Out & About
North Cornwall Explore Cornwall’s dramatic north coast, where the Atlantic meets the rugged land.
C
ornwall’s inimitable north coast is a world of extremities and contradictions. Rugged cliffs meet golden sands, while imposing headlands give way to sheltered coves. The winding coast path is intersected by beautiful beaches and pretty harbour villages, allowing you to pause and take in the awe-inspiring views that greet you at every turn. Whether you take to the surf or simply admire it from the dunes, there is something enigmatically life-affirming about this stretch of coast. Maybe it’s the fresh sea air, the sound of crashing waves against the shore, or perhaps just knowing that you are as far away as you can be from the hubbub of city life – physically and otherwise. Whatever it is, this landscape just makes you feel alive.
Beach
Wherever you might be staying on the north coast, we can say with confidence that you won’t be far from a golden stretch of sand. One of the great draws of the peninsula is knowing that each morning you can set off on a different track and stumble upon a new beach – if you’re lucky, you might even find a small slice of paradise all to yourselves. One of our favourites is Crantock, roughly halfway up the north coast, just outside of Newquay. It’s a typical north coast beach, ticking all the boxes... grassy dunes gradually inclining to reveal a panorama of flat sand, framed on either side by green-capped headland. It’s the perfect spot for building sandcastles and, of course, surfing. Off-season on a blustery sunny day it’s a wonderful space for children and dogs to run off some energy,
Wavehunters
and popular in the summer to escape the busier beaches of neighbouring Newquay. The north coast is imbued with romantic legends, and Crantock has its very own. Low tide reveals a smattering of small hollows and caves punctuating the headland. Venturing into one of these, you might well discover the forlorn engravings, supposedly of love-struck local Joseph Prater, carved into the rock in the early 1900s to commemorate a lost love: “Mar not my face but let me be, Secure in this lone cave by the sea, Let the wild waves around me roar, Kissing my lips for evermore.” From May to mid-September, the walk up through Fern Pit gardens to the café is rewarded by fresh crab sandwiches or a cream tea on arrival. Order the freshly caught lobster or crab, cooked ready to eat. Why not take some home for later?
Walk Trevose Head This circular route takes in many interesting natural features and breathtaking vantage points. The walk can start from any section, but a great place to begin is either Constantine Bay – walking north towards Trevose Head – or Harlyn Bay. The latter has more parking and veers northwest along the coast path towards Cataclews Point before hooking round to the alluring Mother Ivey’s Bay – home to Padstow Lifeboat Station. Either route culminates with Trevose Head as the midway marker, with the proud Trevose Lighthouse and impressive collapsed sea cave, known as Round Hole, to admire. The surrounding views from this headland are pretty unbeatable, stretching as far west as St Ives and east toward Morwenstow.
Adam Gibbard - Visit Cornwall
6 Wavehunters
Destination North Cornwall pp6 & 7.V3.indd 6
11/11/2016 13:00