Classic Cottages are a Cornwall-based holiday cottage Way Maker business, and are silver sponsors of the South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year. As supporters of the charity, we know their team love the Coast Path! With their head office located in the seaside town of Hayle, close to the stunning South West Coast Path in West Cornwall, Classic Cottages staff have great appreciation for where they are fortunate enough to live. Both the local staff in Cornwall and team members around the coast love to make the most of the outdoors and, to coincide with National Walking Month share their favourite rambles along the beautiful South West Coast Path.
Porthcurno to Sennen, Cornwall
Lizzie Heather, Group Content Writer
The South West Coast Path is an endlessly inspiring space between land and sea. With the beauty of our coastalscapes best revealed at walking pace, tracing the path allows you to really immerse in the South West’s breath-taking scenery. Whilst it’s hard to find a favourite, I particularly love the stretch of trail between Porthcurno and Sennen. Connecting some of Cornwall’s most stunning locations, every footstep rewards with amazing views. From the sugary sands and iconic natural architecture of Porthcurno and the chiselled cliffs of the west coast, to the most south-easterly vistas of Land’s End and beyond, it’s a real treat. Plus, there’s a great pub in Sennen Cove that you can make a beeline for – a great added incentive. To best enjoy this walk, I normally pair up with a friend and leave a car at either end. Pull on some sturdy walking shoes and just go, enjoying every moment in the salt-whipped air!
Check out the Roskestal & Bosistow 5.1 mile circular walk that starts at Porthgwarra (just 1 mile west of Porthcurno) and passes through Sennen on the SWCPA website:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/663/
Baggy Point, Croyde, North Devon
Nicola Williams, Area Manager North Devon
Baggy Point, on the North Devon coast near Croyde, is without doubt one of my favourite walks and somewhere I return to time and time again. I usually park at the National Trust car park at Baggy Point (just outside Croyde), which is really convenient and a great starting point for the route. From there, you’re almost immediately out on the headland, greeted with sweeping views across Croyde Bay and, on a clear day, right out to Lundy Island. It’s a relatively easy, well-trodden path, but the scenery makes it feel so much more adventurous.
I love taking it at a slow pace, stopping often to take in the dramatic cliffs and watch the waves rolling in below. If you’re lucky, you might spot seals in the water or seabirds nesting along the cliffs, which always makes the walk feel even more memorable. In the warmer months, the wildflowers bring beautiful colour to the landscape, making it feel different every time you visit.
Whether I’m walking it for fresh air, a bit of perspective, or simply to enjoy the views, Baggy Point never disappoints—it’s one of those places that really captures the wild, unspoilt beauty of North Devon.
Check out the Baggy Point 2.8 mile short walk on the SWCPA website:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/26/
Swanpool to Maenporth, Cornwall
Louise Dale, Area Manager Cornwall
One of my favourite walks is Swanpool to Maenporth; it is stunning any time of year but spring and early summer it really comes into its own. Firstly, starting with a coffee at Swanpool, then wondering along the coast path with the bluebells on the right and turquoise seas on the left is pretty magic. Once around the corner the views over the Lizard, Roseland and out to sea are so amazing, I love looking for seals and cormorants fishing in the seas below and the hedges are adorned with wildflowers and the aroma of coconut from the sunny gorse fills the air. Once I have reached Maenporth pause at the sandy cove rewarding myself with some cake of course. Although this isnt a circular walk you are greeted on the way back with a different view which I love (and can cut aross the golf course for even better views and a shortcut). Once you are back at Swanpool I love a dip in the sea followed by a refreshing beer at The Beach House overlooking the cove or sometimes head a little further to Gylly beach where a good sauna helps achy legs. It is such a special spot.
