Boscastle
Ideally situated to explore the breathtaking coastal scenery of North Cornwall, the enchanting village of Boscastle owes its existence to two main factors. The unique, sinuous natural inlet, which forms one of the oldest and most famous fishing ports in North Cornwall; and the Norman de Botterell family, who built Bottreaux Castle overlooking the Jordan Valley and gave the village the name which has survived, in its corrupted form, to the present day.
The village itself stands in a deep coombe created by the convergence of the valleys formed by the rivers Valency and Jordan. The captivating, wooded valley scenery is crossed by numerous paths and is rich in wildlife. The Boscastle woodland, well protected by the steep sides of the Valency Valley, is considered to be a remnant of the original tree cover of Britain.

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Now part of the North Cornwall Heritage Coast, and mostly owned by the National Trust, Boscastle and the surrounding countryside are one of the North coast's major tourist attractions. The South West Peninsula Coast Path runs along the spectacular cliffs, formed by the awesome, rocky drop of green farmers' fields into the Atlantic Ocean.

Boscastle is at the centre of a number of spectacular walks in the area. Maps to all itineraries are available at the Bottreaux Hotel.

The Boscastle Village Trail (1 mile)
A pleasant promenade around the village to recognise its history and its architectural jewels; from the quaint cottages of the old village with names such as "Smugglers" and "Tinkers", to the fascinating spectacle of the harbour. Here you can see and hear the booming and rushing of water through the blow-hole on to the beach at low tide. The walk terminates at the site where Bottreaux Castle used to tower over the Jordan Valley in Norman times.

Boscastle's Churches (3 miles)
A unique opportunity to discover some of the oldest and most fascinating churches in North Cornwall. Idyllically situated in the thick valley woodland, Minster Church (St. Materiana) dates back to Celtic times, until in 1190 William de Bottreaux established there a small priory. High up on the cliffs, Forrabury Church (St. Symphorian) overlooks Forrabury Common and the Stitches, one of the two or three surviving examples of medieval agricultural practice. St. Juliot's, two miles up the valley from Boscastle, owes its fame to Thomas Hardy, whose first wife Emma was related to the rector's wife, and whom he met while staying in the village.

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Boscastle-Tintagel Coastal Walk (3 ½ miles)
Utilising the superb coastal footpath, this walk leads from Boscastle to Tintagel, (the neighbouring village famous for its links to the legend of King Arthur). The walk passes through famous landmarks such as Willapark and the disused California Quarry as well as some of the most breathtaking cliffs and beaches of North Cornwall, such as the Elephant Rock of Bossiney Haven.

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The Boscastle Circular Walk (6 ½ miles)
Starting from Boscastle Harbour, the Circular Walk initially follows the course of the Valency river in beautiful wooded scenery, heading East to the ancient and evocative Minster Church. The path then reaches the high ground, where panoramic views can be enjoyed, from Lundy Island out at sea to the peak of Rough Tor on Bodmin Moor. A pleasant walk through farmers' fields brings back to the site of Bottreaux Castle, and through the old village back to the harbour.

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