Walking in Cornwall

All breakfasts are included and one dinner. Breakfasts consist of cooked and continental options each day.

Cornwall has some of the best cuisine in the UK. Fish, naturally, is one of the regional specialities. Your leader will suggest different restaurants for the evening meal to showcase the full range of Cornish cuisine. Lunch follows a similar theme, with variety and quality paramount.

Begin with the tidal hop aboard the Camel Estuary foot ferry to Rock, then stride sandy paths to Daymer Bay and Polzeath, where surf breaks roll across wide, dune-backed beaches. Estuary mudflats host oystercatchers and curlews while marram grass ripples in the Atlantic breeze.

Climb to the headland at Pentire Point for commanding ocean views before looping past St Enodoc Church, resting place of poet Sir John Betjeman. The route blends big-sky horizons with gentle cultural touchpoints and coastal ecology.

Follow rugged paths along the Atlantic cliffs to Stepper Point, where a 19th-century stone daymark crowns the headland and views sweep to Trevose Head and The Rumps. Salt-spray air, thrift-flecked turf, and surf-carved inlets set a dramatic walking scene.

Along the way, meet a conservation expert from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust to explore coastal habitats, seabird colonies, and protection efforts. Learn how resilient cliffs provide nesting ledges for the returning peregrine falcons, the world’s fastest birds.

Explore the terraced gardens and wooded parkland of Lanhydrock, a grand Victorian estate, before descending through oak-lined trails into the Fowey Estuary valley. Shifting vistas reveal meadows, river bends, and pockets of ancient woodland alive with birdsong.

Continue toward the former stannary hub of Lostwithiel, passing views of Restormel Castle perched above the river. Stories of the stannary town of Lostwithiel and Cornwall’s tin-trading past accompany a tranquil, heritage-rich walk.

Trace the Saint’s Way (Forth an Syns), an ancient cross-Cornwall route once trodden by Celtic pilgrims and merchants. Granite stiles, field paths, and lichen-draped hedgerows carry you through quietly folded countryside shaped by centuries of travel and trade.

Pass the riverside hamlet of Golant and emerge at the deep-water harbour of Fowey, long linked to the export of tin and china clay. Estuary light, bobbing boats, and church towers lend a calm, timeless atmosphere.

Walk a sculpted stretch of the South West Coast Path from Charlestown toward Mevagissey, where thrift-tipped cliffs, sea stacks, and pocket coves unfold in steady rhythm. The coastal air carries tangs of salt and seaweed as waves fret the rocks below.

Arrive among huddled cottages and the village’s twin harbours, watching painted fishing boats pivot on their moorings. Maritime traditions, shipbuilding tales, and still-active fleets anchor this photogenic finish.

Hike to the bold, red-and-white Gribben Head daymark, a 19th-century navigation beacon guiding mariners into St Austell Bay. From the headland, far-reaching views take in headlands, beaches, and the faint seam of the horizon.

Descend to Polridmouth Cove, a secluded inlet entwined with Daphne du Maurier’s life and the moody spirit of Rebecca. Rockpools, shingle, and the hush of sheltered water invite unhurried exploration.

Cross the water aboard the small Fowey–Polruan ferry to wander quiet lanes and cliff-edge paths on the opposite shore. Wildflowers fringe the route as gulls ride thermals above slate-roofed villages.

Enjoy wide estuary panoramas back to the pastel waterfront of Fowey, then return by ferry along a centuries-old maritime link that still shapes local rhythms and community life.

Wander the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a restored Cornish estate renowned for Victorian Productive Gardens, heated pits, and heritage varieties (entrance not included). Paths weave between flower borders, glasshouses, and orchard plots celebrating heirloom horticulture.

Descend into the subtropical Jungle, where giant gunnera and tree ferns crowd steamy valleys, and seek out the whimsical Mud Maid. This optional visit is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Pause to sample Rick Stein’s fish and chips by the water, where light, crisp batter meets flaky Cornish fish and tangy tartare. Eat alfresco beside Padstow Harbour, with the clink of halyards and the chatter of gulls for company.

Celebrating the day’s catch and a beloved local tradition, this is a casual, pay-as-you-go treat. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Savour a seafood lunch in Mevagissey, choosing from harbourside spots where menus mirror the morning landings—perhaps crab, hake, or scallops in season. Nets, lobster pots, and painted boats set a maritime backdrop.

Dine amid the rhythms of a working harbour, with the scent of salt and a flicker of sunlight on the water. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Gather on the quays of Padstow Harbour to meet your Tour Leader and fellow walkers over a hosted welcome dinner showcasing Cornish flavours. Lantern light flickers across the granite quay as fishing boats settle on the tide, setting a relaxed tone for the days of coastal walking to come.

Hear practical tips and route insights while enjoying seasonal, sea-to-plate dishes drawn from a working harbour. This convivial evening helps the group connect and frames the region’s maritime character and culinary heritage.