Check out the Maenporth to Swanpool 1.7 mile walk on the SWCPA website:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/29/
Penberth to Porthcurno, Cornwall
Annie Cowen, Senior Group Writer
Famously known as the Egg and Chip walk in our family, we have been stomping across the South West Coast Path between Penberth and Porthcurno for 30 years. It’s a stunning stretch of coast, with every kind of view at your fingertips, from the pretty cottage by the slipway at the start of the walk to the golden sands and turquoise lagoon of Pedn Vounder. We would clamber across the boulders beneath Logan’s Rock, drop down for a swim in the sea at Porthcurno, before trekking across the fields to feast on egg and chips in front of the fire at the Logan Rock Inn. Even today, when I have walked up and down the country, this section of coastline holds a special place in my heart, and I try and walk it with my dog as often as I can.
Check out the Porthcurno to Penberth 3.2 mile walk on the SWCPA website:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/204/
St Anthony in Roseland to Helford Village, Cornwall
Liz Arnell, Marketing Co-ordinator
This charming walk starts from the pretty village of St Anthony (pop into the church, it is rather special) and follows an undulating path along the Helford Passage through peaceful woodlands. The views are magical, taking in Trebah and Durgan across the estuary and the many sailing boats heading out from moorings at Helford Sailing Club. On route take a while to sit on the sandy coves overlooking the water, bliss! Whilst the trail is well marked it can be muddy in places but well worth the effort. Wander through Helford Village and enjoy a well-deserved pint at the Shipwrights Arms where you can even pick up the passenger ferry across the water to The Ferry Boat Inn.
To explore this area, check out the Frenchman’s Creek 2.7 mile circular walk on the SWCPA website:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/655/
Zennor to Gurnards Head
Lesley Black, Area Manager Cornwall
A favourite remote walk of mine used to be a regular on a blue-sky day to reenergise and take in the spectacular costal views. The walk starts at the Tinners Pub in Zennor where you can leave your car. The walk is 3.5 miles and takes up to 2 hours, although there are so many stops enroute to admire the scenery below, the time can pass as you simply sit and soak up the landscape. Expect, rugged and uneven ground, it can be boggy after rain and there are some climbs and dips along the cliffs, a good pair of boots required!
You will pass ancient quoits and ruins of engine houses from the tin mining industry. The coastline is dramatic, sheer drops, hidden coves and constant views of the Atlantic, you will spot the seals below and an abundance of birdlife as you go. The cliffs are covered in yellow gorse, mosses and foxgloves in the spring, adding colour to the wild landscape.
Feeling windswept and in need of refreshment when you arrive at the Gurnards head pub, your appetite will be satisfied with locally landed fish, fresh crab sandwiches and seasonal dishes supplied from local farms.
For the return to the Tinners, catch the local Lands End Coaster back to Zennor, a scenic ride beside the sea for your return.
Check out the Zennor 5 mile circular walk on the SWCPA website:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/8/
Kynance Cove, Lizard Peninsula
Jodie Blee, Area Manager, Far West Cornwall
One of my favourite coastal walks has to be around Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula. It is very local to me and is one of the most photographed pieces of coastline in the UK because it is so breathtaking. When you descend down the rugged cliff there are a few routes you can take, and I always see something different each time I visit, such as different colours in the serpentine. I like to visit for a hike rather than a stroll. It’s a really busy beach in the summer so my favourite time of year to visit is usually out of season ever so slightly, so it’s a quieter time to visit but the café is still open. It’s owned by a lovely family who have lived on the Lizard for over 6 generations, and they have a cottage with Classic Cottages – a gorgeous barn conversion on The Lizard, and it is always a pleasure to visit their stunning and uniquely placed café, as is their equally lovely barn.
Check out the Kynance Cove 2.9 mile circular walk on the SWCPA website:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/659/
Classic Cottages has the perfect self-catering holiday home waiting for you in the South West. From family size cottages with sea views to solo retreats, we have just the place for your coast path adventure.
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Classic Cottages have over 1,400 cottages nationwide, with 164 of them within a few minutes’ walk to the South West Coast Path. Click here for the full list.
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