Cornwall

Pentire and Baby Bay circular walk

This circular trail takes you along the spine of the headland, and through farmland, before joining the South West Coast Path for clifftop views across Padstow Bay. Along the way, there are opportunities to swim, go rockpooling and spot wildlife.

Near to

Pentire

Start point

Pentireglaze car park, grid ref SW943798

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.2 (km: 5.12)

Duration2 hours 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Moderate coastal and farmland terrain with some slopes. For further details, see Terrain section.
**Uneven surfaces, steep slopes and steps. For further details, see Access section.
***Please keep dogs on a lead. For further details, see Facilities section.

Address
Pentireglaze, near New Polzeath, Cornwall, PL27 6QY
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
You can join the walk from the South West Coast Path.
By bus
The Go Cornwall number 10 service passes through Polzeath village. You can pick the walk up at Pentireglaze Haven (Step 5 on the route).
By road
From the B3314, between Wadebridge and the Port Isaac turn, follow the signs towards Polzeath and then New Polzeath.
Postcode for satnav: PL27 6QY.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on this walk but please keep them on a lead as there can be livestock in surroundings fields and clifftops as well as ground-nesting birds. Look out for signs indicating that cattle and sheep are present.
Car park
The route begins and ends at Pentireglaze car park.
Toilet
There are toilets and baby changing facilities next to Pentireglaze car park.
Café
Pentyr Café, with indoor and outdoor seating, is next to Pentireglaze car park.
Picnic area
There's an orchard space for play and picnics opposite Pentireglaze car park.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Pentireglaze car park, grid ref SW943798
Stage 1
Exit the car park through the courtyard (where you'll find the Pentyr Café and toilets) and turn right onto the road. Head up the hill and turn left at the junction. Follow the farm road over the cattle grid or through the gate and continue on the road for about 15 minutes. You'll pass the Lead Mines car park and go through another gate before arriving at Pentire Farm.
Stage 2
Continue through the farmyard, ignoring the footpath immediately to the left as you enter. Bear left, following the track to the left of the cluster of farm buildings ahead. When you come to a fork, take the left, signposted path.
Stage 3
The track becomes a path and follows the right-hand hedge line of a field. It will eventually join the South West Coast Path where you should turn left. Follow the coast path, passing Pentire Point, until you reach the back of the beach at Pentireglaze Haven.
Stage 4
You'll reach the beach at Pentireglaze Haven, known locally as Baby Bay. The coast path runs just above the beach. Continue to follow the path, before turning left to take the track and then bridleway that lead inland. You'll pass through several gates – please make sure to close them after you, as cattle and sheep graze in the fields here. The path follows the right-hand edge of two farmed fields and then becomes a track between two hedgerows.
The beach at Pentireglaze Haven, Cornwall, known locally as Baby Bay | © National Trust Images / Sue Brackenbury
Stage 5
After half a mile (800km), you'll reach a road junction with the option to take a footpath to your left. Follow it down a gentle slope and across a footbridge. This will bring you to the orchard opposite the main car park at Pentireglaze. Follow the path ahead that zig-zags out of the orchard, cross the road and you'll be back at the car park where you started. Here you'll also find toilets and a café.
End point
Pentireglaze car park, grid ref SW943798
Trail map
The Pentire and Baby Bay walking trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

View to the east along the coastline on a sunny summer day at Pentire, Cornwall

Trail

Pentire headland walk

Enjoy a walk that takes in the spectacular Pentire Point and the Rumps. The circular route starts at the main car park at Pentireglaze where there are toilets and a café (check for opening).

Coast path from Lundy Bay toward The Rumps, Pentire, Cornwall

Trail

Lundy Bay walk

Just a mile or so before you reach New Polzeath, there's a sheltered valley where light woodland and scrub lead to a gem of a rocky bay, with sandy coves at low tide.

Views of the coast, Doyden House and Doyden Castle near Pentire, Cornwall

Trail

Lundy Bay and Port Quin circular walk near Pentire

Discover this circular walk along the clifftops of the South West Coast Path, taking in Lundy Bay, Port Quin and views of Doyden Castle and the Rumps headlands.

views towards Pentire point and the Rumps

Trail

Lundy Bay and Pentire walk

A circular walk at Pentire headland with an abundance of wild flowers and birds to spot, as well as clifftop views of the Rumps. There are toilets and a café at Pentireglaze, part way along the route.