Walks in Cornwall: Polzeath and the Rumps


Walker on the coastline at Polzeath in Cornwall on a very sunny day.

Pat’s been out exploring the North Cornwall coast on a grown up version of one of her ‘Nanny Pat’s days out’. Here are her thoughts about this beautiful area of Cornwall.

This is a spectacular coastal walk that takes in Pentire Point and the Rumps before continuing on to Polzeath. It’s not too difficult, but there are some good ups and downs, so you’ll need to be moderately fit! We started at Pentire Farm car park – easy and free!

View-towards-daymer

Whilst I was at Pentire Farm, the new series of Poldark was being shown; the old farm buildings there could easily have been Nampara, so the scene was set for me.

To start the walk, follow the path from the car park past the old buildings and head for the coast. The views are magnificent: you can see all the way to Bude one way and down to St Ives the other. It was a beautiful day and as with most of our coastline the water was crystal clear and quite enticing for a swim – until you feel the temperature!

Pat-on-the-coast

May is the best time of year in Cornwall to see the magnificent display of wild flowers which adorn our woods, hedgerows and coastline. Up here on the cliffs the mixture of colours is splendid with the pale pink of thrift mixed in with the yellow of bird’s foot trefoil and violets sprinkled throughout. Take a wildflower guide and you will be amazed at the variety you will find. I also spotted my first ladybird of the year.

Butterflies, birds and insects love it here too as it is largely unmanaged and wild as nature intended. You may even spot seals, basking sharks and giant sunfish in the sea here during the summer.

Spring-flowers-and-ladybirds-in-Cornwall

As you head west the path turns inland and the sandy expanse of Polzeath beach comes into view. This is a renowned surfer’s paradise and you will doubtless see many little black dots in the water trying to catch the big waves and ride them into shore.

We arrived at New Polzeath at low tide and were able to walk across the sand to Polzeath for a well-earned coffee and sandwich out on the terrace enjoying the sun.

Coffee-at-Polzeath-300x280

I desperately wanted to have a look at the Camel Estuary so we carried on in a westerly direction until the path turned in towards Daymer Bay and the estuary came into view right up to Padstow. At low tide the infamous Doom Bar sandbank was clearly visible (yes the beer is named after it!). It has been the cause of many a shipwreck as unwary sailors try to reach the safety of Padstow harbour.

Alas, our time ran out here so we retraced our steps and followed the path back up the valley at New Polzeath to return to the car.

The freedom to walk our coast path all around Cornwall is a wonderful gift, largely thanks to the work of the National Trust. Being able to wander at will at the juncture of the land and the sea is cathartic and inspirational to me – better than medicine and free!

Gorse-and-a-view

Useful information

For more information about the area and details of a slightly shorter circular walk, visit the iWalkCornwall website.

You can park at Pentire Farm or the nearby National Trust Lead Mines car park (postcode for SatNavs PL27 6QY). From Bosinver, it’s approximately 45 minutes’ drive.

Where are your favourite places to go walking in Cornwall? Why not share your thoughts below, post on our Facebook page or tweet @bosinver – we’d love to hear your suggestions.

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