July 17, 2016

England’s Charming Villages and Trails

Europe Hiking & Trekking Traveler Stories

Hike the Cornish Coastal Path

Day 1: Padstow

Headed to Bodmin Parkway train station to meet the group. Great to see our Trip Leaders Richard and Karen Bell again!

A lush green field with wildflowers overlooks a wide river estuary leading to the sea, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Nearby, charming villages dot the landscape, connected by trails that weave through the picturesque setting in England.

A scenic harbor in England features moored boats, a row of charming stone and brick buildings, and a large building on a hill in the background under a partly cloudy sky. Nearby trails wind through quaint villages, adding to the picturesque setting.

Day 2: Boscastle to Tintagel

Our first full day of hiking, lots of up and down, including stairs. Lovely sunny day with beautiful coastlines and wildflowers! Ended in Port Isaac where Doc Martin is filmed. Dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant!

A narrow stream runs through a charming village in England, with grassy banks, stone houses, and a stone wall on one side, set against a backdrop of green hills and scenic trails under a clear blue sky.

Coastal landscape with pink flowers in the foreground, blue ocean, and rugged cliffs under a partly cloudy sky, dotted with charming villages and scenic trails reminiscent of England's picturesque coast.

A group of hikers walks along England's Trails on a grassy cliffside with a rocky landscape, overlooking a body of water and a distant bridge.

Castle ruins on a cliffside with green hills and a building in the background. A group of people in bright clothing are gathered at the bottom of the hill. Trails and walls weave through the landscape, reminiscent of charming villages found throughout England.

Day 3: Constantine Bay back to Padstow

Longest hike today (11 miles), but less up and down than yesterday, and again, lovely weather!

Coastal landscape featuring a sandy beach, rolling waves, and grassy dunes under a blue sky. Prominent green fields and distant rocky outcrops complete the scene, typical of charming villages in England with winding trails inviting exploration.

A white lighthouse stands on a grassy hill in one of England's charming villages, overlooking the sea with colorful wildflowers in the foreground and a clear sky above, perfect for exploring nearby trails.

A wooden bench overlooks a cliffside view of the ocean and rocky islets, with a building on stilts extending into the sea on the left. The scene includes grassy terrain with scattered flowers, reminiscent of England's charming villages and scenic trails.

A coastal scene with a rocky outcrop covered in grass and colorful flowers, overlooking a blue sea and a distant shoreline under a partly cloudy sky, evokes the picturesque charm of England's seaside trails near its charming villages. — “This herringbone wall pattern is known as ‘Jack and Jill’ or ‘curzy way,’ from the Cornish word for reed, ‘korsen’, alluding to the woven pattern,” says Trip Leader Karen Bell. The wall is topped with early summer flowers, thrift and kidney vetch.

A seagull stands on grass surrounded by small flowers, with a blurred background of greenery and earth, reminiscent of charming villages and trails in England.

Day 4: Porthcothan Bay to St. Ives

Shorter, but more strenuous hiking—lots of ups and downs along the beautiful North Coast of Cornwall. I swam in a new body of water—the Celtic Sea (very cold)! We ended by attending an interesting production of The Zig Zag Way at the Minack Theater, perfect timing before our tour of the Levant Tin Mine tomorrow, preceded by a lovely picnic cooked by Karen and her friend Toni.

Day 5: Levant Mine to Lands End

Started the day at the Levant Tin Mine where the site curator, Anthony, shared its fascinating history with us. Lunch was true Cornish pasties from the oldest Cornish pasty shop in Cornwall (or anywhere for that matter!) followed by a hike up the coast, then a short transfer to Land’s End (the westernmost point in England) and a lovely dinner in St. Ives.

Two small birds perched on branches; one bird has wings slightly spread while the other looks on. The background, reminiscent of England's charming villages, is blurred with green and brown hues, evoking peaceful trails through nature. — *A stonechat feeding its baby.*

Day 6: Lamorna Cove to Porthcurno

Wonderful hike even though the fog never totally lifted—but no rain! Ended at the Telegraph Museum in Porthcurno, which was fascinating.

Day 7: Truro, Lost Gardens of Heligan

We started today with a walk into Truro, passing lovely Georgian and Victorian row houses. Beautiful cathedral! Next off to the Lost Gardens of Heligan (look it up, amazing story!). Then a walk down a woodland (and muddy!) path to Megavissey where we caught a ferry to our last hotel in Fowey (pronounced Foy, “Fowey rhymes with Joy”).

Day 8: Polperro to Poluruan

Hot and totally clear day for our hike from Polperro up the coast and back to Fowey via a foot ferry from Polruan. I also swam in a new body of water! The English Channel.

Day 9: Last Hike – Fowey to Polkerris

Last day of hiking. We walked along the coast to Polkerris for a nice pub lunch, then back through the woods on the Saints Way—a trail used by early Christians to travel between the north and south coasts since it was safer for them to go overland. Lovely final dinner in the Fowey Hotel