Skip to Content

Cornwall Walking Holiday with Macs Adventure (A Full Review!)

I can’t stop raving about my Cornwall walking holiday. For someone who travels for a living, this is high praise. While I visit many destinations every year, Cornwall, England has left such a lasting impression. Not only is it one of the best places to visit in England, I know you’ll fall in love with the spectacular landscapes, the idyllic towns, and the kind people I met along the way.

I traveled to Cornwall with Macs Adventure, and they’re not your typical travel company. Instead of guided group tours or bus tours, Macs Adventure provides you with the freedom and confidence to experience the destination as you like it. They arrange self-guided walking (and cycling) trips to immerse yourself in the great outdoors, while making the adventure stress-free and purely enjoyable.

This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

Cornwall Walking Holiday

In this blog post about my Cornwall walking holiday, I’m going to share more details about Macs Adventure trips and why they’re perfect for solo travelers, couples, and even small groups of friends. It’s an easy and stress-free way to embark on day hikes as Macs Adventure takes care of your luggage transfers and taxi bookings. I’ll also highlight my own captivating walks of Cornwall and how I chose to experience the itinerary.

Why Macs Adventure?

Cornwall Walking Holiday

Macs Adventure is the best outdoor adventure tour company that combines the freedom of self-guided travel with the comfort of having the details sorted out by the experts. Their itineraries are tried and true, and you’ll experience a stress-free holiday even while traveling on your own.

As a full-time travel blogger and content creator, I usually plan my own itineraries and embark on my own trips without a guide or a group. While I love taking the time to arrange my own travel plans, sometimes managing the logistics of the trip can be time consuming. With any trip, you’ll need to book your hotels, book your transportation tickets, and then plan your own adventures and activities.

With Macs Adventure, you simply choose the trip you’d like to take. A welcome packet will arrive in the mail with information about the country you’re visiting, details about your itinerary, a packing list, luggage tags and more.

Best of all, Macs Adventure has its own app. Your travel details are loaded into the app, along with your itinerary and maps. When you’re walking or hiking, open your app and reference the map for the day. You can easily follow the trail map as you hike as the app shows your location on the map as you go. The app also includes information regarding your taxi pickup times (if required that day) and lodging for the night.

Types of Trips and Activities

Walks of Cornwall, England

Macs Adventure offers both cycling trips and walking/hiking trips. Whether you decide to explore the trails by foot or by bike, you’ll surely have an unforgettable experience.

For walking trips, Macs Adventure also offers Camino & Pilgrimage Tours. There are shorter tours hiking a portion of the trail or lengthier trips to walk the entire Camino. The Camino de Santiago is the most famous long distance trek, though Macs Adventure also offers pilgrimage walks in Japan, too.

There are five trip categories on the Macs Adventure website:

  • Classic Routes (West Highland Way, Tour du Mont Blanc, Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path)
  • Pilgrimages (Camino de Santiago, Via Francigena, Shikoku Trail)
  • Slower Adventures (active days with more free time to explore your surroundings)
  • In Style (days of exciting adventures with stylish accommodations)
  • Discovery (adds rail and driving to outdoor activities to cover more ground)

Macs Adventure Destinations

Rainbow in Padstow, Cornwall

Macs Adventure offers authentic and meaningful trips all over the world. In the United Kingdom, choose an adventure in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, of the Channel Islands & Isle of Wight. For Europe, I counted 18 different countries on the list, everywhere from Iceland, Spain, Norway and more.

North America or South America? There are walking trip itineraries in Canada and the USA, as well as the dream destination of Patagonia. Beyond the countries that I’ve listed above, you can also travel to Japan and New Zealand on epic walking journeys.

My Macs Adventure Trip: Cornwall in Style

Macs Adventure Trip: Cornwall in Style

I’m excited to share my personal experiences on a Macs Adventure trip on a Cornwall walking holiday called “Cornwall In Style“. This is from one of Macs Adventure’s “In Style” itineraries which combines outdoor adventures with posh accommodations and delicious cuisine.

