Cornwall In Style

Padstow is a charming and bustling harbour town and is your base for the next three nights. The town has a dramatic setting at the head of the Camel River Estuary and is surrounded by natural beauty. It is also famous for its association with Rick Stein, the celebrity chef!

After checking into your centrally located B&B, why not try one of the local pubs for some traditional food and beer, which will give you sustenance for your first day of walking tomorrow? Or it is also possible to eat at one of Rick Stein’s four acclaimed restaurants, The Seafood Restaurant, St Petroc's Bistro, Rick Stein’s Café or Steins Fish & Chips. Gourmet heaven!

Today’s trail teeters along the cliff-tops towards Pentire Head and "The Rumps", Looping back round to Polzeath and following your footsteps back to Padstow. The walk starts with a short ferry ride across the estuary to Rock, which takes its name from the Blue Elvan rock, which is quarried nearby. Whilst perhaps no longer in its glory days, the village was named “Britain’s Saint Tropez” many years ago due to its popularity as a holiday destination for the rich and famous, including Prince Harry, the Rothschilds and the actor Hugh Grant.

However, it is the cliff-top sections at Pentire Head and "The Rumps" that really make this hike special; the path traces the jagged outline of the coast, with every twist and turn to reveal yet another picturesque Cornish view. Islands protrude from the sea, swallowed by a vast expanse of blue. Secluded bays and inlets of sapphire-clear water lay hidden below the cliffs from all but the most observant. Rock columns and cliff arches lay a testament to the power of the sea.

Ascent: +200m / Descent: -200m

Alternatively, you can opt to skip the section around Pentire Head and simply just spend the day at Polzeath beach and head back to explore the town of Rock.

Today’s walk takes you along the South West Coast Path to Constantine Bay. Begin by walking alongside the Camel Estuary before coming out onto the coast. Pass the sweeping golden beaches of Trevone, Harlyn Bay and Mother Ivey’s before rounding Trevose Head. This area has been designated “An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Newquay. An included transfer from Trevose Head car park will take you back to your accommodation in the afternoon.

Enjoy another fabulous evening in the quaint seaside town of Padstow, where you might try another of the many great restaurants or local pubs.

Ascent: +235m / Descent: -155m

A transfer starts the day, bringing you to the lovely fishing village of Portloe. where you will really start to feel your off-the-beaten-path in the remote areas of the South West Coast Path. Walk along craggy cliff-tops with endless views of the open sea and through native woodland where wildflowers grow, and birds sing uninterrupted. You will pass small villages such as Veryan, whose isolation has ensured they develop slowly and have retained a slow and tranquil nature lost elsewhere in England. 

In St Mawes, you will see a stark contrast as you are plunged into a small hip village that is littered with cafes and pubs and people, seemingly a world away from where you have walked.

Whilst completely safe, this walk does require a head for heights as there are sections along the cliff line that is unfenced. If you are not keen on walking this section you can get a taxi transfer directly to St Mawes and enjoy a free day exploring this wonderful little village.

Ascent: +300m / Descent: -300m

Board a local ferry from St Mawes up the beautiful Fal Estuary to Trelissick Gardens. Explore this wonderful estate run by the National Trust, which has tranquil and varied flowers and an outstanding collection of tender and exotic plants. Afterwards, board another ferry for a very short journey across the estuary to Philleigh and begin your walk down the Roseland Peninsula, at times inland and at times alongside the estuary. Walk via the lovely village of St Just-in-Roseland, where there is an exquisite 13th-century church with its famed gardens. Paths lead you past flower beds of rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, azaleas, bamboos, wild garlic and bluebells.

There is no escaping Cornwall’s coastline, which is beautiful and dramatic, and a whole host of other adjectives, but the interior countryside is often overlooked; today’s walk remedies that, starting in the wooded grounds of an old country estate where grand, gnarled trees grow beside dainty and colourful wildflowers.

Ascent: +175m / Descent: -205m

After a transfer in the morning, you will be dropped off at Charlestown Harbour, the backdrop of the popular Poldark television drama. The historic tall boats, cannons, rowing boats, and chutes extending from the wall poised to load waiting for ships all paint an image of how the harbour may have looked in a bygone era. The nearby Shipwreck Centre builds on this by telling stories of triumph and tragedy on the high seas.

This is the most challenging walk of the tour, but you are rewarded with vast sandy beaches, dramatic clifftops, secluded coves and castle ruins as you walk along this section of the South West Coast Path to Fowey itself. Many of the locations between Polkerris and Fowey were well-loved by English author Daphne Du Maurier and provided inspiration for many of her novels. Whilst completely safe, this walk does require a head for heights as there are sections along the cliff line that is unfenced.

Ascent: +515m / Descent: -525m

Alternatively, if the walk today seems a bit too challenging for you, your taxi transfer in the morning can drop you off at the popular visitor attraction, "The Eden Project" based in St Austell. The Eden Project is home to one of England's top things to see and do, consisting of huge botanical biome domes that simulate a rainforest, housing thousands of rare plants and species. Please note the price of the entry is not included in your trip cost - you must book this independently. Also if you choose to visit the Eden Project, you will have to make your own way back to your accommodation in Fowey via taxi (paid locally) or public transport (Around a 20-30 minute drive).

Today you have a choice of two walks. If you did the Charlestown to Fowey walk the previous day, we recommend doing the slightly shorter walk that goes east of Fowey around the wooded creeks and coves of Bodinnick. This walk has some inspiring sights all year round, but especially in the spring when the heathland above the turquoise waters is bright with gorse and wildflowers and the hedges are decked in primroses and violets. Great in the autumn too, when the leaves start to turn, and heather adds its colour to the heathland.

Alternatively, If you opted to visit the Eden Project on the previous day, we recommend the loop walk that takes you south along the coast towards Gribben Head and past Readymoney Cove and Polridmouth, where Daphne du Maurier lived in Point Neptune and Menabilly, respectively. Then make your way back to Fowey along The Saint’s Way, way-marked with Celtic crosses. Whilst completely safe, this walk does require a head for heights as there are sections along the cliff line that is unfenced. 

In the afternoon on your penultimate day, why not indulge in a cream tea at the Fowey Hotel just as Daphne du Maurier did when she lived here?

• Bodinnick Creeks and Coves Loop Walk (8.5km / 5.5 miles) - Ascent: +250 / Descent: -250m
• Walk in the footsteps of Daphne du Maurier (15.5km / 9.5 miles) - Ascent: +285 / Descent: -285m

An included transfer brings you to Par train station (the primary connecting station to London), from where you can catch a train to London.

Alternatively, if you would like to book an extra night, the Eden Project is only a 30-minute car/bus journey away from Fowey and is accessible by Taxi or public transport. We also have many fantastic tours that let you see the popular southern tip of Cornwall. Talk to our Adventure specialists if you'd like to know more!