My day out: Bedruthan Steps

Cornwall’s coast path is a beautiful place to walk, no matter what time of year. Wanting to explore somewhere in Cornwall I’d never been before, I went on the South West Coast Path website and used their walk finder. Once it gave me a few options, I let my two children, aged nine and ten, choose where we went for a day out.

So with a picnic, a flask of tea, and our coats handy, we set off for Bedruthan Steps in north Cornwall.

Upon arrival, we discovered the area had a manned carpark (free to National Trust members), Carnewas Tearoom, a National Trust shop, and toilets. Since we already had our picnic, we decided not to eat in the tearoom but we did take a little peek inside. The cliff top tea garden is wonderful and it was surprisingly busy, despite the windy weather. Afterwards, we found a quiet area overlooking the cliff and ate our picnic there beside blissful sea views.

Later on, we dared to venture down the seemingly endless steps. One of my children didn’t want to attempt the plunge, since it’s not for the fainthearted, but I held onto the rail the whole walk down (and back up!), making sure I didn’t slip. It was an amazing experience, made even better by the magnificent location on the north coast. When we reached the bottom, it was high tide so we didn’t get the chance to visit the beach but the view alone was definitely worth the trip.

Although Bedruthan Steps is an outstanding place of beauty, it is also home to sheer cliff edges and visitors need to remember this. I would suggest dogs are better on the lead and children should be watched at all times to avoid any accidents. For those with mobility issues, the view from the top of the cliff is just as beautiful as the one from the bottom — and it’s the perfect excuse to whip out the flask on colder days to keep warm, while admiring the sea view.

It’s worth noting that the steps are not open through the winter, so don’t get caught out if you’re visiting at this time. That said, even if you visit during the winter months, there’s nothing to stop you having a fantastic coastal walk along the cliffs for however long you choose, from as little as 20 minutes to three hours.

If you want to visit Bedruthan Steps, take a look at our Cornish self-catering properties nearby.