During the day, I’d go for an incredible walk on one of Cornwall’s brilliant paths. It might be a loop hike or it might involve walking from point A to point B with pre-arranged taxi transfers. In the late afternoon or evening, I’d explore the quaint seaside village I’d be calling home for the night while experiencing the local culinary scene.

Cornwall Walking Holiday with Macs Adventure

My Cornwall In Style itinerary provided options and since it was my adventure, I could choose exactly what I wanted to do for the day. For instance, I decided to opt out of the walk on day 3 and explore the town of Falmouth instead. On one day, I had the option to visit the Eden Project or take a walk, and on another day, I had the choice of two different walks.

Technically, my Cornwall walking tour was seven days long. On the first day, I flew to London’s Heathrow Airport from Toronto and took the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. From Paddington Station, I hopped on a Great Western Railway train to Bodmin Parkway Station. Macs Adventure arranged my taxi pickup where I was transported to Padstow.

On my first afternoon and evening in Padstow, I took a gentle walk around town, enjoyed a meal, and went to bed early in order to overcome my jetlag. So, while this trip is technically seven days long, the adventure truly starts on the first walk (which I’ve called “day 1” in the heading below).

Cornwall Walking Holiday Day 1: Rock to Pentire Head

Padstow Harbour

On the first full day of my Cornwall walking holiday, I used the local ferry to venture from Padstow to Rock to begin my hiking adventure. That’s one thing that I loved about my walks of Cornwall – they often began or ended with a ferry ride. It was really neat to admire the landscapes by land and by sea!

This is a moderate walk with a total distance of 18km (ascent: +200m / descent: -200m). Macs Adventure provides the maps that follow the South West Coast Path from Rock to Pentire Head and back.

They also offer an alternate suggestion if you don’t feel like doing the entire 18km trek: you can spend the day at Polzeath Beach. I recommend making the hike around Pentire Head as I felt that these were the most stunning views from today’s walk.

Rock to Polzeath

Ferry from Padstow to Rock

I took a short ferry ride from Padstow to Rock to begin my hiking journey for the day. From Rock, I began my walk on the South West Coast Path towards Polzeath. These were my first glimpses of the amazing coastal views that I’d continue to encounter throughout my trip.

Cornwall walking holiday: South West Coast Path
Cornwall walking holiday: South West Coast Path
Cornwall walking holiday: Polzeath Beach

The waves of the wild Atlantic Ocean crashed on the rocky cliffs and shorelines as I walked the narrow sandy path. I walked up and down small hills on the way, as the path led down to quiet beaches and back up again. Some beach goers were body boarding and even surfing on the restless sea.

Tubestation Polzeath
Tubestation Polzeath

Once in Polzeath, I stopped for a coffee at the Tubestation Cafe. Their kitchen includes vegan and gluten-free options, though I stopped for an iced Americano with oat milk (and a bathroom break). I wasn’t quite ready for lunch yet, so I waited until my trip back through Polzeath for that.

Pentire Head and “The Rumps”

Cornwall walking holiday: Polzeath

Pentire Head and The Rumps was the highlight of today’s hike. The entire Pentire headland, including The Rumps, is under the stewardship of the National Trust.

From Polzeath, I walked up the hill towards Pentire Point, looping around to witness The Rumps and towards Pentireglaze. At this point, it began to rain…and rain hard! I threw on my waterproof rain jacket and wrapped my backpack in a waterproof cover.

Cornwall walking holiday: Pentire Point
Cornwall walking holiday: Pentire Head
Cornwall walking holiday: The Rumps

The rain became intense at times, but this just added to the adventure. After all, I was in England! I passed numerous hikers caught in the downpour and we all smiled and joked about the weather to one another on the way.

Once I reached The Rumps, the skies opened up and I witnessed this unique geologic formation. The Rumps is a twin-headland promontory formed from hard basaltic rock. It was once the site of an ancient Iron Age settlement and promontory fort. Archaeological surveys found that there were phases of building occupation between the 4th century BC and the first century AD.

