A seven-day plan for exploring north Cornwall from our campsite near Boscastle, mixing beaches, walks, villages and the moor, with wet-weather alternatives.
One of the best things about camping near Boscastle is that you can see a lot of north Cornwall without moving your tent. This seven-day itinerary is based at Lower Pennycrocker Farm and keeps most drives under 45 minutes. Swap days around to suit the weather and tides.
Day 1: Arrive and explore Boscastle
Pitch up and settle in, then head into Boscastle for an evening walk around the harbour and a pub supper. See our arrival guide and Boscastle pubs.
Day 2: Boscastle harbour and the Valency valley
Spend a full day in and around the village: the harbour, Willapark lookout, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and the Valency valley walk to St Juliot. See Boscastle harbour guide.
Day 3: Tintagel and Trebarwith Strand
Drive: about 7 miles to Tintagel. Visit the castle in the morning, then head to Trebarwith Strand for low tide in the afternoon. See Tintagel and Trebarwith Strand.
Day 4: Bude and its beaches
Drive: about 20–25 minutes. Beaches, the sea pool and the canal, with Widemouth Bay on the way back. See Bude day trip.
Day 5: Port Isaac and Port Quin
Drive: about half an hour. Explore Port Isaac's harbour, then walk to Port Quin or visit Port Gaverne. See Port Isaac day trip and Port Quin and Port Gaverne.
Day 6: Padstow and the Camel Trail, or Polzeath
Drive: about 45 minutes to Padstow or 40 minutes to Polzeath. Choose the harbour and bikes, or a surf beach day. See Padstow, Polzeath or Clovelly? and the Camel Trail.
Day 7: Bodmin Moor or Clovelly
Option A, the moor: walk Rough Tor, about half an hour away, and stay late for the stars on a clear night. See Bodmin Moor guide and Bodmin Moor dark sky stargazing.
Option B, north Devon: drive about 45 minutes up the A39 to Clovelly and Hartland. See Clovelly and Hartland day trip.
Wet-weather swaps
- Swap a beach day for the Eden Project, a longer drive south. See Eden Project day trip.
- Visit Lanhydrock near Bodmin: see Lanhydrock day trip.
- Explore Launceston's castle and town: see Launceston day trip.
More ideas on our rainy days in north Cornwall page.
Planning tips
- Check the tides for Trebarwith, Bossiney and rock pools: see beach safety and tides.
- Mix busy and quiet days. Pair a busy village day with a moor or coast path day.
- Take one day off the car. The 95 bus links Boscastle with Tintagel, Bude and Wadebridge: see car-free days out from Boscastle.
- Fuel up on the A39. There is no fuel at the campsite.
- Book early for summer weeks, especially the school holidays.
Only got a few days? Try our weekend in Boscastle itinerary. Want to stay near Port Isaac? See camping near Port Isaac.
Frequently asked questions
Is a week enough to see north Cornwall?
A week from a base near Boscastle covers the main north coast highlights, from Bude to Padstow and Bodmin Moor.
How far is Padstow from Boscastle?
About 45 minutes' drive from our campsite.
Can we see Devon from a Boscastle base?
Yes. Clovelly and Hartland are about 45 minutes up the A39.
Stay near Boscastle
Lower Pennycrocker Farm is a quiet, family-run campsite at St Juliot, about two miles from Boscastle (PL35 0BY). We welcome tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans from 1 April to 31 October. Adults are £10 a night, children aged 5 and over £5, electric hook-up £7 and dogs £2 each (maximum two). Showers are free and you park beside your pitch. Check availability and book direct, or see pitches and prices.
