great scenic
cornish drives
st ives to
sennen cove
This stretch of road (the B3306) enjoys magnificent sweeping views across the craggy west Cornish coast and the Atlantic Ocean. The road quite literally hugs the remote coastline as it passes through ancient fields and scattered settlements. With every twist and turn, the view gets even more glorious with the sea on one side and rugged moorland on the other. Stop off along the way at Zennor and search out the mermaid or visit the World Heritage listed mining remains at Geevor, Levant and Botallack. At St Just turn right and head out to Cape Cornwall, a quieter alternative to Land’s End! Finish the journey at Sennen by driving down to the cove and taking in the stunning views of the famous Longships Lighthouse.
st ives
st ives to
sennen cove
Stop Offs:
Zennor village and Church for the legend of the mermaid.
Gurnards Head Pub and walk out to the headland
Walk up onto Carn Galva for fantastic views
Pendeen Lighthouse and the walk down to Portheras fishing cove.
The World Heritage sites at Geevor Mine, Levant Mine and Botallack
St Just village for its shops, pubs and galleries including Kurt Jackson’s
Cape Cornwall, England’s only cape.
Sennen Cove and over a mile of beach
sennen cove
newquay to
pasdstow
Take the scenic route along the breathtakingly beautiful coastal roads which connect Newquay and Padstow. As Newquay disappears into your rear-view mirror you will sweep through Porth, Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth with their surf washed golden beaches and hairpin bends, before picking up the narrow coastal roads destined for Padstow. Stop off at Bedruthan Steps to take photos of the sea stacks before detouring from the B3276 where you will discover the infamous Seven Bays of Porthcothan, Treyarnon, Constantine, Booby’s, Mother Ivey’s and Harlyn and Trevone. You might even recognise where a certain Ross Poldark rides his horse!
Padstow
newquay to
padstow
Stop Offs:
The Cornwall Aviation Centre
St Mawgan village, the Japanese Garden and the pretty Vale of Lanherne
Watergate Bay for long beach walks, great food or adventure sports.
Mawgan Porth
Bedruthan Steps, where natural rock pillars defy the crashing waves.
Porthcothan Beach
Constantine Bay
Walk the South West Coast Path out to Trevose Head with its lighthouse and natural round hole.
padstow
whitsand bay
To looe
Starting beside the Tamar River at Cremyll, at the entrance to the wonderful Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, climb around the park before dropping down into the twin villages of Cawsand and Kingsand. From here the road heads out to the former military road that sweeps above Whitsand Bay in a westerly direction towards Tregantle Fort, but don’t miss out on the drive up to Rame Head for 360 degree views. Joining the B3247 head towards Crafthole and then on along the coast to Downderry and Seaton. Here you head inland leaving the wooded Seaton Valley and following the A387 as it enters Looe alongside the river.
rame
whitsand bay
to looe
Stop Offs:
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and house
Explore Kingsand and Cawsand and try to find where one village finishes and the other one starts?
Climb out to the old chapel on Rame Head and take in the views.
Whitsand Bay’s long sandy beaches and the wooden chalet communities
Seaton Valley Country Park
The Monkey Sanctuary
looe
tintagel to
bude
Leave the spirit of King Arthur behind in Tintagel and pick up the coastal road to Boscastle passing though the Rocky Valley and enjoying the views out over the fields. The road snakes down through the village of Boscastle to the little harbour, beloved by visitors through the ages. From here we follow a selection of roads as we weave our way between high hedges and deep valleys to the village of Crackington Haven and its smaller neighbour Millook, both famed for their geological formations in nearby cliffs. Next, it’s on to Widemouth Bay where we pick up the long strand of beach that runs up the coast to Bude, the family friendly resort where our journey ends.
tintagel
tintagel to
bude
Stop Offs:
Tintagel Castle and the village
Walk down the Rocky Valley or up to St Nectan’s Glen
Explore Boscastle’s historic harbour or walk up the Valency Valley
St Juliot’s Church with its Thomas Hardy connections.
Crackington Havens beach
View the rock formations at Millook and keep an eye out for seals.
Watch the surfers at Widemouth Bay
Walk or kayak along the Bude Canal.
bude
roseland
peninsula
Head to The Roseland Peninsula for the ultimate Cornish driving experience. Here single lanes are the norm and scenic views come courtesy of some exciting manoeuvring. From Tregony, the gateway to The Roseland, take the winding A3078 to the sailing haven of St Mawes, taking time to explore the tranquil church at St Just in Roseland. From St Mawes head east, perhaps detouring out to St Anthony’s Head and Porthscatho. Along the coast, there are plenty of hidden gems, such as Carne, Pendower, Portloe and Portholland. At Porthluney Cove, the striking Caerhays Castle sits hidden behind the beach, surrounded by sub-tropical gardens. From here head towards Gorran Haven or Mevagissey, where larger settlements offer shops, pubs and restaurants.
roseland peninsula
roseland
peninsula
Stop Offs:
St Just in Roseland Church
St Mawes Castle
St Anthony Head with its lighthouse and military defences
Walk along Carne and Pendower beach’s
Discover the round houses in Veryan.
Walk around the stunning gardens at Caerhays Castle.
Take the coast path out to the Dodmin Point
Spend the day at the Lost Gardens of Heligan.