Route Section Number 10:
Padstow to Clovelly
Cornwall’s wild and wonderful Atlantic coast gets rockier, more remote and less developed as the road heads north from Padstow. By the time you cross the Devon border near Welcome Mouth, the ‘beaches ‘are covered by ranks of jagged boulders surrounded by cliffs famous for their long history of shipwrecks.
Yet this stretch makes a perfect roadtrip, thanks to quieter roads, fewer towns and some of the most memorable sights of the whole southwest 660 route. Look forward to discovering its spectacular highlights like Tintagel Castle, Boscastle Harbour, Hartland Quay and Clovelly.
Your Route
- The Camel estuary leading south from Padstow might be beautifully tree-lined but you have to follow the A389 until you reach the first crossing at Wadebridge. A few high-hedged lanes lead to quiet spots on the estuary, like Old Town Cove, but ultimately you have to join the A39 to cross the Camel.
- Once on the far shore however, the B3314 loops you closer to the coast. Use even smaller roads to explore the glamorous resort of Rock and surfers’ beach at Polzeath.
- Beyond Pentire Point take lanes that pass through tiny Port Quin, wind down Church Hill into Port Isaac and back to the B3314. Pass Delabole’s vast slate quarry, once Europe’s biggest man-made hole. Head for unmissable Tintagel – but consider a possible detour to the impressive rock and sand beach at Trebarwith Strand on the way.
- Taken near Boscastle
Continuing your route...
The B3263 leads to Boscastle via the quirky attraction of St Nectan’s Glen. Narrow scenic lanes can then take you closer to the sea via beaches at Crackington Haven and Widemouth Bay, and finally on to the family resort of Bude. Enjoy the sandy beaches here – there are no more sands for the next 30 miles of rugged shoreline until Westward Ho!.
The A39 ‘Atlantic Highway’ cuts the corner of Hartland Peninsula and heads north to Clovelly but lanes turning to the left offer adventurous routes towards the coast. If you’ve only time for one, take the little road down to the wave-battered harbour at Hartland Quay.
During your trip
Route Highlights
Rock
The old estuary village of Rock is enjoying a similar up-market transformation to Padstow on the opposite shore. Rock always had beaches, views and walks – and now there are gourmet restaurants and designer shops too.
Port Isaac
The biggest of a trio of tiny adjoining coves, Port Isaac was thrust into the spotlight when serving as the location for TV’s Doc Martin series. Along with Port Quin and Port Gaverne, expect rocky inlets with tiny beaches sheltering a handful of fishing boats.
Tintagel
Don’t let the touristy high street full of homemade fudge and Arthurian replica swords deter you – it leads to one of the great sights of Cornwall. You’ll cross the new spectacular footbridge to reach the romantic ruins of Tintagel’s medieval island fortress.
Boscastle
A craggy inlet twists inland to a harbour where wonky cottages climb uphill from a cleft in the cliffs. Boscastle’s quirky appeal includes individual artists’ galleries, a spooky witchcraft tradition and a noisy blowhole spouting water through a gap in the cliffs.
Beaches of the far north coast
This rugged stretch of coast has more shipwreck locations and smuggling sites than sandy beaches. That’s all the better for out-of-season road trip explorers. Look out for the small sheltered cove at Crackington Haven alongside Cornwall’s highest cliffs.
Hartland
They call the far northwest corner of Devon the ‘Hartland Heritage Coast’ – it’s a beachless peninsular that’s a largely unspoilt Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It offers intrepid walks and breathless views rather than sandcastles and sunbathing.
Clovelly
With its steep cobbled main street and picturesque harbour, Clovelly is one of THE essential Devon sights. Thanks to its private aristocratic owners, nothing architectural has changed here for almost 300 years.
Discover a secret sight
Between Tintagel and Boscastle find the car park and signed path from the B3263. It leads along St Nectan’s Glen, a deep gorge following a stream splashing over mossy rocks in a lush rainforest. At the end is a sacred and photogenic waterfall that has worn a hole right through a ring of rock.
- St Nectan’s Glen
Featured Accommodation
Staying in the area
Featured Venues
Local Food & Drink
Paul Ainsworth at No6
The Mariners
Caffè Rojano
Port William
Oystercatcher
LOCAL EXPERIENCES
Have some fun
Experience Cornwall Tours
Tintagel and Tintagel Castle
Geology at Crackington Haven
