North Cornwall

A Quick Guide to Experience North Cornwall

A soul searchers dream is what North Cornwall is. As you cross the bridge into the southernmost county in the UK, you can start to feel a wave of calm and contentedness. Yep, you’ve just entered jam first, cream second territory. North Cornwall is a great setting for a wide variety of people. The beautiful scenery and walking paths stir up the hidden adventurer inside many. The leafy green parks boasting picturesque views are a great space for families. Sleepy villages hidden away in small clusters always bring the curious to peer closer. And of course the beaches! Find out more about what North Cornwall has to offer.

Bodmin Moor

Bodmin Moor is one of Cornwall’s rugged jewels. Located just outside the town of Bodmin, this moorland is an explorer’s dream. With around 208 square kilometres of land, there is something for everyone at Bodmin Moor. For the walking enthusiasts, Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall, is certainly a worthy challenge to take up. The view across the moorland is well worth the trek up to the top. Hues of green merge in with ruddy browns as they meet the sky in the distant background.

Bodmin Moor is also bursting with some beautiful wildlife. Eurasian otters are returning once again to the winding rivers in the moors. The peaks and flatland are home to wild ponies too. If you’re lucky enough, you may be able to spot one on one of the various walking routes. With a lot of history tied to Bodmin Moor, perhaps one of the most fascinating is the Darley Oak. Believed to be around 1,000 years old, this majestic tree is definitely a sight to see.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Located near Mevagissey, the Lost Gardens of Heligan are a cluster of gardens originally owned by the Tremayne family in the 18 th century. The history behind the rediscovery of the gardens is awe-inspiring. As World War 1 broke out, many of the caretakers of the gardens were sent off to fight, leaving the garden unattended for decades. Overgrown plants, crawling moss and weeds were slowly taking over the once tended gardens. The sea of green was becoming thicker and thicker until the 1990s that is. The restoration process made sure to keep those overgrown charms while making it possible to navigate through the paths so the gardens beauty could be admired.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a great outing for young families. It’s the perfect natural playground for children, exploring the flora and fauna, learning about their environment through their senses. The Jungle is particularly a focal point of the gardens. A widespread landscape filled with subtropical trees, snaking rivers and an abundance of wildlife creates a stunning post-card worthy scene. The iconic rope bridge just brings this place all together.

Tintagel Castle

This English Heritage site possessed many things from beautiful views to a wealth of history. This is a great place to visit for all the knowledge buffs out there or anyone looking to learn a bit more about Cornish heritage while drinking in the beautiful backdrop. Tintagel Castle is engulfed in legends and lore. The tales of King Arthur is embedded in the stone walls of the spires, while the love story of Tristan and Iseult flow through the passageways.

Walking across the elevated bridge, as you step close to the looming castle, a sense of wonder will overcome you. The dramatic views of cliff edges and the water crashing beneath you as you walk across the bridge is one way to visit an ancient castle. Standing under the turrets brings an element of wonder. Your surrounded by years of history and are becoming a part of it as you take each step. It wouldn’t be Cornwall without a beach either. You can take the route to the beach below the castle where the rockpools and cliffs above will keep you entertained. Mind the droplets of water from the waterfall as you start your adventure into the old caves.

Camel Trail

For the athletes and the regular bike ride enthusiasts, the Camel Trail is for you. Just over 17 miles of bike trail is what the Camel Trail has to offer. Witness some of the most beautiful countryside scenes as you race past, the wind propelling you further as you see the sun bringing the colourful flowers to life. The Camel Trail segments off into cosy seaside towns and fishing villages, some great places to take a break and get a hearty Cornish pasty. The trail winds past old railway lines and wooded paths. One of the lanes will lead you towards the edge of Bodmin Moor, yet another beautiful sight. Since the trail is largely flat, this is great for all ability riders. Bikes can be rented out in designated areas of Bodmin, Padstow and Wadebridge. Bedruthan Steps A coastal cliff walk is a must when in Cornwall. The breath-taking views that the Bedruthan Steps hold will bring a sense of peace and wonder. The Bedruthan Steps will not only give you the sense of walking across the edge of the world, but the stacks peeking above the waters will really make the views worthwhile. The myths and fables behind the Bedruthan steps are just as exciting as the landscape. Legend says that a giant named Bedruthan used the giant stacks as steps to cut across the bay. Can you imagine the size of this giant?

You can spend the night under the stars on a cliff-top campsite. The crashing waves against the cliff face will gently soothe you to sleep. Imagine waking up to a sunrise, framing the stacks, each ray weaving through the giant rocks in a race to rise before the day begins.

Bude Beaches

Is it really a trip to Cornwall without a visit to at least one beach? Bude has several to offer, all within fairly close proximity. Perhaps one of the most popular one would be Summerleaze Beach. This place provides everything from friendly surf schools to a coastal walk path and even some rock pools to explore. The famous Bude canal also opens out into Summerleaze beach, making it a lovely walk while enjoying delicious cone of Cornish ice cream.

If you want a less crowded place to be, then Duckpool Beach is also a great option. Enclosed against the backdrop of spectacular cliffs, Duckpool gives an amorous ambience. As you walk past the rocky ground and onto the sand, the wide expanse of the landscape becomes even more vivid. The steps going up to the cliff will also show you the view but with the added height, the expanse of Cornish landscape will greet you with every crash of the waves.