Take a holiday in Boscastle on the northern Cornish coast and you’ll find yourself in one of the region’s most iconic fishing villages. The village is in a pretty wooded valley amidst the rivers Valency, Jordan and Paradise which flow into the village’s picturesque medieval harbour. This pocket of Cornwall is managed by the National Trust - come to see a land of lush, unspoilt countryside, rugged coastline, and picture-postcard scenery.
The harbour is a wonderfully quaint and active fishing port where a posse of fishermen tinker with their nets and lobster pots, just as they would have back in the 1800s. Back then, the harbour was a frenzy of activity with fishing boats and vessels joined by tradesmen buying and selling coal, slate, iron, timber, and limestone. Nowadays, tearooms and souvenir shops edge around this historic landmark, inviting visitors to buy gifts, ice creams and yummy cream teas while watching the world go by. Fishing and boat trips along the coast and to local islands from Boscastle Harbour are a sure bet for keeping everyone entertained. Keep an eye out for dolphins, seals, and iconic seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.
Boscastle holidays are the perfect escape if you’re looking for an old-fashioned Cornish coastal break. White-washed, thatched cottages with tiny doors and windows dating as far back as the 15th Century encircle the village below the site of the motte and bailey Botreaux Castle which stood atop the hill in Norman times. Sadly, the castle itself fell into decay and no longer stands tall, however, local sources say that much of the stone from the castle was incorporated in building the village.
Boscastle is liberally sprinkled with local artisans selling their wares. Think potteries, galleries, clothes, leather, and crafty trinkets. Supplies for your cottage kitchen and coastal picnics are available in the villages’ two shops and popular bakery – don’t miss their Cornish pasties! And if you fancy eating out, you won’t have to go far, as there are plenty of good eating and drinking spots in the village. No holiday in Boscastle would be complete without a visit to The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. You don’t need to be supernaturally inclined to thoroughly enjoy the wonderful and carefully curated collection of artefacts, exhibitions, and fascinating historical accounts of witchcraft, persecution, and magic through the ages.
Boscastle’s closest beach is Bossiney Haven (or Bossiney Cove) which is a short zip in the car. Here, you’ll find a golden sandy beach which is only accessible during low tide. Time your day carefully so as not to get cut off and you’ll be rewarded with fantastic swimming and snorkelling in the clear waters on the beach reef teeming with marine life. If thrills on big waves and surfing are more your style, head 6 miles over to Trebarwith Strand.
The countryside surrounding Boscastle is known locally as ‘Forbury Stitches’ which is a tapestry of walks and trails that tap into the South West Coast Path. The dramatic coastline passes inhospitable coves whose cliffs and rocks have been carved by the ferocious Atlantic waves.
A must-see when staying in this fantastic little village is to walk past the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic to Boscastle’s blowhole just beneath Penally Point, which locals have nicknamed the ‘Devil’s Bellows’. About an hour either side of low tide, the seawater bubbles and snorts, ejecting waterspouts which can reach halfway across the harbour - weather permitting of course, be sure to bring a raincoat just in case! And if you are out for a quick stroll, walk left of the quayside to an area called ‘The Lookout’ vantage point. Bring your binoculars and a camera to capture the stunning coastline in all its rugged splendour.
This village may be pocket-size, but it’s packed with things to do, see, and discover, as well as being a great base to explore the fantastic north Cornish coast.
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