transfer.
Additional Nights
We strongly recommend adding extra nights in Padstow and Clovelly. In high season or weekends, some accommodation will not accept one night stays in these locations. From Clovelly, you can take a fishing trip, take a day trip to Lundy Island or experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with Lundy’s friendly seals. Additional nights can be added at any point on the walk.
The route is well waymarked. We supply detailed maps and guidebooks so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way.
- Overnights in carefully selected B&B’s, guesthouses, small hotels and inns
- Breakfasts
- Door to door baggage transfer
- A detailed info pack, route notes and map
- Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem
- Travel to Westward Ho!
- Travel from Padstow
- Lunches & dinners
- Snacks and drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Transport should you need to skip a stage
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk
April, May and June are when the spring flowers are out. September and October is also great when the summer holiday makers have gone home.
By Car - Westward Ho! is a 4.5H drive from London. There is a long stay car park, however the summer months are very busy, so where possible public transport is advised.
By Air - Exeter Airport is served by Flybe from London and Edinburgh. The closest international airports are Bristol and any of the London Airports.
By Rail/Bus - Trains run from London to Barnstaple (3.5H). From here regular buses run to Westward Ho! Use Traveline to plan your journey.
By Air - Newquay Airport is served by Flybe from UK Airports.
By Rail/Bus - Buses run to Bodmin Parkway connecting to trains for London (3H40).
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
The distances and ascent/ descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
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