Cornwall England | Explore the Cornish Coastal Path

Trek Along Great Britain’s Southwestern Coast

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Trip Highlights:

Surround yourself with the Atlantic Ocean and currents of the Gulf Stream
Trek through tucked away fishing villages and pristine beaches
Explore serene English gardens and wander around ancient castles filled with history
Enjoy staples of British culture with its booming gourmet food scene

Welcome to Cornwall, Great Britain’s most south-westerly county. Surrounded by the lashings of The Atlantic Ocean and the warming currents of The Gulf Stream, this peninsula boasts over 400 miles of dramatic cliff-edged coastline complete with palm trees, cute tucked away fishing villages, windswept pristine beaches, and water so turquoise you might mistake it for The Caribbean.

Cornwall is also famous for its Celtic and mining history. Indeed, the very name Cornwall is derived from the Cornish words Cornovii and Waelas – meaning hill dwellers and strangers. Cornish, similar in structure to Welsh, is the only remaining Celtic language spoken within the borders of England. Furthermore, Cornwall, at one stage in the last century was responsible for over 50% of the world’s mined tin.

The county also boasts a booming gourmet food scene. Uniquely famous for its Cornish pasties – a pastry case traditionally filled with beef, potato, swede (turnip) and onion – its wide-ranging use of freshly caught fish, its ice cream and for its delightful Cornish cream teas, a staple of British culture.

Our tour starts in the lovely coastal town of Tintagel, home to the famous Tintagel Castle. A castle steeped in folklore surrounding the enigmatic King Arthur, and now with its two halves connected by a dramatically suspended footbridge.

Over the course of our 11-day tour, we will explore serene English gardens, wander ancient castles, walk along many a mile of breath-taking Cornish coastline, explore hidden Cornish gems and stay in delightful fishing villages flush with award-winning restaurants, cream teas, and seaside atmosphere. We start in Tintagel with its famous castle, and end in the city of Plymouth, which although in the neighboring county of Devon, keeps an old-world charm with easy transport links back to London.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Tintagel

Transfer from Paddington Train station to Bodmin Parkway and Ryder-Walker will provide a taxi from the train station to your hotel in Tintagel. Meet your guide(s) and other guests for a welcome dinner. Overnight in a charming hotel in Tintagel.

Day 2 - Tintagel Castle

Today begins with a short drive to Boscastle to visit The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, the only one of its kind. Afterwords we venture off to find the Southwest Coastal Path for a beautiful coastal hike. Along the way we stop at Tintagel Castle – inextricably linked with the legend of King Arthur. We round out the day walking back into Tintagel.

Distance: 6 miles.

Day 3 - Tintagel to Perranporth

Today’s relaxed pace allows us to fully appreciate the stunning Cornish coastline. Along the way, we pass the iconic ruins of the Wheal Coates tin mine, a reminder of the region’s rich mining history. We’ll end the day with an overnight stay in a charming, hotel in Perranporth.

Distance: 3 miles.

Day 4 - Perranporth to Mousehole

After a drive south, and a short stop at the Cambourne Farmers Market, we arrive at the breathtaking St. Michael’s Mount, an island cut off at high tide. We cross the stone causeway to the island on foot to explore the village, castle, gardens and medieval church followed by a drive around the bay to Mousehole pronounced Mowzel. Here, we spend the afternoon strolling the quaint streets and shopping in this delightful fishing village. Overnight in a quaint hotel in Mousehole.

Distance: 2 miles.

Day 5 - Mousehole - Land's End Hike

After a brief stop to view some Neolithic standing stones, we head to the stunning Porthcurno Beach to begin the longest hike of the tour. Along this hike we will have time to explore the famous Minack Theatre and to relax for lunch at the wonderful seaside Porthgwarra Cafe. Finish the hike at Land’s End, the most westerly point in England, where a tasty ice cream or Cornish cream tea are well deserved. Overnight back in Mousehole.

Distance: 7 miles.

Day 6 - Mousehole to Lizard

Our day is dedicated to exploring the rich history of Cornish mining. It begins with a coastal hike to the scenic Botallack Mine, featuring its iconic, and often photographed Crown engine houses, perched precariously on cliffs overlooking the ocean. Continuing on we visit the famous Geevor Tin Mine. This site has been preserved as a museum and heritage center, frozen in time to reflect the day it was compelled to shut its doors in 1991 due to a dramatic fall in tin prices in the late 1980s. Finish at our gorgeous cove hotel in Lizard.

Distance: 4 miles.

Day 7 - Lizard Point Hike

Today we embark on a lovely loop hike. Along route we will have a quick stop at Lizard Point, the most southerly point on the British mainland with the apex of the loop bringing us to the stunning Kynance Cove with its delightfully hidden beach and cafe for lunch. Once back at the hotel stroll along the coastal path for a short distance to find the Lizard Wireless Station, where Marconi received the first ever wireless ‘over the horizon’ radio transmission in 1901. Return to our hotel in Lizard.

Distance: 5 miles.

Day 8 - Lizard to Mevagissey

We begin today with a trip into the hills of Cornwall for a private tour of the Tregothnan Tea Plantation, the only place in the UK to grow its own tea. Afterwords, the adventure continues with a ferry ride to a charming country pub for lunch then we enjoy the afternoon exploring the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan, a botanical garden ranked amongst the best in the country. Overnight at a delightful hotel in Mevagissey.

Distance: 4 miles.

Day 9 - Mevagissey to Plymouth, Devon

We start today strolling and shopping in Mevagissey, the first town in England to have electric street lighting. From here we visit the the world-famous Eden Project, built from the scar of an old clay-pit mine, and now home to two large biomes which house plants from diverse climates and environments from throughout the world. A truly unique experience. Overnight at a beautiful boutique hotel in Plymouth.

Distance: 3 miles.

Day 10 - Plymouth, Devon Day Hike

Plymouth, the port city and launching point for Sir Francis Drake’s exploration to The Americas. We begin our final day with a quick stop at The Mayflower Steps, the location where the pilgrims are believed to have left England in 1620. After a tour of the Plymouth Gin Distillery and lunch we embark on a ferry ride over to Mt. Edgcumbe House and Country Park, a Grade 1 listed park and a wonderful spot to finish our tour, ambling around its beautiful acreage complete with woodlands, coastal walks and marvelous views. We finish our tour with a fabulous dinner overlooking the sea and Drake’s Island at the Artillery Tower, an intimate restaurant located inside a military building from the 1500s. Overnight at our hotel in Plymouth.

Distance: 2 miles.