Lunch in Polzeath

Flo's Kitchen Polzeath

After walking past The Rumps and along the coastal path, I made my way back to Polzeath. For lunch, I stopped at a casual place called Flo’s Kitchen with sandwiches, bowls, salads, and grab-and-go meals. It’s really vegan-friendly, too. I ordered a vegan bap made with falafel, veggies, vegan cheese and vegan mayo.

Self-guided walking tours of Cornwall are wonderful because you can stop for meals when you like, where you like. While some travelers might be interested in the seafood offerings of the region, I was on the hunt for the best vegan eats. After lunch, I hiked back to Rock on the South West Coast Path. The ferry had just arrived as I walked towards the pier, so it was a quick and seamless trip back to Padstow.

Evening and Dinner in Padstow

Padstow Brewing Company

After freshening up in my room, I walked over to the Padstow Brewing Company to sample one of their pints. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many gluten-free beers on their menu. Even though I consume gluten, it’s great to have so many options for those who don’t. This is one of the best places to try independent Cornish craft beer.

Shipwrights in Padstow
Shipwrights in Padstow

I enjoyed a delicious meal at Shipwrights in Padstow, proudly owned by Cornwall’s local St. Austell’s Brewery. There are numerous vegan offerings on their menu, and you can conveniently filter meals on their website by what’s vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and under 600 calories.

I ordered the Moving Mountains vegan burger with a side of fries. Some other vegan options include the beetroot falafels, BBQ pulled jackfruit bao buns, BBQ pulled jackfruit loaded fries, sweet corn riblets, vegan Greek salad, and smoke tofu fajitas.

Where to Stay in Padstow: Padstow Harbour Hotel

Padstow Harbour Hotel

In Padstow, I stayed for three nights at the Padstow Harbour Hotel, a beautiful accommodation overlooking the Padstow Harbour. The rooms are bright and spacious, and I thoroughly enjoyed my private balcony with views of the harbour and beyond.

Padstow Harbour Hotel
Padstow Harbour Hotel
Padstow Harbour Hotel

It’s only a short walk from the hotel to the restaurants, cafes and shops in Padstow, making this the perfect location for any stay in town. The hotel has its own restaurant and bar, as well as a communal space with a billiards and game room. Read more reviews of the Padstow Harbour Hotel on Tripadvisor.

Cornwall Walking Holiday Day 2: Padstow to Trevose Head

Padstow, Cornwall

On the second day of my Cornwall walking holiday with Macs Adventure, I started from my hotel in Padstow and followed the coastline on the South West Coast Path towards Trevose Head. This are has been designated as “An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” and it definitely lives up to the title.

This is a moderate walk with a total distance of 15km (ascent: +235m / descent: -155m). Macs Adventure provides the maps that follow the South West Coast Path from Padstow to Trevose Head and back.

Once you reach Trevose Head, a taxi will come and pick you up from the car park at a designated time. With my stops for a tea break and for lunch along the way, I reached the car park with about 15 minutes to spare. If you think you will be really early or late, there is a phone number to call for the taxi company to relay this information accordingly.

Padstow to Stepper Point (with a Tea Break)

South West Coast Path, Cornwall

I walked right from town to the South West Coast Path from Padstow towards Trevose Head. It was really interesting to gaze across Padstow Bay to see the places that I hiked the day before. I recognized many of the landmarks and beaches from afar. This section of the trail ventured past beaches and through small treed sections of forest.

South West Coast Path, Cornwall
Rest a While Tea Garden
Rest a While Tea Garden

I timed out my trip to arrive at Rest a While Tea Garden for when it opened at 11am. This is a small tea garden just steps from the coastal trail where you can rest a while and drink tea (no false advertising here!). They specialize in Cornish cream tea and they even offer vegan scones and vegan coconut cream. I ordered a coffee with my Cornish cream tea for the extra boost of caffeine (plus, I just love coffee more than tea).

