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Cornwall In Style

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.2 Read 4 reviews
  • Treat yourself to the best 4* and 5* hotels in the Cornwall region
  • Explore picturesque harbour villages and indulge in freshly caught seafood
  • Classic coastal walking with dramatic headlands, secluded coves and vast golden beaches
  • Stand at the tip of the dramatic Trevose Head, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • Opportunity to visit one of England's top visitor attractions, the Eden Project
  • Charlestown Harbour, where the popular TV drama Poldark was filmed.
This self-guided walking tour in Cornwall immerses you in luxury as you stay in some of the best hotels this area has to offer including celebrity chef Rick Stein's hotel in Padstow. This tour also features small Cornish fishing ports, legends of Phoenician traders, pirates, coves and the pilgrimage route of Michael’s Way. Discover a plethora of highlights, relaxing in one of renowned chef Rick Stein’s seafront restaurants, striding out to reach the tip of Trevose Head with views to Newquay, the iconic fishing village of Mousehole, and glimpsing St Michael’s Mount as you reach the south coast. Begin in Padstow, a delightful seaside town and embark on walks that take you along small beaches with green and purple rocks and ride on a tiny ferry that crosses the Camel River Estuary. Pass St. Enodoc Church where the poet Sir John Betjeman is buried, then follow an official Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route from the north to the south coast, the St Michael’s Way. It is said that Welsh and Irish pilgrims and missionaries landed their boats on the northern Cornish coast and walked to the south coast, rather than face the treacherous waters around Land’s End. This inland route is a great contrast to the coastal routes, full of hedgerows, Iron Age hill forts, ancient churches and crosses. As you get closer to your next destination, Marazion, you will begin to get a glimpse of St Michael’s Mount, prominent UK landmark and the official end of the St Michael’s Way. The southern Cornish coast and your exploration of it also has much to offer, including a scenic walk along local bridleways and footpaths near Marazion and trails that follow the coastline to Mousehole, a quaint fishing village that seems to belong on a film set. Penzance is also en route and a town that was once the main commercial hub for the tin mining trade. To this day it remains a bustling town but is now famous for its art galleries and tea shops.
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This easy to moderate walking tour introduces you to the incredible history of the Cornish people and the interesting and wonderful walks along gorgeous coastline, bridleways and quiet lanes. The accommodation on this tour is in luxury and boutique-style hotels and transfers to and from the train stations at the beginning and the end are also included. So if you like to be taken care of and don’t want the hassle of taking public transportation this tour is for you!

Tour Type:

In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Coastal Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

Most of the Walks on this tour are graded Moderate (therefore, the tour collectively is graded as Moderate); however, expect some days that are considered easy-to-moderate and one (Charlestown to Fowey) verging on moderate-to-strenuous. If this is too hard for you, then you can opt to visit the Eden Project instead. 

IMPORTANT: Be aware that this tour is classic coastal walking, and paths generally follow the cliff line, meaning it can be unfenced at sections. Whilst the paths are completely safe, being comfortable with walking at heights is recommended. If you have any serious issues with vertigo, we wouldn't recommend doing this tour.

Expect a mixture of coastal trails (rocky/gravel and craggy underfoot), soft sandy beaches, woodland tracks, and at times minor paved roads. Some of the paths can become very muddy and boggy when rain falls,  often making progress slower than normal. There are some elevation gains and losses, especially when walking on the coastal paths, as the trails follow cliffs and may go up and down to walk along beaches in between. Be sure to keep away from the edge when walking along cliff-side trails and stay out of fenced-off areas. You should also take extra caution when there is a steep slope beside the path. It is also not uncommon for sections of Cornwall to be prone to storms and partial flooding - should you be due to walk a day when a storm is forecast, we would advise against it. As this is a multi-centred trip, walks can be skipped and instead, you can choose to just simply have a free day to explore the iconic Cornwall fishing villages you are overnighting in.

It should also be noted that sea fog and sea mist in coastal areas is a thing and can make visibility difficult at times. If you happen to be walking and fog descends on you, ensure you pay close attention to the Macs Adventure app and always be vigilant of the immediate step ahead of you.

Navigation

As this is a self-guided walking tour, you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip. The Cornwall In Style tour is not specifically way marked but you are walking through sections of England’s national trail networks including the South West Coast path, so you won't get lost. The paths while remote in sections are walked by other walkers and locals, with a few short sections being on indistinct paths. On this tour it is essential you use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App. The app allows you to easily locate yourself on the trail using offline mapping and follow it as you walk. You should not have any issues finding the way.

