Cornish Coast Walking Escape

Arrive in Padstow, a lively working harbour on Cornwall’s north coast, much loved by walkers and food lovers. Around 6pm we meet our tour leader and travelling companions in the hotel reception to get acquainted and hear about the days ahead, followed by a warm welcome dinner together. If you’d like extra time in Cornwall, you can book pre–tour hotel nights through your sales representative. You can also upgrade to a town–view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

We hop on the foot ferry across the Camel Estuary to Rock, then follow quiet paths to the sands of Polzeath and Daymer Bay before climbing to Pentire Head. After lunch, we pass St Enodoc Church and cross the dunes, returning to Padstow by foot ferry in the late afternoon. This evening you can sample chef Rick Stein’s celebrated fish and chips – or choose from the many other restaurants – before we return to our townhouse hotel. You can upgrade to a town–view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

We leave town to follow the North Cornwall coast, first to Stepper Point, a rugged headland thrusting into the Atlantic. Here we meet a member of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust for insights into protecting local wildlife and wild places. We then continue along the cliffs – keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, which nest here. Depending on our pace, we may finish with lunch in Trevone, Harlyn Bay or Constantine Bay, before a bus transfer back across the headland for a relaxed end to the day. You can upgrade to a town–view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

We transfer to Lanhydrock Gardens to begin our walk down the Fowey Estuary. From the gardens – well worth a look – we head towards the coast, passing picture–perfect Restormel Castle and continuing to the lovely town of Lostwithiel for lunch. In the afternoon we pick up the Saint’s Way through the village of Golant and on to Fowey on the south Cornish coast. At day’s end we transfer to our new hotel in Charlestown. You can upgrade to a deluxe harbour–view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

This morning we walk straight from our hotel, following the South West Coast Path south towards the characterful harbour town of Mevagissey. En route we step inland to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan – revived in 1991 after decades of neglect; see the Money section for the entrance fee – then continue into Mevagissey for a lunch of freshly caught seafood. You can upgrade to a deluxe harbour–view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

After breakfast we take a public bus to the headland above Polkerris, then walk the coast towards Gribben Head before dropping to Polridmouth Cove, the setting that inspired Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. Reaching Fowey, we stop for lunch. In the afternoon you can cross the harbour by ferry to Polruan for a walk on the opposite side of the estuary, before catching the ferry back to Fowey to enjoy our final evening together. You can upgrade to a deluxe harbour–view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

Our Cornish journey concludes in Charlestown. You can make your way home, or if you’d like to explore a little longer, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.