Rest a While Tea Garden
Rest a While Tea Garden

I also learned something new at Rest a While Tea Garden. Apparently, for Cornish cream tea, you spread the jam onto the scone first and then the cream. In Devon, you put the cream on the scone first and then the jam. As to not offend anyone, I prepared my scones the Cornish way…although that way makes more sense to me anyway (apologies to anyone from Devon!).

Stepper Point to Trevone Bay

Cornwall walking holiday: Stepper Point

Continuing on my journey, I hiked up a pretty big hill to Stepper Point, a headland with a 40 foot stone tower. It was built in 1830 as a navigational “day mark” beacon for seafarers in the daytime. The land surrounding Stepper Point is used for farming, and I’m sure you’ll see many sheep grazing by the trail.

Stepper Point
Sheep

These landscapes were among the most stunning of my entire Cornwall walking holiday. You don’t want to miss this coastal hike. There are dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters, intriguing rock formations and long expanses of beach. You’ll walk past notable natural wonders like Butterhole Beach, Gunver Head, and Tregudda Gorge.

Cornwall walking holiday: South West coast Path
Cornwall walking holiday: Trevone Round Hole

Before reaching Trevone Bay, you may notice a massive hole in the ground a little ways from the trail. This is the Trevone Round Hole formed by a collapsed sea cave. This 80 feet deep hole formed after thousands of years of erosion. Be sure to admire from afar and keep a safe distance as its walls are very unstable.

Lunch in Harlyn

Harlyn Bay Beach

After stopping to use the public restrooms in Trevone Bay (it’s important to note where the toilets are, as they’re few and far between along the trail!), I continued to Harlyn Beach for lunch. The Beach Box Cafe is a popular place for quick bites (I saw one in Polzeath, too), and the menu is vegan-friendly.

The Beach Box Cafe Harlyn
The Beach Box Cafe Harlyn

I ordered a veggie burger and vegan nachos topped with vegan cheese, crispy onions and jalapenos. In addition to fast food, you can also choose from a variety of coffee beverages and tea, too. There are several outdoor uncovered picnic tables at The Beach Box Cafe to enjoy your food.

Harlyn to Trevose Head Lighthouse

Cornwall walking holiday: Long Cove Beach

For the last stretch of this hike, I walked to Trevose Head past Long Cove Beach. The Trevose Headland features scenery of bright blue waters and sandy beaches. The majority of this walk follows the coastline with a portion of the trail traveling past quiet fields and farmland.

Cornwall walking holiday: Trevose Head lighthouse
Cornwall walking holiday: Dina's Head

At last, you’ll see the Trevose Head Lighthouse in the distance, a sign that today’s hike is nearly over. Dina’s Head is another natural feature, a rock formation jetting out into the ocean that you can walk across. I didn’t have time to walk out onto Dina’s Head, but it’s another place to explore if you get the chance.

My pre-arranged taxi picked me up from the Trevose Head National Trust car park. I was transported back to my hotel in Padstow.

Dinner in Padstow

The Old Custom House, Padstow

I dined at The Old Custom House in Padstow, a pub that’s owned by St. Austell Brewery. Naturally, you can find St. Austell brews on tap, as well as a robust pub menu. Everything that’s vegan has a “vg” next to it.

The Old Custom House, Padstow

I had to try the banana blossom fish and chips (banana blossom in a St Austell Ale batter, mushy peas, vegan tartare sauce, and lemon wedge). The deep fried banana blossom resembled fish, but was made purely from plants. It was light, crispy, and so yummy! It came with a hearty helping of chips.

Padstow, Cornwall
Padstow, Cornwall
Rainbow in Padstow, Cornwall

For the remainder of the evening, I wandered around Padstow, admiring the colorful buildings and checking out local shops. At one point, it started to lightly rain, but not for long. Walking past the harbor, I looked up and noticed the most gorgeous rainbow extending from one side of the horizon to the other. I quickly got back to the hotel so I could admire the view from my room’s balcony. What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Cornwall Walking Holiday Day 3: Falmouth

Cornwall Walking Holiday - Falmouth

From Padstow, the same taxi driver from the day before picked me up. After chatting to him about the region (it’s always great getting tips and advice from locals!), I decided that I would rather spend the day exploring Falmouth than embarking on the designated hike.

