Boscastle walk - Walks Around Britain

Go to content
Walks from Season One - Boscastle and the Valency Valley
Take a lovely 3½ mile walk following in the wake of the mighty floods which engulfed the harbour village of Boscastle and the Valency Valley in 2004 - and discover how the area has been restored.  And wonder at the sheer beauty of only a tiny section of the mighty South West Coast Path.

The full walk is available to watch on Walks Around Britain+, our "Netflix for Walking" video subscription website - click here for a 7 day free trial.
A walk from Boscastle along the Valency Valley in Cornwall - Walks Around Britain Shorts
Walk Info
Distance
3½ miles (5.6km)
Minimum time
2½ hours
Total ascent
463 ft (141m)
Level of difficulty
Easy
Paths
Farm tracks & footpaths,
2 stiles / 2 bridges
Map
Start/finish
Grid SX 09946 92147
Dogs?
Off leads through the Valency valley
Parking      
P&D Car Park behind the Valency
B&B
Public Transport
Bus - 594/595 from Bude to
Newquay
Toilets/Refreshments
Boscastle Village /
National Trust Cafe in Harbour
Gradient Profile
Share this walk
Route Directions

  • Start at the pay and display Car Park behind the Valency Bed & Breakfast.


  • Follow the river to the west, and head out of the car park by the clearly defined path.


  • When the river is traversed by the stepping stones (see bottom picture on the right above), do not cross and continue on the east side of the river.


  • Head through the gate - remembering to close it once through.


  • At the bridge, cross the river to the far side.


  • Begin the ascent up St Peters' Wood with the river now on the right.


  • At the fork in the path, take to right fork, which steadily drops down again.


  • The hidden Minster Church is ahead, but look out for the gravestone of a certain witch on the left.


  • Follow the path towards the church and feel free to have a look inside at this fantastic building.


  • Leave the church grounds on the path which climbs to the level of the road.  Make use of the barrer on the right if needbe.


  • At the roadside, turn right towards Boscastle.


  • Leave the road as it takes a turn to the left and climb a wall stile to take in a footpath marked by a sign to Boscastle.


  • Walk across the field which is part of the Jordan Valley.


  • At the end of the field, climb the stile and keep to the left path, instead of going straight on.


  • At the kissing gate, go through and make for the "Old Boscastle" sign.


  • Buildings are now on both sides and at the end of the lane, turn right to walk down through Old Boscastle's main street.


  • Around half way down through the village, take a right and then cross the main road - the B3266 - and head up the path to the right of the white house.


  • A footpath through the trees is almost opposite the white house and taking this opens out to Forrabury Common.


  • Follow the fairly well defined path towards the coast.


  • This path joins the mighty South West Coastal Path - and a right turn keeps onto the way back towards Boscastle.


  • The path delivers to Boscastle harbour, and from here a left turn along the main road and then crossing over it finds the car park.



Print these directions.
Relevant Links


Valency Bed & Breakfast
Where Andrew stayed for the walk through the Valency valley and Boscastle.


Visit Boscastle and Tintagel
The
official tourism website for the area - an excellent first point of contact for visiting the area.


Boscastle Walking Week 2020

The
official website for the Walking Week, with all the info on this year's event.

If you enjoyed this walk, you might like these...

About Us

Join us for short walks and walking info from Britain's leading digital walking destination
Walking routes, information, walking festivals, gear reviews
on the website, social media, radio/podcast, DVD, books and television.
Back to content