Day 15 - Wednesday 24 May 2017
Porthcothan to Newquay (11.2 miles)
An overcast start to the day which soon turned sunny with the accompanying humidity. We had a relatively short day today and with light packs as we were staying 2 days in Newquay. We breakfasted in company with Pam who was off to Perranporth therefore she was a day ahead of us. After a quick sort out of our kit we were off and walked the short distance into Newquay via the pastie shop to the Bus Station in order to catch the 1100 bus back to Porthcothan.
Whilst travelling to Porthcothan the bus alarm went off near Newquay Airport - a tad worrying but the driver soon sorted it out. From the off at Porthcothan the scenery once again was stunning and there were many people about. Whilst the path does not visit Park Head, it is worth the short detour to visit the promontory as there are superb views both up and down the coast from here. At Bedruthan Steps it was, as predicted extremely busy and it is easy to understand why - such a lovely spot.
At Mawgan Porth we stopped at The Merrymoor Inn for a nice cold drink - nothing very merry about the prices though unfortunately. All that was left was to walk the lovely cliff top path to Porth - the signs disappeared on leaving the village but we soon found our way onwards to Newquay. Another really good days walking topped off with another nice drink and meal at The Central.
Whilst travelling to Porthcothan the bus alarm went off near Newquay Airport - a tad worrying but the driver soon sorted it out. From the off at Porthcothan the scenery once again was stunning and there were many people about. Whilst the path does not visit Park Head, it is worth the short detour to visit the promontory as there are superb views both up and down the coast from here. At Bedruthan Steps it was, as predicted extremely busy and it is easy to understand why - such a lovely spot.
At Mawgan Porth we stopped at The Merrymoor Inn for a nice cold drink - nothing very merry about the prices though unfortunately. All that was left was to walk the lovely cliff top path to Porth - the signs disappeared on leaving the village but we soon found our way onwards to Newquay. Another really good days walking topped off with another nice drink and meal at The Central.
Will's Rock at Porthcothan Beach
Ah - so that's what Trevose Head looks like!! The jutting out rock to the left of Trevose Head is called The Bull.
Lots of little coves & inlets on this stretch - all covered in lovely Sea Pink (Thrift). This is near Porth Mear.
A panorama of the Trescore Islands at Port Mear
Porth Mear
Whilst the route passes to the left of the promontory of Park Head it is certainly worth a visit as you shall see in a second
A super view back to the Trescore Islands
A flat stretch above High Cove as we head for Park Head
Care needed to be taken above High Cove - much loose rock about
High Cove
Dave & Fudge on Park Head
It is only a short walk off the path to visit Park Head - worth the effort
Looking back along the coast towards Porthcothan
The short walk out to Park Head
Bedruthan Steps.
The legend of a giant called Bedruthan using the beach stacks as stepping stones to achieve a short cut across the bay seems to be a late 19th-century invention. No early reference to the story has been found and the truth is probably more prosaic. The first recorded name of ‘Bedruthan Steps’ is in The West Briton of Feb 1847 and is likely to refer to the cliff staircase. It has been suggested that the place name ‘Bedruthan Steps’ was originally given to the staircase but has since been applied to the whole beach, and especially the distinctive stacks.
The legend of a giant called Bedruthan using the beach stacks as stepping stones to achieve a short cut across the bay seems to be a late 19th-century invention. No early reference to the story has been found and the truth is probably more prosaic. The first recorded name of ‘Bedruthan Steps’ is in The West Briton of Feb 1847 and is likely to refer to the cliff staircase. It has been suggested that the place name ‘Bedruthan Steps’ was originally given to the staircase but has since been applied to the whole beach, and especially the distinctive stacks.
Bedruthan Steps from further along the coast
Don't know what she is laughing at. I had just been fleeced in The Merrymoor Inn - San Miguel & a Diet Coke - £7.10!!!
Mawgan Porth
Watergate Bay
Horse Rock with the crumbly Creeping Hole Point above
Newquay in sight
Flory Island at Whipsiderry
Porth
Which way? Here we are in Newquay.
Overnight Accommodation
We had a 2 night stay in St Bernard's Newquay
We had a 2 night stay in St Bernard's Newquay
Day 15 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
11.2 miles
203.8 miles
5 hrs 30 mins
98 hrs 30 mins
2185 ft
49336 ft
203.8 miles
5 hrs 30 mins
98 hrs 30 mins
2185 ft
49336 ft