That’s one thing that I love about Macs Adventure tours. They’re self-guided and you can cater them precisely to your interests and even how you’re feeling that day. My feet and legs felt a little bit sore after two days of walking, so I felt like it might be better to take it easy in Falmouth. Little did I know that I’d end up walking 16km in total around Falmouth and St. Mawes anyway, but that’s besides the point!

If you choose to walk on day three of your Cornwall walking holiday, the route starts in the village of Portloe. You’ll walk on the South West Coast Path along craggy cliff-tops featuring views of the sea. Once you pass through tiny villages like Veryan, you’ll make your way down to St. Mawes. The total walk is 20.5km (ascent: +300m / descent: -300m).

If you’re doing the hike, your driver will drop you off in Portloe and transfer your luggage to your hotel in St. Mawes. I ended up traveling with my luggage to St. Mawes and dropped it off at the hotel myself, then continuing to Falmouth.

Ferry From St. Mawes to Falmouth

Ferry From St. Mawes to Falmouth

From the Saint Mawes Harbour, you can take a commuter ferry across to Falmouth. These ferries back and forth throughout the day between St. Mawes and two piers in Falmouth. The ferry operates until about 6:00pm, so be sure to check the ferry schedule before you plan your day.

I loved the views from the ferry of St. Mawes as we approached Falmouth. Watch the St. Mawes Castle come into view as you sail across the way. Then, you’ll be able to see Pendennis Castle, the castle in Falmouth, off in the distance. Rows of brightly colored houses greet you as you approach Falmouth. I was excited to explore a new town.

Pendennis Castle

Pendennis Castle

First, I walked from Falmouth’s High Street to Pendennis Castle. It’s about a 25 minute walk and some portions of the walk are an uphill climb, so I was still getting a workout despite skipping the “walks of Cornwall” for the day.

Pendennis Castle is an English Heritage site that was once one of Henry VII’s seaside fortresses. This 450 year old Tudor castle has been repurposed many times across the centuries. It started as an artillery fort in the year 1539. The fortress expanded after the Spanish threat of 1578. Soon after, the castle was enclosed within a pentagonal fortress to defend the entire headland.

Pendennis Castle
Pendennis Castle
Pendennis Castle
Pendennis Castle

The fort was neglected, and then reestablished and modernized as time went on. In times of war, the fort and castle had new buildings and arms added, while peaceful times brought decades of neglect. During World War I, thousands of troops are trained here before heading to France and Belgium.

During World War II, Pendennis Castle plays an important role in defending the region. From the fort, the British are able to launch long-range, radar-controlled attacks against enemy ships, as well as defend against torpedo boats.

Nowadays, of course, Pendennis Castle is a preserved historic site and tourist attraction. Visitors can learn about the evolution of Pendennis Castle over the years, walk the grounds, visit the buildings, and even enjoy a coffee and a treat at the cafe.

Visiting the Town of Falmouth

Falmouth High Street

As for the rest of the afternoon, I spent it mostly walking around Falmouth High Street. There are many local, independent shops with unique wares, locally made food, handmade arts and crafts, and souvenirs. I managed to find vegan fudge at Roly’s Fudge Pantry (you wouldn’t know the difference!), and I had an oat cappuccino at the delightful cafe, Forty Five Falmouth.

Forty Five Falmouth
The Meat Counter Falmouth

For lunch, I dined at The Meat Counter, which is hilarious as someone who has never eaten meat in her life, but they have a great plant-based menu! I loved their homemade seitan burger and highly recommend you check this place out.

Beerwolf Books
Beerwolf Books

Beerwolf Books is another unique find on High Street. It’s a bookstore and brewpub in one, and there are pinball machines there, too. It’s a great place to stop for a pint, browse the books, and maybe play a video game or two. If I lived here, this would be my local pub for sure.

