Cornish Coast Weekend - Tintagel
Walk Cornwall’s fantastic and fascinating coastline - Join us for a 3 night stay over the King’s Coronation Bank Holiday (Friday 5th - Monday 8th May 2023).
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 3 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 20
Level: Active
Age: Over 18’s only
Dogs: Trained assistance dogs
In a nutshell:
Delight in the beauty of the rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and wildness of this part of Cornwall
Sit and listen to the roar of the sea while you’re enjoying the company of your fellow walkers.
Let the sea air work its wonders and tuck in to great grub knowing you’ve burnt the calories.
Collections: The Midlands & South : Bank Holiday Adventures : Weekend Adventures
How do we grade our walks?
We always reckon that if you give people great views and lots of interesting features along a walk, they stop mileage-clocking and lose themselves in the business of exploring.
So with that in mind, my friends, we bring you Tintagel.
Swirling in myths and legends, this wild and rugged stretch of Cornish coastline is a delight for walkers.
Not only is it brimming with historical sites – from the famous castle ruins that were the supposed birthplace of King Arthur through to Neolithic monuments – but the scenery is nothing short of fantastic.
It’s a new destination for Large Outdoors and we’ve found a great base for our weekend’s exploration, a very smart hostel that has lovely sociable spaces which wouldn’t look out of place in a holiday cottage rental and it comes with ring-side seats of the sea.
Itinerary
Day 1
When we saw the position of the hostel we went ‘wow’ so we’re sure you will too when you arrive. Tucked away on the edge of a cliff with uninterrupted views down to the sea, the hostel is actually only 15 minutes’ walk into Tintagel and yet it is a place of solitude.
So having arrived (any time after 5pm) and met your Large Outdoors host as well as your fellow walking companions, there’s plenty of time for a quick scout around particularly as the hostel is right on the coastal path.
Don’t stray too far though as there will be an evening meal bubbling away and ready to be served at around 8pm.
While we’re tucking in, we then outline our plans for the weekend particularly what we have in mind for longer and shorter walk options.
With the legendary Large Outdoors cheeseboard appearing on the table there’s then time for a sundowner with a glass in-hand and a slice of fromage in the other!
Day 2 & 3
After a proper walker’s breakfast at 8am we put out all the ingredients and goodies for the group to pack up their lunch and leave you to concoct your sarnie fillings.
There are numerous walk options so here’s a sample of what we might do:
Tintagel Castle and Boscastle: Heading north along the coast path, we'll explore the ruins of Tintagel Castle, a short walk from the hostel. From there we continue north along the cliffs, past the rocky islands of The Sisters and the sandy bay of Bossiney Haven. When we reach the mouth of the River Valency near Boscastle, we turn inland to follow its wooded valley and then join farmland paths to make our way back to Tintagel village. By this point we'll probably be ready for a tea, or something stronger, and so lo and behold there’s a choice of clotted cream and scones at the tearoom or a pint at one of the pubs before we head back to base.
Rocky Valley: A shorter walk could see us shuttle a car to Boscastle so people would only have to walk the coastal journey back home. Alternatively, after Bossiney Haven, a group could turn inland up Rocky Valley and head to the waterfall in this hidden wooded oasis before following farmland paths to Tintagel and perhaps having more time to explore the castle and the village.
Late afternoon onwards
After spending some time exploring Tintagel, the hunger pangs will start to kick in and so we head back to enjoy an evening of freshly prepared food accompanied by the obligatory sunset over the sea!
Please note on one of the nights we will be eating at a local pub and this is not included, on the other evenings, we eat in the hostel and this is included.
Day 4
After breakfast we pack up and leave the hostel. Today’s walks are shorter given the distances most people will need to travel but they are certainly not short of interest or beautiful scenery.
Options include:
Tregardock Beach: Heading south from Tintagel, we'll pass Trebarwith Strand and admire the massive rocky mount of Gull Rock far out to sea. Passing the aptly named Treknow, we'll continue south to explore Tregardock Beach, a stunning landscape of sandy straights scattered with boulders. There may even be time for a dip in the sea if anyone's feeling brave!
Pentire Point: Driving south, we could head further afield and explore the peninsula of Pentire Point, which lies on one side of the estuary of the River Camel. Starting in Polzeath, we would circumnavigate the peninsula, admiring the cliffs and the Iron-Age hillfort on Rumps Point, before spending some time on the sands of Padstow Bay.
Good to Know
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YHA Tintagel
Dunderhole Point,
Tintagel
PL34 0DW -
Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
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What level of fitness is needed? This trip is rated as Active.
Can I attend on my own? Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me? Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian, vegan, and/or provide meals with gluten free ingredients - these options can be selected when booking.
Please see our FAQs for more information about dietary options.What transport is provided during this trip? We do not provide any transport for this experience
Can I bring my dog? Dogs are not allowed on this trip, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog on an experience, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
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The north Cornish coast is a place where villages cling to the cliffs in dramatic fashion, protected from the crash and swell of the Atlantic.
While the sandy beaches and the waves are a magnet for holidaymakers and surfers, walkers are treated to the South West Coast Path, one of the UK's longest and most beautiful trails hugging the coastline.
On top of this there are oodles of paths inland that we can take to explore the villages and surrounding countryside of this special bit of Britain.