Beaches North of Boscastle

The Strangles

No restrictions for dogs although the steep access might make it unsuitable for some. A strenuous 5.5 mile walk from 5 Valency Row that will take about 2 hrs 45 mins to complete one way. Or a 10 minute drive following signs to Crackington Haven where, just before Trevigue Farm, there is a lay-by with a signposted public footpath to The Strangles. It is then about a 1/2 mile walk that quickly descends 150 metres (remember that means a strenuous uphill slog on the way back!) that is steep and tricky in places and involves a wee bit of an abseil at the end where steps have been washed away in storms.

Your efforts will reward you with a remote and lonely beautiful beach with long stretches of golden sand at low tide, plenty of interesting rock pools and stunning stone arches at either end. The name comes from how treacherous this coast was for shipping, which gives us a dramatic beautiful beach but not one suitable for swimming. There are strong currents, especially at low tide and a danger of underwater rocks. There is great surf that should only be tackled by experienced surfers with local knowledge. There is safety equipment but remember how remote you are. There are no facilities.

The Strangles is actually three beaches. The Strangles is the main one and is about 480 metres in length. By scrambling over the rocks at the northern end of the beach at low tide, you can get to Little Strand with 200 metres of golden sand. Given its secluded access, it is a favourite of naturists. South of The Strangles is Alder Strand that, after a footpath was destroyed in a cliff fall, can only be accessed by a 10-15 minute scramble over rocks and rock pools. Check the tide tables. Getting cut-off at Alder Strand is a regular occurrence and it is a long wait before the tide turns again.

Crackington Haven

Dogs are not allowed between Easter and the end of September between 10am and 6pm. A 6 mile, 15 minute drive from 5 Valency Row. There is a large surfaced carpark next to the beach for 87 cars otherwise continue up the hill for about 300 metres where there is a large (100+ cars) carpark.

As well as being a lovely family beach with plenty of facilities that does not get too overcrowded, its cliffs show dramatic a zig-zag folding geological phenomena that takes its name from here: the Crackington Formation. The beach has an area of stone and shingle above the high water mark but as the tide recedes it leaves a lovely sand beach with plenty of rock pools to the south-west side, which if clambered over a couple of hours either side of low tide takes you Tremoutha Haven where the remains of an E-boat can be seen.

RNLI Lifeguards are on duty from early July until The beginning of September and operate a designated bathing area. Surfing is popular especially with beginners during heavy swells as the waves tend to be more manageable than further up the coast. By the beach there are is The Cabin Café and the Coombe Barton Inn. Crackington Haven is a favourite of 5 Valency Row, given its proximity, to just nip down in the evening to see the sun go down or the surf during stormy days, at all times of the year.

Millook Haven

No restrictions on dogs. 10.5 miles, 20 minutes from 5 Valency Row. There are only a few parking spaces at Millook Haven otherwise 800 metres to the north-east there is a parking area on top of Penhalt Cliff.

This is a stony beach giving way to shingle and then rocky reefs. The Crackington Formation of spectacular zig-zag folded rocks in the cliffs is even more breathtaking here than at Crackington Haven that gave the geological formation its name. There are no facilities and swimming is not recommended due to the rocks and strong currents. It is a good surfing beach but only for experienced surfers with good local knowledge.

The road through Millook Haven is narrow and very steep in places but its beauty deserves driving along at least once. The parking area on Penhalt Cliff has the most amazing views to the north across Widemouth and Bude all they way to the distant white radio dishes of GCHQ Bude.

Widemouth

The southern section of the beach known as Black Rock has no restrictions on dogs. The northern section bans dogs between Easter and the end of September between 10am and 6pm. Widemouth is 12 miles, a 20 minute drive, from 5 Valency Row and there is plenty of free parking at both the southern and northern ends of the beach.

Widemouth is an impressive beach almost 2km long and with plenty of sand. It is the first beach north of Boscastle to not be enclosed by high cliffs but by sand dunes giving it a very open feel. It also faces directly west into the full force of the Atlantic Ocean making it one of the most popular surfing beaches in Cornwall with both beginners and experienced surfers. There is RNLI Life Guard cover all week during the high seasons including Easter and at weekends from April to October. At either ends of the beach there are plenty of rock pools providing all round interest for all the family.

There are plenty of facilities including surf board, belly board and wetsuit hire and surf tuition. There are cafés, a pub and hotels serving food.

Summerleaze Beach – Bude

Dogs are permitted all year round but must be kept on a lead from 10am to 6pm between mid-May and the end of September. A 15 mile, 25 minute drive from 5 Valency Row.

Summerleaze Beach is just 5 minutes walk from the centre of Bude and yet this lovely beach does not feel it. The carpark leads directly into the sand dunes. One side of the beach are cliffs and on the other a river with fishing boats and a breakwater. The beach has a fine yellow sand and surf suitable for all abilities although if the swell is too much for children, there is a part natural rock-pool, part man-made swimming pool washed by each incoming tide. It has been open since 1930 and was where my grandfather learned to swim.

RNLI lifeguard cover is available at Easter and from May to the end of September and there is an RNLI shop, sandy play area and café as well as a toilets and the availability of sand chairs. Beach huts can be hired from the Visit Bude website.

At low tide it is possible to walk north on the sand for 4.5 kilometres to Crooklets Beach, Sandy Mouth and Warren Beach.

Sandy Mouth (and Warren Beach)

Dogs are allowed all year. It is 18.5 miles, a 30 minute drive, from 5 Valency Row. Parking is at the National Trust beach carpark and free to members.

The carpark has violets and there is a beach café. Near to the entrance to the beach there is a waterfall that, in the winter months when it is full with water, can be spectacular. When the tide recedes, the beach is of a wonderful yellow sand punctuated by interesting rock formations with interesting rock pools filled, if you are lucky, with shellfish, crabs and small fish.

It is a popular surfing beach although swimming can be dangerous due to rip currents. There are RNLI lifeguards on duty in season with designated swimming areas. Warren Beach is the northern end of Sandy Mouth and can provide seclusion even in the busiest weeks of the year.

Duckpool

Dogs are allowed all year. 19 miles and a 30 minute drive from 5 Valency Row. Duckpool and its carpark is owned by the National Trust and the carpark, at the end of a narrow but pretty road at the end of the lovely Coombe Valley, is free with a donation requested from non-members.

Duckpool is a quiet, beautiful beach with sand and lots of rock pools overlooked by high cliffs often covered in wild flowers. It is a good surfing beach although dangerous to swim with rip tides and no life guard service. It is a romantic beach with a great, remote setting and somehow manages to get fantastic sunsets.