Current as of: December 21, 2024 - 10:01
Walking in Cornwall Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: United Kingdom
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
-
Activity Level:
3 out of 7 - Moderate
- 7 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: TDK
- Carbon Footprint: 12kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Discover the beaches, coves and port towns of the Cornish coast
Set out to explore the ancient Celtic kingdom of Cornwall from your charming stays on the medieval harbour of Padstow and Georgian harbour of Charlestown. With ample opportunities to comb the north and south coast, this route begins by crossing the Camel Estuary by ferry and walking towards the spectacular beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay, with the opportunity to dine on chef Rick Stein’s celebrated fish and chips. Next, head towards the cliffs at Stepper Point, where peregrine falcons are known to nest, for panoramic ocean views. After visiting the Lanhydrock, the Fowey Estuary and Restormel Castle, we join the South West Coast Path and wander around the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Enjoy lunch in the harbourside village of Mevagissey with a host of wonderful dining options and fish straight from the day’s catch.
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels)
- Five days guided walking
- Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- Moderate walks, leisurely pace; good level of fitness recommended
- Option to travel by train to your adventure
Highlights
- Fantastic combination of scenic walking and visits
- Beaches, estuaries, picturesque seaside towns and villages, castles, gardens and points of interest
- Padstow, Charlestown, Lanhydrock, Fowey, Mevagissey, The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate) with six days of walking on rolling terrain. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Each day features up to five hours of walking with visits to places of interest. Unsurprisingly for this portion of Cornwall, there will be some ascent each day. You will not need to carry all your luggage with you. Our support vehicle will transfer it on Day 4 from Padstow to Charlestown.
A good level of fitness is required; however, regular walkers will not find this itinerary challenging.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 6
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Padstow
- End City: Charlestown
Land Only Itinerary
Start Padstow
Our adventure begins in Padstow, a working harbour town in north Cornwall that’s seen a popularity surge among walkers and foodies in recent years. Settle into the hotel and join the welcome briefing, in which your leader will go over the adventures ahead and answer any questions you might have.
Accommodation: Old Custom House (or similar)
Camel Estuary, Rock, beautiful beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay
We set out from Padstow by catching the foot ferry across the Camel Estuary to the small seaside village of Rock. Our route takes us slightly inland to the idyllic beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay and then up to Pentire Head. After lunch, we walk past St Enodoc Church and along the dunes, returning to Padstow by foot ferry in the late afternoon. Dinner offers a chance to try chef Rick Stein’s much-acclaimed fish and chips – though you may want to visit one of the many other restaurants here – before returning to our townhouse hotel for the evening.
Accommodation: Old Custom House (or similar)
North Cornish coast
Heading out of town from the hotel and along the coastal path, our route follows the cliffs at Stepper Point, past the observatory with panoramic views of ocean, town and estuary. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, the fastest birds in the world, known to fly and nest in this area, as you traverse the coast and beaches towards lunch in Trevone or Harlyn Bay or even Constantine Bay depending on our progress. Catching the bus back across the headland in the afternoon provides a leisurely end to the day.
Fowey Estuary, Restormel Castle, Saint's Way
We transfer to Lanhydrock Gardens to start walking down the Fowey Estuary. From the gardens, which are well worth an explore, we walk towards the coast passing the picture-perfect Restormel Castle and onto the lovely town of Lostwithiel for lunch. In the afternoon, we join the Saint’s Way through the lovely village of Golant and onto Fowey and the south Cornish coast. At the end of the walk, we transfer to our new hotel in Charlestown.
South West Coastal Path to Mevagissey
In the morning, we walk directly from our hotel southwards along the South West Coast Path towards the wonderful town of Mevagissey. On the way, we veer from the path to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan (revived in 1991 after 70 years of neglect and restored to former glory – see ‘Money’ section for entrance fee) and then into Mevagissey for a lunch of seafood caught that morning.
Carlyon Bay, Polkerris beach and Fowey
After breakfast, we jump on a public bus, which will drop us just above the village and beach at Polkerris. We begin walking along the coast towards Gribben Head, before dropping down to Polridmouth Cove, where Daphne Du Maurier based her 1938 gothic novel, Rebecca. Arriving in Fowey, we stop for lunch and in the afternoon there is the opportunity to cross the harbour by ferry into Polruan and walk the other side of the estuary. Afterwards, we catch another ferry back into Fowey and enjoy our last night together.
End Charlestown
Our exploration of Cornwall ends in Charlestown. You can make your way home, but if you’d like to explore Cornwall a little more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Accommodation
Old Custom House, Padstow, and The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown
On this walking adventure in Cornwall, our time is split between two traditional seaside towns: Padstow and Charlestown.
Padstow: Old Custom House (nights 1-3)
Enjoy a quayside spot in the bustling fishing port of Padstow. The town itself is a foodie hotspot, largely thanks to the success of local TV chef Rick Stein, though there are also traditional tearooms, cafes and pubs to try. Our 23-room boutique hotel overlooks the working harbour, ideally placed for exploring. It’s also a gastro pub, serving contemporary pub classics and award-winning beers.
Charlestown: The Rashleigh Arms (nights 4-6)
The Rashleigh offers 18 nautically themed rooms by Charlestown harbour, the last 18th-century Georgian harbour and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The accommodation and in-house pub-restaurant are both award winners, the latter offering drinks from the nearby St Austell Brewery and classic-contemporary pub food.
Single supplement from £ 630
Food & Drink
All breakfasts are included. These 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.
Transport
Throughout the week, we have little need for transfers; however, when required, we use a private minibus or make use of local buses, a practical and cost-effective way of reaching start points or returning from the end of our walks.
Weather & Seasonality
As we are in a coastal area there will always be a degree of wind. Rain can come at any time of year; however, the temperatures typically rise from around 12C (54F) in April to the high 20Cs (around 80F-85F) or above in early September. Like much of the UK, there have been hotter spells in recent years. Equally, the odd bout of unpredictable weather can occur.
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Padstow in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Guests can arrive by car directly to the hotel or by train into Bodmin Parkway Rail Station, which is approximately four to five hours from London Paddington. If arriving by car, there is a long-stay car park a short walk from the Custom House hotel. Please ask for further details.
If arriving at Bodmin Parkway, the simplest option is a taxi to the hotel, approximately a 35-minute journey. Public buses are available, taking around an hour to Padstow from the train station.
The group will be transferred between hotels on Day 4 and returned to pick up cars as required at the end of the trip.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Padstow
Location end: Charlestown
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Small daypack (for water bottle, camera etc)
- Refillable water bottle
- Lightweight waterproof jacket and wind stopper
- Walking boots or trekking shoes with good grip
Optional Equipment
- Walking poles
Practical Information
Visa
United Kingdom
Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/united-kingdom
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-kingdom
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedKingdom.html
Vaccinations and Health
United Kingdom
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.
Local Time
United Kingdom's time zone: Europe/London (UTC +00:00)
Electricity
United Kingdom's electricity: Plug type G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
United Kingdom's currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
ATM Availability
ATMs are available in most towns.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
- A typical lunch costs £15, dinner £25, a pint of beer £5, and a glass of wine £4
- Lanhydrock Gardens: £10 (National Trust)
- Restormel Castle: £6.50 (English Heritage)
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan: £16
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline we recommend a starting point of £50 per person for the guides.
Sustainability and Impact
At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.
As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.
-
Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
-
Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
-
Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by Exodus should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by Exodus based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.