Cornwall

Boscastle Harbour walk

Man and two women walking with dog along path beside harbour at low tide, with village behind them — Visitors at Boscastle harbour, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

A gentle walk around the scenic village of Boscastle. The walk allows you to take in the river, the ancient harbour, and the famous blow hole, as well as several of the local shops and sites of interest. There are great sea and coastal views along the way, and lots of interesting wildlife to spot.

Near to

Boscastle

Start point

Boscastle car park, grid ref: SX101912

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins to 40 mins

Dog friendly***

*Flat route, mostly on pavement. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Flat, smooth surfaces with few obstacles. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Boscastle, Cornwall, PL35 OHE
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Bodmin station, 20 miles (32km).
By bus
Bus 95: southbound from Bude; northbound from Wadebridge and Camelford.
For more information, visit the Go Cornwall Bus website
By road
From the south: On the A39 turn right onto the B3263 and follow it, passing through several villages until you reach Boscastle.
From the north: On the A39 turn left onto the B3266 and continue to Boscastle. The village is well sign posted.
Dogs
Dogs welcome, but please keep on a lead.
Car park
Pay and display car park in Boscastle harbour (not National Trust) - charges apply to all.
Toilet
Toilets are adjacent to the main harbour car park (not National Trust).
Café
The café (National Trust) can be found by walking along the right side of the harbour.
Shop
The shop (National Trust) can be found by walking along the right side of the harbour.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Boscastle car park, grid ref: SX101912
Stage 1
Start at the Boscastle car park and follow the footpath alongside the river until you reach the end of the car park nearest the village.
Stage 2
Turn left out of the car park onto the pavement and follow the path around past a cluster of shops on your left.
Stage 3
Cross over the road onto a private road managed by the National Trust.
Stage 4
Follow this road along the course of the river and cross over the first bridge on your left.
Stage 5
Turn right after the bridge and follow the road to the harbour.
Stage 6
Take the stone steps leading up to the coast path across some rocks, take care on rocks.
Stage 7
On top of the steps there is a good view of the harbour, the blowhole (at low tide), the old Victorian pool and remains of shellfish tanks.
Stage 8
Return down the steps the way you came and back past the bridge.
Stage 9
Keep going alongside the river to the main road.
Stage 10
Cross over the main road and follow the pavement back to the car park.
End point
Boscastle car park, grid ref: SX101912
Trail map
Boscastle harbour walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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