A guide to things to do in north Cornwall between Bude and Padstow: castles, harbours, beaches, walks, moorland and cycling, with drive times.
North Cornwall packs a lot into a short stretch of coast. Between Bude in the north and Padstow in the south you will find cliff-top castles, tiny harbours, surf beaches, wild moorland and one of Britain's best-loved long-distance paths. This guide is organised by type of day out, with rough drive times from Lower Pennycrocker Farm near Boscastle. For things right on our doorstep, see things to do near Boscastle.
History and legend
- Tintagel Castle (about 7 miles): the cliff-top ruins linked with the legend of King Arthur, run by English Heritage. Arrive early in summer. See Tintagel.
- Boscastle (about 2 miles): a harbour village with a long history, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and the story of the 2004 flood.
- St Juliot Church, close to the farm, is linked with the writer Thomas Hardy; see Thomas Hardy and St Juliot.
- Launceston, the old county town, has a castle on a mound above the streets; see the Launceston day trip.
Harbours and villages
- Port Isaac (about 15 miles): steep lanes and a working harbour, well known from television. See the Port Isaac day trip.
- Padstow (about 45 minutes): a busy harbour town on the Camel estuary; see the Padstow day trip.
- Port Quin and Port Gaverne: quieter coves near Port Isaac; see Port Quin and Port Gaverne.
Beaches and surf
The north coast's beaches are big, wild and tidal. Widemouth Bay and Bude suit surfing and families; Crackington Haven and Trebarwith Strand are best at low tide. Our best beaches in north Cornwall guide compares them, and surf camping in north Cornwall covers lessons and conditions.
Walking
The South West Coast Path runs the length of the north coast. From the farm it is about half a mile to the path. Popular sections include Boscastle to Tintagel and the walk to Pentargon waterfall. See walks near Boscastle and best walks from Boscastle.
Moorland and big skies
Bodmin Moor is a short drive inland, with Rough Tor about 6 miles from the farm. It is one of the best places in Cornwall for open walking, and the moor is a designated Dark Sky Landscape. See our Bodmin Moor guide and Bodmin Moor stargazing.
Cycling
The Camel Trail follows an old railway line along the Camel estuary between Wadebridge and Padstow and inland towards Bodmin. It is mostly flat and suits families; bikes can be hired in Wadebridge and Padstow. See our Camel Trail cycling guide.
Rainy days
Wet weather happens. Museums, cafés, indoor attractions and sheltered valley walks all help. Our rainy day ideas for north Cornwall page has a full list.
Plan your days
Pair one big outing with a quieter local day. Our north Cornwall day trips from Boscastle and 7-day itinerary show how to fit it together.
Frequently asked questions
What is north Cornwall best known for?
Dramatic cliffs, surf beaches, the South West Coast Path, Tintagel Castle and harbour villages such as Boscastle and Port Isaac.
Is Boscastle a good base for north Cornwall?
Yes. It sits midway along the north coast, with Bude about 15 miles north and Port Isaac about 15 miles south-west.
What can I do in north Cornwall with children?
Rock pooling, beaches, Tintagel, the Camel Trail and short walks. See Boscastle with kids.
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.
