South West Coast Path

This incredible 600 mile walk follows the coast from Minehead in Somerset, through Devon and Cornwall and onto the finish point at Poole in Dorset. You will pass some of the most spectacular scenery in the country with beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs and a series of charming coastal villages just some of the highlights along the way.
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South West Coast Path Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

South West Coast Path Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

South West Coast Path OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

South West Coast Path Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head to the delightful Clavell’s Restaurant in the picture box village of Kimmeridge for refreshments on your walk. There's a fine menu and a nice outdoor seating area to relax in during the summer months. You can find the pub at postcode BH20 5PE.
The Cornish coast has some delightfully quaint old pubs to investiagte. The Jolly Sailor in Looe in Cornwall is a historic pub of some note. It was originally established in 1516 making it one of the oldest pubs in England. Affectionately known as 'the Jolly' by the locals, it has been a place of rest and recreation for seafarers and travellers alike for centuries. Inside the main beam in the pub was taken from a French ship of the line at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The ship was captured and renamed The Indefatigable. When she was later broken up, the landlord of the time arranged for the beam to be installed in the main bar and it remains there to this day. The pub has been refurbished to a very high standard, making it one of the most pleasant, as well as the most characterful of places to drink or stay in the town. You can find the pub on Princes Square, Looe at postcode PL13 2EP.
In nearby Polperro the delightful Blue Peter Inn is another must see pub. Nestled between ancient smugglers cottages on the harbour and Fish Quay, just a few yards from the beach 'The Blue' (as it is affectionately known) is one of the quaintest pubs you may ever come across. The building is Grade I listed and dates all the way back to the 16th century. The award winning pub has a wonderfully cosy interior, a great menu and is also dog friendly. You can find it on Quay Road with a postcode of PL13 2QZ for your sat navs.
In Dorset at Osmington Mills you'll find the noteworthy Smuggler's Inn. Situated on the cliff tops of the South West Coast Path, just outside the village of Osmington, the Smugglers Inn is a traditional English pub with stunning views overlooking the Isle of Portland. The pub also has an interesting history having been the headquarters of the French smuggler Pierre Latour and one of the main landing places for smuggled goods in the 17th century. Notably the Inn was originally built in the 13th century, with its own brewery at the rear. There's a lovely large garden area which is perfect for relaxing in when the weather is fine. You can fine the pub right on the coast at a postcode of DT3 6HF for your sat navs.
The Cottage Team Rooms in Clovelly in North Devon is a nice choice. This delightful village tea shop is full of period charm. Outside, the sunny sheltered courtyard offers you spectacular views across Bideford Bay and the garden overflows with colourful cottage flowers and exotics. You can find the tea rooms on the High St with a postcode of EX39 5TE for your sat navs.
The Beach House Hotel at Cornwall's Widemouth Bay is a gem of a place, with great food and an outdoor seating area on the beach. It was listed in the top 20 beachside bars & restaurants in the UK in The Times (2018). There's seafood & spices, chargrilled steaks & skewers, little dishes & sweet treats. You can find the bar right on the beach at postcode EX23 0AW.
In Bude in north Cornwall there's lots of good options near the head of the canal. There's the delightful Barge Tea Rooms. Moored on Bude’s historic canal, The Barge provides a memorable dining experience, by offering customers a unique view of one of the most picturesque scenes in North Cornwall.
There's also The Brendon Arms right next to the canal. Bude's best known Inn, it has been owned and run by the Brendon family since 1872. It overlooks Bude's inner harbour and just 200 yards from the unique sea-lock and Summerleaze beach. There's also a lovely large beer garden where you can sit out on warmer days.
The Tinner Arms is a historic pub in Zennor near St Ives. It was built in 1271, meaning the pub has been at the heart of village life in Zennor for over 700 years. The pub was originally constructed to accommodate the masons who built the Norman St Senara’s Church. It has a charming olde worlde interior which is like stepping back in time. They do very good food and have a lovely large garden area to relax in on warmer days. You can find them at a postcode of TR26 3BY for your sat navs.
The area around the village is also worth exploring with the fine old church of St Senara to see. In the church you will find of only two remaining bench ends portrays the Mermaid of Zennor, depicted admiring herself in a mirror. You can see this on the "Mermaid Chair" which also has carvings of fish on the seat, and which is believed to be at least 600 years old. Also nearby is the Zennor Quoit. This historical site is located on a moor about a mile (1.6 km) east of the village. Here you will find a ruined megalithic burial chamber dating from 2500–1500 BC.
Near the delightful seaside village of Bigbury on Sea there's the Journey's End to consider. It's a historic pub of some note, dating all the way back to the 13th century. Inside there's a cosy interior with four fires and a lovely conservatory. Outside there's a large garden area for warmer days. They serve high quality food and can be found at Ringmore with a postcode of TQ7 4HL for your sat navs.

