Holywell Bay - circular walks

Holywell Bay

The beach at Holywell Bay, Cornwall

There is a sandy beach in the middle section of Holywell Bay at all states of the tide which can be accessed at several points along its length from the dunes. The area of beach to the left of the stream gets cut off when the tide comes in. On the far right-hand side of the beach, the holy well is in a cave that can only be reached at the lowest point of the tide and this area of the beach also gets cut off as the tide comes in.

Walks visiting Holywell Bay

  • 3.9 miles/6.2 km - Easy-moderate

    Holywell to Polly Joke

    Polly Joke

    Holywell to Polly Joke

    3.9 miles/6.2 km - Easy-moderate

    A circular walk from Holywell Bay on the dunes and Kelsey Head to the sandy beach of Polly Joke.

  • 4.9 miles/7.9 km - Easy-moderate

    Holywell to Crantock

    Dunes at Holywell Bay

    Holywell to Crantock

    4.9 miles/7.9 km - Easy-moderate

    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.

  • 6.9 miles/11.2 km - Moderate

    Holywell Bay to Newquay (via bus)

    Holywell Bay

    Holywell Bay to Newquay (via bus)

    6.9 miles/11.2 km - Moderate

    A one-way coastal walk, made circular via an initial bus journey, from Holywell Bay along the coast and Gannel estuary to Newquay, passing the beaches of Porth Joke and Crantock and the headland of West Pentire where there is a spectacular display of red-and-gold wildflowers in June.

  • 7.4 miles/11.9 km - Moderate

    Holywell to St Piran's Oratory

    Holywell Bay

    Holywell to St Piran's Oratory

    7.4 miles/11.9 km - Moderate

    A circular walk from Holywell Bay along the rugged coastline to Perran Beach and across the dunes to the mediaeval relics of St Piran's Oratory, Church and Cross, returning via the Penhale Sands nature reserve which is carpeted in cowslips during spring.

Download the iWalk Cornwall app and use the QR scanner within the app to find out more about any of the walks above.

For a walk you can combine with a visit to the Holy Well, the Holywell Bay to Crantock circular walk via Porth Joke is a gentle stroll. A more substantial walk is from Holywell Bay to St Piran's Oratory on Penhale Sands. You'll need to be at Holywell Bay at low tide to reach the Holy Well so ideally arrive around low tide and do this first so you are not racing the tide for your walk.