Where to Stay in St. Mawes: The Idle Rocks

The Idle Rocks

In Saint Mawes, I spent two nights at The Idle Rocks, a boutique waterfront accommodation in this traditional fishing village. The customer service here is second to none. I received a warm welcome upon my arrival; the lady working the front desk was incredibly attentive, always greeting me with a smile.

The Idle Rocks
The Idle Rocks
The Idle Rocks

My room at The Idle Rocks felt like a second home with a comfortable bed, seating area, flatscreen TV and Nespresso coffee maker. The bathroom was very spacious, and my room had views looking out to the water. Breakfast here was delicious with a small buffet and a menu (I loved the avocado toast!). Read more reviews about The Idle Rocks on Tripadvisor.

Cornwall Walking Holiday Day 4: St. Mawes

St Mawes

For day four of my Cornwall walking holiday, I spent the day exploring a beautiful garden, taking ferry rides, and walking through quaint villages. You’ll travel from St. Mawes by ferry to Trelissick Gardens, make your way on another short ferry to the Roseland Peninsula, and then walk back down to Saint Mawes.

The total walking distance today is 15.5km, although I walked a bit farther as I explored the Trelissick property and gardens (ascent: +175m / descent: -205m). I found that today’s walk was a little more laid back than some previous treks with flatter ground.

Trelissick Garden

Seals on the Fal River

To reach Trelissick Garden from St. Mawes, you need to take the ferry to Falmouth and then take a second ferry to Trelissick. It’s a scenic journey, and I even managed to see two seals floating on buoys as we approached Trelissick!

Trelissick Garden and House
Trelissick Garden and House
Trelissick Garden and House
Trelissick Garden and House

Trelissick is a garden and house set on a sprawling estate, operated by the National Trust. The property has its own woodland trails and magnificent waterfront views from the historic home. Take a wander around the magical gardens to discover lush greenery and colorful flowers everywhere you look. You can also walk the nature trails surrounding the property, too.

Visiting the Trelissick mansion was definitely a highlight. There are a few rooms of the home that are open to the public that are decorated as they would have been many years ago. There are staff on site who will tell you some interesting facts about the home and the family who once owned it.

Trelissick Garden and House
Trelissick Garden and House
Trelissick Garden and House

I love that the home functions as a tea house where you can order Cornish cream tea, beverages, pastries and light snacks. Then, you can choose to sit at one of the tables overlooking the water or sip your tea in the home’s conservatory like I did. You’ll be surrounded by tropical foliage as you enjoy your cream tea. The cafe here has vegan scones and jam (unfortunately, no vegan cream), as well as tea, coffee and other drinks.

Ferry to the Roseland Peninsula

King Harry Ferry

From Trelissick, it’s only a short ferry ride across the Fal River to the Roseland Peninsula on the King Harry Ferry. Built in 1888, the King Harry Ferry connects the Roseland Peninsula to Feock, Truro and Falmouth by avoiding a 27 mile driving route. It’s one of only five chain ferries in England and offers a much quicker route, departing every 20 minutes.

King Harry Ferry on the Fal River
King Harry Ferry on the Fal River

Here’s an astounding statistic: this ferry saves 5 million car miles, 1.7 million kg of CO2 and ¾ of a million litres of fuel every year. Approximately 300,000 cars use the ferry each year, too. While there is a fee for cars to use the ferry, pedestrians can walk aboard for free. I walked on the ferry as a pedestrian and enjoyed the brief ride from one side to the other.

St. Just in Roseland

Cornwall walking holiday - Roseland Peninsula

The walk from the King Harry Ferry to the village of St. Just in Roseland wasn’t terribly interesting as it mostly followed some country roads. At times, you will come across some pretty views of the rolling countryside. This is a popular cycling route. Be mindful that some cars drive on these roads, but you likely won’t see many vehicles on your way.

