Port Isaac

The Legend of Bedruthan Steps: Giants on Cornwall’s Coast Along Cornwall’s rugged north coast, a few miles south of Port Isaac, lies one of the region’s most dramatic and atmospheric landscapes: Bedruthan Steps. Known for its towering sea stacks and sweeping Atlantic views, this stretch of coastline is as rich in legend as it is in natural beauty. A Landscape Shaped by Myth At first glance, Bedruthan Steps is striking for its sheer scale—massive rock pillars rising from the sea, carved over millennia by wind and waves. But according to local folklore, these formations are not just the work of nature. The legend tells of a giant named Bedruthan, who is said to have once roamed this coastline.  Rather than wading through the crashing surf below, Bedruthan supposedly used the towering sea stacks as stepping stones, striding from one to the next as he travelled along the shore. These rocks—today scattered dramatically across the beach—are believed to be the remnants of his footsteps. T...

North Cornwall Coastline & the South West Coast Path: A Complete Guide The north coast of Cornwall is where England feels at its most dramatic. Here, the land doesn’t ease into the sea—it drops, curves, and fractures into cliffs, coves, and wide Atlantic beaches shaped by wind and tide.  Running along almost every mile of it is the legendary South West Coast Path, one of the UK’s most rewarding long-distance walks. This guide gives you a clear, practical overview of what makes the North Cornwall coastline special, where to go, and how to experience it properly. What defines the North Cornwall coastline? Stretching roughly from Bude in the north down to Newquay and beyond, this coastline faces the full force of the Atlantic Ocean. Key features : High, rugged cliffs with sweeping sea views Golden surf beaches like Polzeath Beach Sheltered estuaries such as the Camel Estuary Hidden coves and fishing villages including Port Isaac It’s a coastline of contrast—wild and exposed one mi...

National Trust Locations in North Cornwall: Coastlines, Cliffs, and Cultural Heritage North Cornwall is one of the most visually dramatic regions in England, where Atlantic waves meet ancient geology and centuries of human history.  Much of this landscape is protected and managed by the National Trust, an organisation dedicated to conserving historic places, coastlines, and natural environments for public enjoyment. In North Cornwall, National Trust sites are not just visitor attractions—they are gateways into the region’s geology, wildlife, farming traditions, and maritime heritage. Why the National Trust Matters in North Cornwall The North Cornwall coastline is constantly shaped by erosion, storms, and sea-level change. Without protection, much of its character could be lost. The National Trust plays a key role in: Protecting coastal footpaths such as the South West Coast Path Managing sensitive habitats for wildlife Preserving historic farms, cottages, and estates Maintaining pu...

Pentargon Waterfall, North Cornwall: A Clifftop Cascade Plunging Straight into the Atlantic Hidden along a rugged stretch of the north Cornwall coast, Pentargon Waterfall is one of those rare natural features that feels both sudden and perfectly placed.  Unlike inland waterfalls that gather in wooded valleys, this one spills directly off a cliff into the Atlantic—shaped as much by coastal weather and tides as by freshwater flow. It’s not a destination with signs, viewpoints, or facilities. Instead, it appears briefly along the South West Coast Path as part of a longer walk between wild headlands, most often encountered near Boscastle. Finding it: a waterfall you walk past, not toward Pentargon Waterfall is best experienced as a surprise rather than a goal. Most visitors come across it while walking the coastal path between Boscastle and nearby cliffs. The approach typically involves: Following the South West Coast Path along exposed headlands Moving through alternating sheltered co...

Dannonchapel Cliffs, North Cornwall: A Remote Stretch of Atlantic Edge and Coastal Solitude Hidden along one of the quieter stretches of North Cornwall’s coastline, Dannonchapel Cliffs offers a very different kind of coastal experience.  This is not a place of wide sandy beaches, harbours, or landmarks—it is a long, exposed run of cliffs where the Atlantic dominates everything: sound, scale, and horizon. For walkers on this section of the South West Coast Path, Dannonchapel feels less like a destination and more like a passage through pure coastal space. Getting there: a journey along the edge Most visitors encounter Dannonchapel Cliffs as part of a longer walk between nearby coastal points, typically from areas such as Lundy Bay or towards more rugged headlands to the north. The approach usually involves: Leaving more populated coastal spots behind Following narrow cliff-top paths through farmland transitions Gradually entering increasingly exposed terrain Reaching a stretch where...

Treknow, North Cornwall: A Quiet Cliffside Hamlet Above the Atlantic Coast Hidden just inland from the dramatic north Cornish coastline, Treknow is one of those small settlements that most visitors pass without realising it is there.  It is not a destination in the conventional sense—there are no major attractions, no busy centre, and no obvious reason to stop. And yet, that is exactly what makes it interesting. Treknow is a place defined by its relationship to the surrounding landscape: perched between farmland, cliffs, and nearby coastal landmarks, it quietly sits in the background of one of Cornwall’s most scenic stretches. Where it sits: between coast and countryside Treknow lies close to the north Cornwall coast, not far from well-known areas such as Tintagel and the surrounding cliff network of beaches, coves, and headlands. Unlike coastal villages that sit directly on the shoreline, Treknow is slightly set back: • Close enough to the sea to feel its influence • Far enough in...

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...