Boscastle and the Valency Valley walk
Starting in the picturesque seaside village of Boscastle, this circular walk explores the cliffs above its medieval harbour before heading inland across the Valency Valley, through peaceful woodland and along the meandering Valency River.
Total steps: 10
Total steps: 10
Start point
Boscastle car park, grid ref SX101912
Step 1
Leave Boscastle car park and turn left. Follow the road down through the village to the riverside tarmac track, heading for the quayside in the harbour.
Step 2
Ascend the steps next to the breakwater and bear left onto the South West Coast Path. Here there are views of the Meachard, an island rock, which hosts seabird colonies in summer.
Step 3
When the path splits, take the right-hand fork, signposted Willapark. Follow a steep path to the Coast Watchtower, then bear right as you descend and right again to rejoin the coast path.
Step 4
Bear left to follow the path around the Forrabury Stitches to St Symphorian's Church. Go through the churchyard where you will pass a medieval cross.
Step 5
On leaving the churchyard, turn left, go downhill then cross the main road. Go down the slip road opposite and turn right. Take the public footpath on the left near the top of the street just before the main road. Pass between a house and small pond with an aggressive gander! Go through the gate.
Step 6
Turn left onto a path marked Home Farm and waymarked Minster Wood. Follow the hedge on the left and cross a stile. Take the faint track straight across the field. Go through the gap in the wall, to the gate in the corner of the field.
Step 7
Pass through Cold Frame Orchard, exit via stile and keep left. Cross another stile then follow a faint track diagonally across the field to a gate, then take the track waymarked Valency Valley through Minster Wood.
Step 8
Keep the Valency River on your left and, climbing now, follow the woodland path to Minster Church. Here you have the option to shorten the route: cross the stepping stones over the river, turn left and follow valley path to Boscastle.
Step 9
If you don't take the shorter route, then go through a kissing gate below the church and descend through Peter's Wood to the footbridge, crossing the river.
Step 10
Turn left off the footbridge and follow the valley path back to Boscastle and the car park.
End point
Boscastle car park, grid ref SX101912
Trail map
More near here
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This invigorating clifftop walk, around what was the National Trust's first English coastal acquisition, offers impressive views of Tintagel Castle and the surrounding coastline.
Rocky Valley walk
Follow this gentle trail down through rocky bluffs to Bossiney Bay, close to Boscastle, Cornwall.
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