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SWCP 15: Padstow to Porthcothan

Easy – Easy

14 July 2025

Padstow to Porthcothan is a scenic and storied walk across seven sandy bays, blowholes, legends, lifeboats and lifetimes of Cornish coastal character.

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By the Harbour in PadstowPadstow from the War MemorialUp the estuary, looking across the infamous Doom Bar with Daymer Bay and Polzeath across the estuaryLooking across the Doom Bar and the Camel EstuaryThe beach at Harbour Cove with Hawker Cove in the distanceAcross the estuary to Daymer Bay with St Enodoc's Church behind it surrounded by golf course!The Daymark Tower at Stepper PointDaymark Tower at Stepper PointLooking along the coast with its sandy bays and Trevose Head in the distanceGunvar Head looking across to Middle Merope Island with cows sightseeing above!Significant descent and climb near disused mineA Blowhole - a collapsed Sea Cave above Trevone BayLooking towards Trevose Head across three of the sandy baysTrevone BayLooking back along Harlyn BayMother Ivy's BayTrevose Head LighthouseLooking across Stinking Cove towards Dinas HeadRound Hole- a blow hole formed when a sea cave collapsedBoobys BayConstatine BayTreyarnon BayJust above Fox Cove with The Minnows Islands aheadDescending down to Portcothan Bay
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Points of Interest: Padstow to Porthcothan

Here’s what to look out for along the way:

Padstow & the Doom Bar

Start from the harbour, climb to the War Memorial, and enjoy views across the Camel Estuary and the treacherous Doom Bar sandbank.

Harbour Cove & Hawker Cove

Walk the sands past the old pilot gig cottages and wetlands—offering Roxie-friendly freedom and sweeping estuary views.

Stepper Point & Daymark Tower

A striking headland with a 19th-century stone tower used for navigation. Steep, rocky paths here aren’t for the faint-hearted.

Gunver Head & Trevone Bay

Pass dramatic blowholes and disused quarries before reaching the first of the seven bays, popular with surfers and families.

Harlyn Bay & The Fish Cellars

A wide sandy beach backed by old pilchard-processing buildings bearing the motto “Profit Smells Sweet”—linked to the legend of Mother Ivey.

Mother Ivey’s Bay & Trevose Head

Named after a local wise woman who cursed the land, this peaceful bay sits below the RNLI station and near Trevose Head Lighthouse.

Round Hole & Booby’s Bay

See the collapsed sea cave at Round Hole before reaching the rocky coves and open sands of Booby’s Bay.

Constantine Bay & Treyarnon Bay

Both bays offer wide sands, historic ties to saints, and more opportunities for Roxie to paddle and run free.

Wine Cove to Long Cove

A string of secluded coves once used by smugglers. Above Wine Cove lies an Iron Age cliff fort, now split by erosion.

Porthcothan Bay

The final of the seven sandy bays. A sheltered spot reached by a gentle descent, marking the satisfying end to a long but easy-going day.

Logistics

Sleep
Dog Friendly Accommodation		The Farmers’ Arms, St Merryn
Eat & DrinkThe Farmers’ Arms, St Merryn
ParkingPorthcothan Car Park
Cornwall County Council
Cash & Card but app not available
£10:50 all day
Travel
Transport from Porthcothan back to Padstow		Number 56 bus at 9:51 from Portcothan Bay Stores (opposite entrance to car park) arriving 10:33

Description of The Walk
Padstow to Porthcothan
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