Port Isaac

Discovering Bossiney Cove: A Hidden Gem Beneath the Cliffs Tucked just north of the legendary village of Tintagel, Bossiney Cove is one of those rare places that feels genuinely undiscovered. Dramatic, secluded, and steeped in atmosphere, this small cove rewards those willing to make the descent with one of North Cornwall’s most striking coastal scenes. It’s not the easiest beach to reach—but that’s precisely what keeps it so special. A Cove Carved by Time Bossiney Cove sits at the base of towering cliffs, where the land gives way to a narrow, sandy inlet framed by rock formations. At low tide, the beach opens out to reveal golden sand, scattered rockpools, and intriguing sea caves that invite exploration. The surrounding cliffs, layered and weathered, create a sense of enclosure that feels almost theatrical.  When the tide is out, you can wander beyond the cove itself, discovering hidden corners and natural arches shaped by centuries of Atlantic swell. At high tide, however, much ...

Roughtor & Brown Willy, Bodmin Moor: Cornwall’s Wild High Ground of Stone, Sky, and Distance Rising above the open expanse of Bodmin Moor, Roughtor and Brown Willy form the highest points in Cornwall and some of the most atmospheric walking terrain in the south of England.  This is not the Cornwall of beaches and harbour towns—it is a high, wind-battered plateau of granite, ancient tracks, and vast skies. Standing here, you are surrounded not by coast or countryside, but by space itself. Getting there: into the high moor Access to Roughtor and Brown Willy is straightforward on a map, but the experience changes quickly once you leave the lower ground around Camelford and begin climbing onto the moor. The approach typically involves: • Narrow lanes rising out of farmland into open moorland • Increasing exposure to any wind and weather • Few trees, buildings, or landmarks for orientation • Parking near trailheads such as Roughtor car park From there, the landscape opens fully—roll...

King Arthur’s Hall, Bodmin Moor: A Mysterious Stone Enclosure on Cornwall’s Wild High Ground Hidden in the open, wind-swept expanse of Bodmin Moor lies one of Cornwall’s most intriguing ancient monuments: King Arthur’s Hall.  Unlike dramatic castles or neatly preserved ruins, this site is understated and enigmatic—a long rectangular enclosure formed by low stone banks, sitting quietly in the middle of the moor with little to explain its purpose. It is a place that does not immediately reveal itself. Instead, it sits within the landscape as a question—quiet, weathered, and open to interpretation. Getting there: into open, high moorland Reaching King Arthur’s Hall involves travelling deep into Bodmin Moor’s interior. The journey itself reflects the character of the site. Typically you’ll: • Follow narrow lanes beyond villages like St Breward or Blisland • Enter increasingly open moorland with few reference points • Park and walk across rough grass and peat terrain • Cross gently risi...

Wenford Bridge, North Cornwall: A Quiet Moorland End to the Camel Valley At the far upper reaches of the River Camel, where the landscape begins to shift from wooded valley to open moorland, lies Wenford Bridge.  It is a small, understated location in Bodmin Moor, but one that marks an important geographical and experiential transition in North Cornwall—from flowing river landscapes to the raw openness of the high moor. Rather than a bustling destination, Wenford Bridge feels like a turning point in the land itself. Arriving: where roads narrow and landscape opens Reaching Wenford Bridge involves travelling into increasingly quiet countryside north of Bodmin and Camelford. The journey itself reflects the change in terrain. Typically you’ll notice: • Narrow lanes winding through wooded valleys • Gradual reduction in traffic and settlement • Increasing elevation and exposure • The sound of the River Camel becoming more present Eventually, the landscape opens into a valley edge where ...

Crowdy Reservoir, Bodmin Moor: A Quiet Inland Water World on Cornwall’s High Ground Set high on the granite expanse of Bodmin Moor, Crowdy Reservoir feels like a different side of Cornwall entirely.  Far from the cliffs and beaches of the north coast, this is an inland landscape of open skies, wind-swept grassland, and still water—where the scale is wider, quieter, and more elemental. It is not a place of dramatic landmarks or busy facilities. Instead, it offers space, silence, and long views across one of Cornwall’s most atmospheric upland regions. Getting there: into the open moorland Crowdy Reservoir sits just north of Camelford on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The approach is part of the experience, as roads gradually narrow and the landscape opens out. The final stretch typically involves: • Leaving the valleys and climbing onto higher ground • Passing scattered farms and rough grazing land • Entering open moorland with few trees or buildings • Reaching the reservoir basin set with...

St Breward, North Cornwall: A High Moor Village Between Granite, Quiet, and Open Skies Sitting high on the edge of Bodmin Moor, St Breward is one of the most elevated villages in Cornwall and one of its most quietly distinctive inland settlements.  It is not a coastal destination, nor a bustling market hub, but a place shaped by altitude, agriculture, and proximity to one of Cornwall’s most atmospheric landscapes. Here, the rhythm of life feels tied less to tourism or traffic and more to weather, farming, and the wide openness of the moor. Arrival: climbing into open country Reaching St Breward usually involves leaving the river valleys around Camelford and gradually climbing into higher ground. The change is noticeable. The approach typically includes : Narrow lanes winding upward through farmland Increasing views across hedgerows and open fields A transition from sheltered countryside to exposed upland A final arrival into a village surrounded by open space By the time you reach ...

Bodmin Moor: Cornwall’s Wild Heart of Granite, Myth, and Open Skies Rising inland from the north Cornish coast, Bodmin Moor is a vast, brooding landscape of granite tors, open heath, peat bogs, and shifting weather.  It is one of the last truly wild upland areas in southern England—an exposed plateau where visibility stretches for miles and the land feels older than human memory. For visitors staying on the coast, especially in places like Port Isaac, Bodmin Moor offers a dramatic counterpoint: a journey from fishing villages and sea cliffs into silence, space, and prehistoric landscapes. 1. The Character of Bodmin Moor: A Landscape of Extremes Bodmin Moor covers around 208 square kilometres, forming a granite spine across Cornwall. Its defining features are: • Bare granite tors rising above rolling heath • Wide expanses of open moorland with almost no trees • Peat bogs and wetlands that shift with rainfall • Constant wind exposure and fast-changing weather It feels remote not beca...

Stargazing on Bodmin Moor: Cornwall’s Dark Skies Above Ancient Granite High above Cornwall’s coastal lights and sheltered valleys, Bodmin Moor becomes something entirely different after sunset. The tors and peat bogs fade into silhouette, the wind quiets slightly, and the sky opens into one of the darkest and most expansive nightscapes in southern England. For stargazers, photographers, and anyone seeking a rare sense of space, Bodmin Moor offers a genuine dark-sky experience—where the Milky Way, planets, and meteor showers can be seen with striking clarity on clear nights. Why Bodmin Moor is Ideal for Stargazing Bodmin Moor is one of the best accessible dark-sky locations in the south of the UK due to a combination of geography and low population density. Key advantages: • Large areas with minimal artificial lighting • Elevated terrain reducing light pollution interference • Wide open horizons with unobstructed sky views • Sparse settlements across the moor Unlike coastal towns or inl...