Cornwall walking holiday - St Just in Roseland
Cornwall walking holiday - St Just in Roseland Church
Cornwall walking holiday - Miss Vs, St Just in Roseland

The village of Saint Just in Roseland is a cute small community. The main attraction is the 13th century church, St. Just’s Church, set among riverside gardens with trees and semitropical plants. Stop at Miss Vs tea house for a bite to eat or a warm beverage before continuing on your way.

St. Mawes

Coastal walk to St. Mawes

From St. Just in Roseland, you’ll continue on the coastal path towards St. Mawes. This is the most picturesque section of the walk and designated as part of Cornwall’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

St Mawes Castle
Coffee cart near St Mawes Castle

The narrow path on the coastline leads up to St. Mawes Castle, one of the best preserved of King Henry VIII’s coastal artillery fortresses. There’s a portable coffee trailer near the castle where you can stop for a drink or you can continue into town as its only a short distance away.

Finish this section of your Cornwall walking holiday in Saint Mawes. There are a few artisan shops in town, as well as a couple of restaurants and a little Co-op grocery store with the essentials.

Cornwall Walking Holiday Day 5: Eden Project

Eden Project, Cornwall

On day five of my Cornwall walking holiday, I had two different options (and my taxi driver would drop me in either location). I could start at Charlestown Harbour and make a 17km trek to Fowey on the South West Coast Path. Visiting the Eden Project is the other option.

I opted to visit the Eden Project as I’d wanted to visit this beautiful and massive garden for quite some time, and it was a great opportunity to do so. Plus, it was possible to do one section of today’s hike on day six instead, so I wouldn’t be entirely missing out on the walking adventure.

Eden Project, Cornwall
Eden Project, Cornwall
Eden Project, Cornwall
Eden Project, Cornwall
Eden Project, Cornwall

The Eden Project is an eco-project, educational charity and social enterprise. Their mission is to foster relationships between people and the natural world to benefit all living things on the planet. Over 20 years ago, the Eden Project’s work began as they transformed a sterile clay pit into a living and thriving global garden.

There are two indoor biomes (Mediterranean and Rainforest) and outdoor gardens across 30 acres, and I suggest spending about four hours to see it all. As a small caveat, the admission price to the Eden Project is a bit steep, but every admission is actually an annual pass.

Though many visitors (like myself) don’t live in the area and might not return, you can return as many times as you’d like within the year. Ticket sales also support the Eden Project and I wholeheartedly support their mission and continued ventures into new projects.

Historic Seaside Town of Fowey

Cornwall walking holiday: Fowey

After experiencing the Eden Project, you can either call a taxi or take the local bus into your next destination, Fowey. I walked down to the bus stop and caught the bus into town.

Walking down the streets into Fowey, I couldn’t help but admire this adorable town. While it’s difficult to pick favorites on this Cornwall walking holiday, I think that we truly saved the best for last in this case. I popped into a couple of shops and walked along the waterfront to take in the pretty views.

Where to Stay in Fowey: Fowey Harbour Hotel

Fowey Harbour Hotel

In Fowey, I spent two nights at the Fowey Harbour Hotel, a luxurious property situated on the water’s edge overlooking manicured gardens and the nearby village of Polruan. My room had a large comfortable bed and a seating area facing the view towards the waterfront. Walk outdoors to a lengthy shared balcony offering the most incredible scenery.

Fowey Harbour Hotel
Fowey Harbour Hotel

It’s only a short walk into the historic town of Fowey where there are many shops and restaurants, plus you’re close to the South West Coast Path to begin your hike, too. Fowey Harbour Hotel has its own award-winning restaurant, too. Read more reviews of the Fowey Harbour Hotel on Tripadvisor.

Cornwall Walking Holiday Day 6: Fowey to Par

Cornwall Walking Holiday: Fowey to Par

It’s the last day of my Cornwall walking holiday with a final day in Fowey. I had my choice of two hikes today. For those who embarked on the hike for day five instead of the Eden Project, there’s an 8.5km walk meandering  around the wooded creeks and coves of Bodinnick.

