The South West Coast Path in May
Take a walk on the wild side in May as the brilliant tapestry of wild flowers spring into bloom along the South West Coast Path. From violets, primroses and bluebells, to pink thrift and white campion, sea holly, evening primrose and wild orchids, the colours of the wildflowers framed by the blue of the ocean is a memorable view.
A particularly beautiful spring walk for visitors staying in Robin’s Nest holiday home is the coast path route from Boscastle to Tintagel, just under six miles. Walk down the harbour and up past the clifftop lookout and cliff-edge slate quarries and enjoy the offshore islets with seabird colonies. Make your descent into Rocky Valley and the plunging stream as it makes its way to the sea. From here, it passes the golden sandy beaches of Benoath Cove and Bossiney Haven and climbs the headland of Willapark where the wild flowers and orchids are particularly spectacular and the remains of an Iron Age settlement lie beneath the gorse. Then round Barras Nose to reach the remains of Tintagel’s mediaeval castle and a well-earned cup of tea.
Holidaymakers at Rooks can enjoy a couple of really sensational Spring walks nearby. The circular walk from Millook to Trebarfoote is about three miles. The walk starts at Millook Haven (dogs allowed all year) and follows Millook Water upstream, then climbs through Trebarfoote Wood to Trebarfoote Manor, overlooking the valley. The route descends further upstream to The Den, crossing meadows and climbing through Landy Wood, on the other side of the valley, before reaching the coast near Can cleave Strand, where a steep path with ropes leads to the beach. The return is via the coast path across Millook Common, passing Gull Rock and Broad Strand, before returning to Millook Mouth.
Or you could choose Crackington Haven to St Genny’s Church (just over three miles) following the coast path from Crackington Haven to Pencannow Point with nice views over the beach. The path zig-zags behind Great and Little Barton Strand to Castle Point and then passes the remnants of an Iron Age fort. The route then cuts through a wooded valley, which was once the route of smugglers, to St Genny’s House and on to St Genny’s Church. The return route follows the stream through the woods to Crackington Haven where there are two cafés and a pub with a good reputation for fish and chips.
A more strenuous walk of just over four miles takes you from Crackington Haven to the Strangles with its long sandy beach. The walk starts on the Coast Path at Crackington Haven and follows it to the headland at Cambeak, passing Bray’s Point and Tremoutha Haven where there are remains of a World War shipwreck. From Cambeak, it continues past Little Strand and The Strangles towards High Cliff then climbs over the hill and into a wooded valley. The return route follows the river along the floor of the valley through East Wood, a pretty riverside walk through bluebells, back to Crackington Haven.