1 independent reviews for South West Coast Path, Newquay to Lands End
Reviews for South West Coast Path, Newquay to Lands End
Judith Owens review 11 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the wildlife moments - we saw adders, choughs (both Cornish and alpine), seals, a spoonbill, egrets, a white-tailed eagle, red kites, kestrels, and most magical of all a pair of dolphins just on the last trek up from Sennen Cove to Land's End.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Carry a lot of water and some cereal bars; we generally got through 1.5-2 litres each per day, plus a mid-afternoon snack break. There is pretty much zero shade on the trail, and you definitely want a hat, solid boots (although our barefoot walking boots did a very good job), and we'd highly recommend walking poles (both for rocks and stretches of bog-jumping). Also, download the OS Map app and set-up your routes beforehand (and go premium for a week so you can download them!) as the signage is...creative, in places, and especially in the dunes it's easy to get lost. The first tidal bridge at the Gannel out of Newquay doesn't exist until mid-May; the cafe who owns it and the ferry takes the boards off over the winter. Just because you can do Hayle to Zennor in one day, don't; take an extra day and stop in St. Ives. The St. Ives to Zennor stretch is beautiful and an absolute killer, with everything from bog-jumping to bouldering to steep descents and climbs. The first half of the Zennor to Pendeen stretch is also quite hard work, especially if it's rained any time recently. The cafes at Chapel Porth (NT) and Godrevy (in the NT car park) are well worth a visit. Dinner at the Portreath Arms, Tinner's Arms and North Inn are also good shouts (and Sushea if you're willing to walk across Newquay). There is nothing in Zennor apart from the Tinner's Arms, so if you're staying at Boswednack Manor arrange a packed lunch with Liz in advance. Likewise, if it looks like you're going to do the last stretch to Land's End on a Friday, take supplies because the little cafe at Cape Cornwall will be shut and you probably won't make Sennon Cove until 2ish. If you're driving rather than taking the train, Mount Wise or Manor car parks are a lot cheaper than the station car park for a week's stay. It's worth considering the accommodation upgrade options, and take the 8:30 bag drop-off with a pinch of salt - we always left before our bags did, even on the days it was getting closer to 9:30...3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely; with the exception of the Premier Inn on the first night, every other stopping place was a little local-run inn, hotel or bnb, and we ate at local-run places every night too.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We really enjoyed it, although we're a bit wrecked now. In hindsight or with more advice there are things we would have done differently (see the helpful tips) and we'll be feeding those back.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your 4-star review.
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