Cornwall

Park Head walk

View from Park Head towards Carnewas | © National Trust

An easy, level walk to the clifftops at Park Head with views of the towering sea stacks and the picturesque Bedruthan Steps in the foreground. Whether the sea is calm or stormy, this is an iconic and unforgettable view of North Cornwall. In summer, the cliffs are covered in wild flowers.

Near to

Carnewas at Bedruthan

Start point

Park Head National Trust car park, grid ref: SW853707

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*A short, flat walk. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**A level walk that follows coast and farmland footpaths. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Park Head, near Porthcothan, Cornwall PL27 7UU
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Newquay branchline station, 8 miles (12.9km).
By bus
The nearest bus stop is at Carnewas at Bedruthan (about 2 miles from Park Head) served by Kernow buses, Atlantic Coaster running between Newquay and Padstow and Go Cornwall bus number 56. There is no bus stop at Park Head itself.
By road
National Trust car park signed Park Head from B3276 road between Mawgan Porth and Porthcothan.
Total stages: 4
Total stages: 4
Start point
Park Head National Trust car park, grid ref: SW853707
Stage 1
From the car park go through adjacent kissing gate and follow the field edge path.
Bedruthan Steps
Local legend has it that a giant called Bedruthan used the beach stacks as stepping stones to achieve a short cut across the bay, but this might have been a 19th-century invention to attract visitors to the area, famed for its splendid views. It was popular with Victorian tourists, who flocked to Newquay and visited Bedruthan by horse-drawn carriage. Some were tempted to swim in the sea, but it's very dangerous, as testified by a memorial plaque to Alex Laurie of Derby who drowned in the bay in 1903.
Stage 2
At the second gate, turn left and follow the route out to the cliffs and the coast path.
Wildlife
The farm fields are of special interest for wild flowers associated with arable cultivation. Plants with fascinating names, such as weasels-snout and field woundwort, were once widespread but have become scarce due to changes in farming practices. Their conservation on this farm is supported by a government-funded agri-environment scheme that also benefits corn bunting, a small bird that has suffered dramatic decline in numbers. The breeding population in Cornwall is now only about 30 pairs.
Stage 3
Turn right and follow the coast path to a stone hedge, where there's a seat to rest and take in the views.
Stage 4
Return the same way you came.
End point
Park Head National Trust car park, grid ref: SW853707
Trail map
Map route for Park Head walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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A view over the beach at Carnewas at Bedruthan on a sunny day

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Carnewas at Bedruthan coast walk

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A view of the coastline from Constantine Bay looking toward Trevose Head, Cornwall

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