Cornish rambles within easy reach of your Cornish Keepers holiday home
With a jaw-droppingly beautiful coastline of rugged cliffs, pristine white sand beaches and crashing waves, Cornwall provides the backdrop for some of the UK’s most dramatic walks.
This month, we’ve hand-picked some of our best-loved Cornish hikes that make memorable winter adventures from your Cornish Keepers holiday home.
The legendary Southwest coast path measures a whopping 630 miles, and the 286 miles around Cornwall alone would take weeks to walk, but our suggested routes cover small sections of the coast path, allowing you to explore different areas of Cornwall, then return to the comfort of your luxury holiday cottage at the end of the day!
Gwithian Beach to Godrevy Point
Don a pair of comfy walking boots and explore the coastline between Gwithian Beach and Godrevy Point on Cornwall’s North Atlantic coast. Starting at Gwithian, you’ll cross sand dunes and the vast sandy beach of neighbouring Godrevy, before climbing up to Godrevy Point on the Northern side of St Ives Bay.
From the high cliffs, you’ll be able to take in breath-taking vistas across to Godrevy lighthouse and watch the large colony of grey seals that resides year-round at Mutton Bay (but only at low tide!) Take your binoculars to get a close-up view, but remember to talk and move quietly to avoid disturbing these lovely creatures.
On the return leg, pay a visit to surfer’s hotspot, Sunset Surf Café and Bar that’s on the beachside at Gwithian. Open from Friday – Sunday over the winter, call in for a well-earned pint and panini after your walk!
The National Trust website provides further detail about Godrevy and is well worth a read before your visit.
Sennen Cove to Land’s End
One of our favourite places for storm watching is the famous landmark, Land’s End. We think you’ll love the spectacular walk that starts in Sennen Cove and leads to this rocky headland that divides the Atlantic Ocean from the English Channel.
Park in the harbour carpark and kick the day off with a coffee from Sennen Cove Café where you can look out at the RNLI Lifeboat station and Sennen’s small fleet of fishing boats. On turbulent winter days, the waves smash over the harbour wall which gives a real sense of drama for the walk ahead!
Climb up the coast path and look out for a 2000-year-old Iron Age fort that blends into the granite cliff face. You might also catch a glimpse of the Isles of Scilly that lie 29 miles out to sea. And as the walk continues, you’ll also notice some ship remains on the rocks far below.
On arrival at Land’s End, you can refuel with a warming snack and drink, while watching the moody seas and skies. Then get ready for your return journey which could end by the fire in Sennen’s 17th-century fisherman’s inn, The Old Success!
The SW Coast path website provides lots of helpful information to plan your walk.
St Mawes to St Just in Roseland
There are so many picturesque walks from the coastal village of St Mawes, but today we’d like to share one of our particular favourites – a circular walk that runs along the water’s edge to pretty St Just in Roseland. It’s truly stunning whether summer or winter and is a fantastic walk from Cornish Keepers holiday home, High Bank.
From The Quay in St Mawes, continue to Marine Parade then on to St Mawes Castle. The path runs parallel to the estuary and the views across to Falmouth and its deep harbour are really quite something! Pick up the footpath that climbs above the creek to a little woodland and you’ll eventually find yourself in the attractive churchyard of St Just in Roseland. Stop to admire the semi-tropical plants, then carry on to the village centre where you’ll pick up a different route back to St Mawes – this time a higher path on the ridge above for a change of scenery.
You can find further directions on the SW Coast Path website.
Kynance Cove to Lizard Point
You might have heard of iconic Kynance Cove, with its glistening turquoise waters, rocky outcrops, and powder-soft sands.
Well, this walk covers that beautiful stretch of Cornish coastline! The sea can look stormier over the winter months, but is every bit as magical and atmospheric.
Follow the cliff path from Kynance Cove, passing above Penreath Beach, and Polpeor Cove where you’ll see a discussed lifeboat station from Victorian times. Carry on to see Lizard Lighthouse and Lion’s Den – a 12m hole in the cliff which was created when a cave collapsed in the mid-1800s. Then take a rest at Pen Olver and enjoy a homemade sandwich and a flask of hot chocolate!
Once you reach Bass Point, head inland to Lizard village and take the path back to Kynance Cove where Kynance Cove Café is open 7 days a week from March – November, throughout the Christmas holidays and weekends in January. A wonderful way to round off the day!
You can find the detailed route here.
We hope this has inspired you to wrap up warm and explore Cornwall’s marvellous coastline this winter. There’s really nothing better than getting out in nature and feeling that warm glow on your face when you return home.
We have winter availability at luxury holiday home, High Bank in St Mawes – the perfect base for your next break in Cornwall.
Call Cornish Keepers on 0345 646 1439 or email enquiries@cornishkeepers.co.uk