Experience & Fitness

You should have a good level of walking fitness, be surefooted and be comfortable walking at height.

Accommodations

On your 6 night, 7 day Cornwall self-guided walk you will stay in luxury and boutique-style hotels.

Alternate accommodation

During the high season you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo walkers are also welcome for an additional charge.

Meals

6 Breakfasts are included. You can either eat dinner in local restaurants or at the hotels, both of which have a restaurant. For lunches you can ask the hotels to make you a packed lunch or you can buy sandwiches or local cheeses, meats and breads in local shops or markets.

Included
  • 6 Nights in B&B’s or guest houses
  • 6 Breakfasts
  • Baggage transfers
  • Taxi transfer on Day 1 from Bodmin Parkway Train Station to the hotel in Padstow
  • Taxi transfer on Day 7 from the hotel in Marazion to Penzance Train Station
  • Taxi transfer on Day 4 from Padstow to Carbis Bay
  • Detailed maps, information pack, and route notes
  • Organisational assistance and backup from our area manager in England and our office
Excluded
  • Travel to Bodmin Parkway Train Station
  • ravel from Penzance Train Station
  • Short return ferry ride from Padstow to Rock
  • Dinners and lunches
  • Drinks and snacks
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel insurance
Extras
  • Additional nights before or after the holiday

When To Go

This Cornwall itinerary is very enjoyable at any time between the beginning of April and the end of October although it is particularly lovely in late spring and early Autumn.

NOTE: From 1 April to 28 May and 16 September to late October 2023 you cannot book this tour starting on Wednesday as the Ferry to Falmouth/Tresslick Gardens does not run on a Sunday. The Ferry runs on a Sunday during the summer (29 May to 15 September).

Weather and Climate

By nature, the South West Coast of England is prone to the different extremes of weather year on year. Always be prepared for changeable conditions when walking on the coast and expect anything from soring heat to stormy weather, including strong winds and/or prolonged rainfall. The paths can be rocky in places; so take extra care as these may be slippery when wet. Before you set off each day, it is also important that you pay attention to any weather, wind, or gale warnings in the area (we recommend: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/).

It should also be noted that sea fog and sea mist in coastal areas is a thing and can make visibility difficult at times. If you happen to be walking and fog descends on you, ensure you pay close attention to the Macs Adventure app and always be vigilant of the immediate step ahead of you.

Getting to the Start

Padstow is accessible from Bodmin Parkway Railway Station. From here a taxi transfer to your hotel in Padstow is included. There are direct trains to Bodmin Parkway from London Paddington. More information on train times and schedules can be found on the National Rail website. Padstow is also accessible from Newquay Airport. Flights arrive here from all over the UK and there is a bus (Western Greyhound 556) to Padstow that takes about one hour.

Getting from the End

A taxi transfer to Penzance Train Station from your hotel in Marazion is included. From here take a train to Bodmin where you can make a change of train and board a train to London.

It is possible to drive to Padstow and park your car here for the duration of the tour. Then make your way back to Padstow via bus and train on the last day. More information regarding parking in Padstow can be found on Padstow's website.

Luggage Transfer

All baggage transfers are included. We request that you have only one piece of luggage per person and it should weigh only 20kg.

General Information

IMPORTANT: Be aware that this tour is classic coastal walking and paths generally follow the cliff line, meaning it can be unfenced at sections. Whilst the paths are completely safe, being comfortable with walking at heights is recommended. If you have any serious issues with vertigo, we wouldn't recommend doing this tour.

Equipment

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 cycling gear such as good boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Padstow and overnight Day 2 Padstow Circular via Pentire Head and "The Rumps" 11 miles / 18 km Day 3 Padstow to Trevose Head. Transfer to Padstow 9.5 miles / 15 km Day 4 Transfer to Portloe. Walk along the South West Coast Path to St Mawes 13 miles / 20.5 km Day 5 Ferry to Trelissick Gardens, walk to St Mawes 9.5 miles / 15.5 km Day 6 Transfer to Charlestown. Walk to Fowey. Or enjoy a free day at the Eden Project 10.5 miles / 17 km Day 7 Choice of Walks in Fowey 5.5 miles / 8.5 km Day 8 Onward Travel

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