Area guide
Days out from Willow Valley
When you fancy venturing beyond the beaches, North Cornwall and nearby North Devon are full of harbours, castles and characterful villages — all within driving distance of the valley.
Some of these are a half-hour hop; others are the better part of a day by the time you have parked, walked and eaten. Tell us what sort of day you’re after and we’ll tell you which way to point the car.
Padstow
A pretty working harbour on the Camel Estuary, better known for its seafood than for its size. The quayside fills up quickly in summer, so an early start pays.
The Camel Trail cycle route runs from here along the old railway line beside the estuary — flat, traffic-free and easy going with children. Around an hour down the coast from us.
Clovelly
A privately owned, traffic-free village of cobbled streets tumbling down to a tiny harbour — utterly unique. Everything comes down the hill on foot or by sledge, because nothing on wheels manages the cobbles.
You park and go in at the top, then walk down. It is steep both ways, so wear something sensible on your feet and allow longer for the climb back up than you think. A short drive up into North Devon.
Tintagel
Clifftop castle ruins, an island joined to the mainland by a footbridge, and the Arthurian legend that comes with all of it. On a clear day the views along the coast are the reason to go as much as the castle is.
It’s a steep site however you approach it, with a lot of steps. Check opening times before you set off, and go early if you want the car park.
Charlestown
A Georgian harbour built for the china clay trade, with tall ships tied up alongside the quay. It turns up again and again as a filming location for period dramas, and it is easy to see why — very little of it has changed.
Small enough to walk round in an hour, and usually combined with something else on the way. A scenic run south.
Crackington Haven
A cove down the coast between Bude and Boscastle, with a beach at the foot of a steep valley and cliffs either side that are among the highest in Cornwall.
More a half-day than a full one: a swim, a walk out along the coast path for the view back down, and something to eat before you drive home.
Hartland
Hartland Quay and the surrounding coast are some of the most dramatic in the country — raw cliffs, folded rock and the Atlantic coming straight in. A short drive north.
It is exposed, so it rewards a wind-proof coat and a bit of weather. Worth going on a rough day as much as a calm one.
Planning the day
Also within reach: Boscastle, with its narrow harbour entrance and the walk out to the headland, and the smaller villages in between.
Drive times vary with the season and the lanes, so we’d always suggest setting off early in summer. Ask us and we’ll help you plan the day — and tell you which car parks fill first.
At a glance
Highlights
Distances and times are from the park.
Padstow
Distance from the park: Around an hour down the coast
A pretty working harbour on the Camel Estuary, famous for its seafood and as the start of the Camel Trail cycle route.
Clovelly
Distance from the park: A short drive up into North Devon
A privately owned, traffic-free village of cobbled streets tumbling down to a tiny harbour. Steep in both directions.
Tintagel
Clifftop castle ruins linked to the mainland by a footbridge, with the Arthurian legend and a lot of steps.
Charlestown
Distance from the park: A scenic run south
A Georgian china clay harbour with tall ships alongside, used as a filming location for period dramas.
Crackington Haven
Distance from the park: A short drive down the coast
A cove between Bude and Boscastle, with a beach at the bottom of a steep valley and some of Cornwall’s highest cliffs either side.
Hartland
Distance from the park: A short drive north
Hartland Quay and the coast around it are some of the most dramatic in the country — raw cliffs and crashing Atlantic.
Boscastle
A sheltered harbour with a narrow, twisting entrance to the sea, and a good short walk out onto the headland.
Questions & answers
Padstow is around an hour down the coast. Clovelly and Hartland are a short drive north into North Devon, Charlestown a scenic run south, and Crackington Haven a short drive down the coast. Drive times vary with the season and the lanes, so allow more than the map says in July and August.
It depends on the weather and who you have with you. Padstow and the Camel Trail suit a family day; Hartland and the coast path suit a rough, windy one; Clovelly and Charlestown are the ones people remember. Ask us when you arrive and we’ll help you plan the day.
Dogs are welcome in every stay here, so most guests take them along. Out and about we’d suggest checking with each place before you go, as harbours, castles and villages all set their own rules. On site, dogs should be on a lead no longer than 2 metres, exercised in the area provided, and never left unattended.
There’s no curfew. Entry is through an ANPR barrier that reads your number plate, so you can come and go as you like, and the toilets and site facilities are open 24 hours. CCTV covers the park around the clock — cameras rather than anyone on site.
Bude is about two miles away and has everything you’ll need for the day — coffee, food for a picnic, fuel. It’s on the way out for most of these trips.
Make the valley your base
Live availability and prices, booked direct — no booking fees, no middleman.