Porlock and Porlock Weir, Trevose Head, Stepper Point, Hayle Estuary, Burgh Island, Northam Burrows Country Park, Fowey Hall Walk, Valley of the Rocks, Sharkham Point Nature Reserve, Old Harry Rocks, Salcombe and Bolt Head Circular Walk, Dodman Point, Erme Estuary, Prawle Point, Start Point Devon, Avon Estuary Walk, Ilfracombe to Woolacombe Coastal Walk, Culbone Church, Jurassic Coast, Helford River Walk, Penzance to Mousehole, Porthcurno to Lands End, Noss Mayo, Teignmouth to Dawlish Railway Walk, Looe to Polperro, Looe to Talland Bay Walk, Polperro to Polruan Walk, Fowey to Polkerris Walk, Purbeck Circular Walk, Bideford, Barnstaple, Heddon Valley, The Hangman Hills, Ilfracombe to Combe Martin, Worth Matravers and St Aldhelms Head Circular Walk, Lizard Point, Bedruthan Steps, Lulworth Cove to Osmington Mills Coastal Walk, Widemouth Bay, Bude Canal, Baggy Point, Mousehole to Lamorna Walk, St Ives to Zennor, Gurnards Head, Port Isaac, Mevagissey, Bigbury on Sea, Portreath, Coverack, Constantine Bay to Harlyn Bay Walk

Minehead The trail starts in the coastal town of Minehead, in Somerset, next to this striking sculpture

Porlock Bay The trail passes this stunning bay just before arriving at the pretty settlement of Porlock Weir with its fine harbour and 17th century cottages

Lynmouth This splendid little village sits on the West Lyn and East Lyn rivers in a gorge 700 feet (210 m) below the town of Lynton. Once described by Thomas Gainsborough as 'the most delightful place for a landscape painter this country can boast'.

Valley of the Rocks Popular tourist destination, noted for its herd of feral goats, and for its geology, having good exposures of the Lynton Beds which are among the oldest and highly fossiliferous rocks in north Devon

Heddon Valley Six miles of awesome cliffs and rocky coves including Heddon's mouth (right). This wonderful section of the trail boasts the highest cliffs in southern England and is preserved by the National Trust

The Hangman Hills At 1,043 feet (318 m) Great Hangman cliff is the highest sea cliff in England and the highest point on the South West Coast Path.

Ilfracombe This beautiful seaside resort has an attractive harbour and pier and is surrounded by stunning cliffs.

Morte Point Beautiful peninsula belonging to the National Trust but notorious for being the site of many shipwrecks. Enjoy the spectacular coastline of cliffs and coves, sandy beaches, dunes and headlands. Also important for its wildlife, archaeology and geology

Woolacombe Popular seaside resort with a splendid beach which has Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities

Baggy Point Striking headland popular with climbers and owned by the National Trust

Barnstaple The route takes you through this attractive Devon town and across the River Taw via the Long Bridge.

