Walk - Padstow to Porthcothan

13.2 miles (21.3 km)

Padstow Porthcothan

Easy - Easy

This section of Coast Path offers a day of easy walking along low cliffs, with beautiful, tempting beaches below. The path leaves the attractive town of Padstow behind, passing the sheltered beach of Hawker’s Cove, before leading you out to the Atlantic Coast. The path can become narrow in places and is quite rocky around Constantine Bay.

Walking round Trevose Head, one of Cornwall’s most prominent headlands, provides spectacular views of the sandy bays ahead and if you can resist the beaches on your journey you will have more time to enjoy the sheltered dune-backed beach of Porthcothan at the end of your walk.

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There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Penhalonga B&B

01841 521122/07815 833158

Family run B&B, full English breakfast. Single nights. Dogs welcome. Call Liz

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The Annexe Eastholme

07970 947682

Self catering one bedroom apartment, kingsize bed, heating, wifi, parking, fully equipped, linen and towels included. Drying/laundry available on request for a small fee.

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YHA Treyarnon Bay

01841 520322

Just 50m from the sea and 10m from coastal footpath offering private rooms, bell tents, pods and pitch up. Licenced Bar and Cafe. Perfect place to rest your head.

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Tregella Place Camping

07964 973054

Basic rural site with some facilities. 10 min drive from Padstow

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Penlan B&B

01841 520440

Situated 250m from Porthcothan Bay beach close to the Coast Path, midway between Padstow and Newquay on bus route. Twin ensuite .

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Coswarth House

07907626084

A beautifully furnished boutique hotel in a listed building with breakfast served at Rick Stein's Cafe. Each room has a luxury bathroom.

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South Quay B&B

01841 532 383

A house on the harbourside in Padstow. 2 double rooms, the en suite top bedroom has a tiny terrace under the gable of the house.

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Dennis Cove Campsite

01841 532349

Closest campsite to the harbour,10min walk from the Path via the Camel Trail. Serene site bordering the Camel Estuary. A perfect base to explore the Cornish coastline & beaches.

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Mariners Lettings Ltd

01208 869257

Mariners Lettings - seven self-catering properties in Rock ranging in size from two to five bedrooms, 500 metres from the SW Coast Path

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Moyles Farm

01208 862331

Amazing views over open farmland, a perfect retreat to relax and unwind after a day on the Path. Range of accommodation including Shepherds Huts. Lifts to Path & luggage transfer on request.

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You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

The London Inn

01841 531129

A traditional Cornish pub full of charm and character with a large selection of cask ales and four comfortable rooms. Situated minutes from the Harbour.

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Rest A While Tea Garden

01841 532919

A delightful Tea Garden where you can relax enroute with outstanding views just 50m off the Coast Path. Serving hot & cold drinks & Cream Teas (traditional, savoury, vegan, gluten-free). Outside seating only. 11 am -3.00 pm

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Old Custom House

01841 532359

Prime position on Padstow’s South Quay, quality food and drink with a view plus 23 rooms & self-catering option

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Carnewas Tearooms

01637860701

The family run Carnewas Tearooms and Garden is on the coastal path overlooking Bedruthan Steps with views onto Parkhead.

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Oystercatcher

01208 862371

Contemporary menu & sea view plus dog friendly, self-catering apartments

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The Pityme Inn

01208 862228

Just 1 mile from Padstow beach and incorporating a village shop and takeaway, the Pityme Inn serves up the best of local produce from 9 am each day. Garden with heating pods and 4 rooms available.

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What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Trevose Golf & Country Club

01841520208

Trevose Golf & Country Club offers high-end coastal accommodation, golf, tennis, pool, and the acclaimed Constantine Restaurant for a luxury getaway.

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NCI Stepper Point

07810 898041

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Padstow Taxi

07485217760

Padstow taxi service, offering transfers and south west coast path shuttle and luggage transfers

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Padstow Tourist Information

01841 533449

All the information you need to enjoy your visit to Padstow.

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Stepper Point NCI, Padstow

Situated above the Coast Path with commanding views out to sea and over the Camel river. Visitors most welcome.

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Highlights

Gun Point: featuring on maps dating from 1801, here you will find the remains of fortifications thought to date back to the time of the Spanish Armada.

Orchids and reed buntings in the marshes of Harbour Cove.

Views from Stepper Point with its navigation station. Much of this area is farmed under the Countryside Stewardship scheme, which means that the land is farmed in an environmentally sensitive way, banishing chemical fertilisers and encouraging wildlife and flowers.

Nesting birds on limestone layers of Marble Cliffs, Porthmissen.

Round Hole near Trevone: a collapsed sea cave.

Harlyn: an Iron Age cemetery was discovered buried beneath the Harlyn Inn. It contained over 100 coffins with human remains and bronze and iron ornaments. These are now in the museum in Truro. Keep a look out for seals around Harlyn Bay.

The Old Fish Cellars above Harlyn Bay which were once used for processing pilchards. Carved into the lintel are the ironic words “Lucri Dulcis Odor” or “Profit Smells Sweet”. No doubt the smells were far from sweet when the building was a working fish cellar and the profit itself far from sweet due to the 16th-century Curse of Mother Ivey!

Padstow's Lifeboat Station in Mother Ivey’s Bay, open to visitors Mon-Fri 10.00-16.00 (including weekends during the summer).

Trevose Head Lighthouse opened in 1847 and is available for holiday hire.

Enjoying the wonderful names, such as Big Guns Cove, Cat’s Cove and Stinking Cove.

Watching the surfers and having a picnic at Constantine Bay: a beautiful beach of golden sands backed by dunes.

The marine life of Treyarnon Bay is exposed at low tide.

Resting on the beach in Porthcothan Bay.

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