Holywell to Crantock

Holywell to Crantock

A circular walk from Holywell Bay past the remarkable sacred spring and along the coast to the sandy beaches of Porth Joke and Crantock, returning via the poppy fields of West Pentire and the Cubert Common nature conservation area.

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The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
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The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
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The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
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Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.
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A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
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Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.
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Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
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The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
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We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

The walk starts by crossing the sandy beach at Holywell and follows the coast path around Kelsey Head to the pretty cove of Porth Joke. The walk continues around West Pentire point, which is famous for its wildflowers, past the blowhole, to Crantock beach and comes inland at the Bowgie Inn. From here, the return route is over Cubert Common along the edge of the Holywell dunes forming part of the Penhale Sands dune system which is important for wildlife.

Highlights

  • The Holy Well - an amazing natural series of basins created from dissolved minerals
  • Spectacular display of poppies and corn marigolds in June
  • Panoramic views of the rugged coastline from the coast path, including a blowhole at Crantock
  • Golden, sandy beaches at Holywell Bay, Porth Joke and Crantock
  • Wildlife along the coast and on the dunes of Cubert Common
  • Pubs at Holywell and the historic Bowgie Inn at Crantock

Considerations

  • As you leave the beach at Holywell Bay, the uphill path to the Kelseys is on soft sand.
  • Route includes paths close to unfenced cliff edges.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 104
  • Distance: 4.7 miles/7.5 km
  • Steepness grade: Easy-moderate
  • Recommended footwear: Walking boots, trainers in summer
  • No stiles: ✓
  • Pub: ✓
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

Click or tap on map for more info (blue=laminated)

Pubs on or near the route

  • The Bowgie Inn
  • The Treguth Inn

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

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