As I went to the Eden Project, I took the second suggested hike, south along the coast towards Gribben Head and Polridmouth, walking in the footsteps of Daphne du Maurier. This hike was described as a 15.5km walk (ascent: +285 / descent: -285m) that loops around Par and back to Fowey.

My walk on the South West Coast Path reached nearly 15km when I arrived in Par, not including the walk back to Fowey. Instead of walking to Fowey, I caught the city bus in Par and drove back to Fowey. The walk between Par and Fowey didn’t follow the coastline, so I didn’t mind taking the bus so I could spend a little more time in Fowey. Your adventure is completely up to you!

Fowey to St. Catherine’s Castle

St. Catherine's Castle

If you love dramatic cliffs, secluded coves and castle ruins, this section of the South West Coast Path is for you. From my hotel in Fowey, I walked on the trail until I reached my first landmark, St. Catherine’s Castle. It was built in 1538 for Henry VII as part of the national defense program. Heavy guns were once installed here to protect the Fowey Harbour from attacks.

Nowadays, the castle ruins are free to visit. It’s worthy of a stop on your hike, even if it’s only to marvel at the panoramic landscapes of Fowey and Polruan.

Walk to Gribben Head

Cornwall Walking Holiday - Fowey to Par

Continue onwards towards Gribben Head passing Blackmore Beach and Polridmouth Cove. Many of these locations were much loved by English author, Daphne Du Maurier, and inspired many of her novels. The walk towards the Gribben Head Lighthouse is up a huge hill, but it’s well worth the climb.

Gribben Head
Gribben Head

You can stop to catch your breath at the lighthouse while admiring this giant red and white tower and the scenery all around. This is about the halfway point of the trek, though there’s still plenty of coastline to explore. Be careful as you continue on your way as much of this area does not have a fence and it runs somewhat close to the coastline.

Walk to Par Beach

South West Coast Path to Par

Your walk towards Par Beach includes many ascents and descents. This hike is quite hilly and arguably the most challenging walk of the entire Cornwall walking holiday. I’ll never grow tired of gazing out across the gentle blue waters and peaceful pastoral scenes. You might spot some sheep or cows on the way, too.

Par Beach
Cognitive Coffee Company trailer

You’ll eventually reach Polkerris as the trail zigzags across the landscape. Keep going with Par off in the distance, and eventually you’ll reach Par Beach. Treat yourself to a coffee from the Cognitive Coffee Company trailer. Then, it’s a short walk from Par Beach into town to either continue your walk to Fowey or catch the bus back to town.

Afternoon and Evening in Fowey

Fowey

Fowey is a cute town that I quickly fell in love with. Its medieval stone buildings, cobblestone roads, and colorful flags lining the streets invite visitors to explore and stay a while. There’s no shortage of delectable cuisine to sample and the curated shops offer authentic Cornish gifts.

Fowey
Fowey Bookshop
Brown Sugar Fowey

Don’t miss stopping for a quick bite at Fowey Fish and Chips with its plant-based selections. The Cornish Bakery offers sweet treats and pasties. Brown Sugar is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot, and it’s also a great place to meet for coffee.

After spending the night in Fowey, a pre-arranged taxi picked me up the following morning for a transfer to the train station in Par. I took the train back to London, spending one night at The Lodge Hotel in Putney. The next day, I flew home from Heathrow Airport to Toronto.

I absolutely adored my Cornwall walking holiday with Macs Adventure. While there are dozens upon dozens of itineraries to choose from, I wouldn’t hesitate to experience this particular walk in Cornwall, England once again. The trails, the towns, the hotels, the food, and the friendly people…I really can’t say enough positive things about the trip.

There are enough options on this self-guided itinerary to make it your own and I’m sure everyone who travels with Macs Adventure has a slightly different trip according to their own preferences. I would really love to return to Cornwall to see different areas of the region and explore more of the epic South West Coast Path.

More Blog Posts About England

Want to read more blog posts and articles from my travels to England? Here are some England guides to provide inspiration and help you plan your trips.

Follow Justin Plus Lauren:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Join our Travel Community