‍England’s longest National Trail — and one of its most spectacular — the South West Coast Path hugs Cornwall’s rugged shoreline for over 300 miles, from Marsland Mouth (near Bude) to Plymouth via Land’s End and Lizard Point. It’s a journey of salt spray, granite cliffs, fishing harbours, and sea-lashed solitude.
This is walking that stirs the senses. One moment you’re on a cliff edge above crashing waves; the next, you’re dipping into a wooded cove or strolling into a harbour town for crab sandwiches and a pint. It’s a trail of changing moods and unbroken sea views.
Begin on the north coast near Bude, where steep cliffs and roaring surf set the tone. From here, the path winds through Boscastle, Tintagel, and Port Isaac — a dramatic landscape of sea stacks, hidden bays, and smuggler legends.
Further west, St Ives to Zennor offers one of the trail’s most rugged and scenic stretches, while Land’s End and the Lizard Peninsula showcase wild headlands, maritime heath, and turquoise coves.
The southern coast softens, with the path tracing river estuaries and wooded creeks past Falmouth, Mevagissey, and Looe — eventually finishing on the banks of the Tamar near Plymouth.
The South West Coast Path is ideal for self-guided walking holidays, with accommodation in every style: sea-view cottages, coastal B&Bs, and welcoming pubs right on the trail. Stay in scenic hotspots like St Ives, Padstow, or Fowey, or pick a quieter stretch for a deeper sense of escape.
Off the path, explore subtropical gardens, historic mine sites, or take boat trips to seal colonies and sea caves. Spring is a riot of wildflowers; autumn brings golden light and empty trails.
Trusted tour companies offer self-guided walking holidays along the South West Coast Path — complete with accommodation, luggage transfers, and detailed route notes.
