CORNWALL COASTAL GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

SEPTEMBER 16th-20th 2024

(4 nights, 4.5 walking days).

Grade 3: Moderate*

Highlights:

Relax, forget about your car, and let us organise all walking routes and transfers to and from our walks where these are required.
Explore the very best sections of the South West Coast Path
Discover Devon's hidden harbours and idyllic village.
Join a friendly group of like-minded walkers and make new hiking friends.
Make the most of our walk leader's experience and never miss out on a great view or perfect lunch spot.

A week of big skies, pristine beaches, sea-spray and fresh Atlantic air! Our guided Cornwall coastal route takes in iconic sections of the South West Coast Path from Hartland Quay to Boscastle Harbour, crossing into Cornwall just south of Hartland. This is a refreshing, energising break at a time when summer arrives early (March) or still lingers (September) in the South-West.

What's Included: 4 nights single occupancy (4 x bed, breakfast and packed lunch), and the services of our walk leader who will host this holiday and lead all walks. Also included is the cost of any taxi / minibus transfers to the start or end of our day's walk.

What's Not Included: for each evening meal we have a table booked at our hotel so that each person can choose what they would like from the menu. The cost of this evening meal is not included in the holiday fee. If you would like to view a sample menu please click here.

The cost for this holiday including single, en-suite accommodation is £775.

*Our walking breaks are graded from 1('Easy) to 5 (Challenging). This is a Grade 3, 'Moderate’ walking holiday, designed for those who would like to walk for 5-6 hours in a day, and 3-4 hours on a half-day. Routes usually involve some ascent and descent, and all walking is on good paths. Our aim is always to take our walks at a steady pace, stopping for breaks and to admire the views.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Join us by 1.30 pm for a half day local walk to get to know your fellow walkers and the environment close by. A circuit of paths takes us along the coast, over Efford Beacon for a panoramic view of Bude Bay, then down to pick up the Bude Canal towpath- our route back into town.

For those who are unable to arrive by this time, join us for dinner at 6.30 pm, after which we will talk through our planned programme. (3 hours walking, approx. 7 km)

DAY 2: We start the day at Hartland Quay and walk south along one of the most impressive coasts in the UK. Here, the rock strata run directly out to sea, forming a series of jagged ridges that have seen the end of many a ship over the centuries. We pass the impressive waterfalls at Speke's Mill Mouth, reach the viewpoint at Embury Beacon, and walk down into the hamlet of Morwenstow where the Rectory Tea Rooms offer a spectacular cream tea. Our taxi transfer takes us from here back to our hotel. (6 hours walking, 13 km)

DAY 3: From our previous day's end-point at Morwenstow we continue south over Higher and Lower Sharpnose Point until we reach the sheltered beach and National Trust reserve at Duckpool - a great place for a lunch break! A long and scenic stretch then gives us a chance to stride out and reach idyllic beaches at Northcott Mouth and then the famous Crooklets Strand, before we enter Bude, pass the tide-filled swimming pool and head to our hotel to complete an exhilarating day's walk. (6 hours walking, 12.5 km)

DAY 4: A classic day's walk linking the beautiful bay at Crackington Haven with the dramatic Boscastle Harbour. Scenic walking between these two gives great views out of Bude Bay, not least from the summit of Rusey Cliff, whose summit is 240m above sea level. Arriving in Boscastle Harbour, it is easy to understand why this has become such an historic site with its natural cliff protection. The day is completed with an exploration of the Iron Age remains of Willapark Fort before our transfer returns us to our hotel once more. (7 hours, 14 km).

DAY 5: A final walk based from Bude with a mix of sheltered valleys and cliff-top vistas completes the week before we finish the programme around 1.30 pm so that there is time to make your onward or homeward journey. (4 hours, 8km).

Please note that the above itinerary is subject to weather conditions being favourable. Our aim, above all, is to make the right choice each day so that we enjoy the most appropriate route for the conditions.

ACCOMMODATION

For our Devon & Cornwall Coast walking break we have chosen as a base the Brendon Arms in Bude, a small but lively resort town with fantastic beaches.. Accommodation is in single occupancy, en-suite rooms and meals are provide in the residents' dining room or lounge bar. The hotel has a welcoming, spacious public bar and beer garden. This is a busy, bustling town with a vibrant holiday atmosphere.

Hotel postcode: EX23 8SD

To reach Bude by public transport, take the train to Exeter St David's and then the Stagecoach bus (No. 6) to Bude. (approx 2hours).