Bideford Bay and Hartland Owned by the National Trust this beautiful stretch of coastline includes Hartland Point Lighthouse, Windbury Head Iron Age fort and the lovely Peppercombe beach.

Bude Pretty Cornish seaside resort located at the mouth of the River Neet. Bude is surrounded by beautiful beaches including Widemouth Bay and Sandymouth Beach. The Bude Canal also passes through the town.

Widemouth Bay Popular with surfers and swimmers this stretch of coast is steeped in smuggling history. Just to the south of Widemouth Bay you can find many little inlets and coves

Bocastle Boscastle harbour is a stunning natural inlet protected by two stone harbour walls built in 1584. Much of the land in and around Bocastle is owned by the National Trust

Tintagel Popular village associated with the legends surrounding King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. The main attraction is the historic 13th century Tintagel Castle (right). Set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, it offers dramatic views and is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur

Port Isaac Small and picturesque fishing village where four seasons of the ITV series Doc Martin have been filmed.

Port Quin Beautiful small cove and hamlet owned by the National Trust

Polzeath Popular with holiday-makers and surfers this seaside town has a splendid beach. Dolphins may sometimes be spotted in the bay and the coastline north of Polzeath is a particularly good area for seeing many types of birds including corn buntings and puffins

Padstow This lovely town sits on the beautiful Camel Estuary (right). You will cross the estuary on the Black Tor Ferry from the village of Rock. Highlights are the attractive harbour and the 13th century Church of St Petroc.

Trevose Head Fabuolous viewpoint with lighthouse and Padstow lifeboat station. In clear weather, visitors can see virtually the whole length of the north Cornwall coast.

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps Owned by the National Trust this stretch of coastline is one of the most popular in Cornwall. It is named after mythological giant called 'Bedruthan' who is said to have used the large rocks (stacks) on the beach as stepping stones.

Newquay Major tourist destination with several fabulous beaches including Fistral, which could claim to the best-known surfing beach in the British Isles. There are several attractions including mini-golf, a swimming pool, the 'Little Western' miniature railway and Newquay Zoo.

Perranporth Lovely little village with a gorgeous beach backed by extensive sand dunes. Has a pleasant high street with plenty of local shops, cafes and pubs. Right on the beach there's also the Watering Hole which is described as 'the UK’s only bar on the beach'. The Perranporth to St Agnes Walk can be picked up here.

Porthtowan Part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, Porthtowan has a Blue Flag beach consisting of wide soft white sands and dunes. Sits just to the south of Wheal Coates tin mine. There's a fine inn on the sea front here selling delicious sea food with views of the pretty beach.

Portreath Lovely fishing village which extends along both sides of a stream valley and is centered around the harbour. West of the harbour entrance and breakwater is a sandy beach which is popular with holidaymakers and surfers.

Godrevy Head Wonderful beaches and wild cliffs around St Ives Bay. The area is run by the National Trust and includes Godrevy lighthouse.

Hayle Pretty town sitting on the mouth of the Hayle River. Hayle has 3 miles of splendid beaches making it a popular tourist destination.

St Ives Popular resort named best seaside town of 2007 by the Guardian newspaper. Main attractions are the golden beaches, the attractive harbour and a vibrant arts scene.

The Carracks and Seal Island The Carracks and Little Carracks are a group of small rocky inshore islands which include Seal Island, home to Atlantic Grey Seals, dogfish, anglerfish and sea anemones. Boat trips run from St Ives offering great views of the wildlife on the islands.

Levant Mine and Botallack Mine Owned by the National Trust Levant mine is the only Cornish beam engine that is still in steam on its original mine site. The Levant engine sits in a small engine house on the edge of the cliffs. Botallack Mine is situated at the foot of the cliffs.

Land's End Land's End is the extreme south-westerly point of the British mainland, and the extreme westerly point of the mainland of England. It sits on the Penwith Peninsula

Minack Theatre Spectacular open air theatre positioned above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea.

GPX File

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